All Blacks v Ireland II
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only real surprises on the bench.
I expected PT on the bench, but maybe there is doubt on the locks, so a more like-for-like replacement was the safer choice (SB has played the house down on his two chances though, good on him). And a straight winger as our back reserve.
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Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
A pissed off Kaino would have been useful in this fixture but we will survive.
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Not a good sign for PT as it seems that Scott Barrett and Squire are preferred options as cover off the bench now.
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I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey. S Barrett has looked money in his two All Black appearances. Ireland looked ready for our big physical runners in Chicago and held up PT a number of times (he was running quite upright). Barrett provides different question marks to the defence.
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@KiwiMurph was Kaino they held up wasnt it?
We will miss Kaino...
But as above, with BBBR and SW back, hopefully Squire can get stuck into his own role.
For me the Moody over Crockett along with Julians continued selection (although he is probably lucky Naholo hasnt struck any form at this level) is probably the most disappointing.
Hopefully Moody will repay the faith with 0 penalties this week.
Hansen mentioned we had 16/21 errors that shouldnt and owuldnt normally occur, along with 12 penalties we shouldnt be conceding.
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Would be interesting to know when Kaino picked up 'slight calf strain' -- assume it was at least a week ago.
Well done, Scott Barrett! Very interesting that AB scrum and maul finished well against Ireland last time out with Barrett at TH lock and Read at LH.
Assume Moody has been warned 'if in doubt to leave it out'. My only minor gripe is that for me Cruden start/BB bench has better early game management/late impact than vice versa, but not a new or original POV. -
@taniwharugby Him also but I thought PT as well. He certainly wasn't bowling people over like he was versus Italy.
Regardless of selection a good start for the ABs will be discipline - don't give the Irish cheap field position or numbers advantage (Moody)
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Whereas that line Scott Barrett ran was sublime. One thing which really impressed me was Irish defensive 'spacing'. Their line in general play and in kick chase was both straight and even -- the gaps early on for PT and Kaino were tight and probably required a conscious effort in taking the tackle to get to ground and accurately present the ball for ruck, rather than trying to power through.
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Really disappointed Kaino is out. This is the type of game where he goes lights out.
Fekitoa, if you're going to turn into that composed but explosive centre that we need, let it be this game.
Fucking exciting, but I'm going to be a nervous wreck at kick off. I can't handle hearing it from my Irish mates if they put two in a row on us.
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@African-Monkey said in Ireland II:
Not a good sign for PT as it seems that Scott Barrett and Squire are preferred options as cover off the bench now.
PT is only young so time on his side. But I've said for a while now that right now he doesn't have the motor that the AB selectors want from a lock. An impact player yes and a pretty good one.
S Barrett a different player is an endurance man. So if they need a lock or even a 6 to replace Squire to go the distance, Barrett could do that job.
I like this side and I reckon Squire is going to have a big one.
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@rotated said in Ireland II:
Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
Fekitoa will be fine. He's played well enough in black all year and he'll be particularly good with ALB creating. Defensively he's the best centre running around in New Zealand.
@akan004 said in Ireland II:
Prefer PT on the bench over Barrett. Other than that it's a good team and should be too strong for Ireland.
Ordinarily, I'd say that the coaches would agree, but it seems they're a bit gun shy after the injuries in Chicago and that both our locks are coming back from issues.
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@Hooroo said in Ireland II:
What time is Kick off?
I'm on a golf trip this weekend kicking off tomorrow. If it is the middle of the night I will miss it. (I've missed the last two game too)
630am
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With Whitelock back, this is a very predictable squad to me. Not surprised at all by SBarrett being preferred over PT after his two great performances. I found PT quite underwhelming in most of the games he played this season.
Kaino is definitely a big loss to the squad. Squire will have to show what he's made of. Depending on the seriousness of Kaino's injury, I wonder whether they will keep Tom Franklin in Europe, now that the Maori tour is over? As injury cover? (I wouldn't mind Shane Christie either, btw).
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@KiwiMurph said in Ireland II:
I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey.
Squire's probably been a bit undercooked by the AB management. He wasn't released for any gametime for the Mako$, so going into the Chicago test he'd had one full game against Argentina and four appearances off the bench in about three months.
I'm thinking him, Sam Cane and Aaron Smith should all be significantly better for having a bit of game time under their belts.
Lets hope Whitelock and Retallick are up-to-speed.
