All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Crucial Just imagine Akira, Papali'i and/or PGS testing positive. You all know who they'll bring back into the squad, and it won't be Robinson or MMT.
In that situation I'd be OK with either Grace or Jacobsen. If the systems aren't much different to last year (given the short turnaround) then Jacobsen.
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@taniwharugby Good point though. Didn't see them wearing masks on most photos when they were not able to physically distance.
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There's been a bit more added to the article since the news broke...
Stuff understands that the All Blacks are bracing for more disruption, with the very real potential for other members of the playing and/or coaching groups to join the defections.
The All Blacks had been building up with a camp in Northland last week, but the loss of their two most senior coaches threatens to throw their preparations into disarray.
With Foster and Plumtree both out for the week, the All Blacks will be in the hands of remaining coaches Scott McLeod, Greg Feek and Brad Mooar. It is not clear whether former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt could potentially step in this week.
The experienced head coach is due to join the All Blacks setup after this series as a selector and has worked with the Blues throughout their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Foster said he was confident in the team’s ability to carry on preparing for the first test without the absences causing too much duress.
“We’ve had a plan for this happening, and it’s a great opportunity for the wider coaching group and the senior players, who will be highly motivated to step up,” he said.
"We have learned how to cope with the unexpected, like everyone has over the past couple of years. I will still be working alongside the coaches and team via Zoom and I have huge faith in the coaching group and the players.
"We have structures in place and everyone is working together."
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Looks like the perfect storm building up for our hold on Eden Park to finally be broken. Statistically it is due anyway but the thought of being 4-2 down against the Irish over the last few years will be hard to swallow.
Hopefully the ground will be nice and firm and we will be able to blow them away all over the park with some physical and attacking rugby
Surely would be a good opportunity to bring in Joe Schmidt, at least to have him in the coaches box on Saturday
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@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Have some compassion for Foster FFS. You do realise that he will probably be exposed to listening to Justin Marshall for the first time in ages.
Let's hope he takes time to read the fern and uncover the secrets to the AB's success that we all clearly know.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Have some compassion for Foster FFS. You do realise that he will probably be exposed to listening to Justin Marshall for the first time in ages.
Let's hope he takes time to read the fern and uncover the secrets to the AB's success that we all clearly know.
"Don't involve Foster"?
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@NTA said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Have some compassion for Foster FFS. You do realise that he will probably be exposed to listening to Justin Marshall for the first time in ages.
Let's hope he takes time to read the fern and uncover the secrets to the AB's success that we all clearly know.
"Don't involve Foster"?
Lol, yes that might be a little hard to swallow.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@NTA said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Have some compassion for Foster FFS. You do realise that he will probably be exposed to listening to Justin Marshall for the first time in ages.
Let's hope he takes time to read the fern and uncover the secrets to the AB's success that we all clearly know.
"Don't involve Foster"?
Lol, yes that might be a little hard to swallow.
He looks like he has no issue swallowing anything else
#fosterfatjoke
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@Nevorian said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Looks like the perfect storm building up for our hold on Eden Park to finally be broken. Statistically it is due anyway but the thought of being 4-2 down against the Irish over the last few years will be hard to swallow.
I guess I'm in the minority here, but I think the AB's will win comfortably. The Irish at the end of their season and an AB side under pressure to raise their standards
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Stargazer and rhymes with The Shizzle, but aint...
I saw some comments on social media saying 'what do you expect when the players are all out mingling with the public'
Explain? Surely Luke Jacobson after what was said at selection time.
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about time that Covid something good for us
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@mariner4life just hope more players dont go down.
Surely they only need isolate if they are ill and/or showing symptoms?
Plenty of the normal flu going about at the moment, and like Covid, it hits some hard, and others barely and missing some, are they testing and isolating for that too?