All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
I’m not a big fan of Clarke’s performances as an AB, but I do like the extra size on the bench for impact.
Agreed but I do wish Clarke had more workrate and wasn't found out defending so often, the base attributes are there, but there are still kinks to iron out.
And it would be good if he could score tries, like an ABs winger should.
So apart from defence, positioning, work rate, and try scoring he's great 🙄
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@reprobate said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@Chris-B ...exactly, it is concerning. And if Havili had not been injured, or the props, we wouldn't know who our best options were at 1, 3, or 12 either. It would appear 'we haven't even got 2 figured out yet despite that being blindingly obvious for about 18 months.
Yeah - I think even Fozzie would admit he's been a bit conservative in his selections. With the benefit of hindsight, I don't think he would play Jordie on the wing in 2020 - which might have made it a bit easier to give him a run at second five, without risking accusations of messing him about.
I guess the proof will be in the pudding - if Fozzie's selection tortoise gets us over the line at RWC, much will be forgiven.
If he doesn't and then Razor comes in next year - makes a raft of changes and we have a team that knocks the socks off all comers, then we'll all be shaking our heads at lost years.
What a time to be alive!!!
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Nice that even stuff is picking up on the ridiculous bench
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@OomPB said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
Leaving DMac out just show the depth and strength of the All Blacks. The Springboks are in for a hiding.
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@antipodean I could stare at that gif all day, what was this thread again?
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I predict we lose by 7- 9 points off an inability to get out of our half and establish enough territory to prevent the Boks from kicking their goals (and going for the corner). We’ll give them too much territory around the 40-50 metre mark and any penalties conceded will equal points (3s early and mauls later).
Some heroics from Jordan will make it look like we’ll get back into it, but at the end of the day the Boks will collect their points however they can and we’ll come up short.
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@Yeahtheboys and to not even have DMac on the bench aye. WTF is Fozzie smoking?
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@gt12 said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
They don't appear to trust most of the new boys, so I'm ready to stand by my point that Roigard, Finau, and McCloud will likely make way for players from the ABXV when we get to the WC. I reckon Akira, Weber, and ?? will get the call up for that squad.
I'm not even slightly surprised those guys haven't got a run yet.
This is our biggest test of the pre-RWC - not really a time for rookies.
They've got to axe some players from the 36 man squad and there's some injured guys potentially to come back - e.g. Moody, Havili and Blackadder.
Barring injuries, I don't see McLeod going to RWC - I think it will be Jordie, Reiko, ALB and Dave.
I think Finau is pretty unlikely, because SBarrett and Frizz are likely their sixes and Blackadder and Akira are floating around.
That being the case - and this is harsh - giving those guys game time is potentially wasted time (except for the possibility of injury call ups).
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The other point that I am concerned about is that is Jordan going to be ok to travel to France later this year with his medical condition? I really like Will Jordan, but i think it is a fair ask. If he cannot travel then why play him this year? Hopefully this means he will travel, however I am not convinced Fozzie has thought about this
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@bayimports said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
Hopefully this means he will travel, however I am not convinced Fozzie has thought about this
Given it was a precaution why Jordan didn't go to Argie I think it's fair to say Foz is thinking about this.
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@bayimports said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@antipodean I could stare at that gif all day, what was this thread again?
Aaaaand I'm spent
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
@Yeahtheboys and to not even have DMac on the bench aye. WTF is Fozzie smoking?
Same thing as Gregor, it is all part of the 'master plan'. Obviously he misses the fact that the players he mentioned were only given a go when injury forced fosters hand
Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have been the starting props since this time last year, and Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane may not have had many games together in the midfield, but theirs is a partnership that appears to be growing at an exponential rate.
The selection for this test is very much all about good management rather than good luck...
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@bayimports said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
The other point that I am concerned about is that is Jordan going to be ok to travel to France later this year with his medical condition? I really like Will Jordan, but i think it is a fair ask. If he cannot travel then why play him this year? Hopefully this means he will travel, however I am not convinced Fozzie has thought about this
Chuck him on a cruise ship to Europe after this weekend. He should get there in time for the French game.
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I suspect this will be our heaviest front row on the bench ever this week? Anyone think of one larger?
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Jeez. That 23 was a surprise. Here we go round the mulberry bush again - who said Rotation was dead?
initial thoughts were that DMac was injured, but no, he's been dropped. WTAF? At least we'll find out if Ritchie's poor play last week was down to Christie. Speaking of which, can only assume he's there for defence or they think he'll partner his Blues teammate BB, better when the latter moves to 10 (spot the flaw..). No problems with Telea and Jordan though. Think the battle out wide will be one to watch.
Kinda see the rationale for Sami T coming off the bench for impact if not agree with it. Would have given Lord a bench spot but apart from that pretty happy as that's a decent pack. Let's see if 6/7/8 do as well as last week.
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Really hope to see Williams and Samisoni on about the 50 min mark. Could be awesome.
Personally would have DMac and Roigard in the 23.
Biggest game in ages. Amped.
All Blacks, All Blacks, All Blac ... -
@Chris-B said in All Blacks Vs Springboks RC Week 2:
That being the case - and this is harsh - giving those guys game time is potentially wasted time (except for the possibility of injury call ups).
I’m less concerned about this. The way things tend to go at a RWC, it can be quite dynamic. There’s planning for current games but also the longer game planning is occurring right now too.
Playing player x doesn’t necessarily mean they are going or vice versa. I agree that the majority of the squad is largely picked, but there are probably a few still to be determined for whatever reasons. And that wouldn’t be different from previous campaigns.
Gregor Paul: The All Blacks selections that hint at Foster's World Cup plan
