All Blacks v Italy
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@taniwharugby nope, couldn't hear anything except my own voice yelling and swearing at the tv haha.
He did come over for a beer this afternoon wearing his fecking Irish jersey. So not only did we lose to Ireland, one of the cheeky bastards raided my beer fridge....
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We need out best 23 available for Dublin.
I would still pick a B side - who should easily enough account for Italy.
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I think this game has taken on new importance and the EOYT plans have probably been thrown out with regard to blooding some new players.
I would like to think that at least one of BBBR or Whitelock come back and that Romano rejoins. If a bench spot is needed then they may reward SB.
Moody to get benched (or left out) and Crockett to start. Accountability call.
Otherwise restore the Kaino, Read, Cane combo.Not sure if they will flush the funny on Smith's performance and use this game to get him back into the groove. Likely from the bench. He has to be involved in the 23 or may as well go home.
I would start Cruden simply to provide a bit more voice to the patched up centre combo of ALB and Fekitoa.
Need to go back to Savea, Dagg and Bender as the back three.
Back reserves - if Smith starts then TKB, if TJP starts then Smith. BB and Ioane to make up the cover.
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So do we have BBBR, Whitelock or Romano back?
Moala and Crotty gone i assume.Will be interesting to see how they play this one. Im sure they had plans to rest certain players but the loss and injuries may have changed those plans.
Some thoughts:
- Moody can sit this one out if he isn't suspended anyway. Crocket to start.
- Coles to start, Taylor getting a good 40 mins.
- Maybe Charlie gets a start.
- If any of our too three are back i'd have them straight in. Barrett and Pat T otherwise.
- Kaino back to his spot or will they rest him for the next two?
- Cane to get some more gametime to get up to speed
- Are they resting Read? Does Dixon or Luatua get a start?
- Start Smith again. If he is sub par then TJP takes number 1 spotfor the remaining games.
- I would think either Cruden or Sopoaga will get a start here.
- Naholo. Can't have both him and Savea starting. So Naholo gets a chance.
- Fekitoa, not many options.
- ALB
- Will they give Ioane a run with Dagg at 15 to rest Ben?
- Dagg start to rest B Smith or willDmac get a start with Dagg at 14?
Bench.
Ofa/Franks
Taylor
Luatua/Dixon/Fifita or one of the locks if BBBR/SW return
Ardie
TKB
Sopoaga or Cruden
Ioane if he doesn't start (therefore BSmith or Dagg covering 15 from 14). Or whoever they bring in to replace moala/crotty.Team naming is going to be very interesting for once.
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I forgot about Luatua. Would have been a good bench option yesterday with his line out skills.
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I'd expect Moody will be banned, and pretty sure it was already mentioned that Read was going to be rested from this one? Whitelock was a 4-6 week injury wasn't he, so he won't be back?
Anyone know if this is being streamed on allblacks.com again?
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@Unite I would have thought a yellow card was enough for moody! Surely no ban aswell.
As for injury's I would now bring jordie Barrett into the squad properly as it's only a matter of time anyway and taminevalu and fekitoa are better at 13 so need cover at 12 for Anton Lienert brown -
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Disagree. The coaches said Barrett isnt physically ready yet
Don't want a major injury please.
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You'd have to think in their planning that several players were specifically earmarked for this one - Luatua, Ioane, Dixon, Todd, Sopoaga, TKB.
I'm looking forward to it. When's the team named?
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I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
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@westcoastie said in v Italy:
I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
we're going in without a left winger? This is taking arrogance well beyond ' starting a blindside at lock'.....I hope it works.....
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@MN5 I did say some spots TBC... but I dunno who deserves a start v. Ireland there any more.
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Why not a Crusaders pack with : Crockett - Taylor - Franks - Romano - Barrett - Todd - Read - AN Other ?
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Luatua must be a good show to start at least one test at either 8 when Read is rested or 6 surely. And that is probably this one?
Squire does not look a starting 6, Dixon has looked pretty mediocre. I'd be amazed if they don't give him a start to see what he brings to the table. First time round he looked a good option to back up Read, but far too loose to back up Kaino, hence losing out to the tighter Messam & the more veristile Vito, but with the alternatives pretty "m'eh" he has a second shot.
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I'm undecided about what I think they should do with this test but it may be a good idea to give a few of the players who had off games against Ireland a week in the stands to stew over the weekend's loss and come back extra fired up in the rematch.
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Stick to the plan. Italy is for newbies.
Just dawned on me that post-RWC clean-out cycles really only effect the exporter countries, not the club importers (Europe). So this tour has gotten a lot more interesting in my eyes.
SAF and Aus were weak compared to 2015, now we should find out a lot more about the 2016 ABs in these next few weeks.
Good times.
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Crockett to extend record: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/86210690/old-memories-wont-haunt-crockett-as-he-aims-to-add-his-world-record-of-43-consecutive-test-wins
If the ABs lose against Italy, well we know who to blame then. Obviously it will be Crockett for not respecting his own legacy of greatness
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@ACT-Crusader said in v Italy:
Crockett to extend record: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/86210690/old-memories-wont-haunt-crockett-as-he-aims-to-add-his-world-record-of-43-consecutive-test-wins
If the ABs lose against Italy, well we know who to blame then. Obviously it will be Crockett for not respecting his own legacy of greatness
Or for repeating his 2009 performance. But lets hope we don't need to resolve that argument...
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The Italian team to take on the All Blacks has been named:
1 Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre Rugby, 8 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Stade Toulousain, 81 caps)
3 Lorenzo CITTADINI (Bayonne, 50 caps)
4 Marco FUSER (Benetton Treviso, 13 caps)
5 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK (Zebre Rugby, 5 caps)
6 Maxime MBANDA’ (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)
7 Simone FAVARO (Glasgow Warriors, 30 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 119 caps) - capitano
9 Giorgio BRONZINI (Benetton Treviso, esordiente)
10 Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby, 12 caps)
11 Angelo ESPOSITO (Benetton Treviso, 7 caps)
12 Luke MCLEAN (Benetton Treviso, 81 caps)
13 Tommaso BENVENUTI (Benetton Treviso, 34 caps)
14 Giulio BISEGNI (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)
15 Edoardo PADOVANI (Zebre Rugby, 3 caps)Reserves
16 Ornel GEGA (Benetton Treviso, 5 caps)
17 Sami PANICO (Patarò Calvisano, 3 caps)
18 Pietro CECCARELLI (Zebre Rugby, 4 caps)
19 George BIAGI (Zebre Rugby, 11 caps)
20 Francesco MINTO (Benetton Treviso, 28 caps)
21 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Treviso, 53 caps)
22 Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Treviso, 24 caps)
23 Tommaso BONI (Zebre Rugby, 1 cap)The halfback makes his debut on Saturday.
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Amazing that Luke McLean has played 81 tests. I remember when this guy was running around in Perth. Well done to him.
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I think it'll be something like:
Crockett, Taylor, Faumuina
BBBR, Barrett
Cane, Squire, Luatua
Smith, Sopoaga
ALB, Fekitoa (12)
Naholo, DMac, IoaneColtman, Moody, Ofa T, Todd, Dixon, TKB, Cruden, Seta T
Not sure where Pat T fits in overall thinking. Based on Saturday I'm not convinced he's a test starter. Has Sopoaga ever played fullback -- there would be an argument for Dagg in the 23?
Then Ireland
Crockett, Coles, Franks
BBBR, Whitelock
Cane, Kaino, Read
Smith, Cruden
ALB, Fekitoa
Savea, Smith, DaggTaylor, Moody, Faumuina, Barrett/Pat T/Luatua, Savea/Dixon, TJP, Barrett, Seta T/Ioane/Naholo
Whether or not Whitelock fully fit a big issue here. He and BBBR allow us to have two loosies on bench. Any doubts and we need a lock, or perhaps Luatua there. The latter allows a specialist 7. If a lock on bench, then Dixon's versatility a big plus.
Other issue is midfield cover. This would probably argue for Tamanivalu. But Ioane a chance depending on how Italy goes. Naholo has also been mooted as cover???
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That's a bloody cryptic way of naming the team! They like to keep us guessing don't they...
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Getting snipets of info, sounds like Dagg has been selected as well.
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@akan004 it goes something like...
- W. Crockett
- C. Taylor
- O. Franks
- L. Romano
- S. Barrett
- E. Dixon
- M. Todd
- K. Read
- T. Cane
- T. Lander
- T. Blue
- A. Lienert-Brown
- S. Tamanivalu
- I. Dagg
- D. McKenzie
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@ACT-Crusader is that joke the new Thursday?
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It's 2.55am in Italy. The team can be named any minute now!
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All Blacks team named:
1.Wyatt Crockett (55)
2.Codie Taylor (12)
3.Charlie Faumuina (43)
4.Patrick Tuipulotu (11)
5.Scott Barrett (1)
6.Elliot Dixon (2)
7.Sam Cane - captain (38)
8.Steven Luatua (14)
9.Tawera Kerr-Barlow (24)
10.Aaron Cruden (44)
11.Waisake Naholo (9)
12.Anton Lienert-Brown (6)
13.Malakai Fekitoa (21)
14.Israel Dagg (58)
15.Damian McKenzie (1)16.Liam Coltman *
17.Joe Moody (21)
18.Ofa Tu'ungafasi (3)
19.Brodie Retallick (57)
20.Matt Todd (6)
21.Aaron Smith (55)
22.Lima Sopoaga (5)
23.Rieko Ioane **new caps
http://www.allblacks.com/News/30100/all-blacks-team-named-for-test-against-italy
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haha shit team. we're fucked. 0-2 on the tour to start.
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wow!
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So from the travelling squad being rested are: Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith
Unavailable: Luke Romano
Injured: Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, George Moala
I wouldn't be surprised if Ioane comes on for McKenzie, with Dagg going to fullback, just to keep some experience in the backline (unless they move Cruden when Sops comes on, instead of subbing him off). Otherwise A Smith would be the only experienced player in the entire backline in the second half. I can't remember Ioane ever playing on the left wing?
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