All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
LF is available this week, but the fact he is leaving could count against him in a close selection decision.
I hope not. Foster is out after the cup, so it doesn't matter what happens after. Pick the side you think gives you the best chance to win and go for it
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@NTA said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
ABs by 40
Nah. Aussies have played pretty well under the roof in times past. We lost our last test there too.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
LF is available this week, but the fact he is leaving could count against him in a close selection decision.
I would think the fact the WC squad is named on Monday works in LF's chances of getting a game, so he can be looked at.
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@ACT-Crusader Which says the All Blacks will want to make amends for that, particularly with so many players having their last game at home.
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@KiwiMurph This is my point though. They'll have already decided one way or another - and it is entirely possible that they take Telea, Clarke and Fainga'anuku.
And of course, they might have decided on 33 players on the assumption Blackadder, Cane, Narawa, Havili etc. prove fitness.
Considering Sevu Reece seems to be with the team at the moment, wonder if we'll see Havili and Blackadder pop up in some training photos?
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@Stargazer I realise this, but I'd assume Havili and Blackadder live in Christchurch as a permanent home, even if they are training with Ta$man at the moment (they'll be based there currently).
Particularly Blackadder if he still isn't fit yet.
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@Chris First of all, I didn't say it's the same for all players. Second, distance will play a role. It's easier to drive up from Chch to Nelson. To go to rural Taranaki requires taking a plane and then a drive out of New Plymouth. It will also depend on their partner. If their partner has a job in the SR main centre and can't get a few days off, or a player has children that go to school there, then he'll probably stay there for that reason.
I know of plenty of Hawke's Bay players returning home from Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington during a bye week or when injured. It's harder from Dunedin, but know several of them will always consider Dunedin as their home away from home. I see the same with players from the Canes who return to Manawatū, Auckland or BOP.
Anyway, the initial comment/question was about Havili and Blackadder, and I know Ta$man is home for them.
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@Stargazer It's often different for All Blacks though, because they don't play NPC, so are living out of a suitcase half the time, living 7 months+ of the year at their Super home base, and then spending the rest (Dec-Early Jan) on holiday, which may be at home, or their original home, or somewhere totally different.
It slightly differs for the younger players who don't live with GFs/have kids, who often just flat together. Folau Fakatava is one like that I think, but as I say, I'd be stunned if Havili, who has played for the Crusaders for 10 years doesn't live in Christchurch.