All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
But I will guarantee one thing fellas, whatever team is named someone or quite a few will be outraged as it not what thay think it should be. I surprised a bit with Barrett at 6 but haven't been overly convinced on Akira , so........................
So just start Sowakula? He's on the bench.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Our props are average in so many facets, or have obvious weaknesses.
I think they are the big issue in our tight 5, putting extra load on Taylor and our locks, just need to look at how ineffective and knackered they all looked last year.
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@Dan54 Akira was mud in that Super Rugby final. Alot of people forget that Ardie was one of our best last year, and despite the shit @mariner4life talks, his work-rate is top notch. The problem is that Ardie can't play 7 because Cane is captain, but he's too good to leave out.
It doesn't help when other players aren't really putting their hand up for selection. The only player that stands out to me right now is Cullen Grace but this coach picked PGS instead, so he's really left himself short of options.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
It doesn't help when other players aren't really putting their hand up for selection. The only player that stands out to me right now is Cullen Grace
Sotutu and MMT say hi.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Nepia Well, they moved Lomax from the MABs to the ABs, so they could do the same with Grace.
I'd much rather have Grace playing at 6 than Barrett.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
No question asked, or mention of Sotutu.
They’re definitely all in on Savea, so I guess they see him as a starter to give Savea a spell or not in the 23.
I’m hopeful he will get a start at some point this year. The great thing for Hoskins is that he is only 23.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
The problem is that Ardie can't play 7 because Cane is captain
oh, how silly of me. When you said that someone else should be 7 i thought you meant the form guy in NZ, and current skipper of the Blues.
Not a guy who hasn't played 7 in years.
My mistake.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Dan54 Akira was mud in that Super Rugby final. Alot of people forget that Ardie was one of our best last year, and despite the shit @mariner4life talks, his work-rate is top notch.
Because he's absent for half the fucking game.
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@antipodean who, Ardie or Akira?
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I wish the journos had asked about Caleb Clarke - but, I'm guessing they decided he's not match-fit.
If that's the case, then the back selections are pretty logical since the third bench spot had to go to Perofeta, Clarke, RTS or Ennor - and we needed midfield/wing cover.
For the forwards - selections become pretty logical once you see who is out injured.
Taylor starting over Sami T. is no surprise regardless of whether it's the right decision.
They're evidently thinking there's a fair degree of specialisation in the loose forwards.
- Ioane/PGS
- Cane/Papali'i
- Ardie/Sotutu
Dalton's selection sends a pretty clear message that they're not planning on Ardie covering 7.
PGS not really trusted to start this test, but presumably seen as offering better cover of 6/8 than Sotutu.
If everyone was fit I think Nepo would've started at tighthead, Akira at 6, Goodhue/Havili at 12, Jordan at 14.
One of the three locks would've moved to the bench, Leicester possibly moves to the bench, Reece switches wings and Angus, PGS, QT and Ennor slide out of the 23.
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@Duluth said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
I wish the journos had asked about Caleb Clarke - but, I'm guessing they decided he's not match-fit.
Knowler said in his article that Clarke wasn't fully recovered
Pretty much makes Ennor a lock-in.
I wonder whether they're considering shifting Rieko into 2nd five if QT gets injured?
The alternative is 10. Mo'uga; 12. JB; 15. BB - but, that is a hell of a lot of disruption!
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Dan54 Akira was mud in that Super Rugby final. Alot of people forget that Ardie was one of our best last year, and despite the shit @mariner4life talks, his work-rate is top notch. The problem is that Ardie can't play 7 because Cane is captain, but he's too good to leave out.
It doesn't help when other players aren't really putting their hand up for selection. The only player that stands out to me right now is Cullen Grace but this coach picked PGS instead, so he's really left himself short of options.
I agree about Ardie, that a few seem to forget was probably one of best forwards in Super this year, and was picked in world XV last year. Also Akira who I keep hoping will play to his potential was pretty average in semi as well as final in super, I just not sure what is wrong with him.
Also will be interested to see who else comes down with covid by Saturday, as with Feeks getting it now ,I guessing there still quite a chance of more. -
@Dan54 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Dan54 Akira was mud in that Super Rugby final. Alot of people forget that Ardie was one of our best last year, and despite the shit @mariner4life talks, his work-rate is top notch. The problem is that Ardie can't play 7 because Cane is captain, but he's too good to leave out.
It doesn't help when other players aren't really putting their hand up for selection. The only player that stands out to me right now is Cullen Grace but this coach picked PGS instead, so he's really left himself short of options.
I agree about Ardie, that a few seem to forget was probably one of best forwards in Super this year, and was picked in world XV last year. Also Akira who I keep hoping will play to his potential was pretty average in semi as well as final in super, I just not sure what is wrong with him.
Also will be interested to see who else comes down with covid by Saturday, as with Feeks getting it now ,I guessing there still quite a chance of more.If you read up above, Foster mentioned his foot injury has flared up, so he has been playing injured over the finals. Even with that, he was still getting through a good amount of work, up there with the other loose forwards for tackles, etc
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Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, Gary Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton (c), Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Reserves: Dan Heffernan, Finlay Bealham, Cian Healy, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Bundee Aki
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@nzzp said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
If Dalton isn't 100% why is he on the bench given there's 2 x 7s in the starting loose forward trio? Akira injured but are Hoskins and Vaai covid/injured?
He kept mentioning Dalton with Akira when talking about six, so I think the dopey bastard is going to play three sevens at some point.
I'd prefer three 7s to two 7s and a lock named Barrett.
he said he saw Papali'i as a 6 as well (earlier in the season).
It's bizarre. And this is not Cane's fault - he's a solid leader, and a damn good 7. He's just getting competition from different (Ardie) and up and coming (Dalts) players.
For me, it's got to be Ardie to the bench to cover the loosies and rip open the game in the last 20. Pick a specialist 6 and 8 with some height, and play Cane or Dalts if Cane can't play - they are the most similar. The massive compromise comes with having to have both Cane and Ardie there; the balance is borked at that point.
Deep down, though, this isn't the issue. Our tight 5 is the key problem. Taylor Retallick Whitelock are not the physical specimens they used to be. Our props are average in so many facets, or have obvious weaknesses.
All in all, loss insurance on the Irish seems a smart move right now
After reading your post, I’m actually changing my prediction, ABs by 20+
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@Chris said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
If Dalton isn't 100% why is he on the bench given there's 2 x 7s in the starting loose forward trio? Akira injured but are Hoskins and Vaai covid/injured?
Yeah I couldn't understand that one, then Foster coming out and saying SB is a option at 6 potentially long term.
He's not even a legit 6 option for the Crusaders, only when there are injuries. Given test rugby is alot tighter I'm sure he has the skills/athleticism to play there but just strange he's plonked there after being picked in the squad as a lock and Foster & co speaking highly of Va'ai as a 6 option.
