All Blacks vs Springboks I

[Tim]

The three key All Blacks selections as they take on the Springboks

The All Blacks face three key selection headaches as they prepare to take on the world champion Springboks this weekend.

[Chris B.]

@tim Pretty close the starting XV I reckon.

I'll be surprised if he gets the bench right, though. I can see up to five different choices there.

[Tim]

How can the Springboks bounce back for 100th test against All Blacks? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

[NTA]

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

I am sure the analysts have looked closely at where Faf likes to box kick, but from memory against the Wallabies it was more to the left wing. I remember Hodge shelling a couple from fullback and Koroibete under some high balls but not so much Kellaway. I could be wrong.

You're exactly right. They left Kellaway well alone on the high ball

[taniwharugby]

@bovidae yeah I was thinking they did put several Koroibete's way...I think most of our backs are pretty handy under the high ball, but probably Jordan, Jordie, Reiko & Bridge in particular, meaning the kicks and chase need to be bang on to put pressure.

Dmac and Reece are pretty handy too, but with both under tall it does make it more contestable

[L_n_P]

It would be nice to have a winger who's a good tactical kicker like the good old days

Like one of Dagg, Ben Smith, Cory Jane depending on the back three at the time.

I'm guessing that's why Fozzie tried out Jordie on the wing ... but he's just not a winger.

[Crucial]

@tim said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

The three key All Blacks selections as they take on the Springboks

The All Blacks face three key selection headaches as they prepare to take on the world champion Springboks this weekend.

What game did the writer watch?

"Braydon Ennor is percolating nicely in his return from a couple of debilitating setbacks in the last year. He came off the bench and looked the part and isn’t far away from being thrown a start."

Eh? The guy did SFA.

[dogmeat]

@crucial but he looked the part, not doing it.

[Bovidae]

To be fair to the writer, Ennor will be thrown a start soon. In DC.

[Crucial]

@dogmeat said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@crucial but he looked the part, not doing it.

Ah! A bit like the Hammett era Canes

[Crucial]

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

To be fair to the writer, Ennor will be thrown a start soon. In DC.

Could be right. It's harsh but he's a sympathy selection to be fair. His original selection was fair enough given what was around but now he's being given chances because his injuries weren't his fault.
We currently have 4 good midfielders and a proven excellent one waiting to come back. I'm kind of not even sure why Ennor is in the squad tbh.

[canefan]

@crucial said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

To be fair to the writer, Ennor will be thrown a start soon. In DC.

Could be right. It's harsh but he's a sympathy selection to be fair. His original selection was fair enough given what was around but now he's being given chances because his injuries weren't his fault.
We currently have 4 good midfielders and a proven excellent one waiting to come back. I'm kind of not even sure why Ennor is in the squad tbh.

The MF is going so well even Goodhue is going to find it hard to get back up the pecking order

[taniwharugby]

@crucial guess he looked better than Donald did in the 2011 RWC Final...

[antipodean]

@tim said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

The three key All Blacks selections as they take on the Springboks

The All Blacks face three key selection headaches as they prepare to take on the world champion Springboks this weekend.

I think it's clear if ALB isn't 100%, Rieko starts at centre. Which means Bridge on the left wing.

I expect it will be Ardie, Akira and Paps to start the first test.

I also think starting with Samisoni would be good too.

[Kiwiwomble]

given the flack Bridge gets is there the appetite for Reece at 11 and Jordan at 14?

[Bones]

This post is deleted!

[Bovidae]

@crucial Agree with you. My comment was also about where Ennor is in the pecking order of midfielders. USA and Italy will probably be his only tests.

[mariner4life]

having watched teh last two Bok tests it would be an enormously stupid error to pick an inferior all-round player just to negate one part of what the opposition does, and not look to making more of what we do well.

I wouldn't have Bridge in the 23, he is unnecessary.

[canefan]

@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

having watched teh last two Bok tests it would be an enormously stupid error to pick an inferior all-round player just to negate one part of what the opposition does, and not look to making more of what we do well.

I wouldn't have Bridge in the 23, he is unnecessary.

Cough* 2019 SF Cough*

[Old Samurai Jack]

@mariner4life
Bridge has been safe but far too pedestrian on attack. And if history is anything to go by, these games are decided by the one opportunity taken or not taken......