All Blacks v Japan

reprobate

Pretty happy with that. Have to remember they haven't played a game in quite a while, and this is the only warm-up. Complete rest for Vaai, Lomax, Taylor, Savea who have had the heaviest workload I'd think. Good opportunity for the other front rowers to start. Hopefully Ethan is just doing lots of running. Expect Lord on for Barrett early.
If we had a rapid traditional style 7 there, you'd just about be looking at a balanced trio, but Cane is a long way from that now - still, good to see Samipeni get another run and Sititi at 8. Be nice to see them operate with Lakai on for Cane early - although Sititi coming off would be better for managing minutes.

KiwiMurph

Chuckling that this coaching staff can't find it in themselves to give a player a debut start vs Japan.

Fairly predictable.

antipodean

@Bovidae That team will take care of Japan no problem.

Frank

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

Bovidae

The advance party leaves on Friday so maybe we get to know who they are at the press conference.

canefan

@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness

Billy Tell

@darylmitchell said in All Blacks v Japan:

All Blacks team vs Japan:

Tamaiti Williams

Asafo Aumua

Pasilio Tosi

Scott Barrett (c)

Patrick Tuipulotu

Samipeni Finau

Sam Cane

Wallace Sititi

Cam Roigard

Damian McKenzie

Mark Tele'a

Anton Lienert-Brown

Billy Proctor

Sevu Reece

Stephen Perofeta

George Bell

Ethan de Groot

Fletcher Newell

Sam Darry

Peter Lakai

Cortez Ratima

David Havili

Ruben Love

Yeah nah. Cf actual team named.

Daffy Jaffy

Includes Proctor and Love -

Canes4life

@canefan said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness

I don't think fitness is the issue, it's more getting his confidence back by playing minutes. I think there's nothing wrong with Ratima starting on this tour with Cam coming off the bench but I feel that role will be reversed once Roigard is back up to speed again.

JK

@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Japan:

Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved

Machpants

Impact: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell

Some stupid penalties, 1m of carries, and increased belief in the red and black bias

nzzp

@Machpants said in All Blacks v Japan:

Impact: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell

Some stupid penalties, 1m of carries, and increased belief in the red and black bias

hopefully Bell's improved and the barn door is now in danger

Landers92

It isn’t much, but it’s honest work.

See you again next week for another early announcement.

sparky

A bolder selector would have started Peter Lakai and Ruben Love.

I would have preferred to see AJ Lam or Quinn Tupaea as the midfield sub ahead of David Havili.

No complaints about the rest. A good side.

nostrildamus

@reprobate said in All Blacks v Japan:

@frugby said in All Blacks v Japan:

We won't know who they see as the first choice 10 until the team is named to play England.

Entirely possible, that they want to give DMac and Roigard a run together because they've never played together.

I think it is probable that Ratima and Barrett will start next week with DMac and Roigard on the bench, but far from certain.

I think I'm correct in saying McKenzie started every game except the last one, which was a dead rubber against the Aussies - and Robertson said specifically that it was always planned to give Beauden a run at 10.
I reckon that makes it abundantly clear who the first choice 10 is, and I won't have you messing with my mental health.

And yet here you are!

nostrildamus

@JK said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Japan:

Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved

Since Niggles isn't there DH offers dominant injury cover.

nostrildamus

Wings looks slow with little speedy cover - IMO Lam would have been more valuable bench cover than DH, and they certainly have enough FB cover..

nostrildamus

Last chance saloon for Finau IMO. He needs to show some smash em bro.

antipodean

@sparky said in All Blacks v Japan:

A bolder selector would have started Peter Lakai and Ruben Love.

Perhaps they're spooked by the thought of the being the coach that lost to Japan?

pakman

Interesting to speculate the loosies had Paps, Niggles, Iron Thumb and Hoss not all been injured.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Japan