All Blacks vs Wallabies 2
-
I hope that bench is literally strong enough, it is going to have to hold up two 140+kg props!
-
Well, 6 of the bench are certainly dangerous with ball in hand (probably 5 given Aumua’s recent form). Two of them basically created most of our attack last week so let’s see what they can do in 12 minutes.
Not sure why we need Jacobson on the bench - it would seem a good test to get Finau on to hit some bodies. Clearly, he’s on the outer until he moves south.
Havili just feels like bait to me. However he is there so I hope we goes well.
If we smash them (which I expect), this is likely going to be our new best 23….
-
@Landers92 your inside oil was on the money.
That 23 is laughably conservative.
-
All I will say is, thanks to terrible squad selections and Crusader bias, the 23 we are putting out this year is nowhere near as strong as it could be.
-
Yes the All Black squad is not supposed to be a training squad for fading Crusaders.
At least for the initial games it was understandable they went for experience and players that they could quickly fit into strategy, but that is beginning to wear thin. He/they can either coach new talent or they can't. -
@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Havili just feels like bait to me. However he is there so I hope we goes well.
Unfortunately it couldn't be anyone else from the squad as Proctor doesn't provide 2nd 5 cover, and neither does Ioane. Robertson's comment seem to imply that DMac is the fullback cover too.
"Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first-five and fullback, as Beauden has previously, and it is great to bring David Havili in to complete the 23, providing strong depth across the back line. We are excited about the opportunity this week to put in a complete performance against the Wallabies in Wellington.”
-
i just dont get it....players play well...and are rotated out after a game....others dont play well and play 80 every week
-
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Yes the All Black squad is not supposed to be a training squad for fading Crusaders.
I don't give a crap about the 'fading crusaders' they are only part of the problem. Tj and BB, Cane? Two are gone at the end of the season and one is well past his best before, esp at 10. Ardie needs a rcoket and should be on the bench at most. This is a pathetic inwards looking selection of caps, not players. Razor, for all his talk, is frozen in the spotlight and unable to think beyond 'not losing'
-
@gt12 said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Not sure why we need Jacobson on the bench - it would seem a good test to get Finau on to hit some bodies. Clearly, he’s on the outer until he moves south.
Get off it. Finau was our starting blindside at the start of the year and was dropped because he was poor - universally agreed by everyone. You'll never guess where Jacobson comes from either...
-
-
The TJ, BB and Havili selections are an absolute wasted opportunity.
Ratima needs to keep starting, with Hotham getting time off the bench.
If you want to rest DMac, give Plummer a fucking decent go.
Havili, my god, my 96 year old Grandma would be more threatening to an international defensive line. Any of the other squad outside backs would be better options, even those not in the squad would be better - Lam, Evans, Z Sullivan, Poihipi, Tupaea
-
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
-
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
personally i think we dont actually know some of the names not picked wont fix things...because they dont get a run...and even if they do they get dropped even if they play well
-
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
We do have the cattle, I don't believe for a second that we don't.
-
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
personally i think we dont actually know some of the names not picked wont fix things...because they dont get a run...and even if they do they get dropped even if they play well
This is a common trap fans fall into. The answer is always obviously the guy not playing... the coaches watch them in training, have all the stats, watch all the games. Maybe, just maybe there is a reason why these guys aren't playing?
If the bench hadn't shat the bed we'd probably have won both tests in South Africa and would have eased home last week. I don't see why people want sweeping changes to the starting XV.
There is legitimate criticism of some of the wider squad selections, but that doesn't have an impact to what happens on Saturday.
-
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
Not in the squad, no. But there are several players that would improve things.
Nawera for Reece or Telea.
Sotutu
Any back for Havilli (I’d look at Lam)
Akira or Suafoa for Blackadder or Jacobson
Plummer to actually be usedAnd that’s just the tip of my head.
Loosies are a huge problem. Picking too many sevens, and players either out of form or not good enough.
-
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
We do have the cattle, I don't believe for a second that we don't.
Agree. Look at Sititi in 6, crazy idea but fook mi it paid off against both the Boks and Oz. Just need to select and introduce more young/form players - not stick with the old and past it.
-
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
@frugby said in All Blacks vs Wallabies 2:
Fact is the ABs don't really have the cattle. There is not one player not selected this week that makes a considerable difference to this team. There is no silver bullet.
The real assessment of this team is at the end of next year, where if Razor is still showing 'Crusader bias' and the results aren't there, he'll come in for criticism.
We do have the cattle, I don't believe for a second that we don't.
I don't think the ABs have the best players in the world. We're the 2nd or 3rd best at the moment... if you were to make a combined team with the 2015 squad, how many of these guys get in there?
de Groot over Woodcock?
Taylor would be the only other forward and none of the backs are anywhere near it.
