Springboks v All Blacks
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I think when Naholo becomes available he will be in direct competition with Savea,
Might have it wrong, im tipping Naholo to win that battle if he stays fit , just think he seems to have more upside right now ,
NMS in competition with Dagg I reckon
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I find it a bit odd that some are surprised Dagg is performing well on the wing. He was an excellent wing in 2010 and has a similar skillset to previous right wings of the modern era - Jane, Smith, Toeava. Remember, since the disastrous Sivi/Rok wing combo the coaching panel have always seen the 14 jersey as more of second fullback - kicking/high ball skills/ball handling all vital.
Dagg even at his worst could manage all of that.
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I was a bit disappointed with J Savea in this test, he had a lot of ball but didn't quite capitalise on his chances.
I've been happy with him this tournament though so wouldn't be surprised to see him retained, but I'd prefer to see Naholo given another shot after his good performance in Sydney. If he's fit.
Dagg performs a different role so I don't think his position is under threat. Right now. But definitely could be if another fullback/wing puts his hand up.
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Some talk on radio sport that Barrett and Smith B may be rested as they have the most playing time to date.
Not a fan of that move. They are backs so it's not like they're getting bashed.
And Barrett wiuld gave to be on the bench anyway (not sure I'd trust DMac to cover 10 and 16 yet). So not really a rest.
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I'd be happy for Sopoaga to start with BB on the bench. Would prefer to see B Smith starting though.
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Naholo deserves his shot wearing the 11 jersey if he is fit...all indications seem to be that he is. He pulled his hammy (?) on halftime scoring that try in Sydney where he had to put on the jets just to keep up with BB's midfield break (I was pulling a muscle of my own over that try). That was when...6 weeks ago? At that time he was the incumbent 11 with Savea on the bench.
Savea has been up and down in form since then - he tends to play a whole game either really well or a whole game a bit anonymously. Naholo's form, by contrast, seems to fluctuate in-game.
Naholo's ABs career has been beset by injury and, for mine, it would be really good to see him stay fit and get an extended run for the remainder of this season. I would have it at the expense of Savea.
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@booboo said in Springboks v All Blacks, whos in?:
Some talk on radio sport that Barrett and Smith B may be rested as they have the most playing time to date.
Not a fan of that move. They are backs so it's not like they're getting bashed.
And Barrett wiuld gave to be on the bench anyway (not sure I'd trust DMac to cover 10 and 16 yet). So not really a rest.
I think that theres been a bit of calculated risk-taking with this overseas leg, basically they've looked at the big picture, and feel they should win both these overseas games, and thus they're choosing to freshen up the key guys before taking on Australia in the Record game.
Also they must be aware that historically, the ABs don't seem to get to the last game of the year in particularly great shape, and bearing in mind we play Ireland twice, there was possibly a school of thought, it better to lose a game earlier rather than later - you'd imagine the media going nuts if we dropped one to Ireland or Italy, do we play France too?
I think they'd want to ensure we don't drop a game at Eden Park.I don't think the coaches would want us to lose any games, but its proven we can't just keep playing the best 15, and hope for the best results.
We're been pretty blessed for injuries this year really - so why risk a key player if we can freshen them up a bit.Anyhow, here's the line-up.
Props & Hookers - Faumuina in, someone out.
Locks - Whitelock & Retallick to swap starting/bench roles this week, Romano in? Personally happy to see Tuipolutu go again.
Loosies - Kaino definitely in, can't see Read going out. I think Savea may get a bench spot, with Todd in.
9-10 - A. Smith & Sopoaga
Midfield - Crotty & Fekitoa, Moala & Fekitoa? I think Fekitoa is in, ALB is out. Not sure which way they'll go
Back three - Going to suggest Savea, Naholo & Dagg.
Bench.
Some other Props & Hookers, Locks & Loosies.
TKB, Barrett and D-Mac to get the bench spots. Barrett as #10 insurance. D-Mac to get another go.Only suggesting B.Smith to get a rest based on that Radiosport piece - but I'm also going to assume he might get handed the Captaincy vs Italy, when they'll give Read a spell. So radio makes some sense.
Honestly, not impressed with D-Mac last week, but you have to give him another chance to see if hes the business. I feel Super teams figured him out towards the end, and I'm starting to get the feeling hes just not big enough.
I feel that its fairly obvious that Beaudy won't start this game, I'm not sure where I read it prior to the Argie test, but the article basically stated that Smith and Sopoaga would start a test, with Perenara and Barrett to start the other one, combinations pretty much.
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Shag made a comment on Dmac back in about june / july , saying something like ,
he has plenty of ability , but also has plenty of work ons , not going to play a lot of tests yet, more of a project at this stage ,
I wouldnt imagine too much has changed in their minds in 3 months
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If Barrett and Bender are to be rested (not sure about that though), Barrett will have to be on the bench for 10/15 cover. I would then have one of Fekitoa, Moala or ALB in the 23 jersey.
I would play MacKenzie against OZ or on the EOYT.
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I would not be too surprised to see Lima given a start here given it was the same venue as his quite impressive debut a year ago.
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I hope they pick the strongest team. We should win this game but of the two remaining ones, this is definitely the harder challenge...and you never know what the desperate boks could be like at home. We could field our 2nd XV at Eden Park and still beat the wobs. Rotate then.
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Eden Park will be TR jnr first ab test, so hope they don't rotate it too much.
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@westcoastie said in Springboks v All Blacks, whos in?:
@booboo said in Springboks v All Blacks, whos in?:
Some talk on radio sport that Barrett and Smith B may be rested as they have the most playing time to date.
Not a fan of that move. They are backs so it's not like they're getting bashed.
And Barrett wiuld gave to be on the bench anyway (not sure I'd trust DMac to cover 10 and 16 yet). So not really a rest.
I think that theres been a bit of calculated risk-taking with this overseas leg, basically they've looked at the big picture, and feel they should win both these overseas games, and thus they're choosing to freshen up the key guys before taking on Australia in the Record game.
Also they must be aware that historically, the ABs don't seem to get to the last game of the year in particularly great shape, and bearing in mind we play Ireland twice, there was possibly a school of thought, it better to lose a game earlier rather than later - you'd imagine the media going nuts if we dropped one to Ireland or Italy, do we play France too?
I think they'd want to ensure we don't drop a game at Eden Park.I don't think the coaches would want us to lose any games, but its proven we can't just keep playing the best 15, and hope for the best results.
We're been pretty blessed for injuries this year really - so why risk a key player if we can freshen them up a bit.Anyhow, here's the line-up.
Props & Hookers - Faumuina in, someone out.
Locks - Whitelock & Retallick to swap starting/bench roles this week, Romano in? Personally happy to see Tuipolutu go again.
Loosies - Kaino definitely in, can't see Read going out. I think Savea may get a bench spot, with Todd in.
9-10 - A. Smith & Sopoaga
Midfield - Crotty & Fekitoa, Moala & Fekitoa? I think Fekitoa is in, ALB is out. Not sure which way they'll go
Back three - Going to suggest Savea, Naholo & Dagg.
Bench.
Some other Props & Hookers, Locks & Loosies.
TKB, Barrett and D-Mac to get the bench spots. Barrett as #10 insurance. D-Mac to get another go.Only suggesting B.Smith to get a rest based on that Radiosport piece - but I'm also going to assume he might get handed the Captaincy vs Italy, when they'll give Read a spell. So radio makes some sense.
Honestly, not impressed with D-Mac last week, but you have to give him another chance to see if hes the business. I feel Super teams figured him out towards the end, and I'm starting to get the feeling hes just not big enough.
I feel that its fairly obvious that Beaudy won't start this game, I'm not sure where I read it prior to the Argie test, but the article basically stated that Smith and Sopoaga would start a test, with Perenara and Barrett to start the other one, combinations pretty much.
Savea Naholo Dagg in the back three could prove disastrous as I guess Morne Steyn will bomb them all afternoon long. Savea and Naholo are not safe under the high ball. B. Smith, who has said he doesn't need a rest, is.
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@cgrant that of course depends on whether the Boks get good ball and enough possession.
The Boks v Wallabies game didn't have any more bombs than normal despite Steyn being at 1st 5.
I don't think Naholo is that bad under the high ball. Better than NMS in that regard.
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@ACT-Crusader
They did not use the bomb against the Wallabies because the latter are good under the high ball. They did not get too much possession either. But I fear that if they can have a fair amount of possession, the Boks will use this weapon a lot. Having such a back three is an invitation for the local team to test the formula. -
