All Blacks EOYT
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The departure date for the ABs has been mentioned in the media. The only unknown is who amongst the AB XV squad are also going to Japan, and when they leave. That could impact NPC availability.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks EOYT:
The departure date for the ABs has been mentioned in the media. The only unknown is who amongst the AB XV squad are also going to Japan, and when they leave. That could impact NPC availability.
Trying a little bit of math - IF they were to send the starting XV for England on ahead, then that would leave 21 AB players in Japan.
From the AB XV they'd need two guys who were actually going to play in the game - plus four - which would likely be cover in case someone goes down in the warm-ups - so probably two props, a hooker and a halfback?
For the latter four already e.g. Bower, Renata, Slater and Hotham are free.
If you pick your starting XV for the All Blacks (going on to England), you could likely work out two positions where they need the extra players.
I think a lock and a wing - maybe a first five. So maybe Lord, Naholo and/or Plummer?
I'd be disappointed if they took anyone who is still required for NPC.
Of course, this could all be bollocks!
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@Machpants See the last line.
The only thing that makes me think that maybe they'll send the entire starting XV is Razor specifically saying they'll take 6 AB XV players - because the math does add up to that.
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If it was right - then team for Japan, something pretty close to:
Williams, Aumua, Newell
Tuipolotu, Darry
Blackadder, Papali'i , Jacobson
Roigard, Barrett
ALB, Proctor
Tele'a, Love, PerofetaTu'ungafasi, Bell, Tosi, Lord, Finau
Perenara, Havili, Naholo -
@Chris-B said in All Blacks EOYT:
If it was right - then team for Japan, something pretty close to:
Williams, Aumua, Newell
Tuipolotu, Darry
Blackadder, Papali'i , Jacobson
Roigard, Barrett
ALB, Proctor
Tele'a, Love, PerofetaTu'ungafasi, Bell, Tosi, Lord, Finau
Perenara, Havili, NaholoSolid 23, but Love as winger, not sure about that. I think Love will start at 15 with Perofeta covering 10/15 from the bench.
So maybe Naholo starts on the left, Telea on the right with Love at 15.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks EOYT:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks EOYT:
They haven't picked the exact teams I would have, but I haven't really struggled to see their logic - with maybe a couple of exceptions. But, I'm prepared to put that down to me not being a pro coach!
Remember when Foster picked ScoBa at 6 vs England in the QF in 19 and benched Sam? And then didn't attack the english lineout? Yeah, I remember that
3D chess, or coaches just playing hunches and going wrong.Edit: Hansen and semi. As you were.
Also dropped Bender from the side.
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@Bones three of the six are Otago players so minimal impact on the NPC finals
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@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks EOYT:
@Bones three of the six are Otago players so minimal impact on the NPC finals
Is that what that line of reasoning was about?
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The more I look at this fixture the more nervous I get , the level of opposition is one thing, but the consecutive nature of playing every week against a different opponent bringing different challenges is the part that has me most concerned
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Updates to the squad with Lakai and Lord coming in for injured players. Seven players from the AB XV squad to travel with them initially. Holland, Haig, Bower, Lio-Willie, Slater, Lam and Plummer. Interesting Lio-Willie picked ahead of Hoskins Sotutu. https://www.allblacks.com/news/update-to-all-blacks-squad-for-japan-and-northern-tour
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FFS Lio - Willie over Sotutu. Probably not too surprising because Lio - Willie is closer to the hybrid loosie they seem to prefer. It's getting like the Black Caps and their pop gun 'all rounders'.
