All Blacks XV v Japan
-
-
Would have preferred Fakatava and Thompson to start, especially because Bell has hardly played, this year, but at least Thompson hasn't been dumped, which I was afraid they'd do (like last year). I would also have preferred Rakete-Stones on the bench, but I guess this was always going to happen because you don't call up a player and then not give him game time and they weren't going to drop Ainsley or Ross, obviously.
-
@Stargazer Could never guess what team you support!
-
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
You've got to think they're really looking hard at PGS for a world cup surprise ticket, have involved him in plans last year but don't want too much material available for opposition?
Kudos if so, because they've clearly also been up front with him about his role.
-
@frugby Haha. If I'd added in my other likes or preferences it might have been less obvious, but I reckoned others would post the same thing.
But here you go: I'm happy to see Harmon get the start; I'm unhappy that Sullivan has been dropped for Lam, who I found very disappointing this year, and Sullivan was great last week, but the same applies here: all will get a run. Nanai-Setura has similarly been dropped for Nareki.
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
yeah, as much as i dont like it...i can understand when they pick departing players for the AB's...if theyre the clear fav in a position....but if the ABXV isn't abouta stepping stone from super to international for the next generation....im not sure whats it for
-
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.
The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.
-
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team
A bit of both, surely. Expose a greater number of players to international, esp now as we only play Oz
-
-
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
we only play Oz
?
In SR, and Fiji I guess. Moana just a kiwi team.
-
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.
The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.
but in the case where 1st - 3rd choice in each position are off with the AB's...these guys have to be at best 3rd choice (some overlap im sure) but mostly 4th - 6th...that sounds perfect for development, feeling like saying we'd rather spend money on guys we know are leaving purely to avoid something 2011 RWC 1st 5 situation is what will piss of young guys coming through
-
@Bones said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
You've got to think they're really looking hard at PGS for a world cup surprise ticket, have involved him in plans last year but don't want too much material available for opposition?
Kudos if so, because they've clearly also been up front with him about his role.
If there is any input from the AB coaches, the PGS at #8 for two straight games and yet Jacobsen in the main squad won’t have seen any playing time.
Whilst I recognise that the ABs is not some glorified ‘give every one a go’ team, PGS being persisted with does make one think.
-
@ACT-Crusader yeah some players you do wonder how we can view them so differently to them.
-
@taniwharugby if you’ve ever been on a stats or analysis team and reviewed games just focussing in on one player, it’s quite a different what you notice, especially when your focus is on specific things the players does (or doesn’t do).
I did a little bit of basketball player analysis (all post game) and I was amazed at what I was able to pick up that I didn’t when just watching the game live. Couple that with other data and it can paint a different picture.
