All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour
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All Blacks' difficult selection calls ahead of season-defining tests
Tension rises, minds sharpen, as the business end of the All Blacks season arrives.
Brad Weber has presented symptom free after sustaining a broken nose and failing his HIA against Italy but he must satisfy the newly-introduced independent concussion process to be available, which may pave the way for TJ Perenara to rekindle his halves partnership with Beauden Barrett from Cardiff.
Sevu Reece's bone bruising from the Italian match is the only other minor injury concern. That Sam Cane and possibly Coles, despite impressing with two tries against Italy, could miss the cut in Dublin typifies the difficult selection calls facing Ian Foster.
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I hope they mix it around a bit for the last two matches - rewarding all those in the frame with a start in one of the two matches. They must be getting quite jaded - and might be knocked over through fatigue v France.
So - select your best 23 v Ireland without using the starters from Italy to start again in my view. I think Barrett and Perenara will pair up. Maybe A Ioane starts. Leave Coles, Weber and Reece to start v France.
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I really hope not.
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@booboo said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@sparky Even without Weber's head knock, I reckon TJ was likely penciled in to start.
I think Laulala is almost certain to start and most likely Blackadder.
Coles vs Samisoni could go either way.
I wonder if they're thinking about a bench spot for Sam Cane?
Not sure Tupaea covers enough positions for this team. But, if Reece isn't available, good options are a bit thin.
Was going to like your post until I got to there.
Yoouuge Cane fan, but he is not yet back up to it.
Dalts, Ardie, Aoane (Blackadder) for me.
Remember how - when he was an experienced player - they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it."
Sam's had three runs now, so he shouldn't be in cotton wool. And if they don't pick him this week, there's not much logic to picking him next week.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if he's on the bench this week - with a view to starting next week.
Wouldn't surprise me either if they give him the 7 jersey this week.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it.
Richie was a fucking freak though, who would come back in and dominate straight away. The bloke basically never showed signs of "rust" it was all Richie, all the time
what a fucking player. GOAT
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it.
Richie was a fucking freak though, who would come back in and dominate straight away. The bloke basically never showed signs of "rust" it was all Richie, all the time
what a fucking player. GOAT
Yep, plus did Richie ever come back after a 6-7 month lay off into test rugby, I don't remember it ever happening.
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@mariner4life Yeah - but Sam Cane is pretty freaky himself. He's not a massive downgrade on Richie.
He started the tour saying he needed to get up to speed and wasn't ready, but I'm not sure we should jump on that as something he's saying now.
I reckon he's our No. 1 openside and available for selection. I reckon Foster will be looking at him very hard .
Blackadder, Cane, Savea (Ioane).
I'm talking myself into it!
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mariner4life Yeah - but Sam Cane is pretty freaky himself. He's not a massive downgrade on Richie.
He started the tour saying he needed to get up to speed and wasn't ready, but I'm not sure we should jump on that as something he's saying now.
I reckon he's our No. 1 openside and available for selection. I reckon Foster will be looking at him very hard .
Blackadder, Cane, Savea (Ioane).
I'm talking myself into it!
there was some breakdown work at the end of the game where i thought "oh yeah, he's starting to sort his timing now"
I would pick him, because at his best he's better than every other option.
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@dan54 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it.
Richie was a fucking freak though, who would come back in and dominate straight away. The bloke basically never showed signs of "rust" it was all Richie, all the time
what a fucking player. GOAT
Yep, plus did Richie ever come back after a 6-7 month lay off into test rugby, I don't remember it ever happening.
Probably not.
But, the usual route back from injury for most top tier people is 1 game on the bench then into the starting XV. Which Sam's already done via Italy.
I'm not 100% convinced they'll pick him, but surely he's in the frame?
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@duluth On the 1976 tour of South Africa the All Backs were something like 18 points behind deep into the second half (4 point tries) yet came back to win with two tries in injury time.
Nothing by modern standards but in those days it was considered outlandish and the comeback of all time
This is all I can find on it
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
I reckon he's our No. 1 openside and available for selection. I reckon Foster will be looking at him very hard .
Clearly our best defensive openside. When fit, a damn near lock for me - but if you pick him, you're picking other ball runners.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@dan54 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it.
Richie was a fucking freak though, who would come back in and dominate straight away. The bloke basically never showed signs of "rust" it was all Richie, all the time
what a fucking player. GOAT
Yep, plus did Richie ever come back after a 6-7 month lay off into test rugby, I don't remember it ever happening.
Probably not.
But, the usual route back from injury for most top tier people is 1 game on the bench then into the starting XV. Which Sam's already done via Italy.
I'm not 100% convinced they'll pick him, but surely he's in the frame?
Personally doubt it. reckon they will not change much from Welsh test. And I rate him highly, he our best 7, but I still think they will take cautious approach
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Cane no way.
Aaron Smith on the other hand…
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@dan54 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
they used to bring McCaw straight back into the starting XV after an injury break. I can remember Hansen saying "Rich can handle it.
Richie was a fucking freak though, who would come back in and dominate straight away. The bloke basically never showed signs of "rust" it was all Richie, all the time
what a fucking player. GOAT
Yep, plus did Richie ever come back after a 6-7 month lay off into test rugby, I don't remember it ever happening.
Probably not.
But, the usual route back from injury for most top tier people is 1 game on the bench then into the starting XV. Which Sam's already done via Italy.
I'm not 100% convinced they'll pick him, but surely he's in the frame?
Even with a 6:2 split I still don't think he could possibly be up to the speed of Test rugby, especially if his hit outs are club rugby and Italy.
Aaron is a different kettle of fish. His absence hasn't been injury. And he's clearly still our best option. The requirement for him to play is also elevated by the untimely knock suffered by Webber.
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@antipodean Cane's had 100 minutes of (Tier 2) test rugby. That's been sufficient for plenty of people in the past.
It's not a requirement that he play, because we have other good options.
But, it won't surprise me if he plays - and it's probably more balanced for him to start than to be on the bench.
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You'd assume they had already discussed with Smith the possibility of a late call up, meaning he would have kept himself in shape, so it will be how he is when he arrives...my guess is they may start with TJ and bring AS on to (hopefully) close it out.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@antipodean Cane's had 100 minutes of (Tier 2) test rugby. That's been sufficient for plenty of people in the past.
From memory they'd played a little more lower level rugby beforehand.
It's not a requirement that he play, because we have other good options.
Agreed. Fit I'd still pick Cane but I'm not as concerned given the depth in loose forwards on tour. The concern I actually have is balance.
But, it won't surprise me if he plays - and it's probably more balanced for him to start than to be on the bench.
I'd guess his greatest impediment would be body clock.
1976 All Black tour – 15th match | Rugby-Talk.com
