AB's v Samoa
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Agree they'll want Lions starters to get some gametime. So:
Moody/Taylor/Franks
BBBR/Sam W
Cane/Kaino/Savea
Smith/BB
SBW/ALB
Bus/Dagg/Benda50;50 call between Dagg and Naholo, albeit I'd be wanting a strong fielder of the high ball and thus take the former.
Bench much more interesting. Expect some high mileage blokes to get a rest:
Crockett/Harris/Charlie
Romero/Fifita
TJP/Sopoaga
LaumapeIt seems to me that Fifta logically ought to be in mix as we have three sevens in extended squad. I also think they'll want to give BB/Laumape a run. If back three hurt BB to 15 and Peru to 10. Could make a case that Barrett (S) needs game time more than Romero.
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I reckon Harris might get the starting hooker role. Taylor strikes me as better impact off the bench and he won't be entirely happy with his game for the Crusaders vs the lions either.
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@Chris-B. said in AB's v Samoa:
Isn't the point of this game to give the ABs team a warm-up, so that we're not going up against the Lions cold?
If that's the case, I can't see much point in starting anything but the closest we can to the XV we plan to use against the Lions.
I'd agree with that but I think you would want to limit the minutes of some of the Crusaders tight forwards in this game. If you include the Highlanders game, they will be playing 5 big games in as many weeks.
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@Bovidae I think the front rowers should be in pretty reasonable nick. Razor hasn't been scared to run out Crockett/Funnell/Alaalatoa early in the second half in many games. Sam Whitelock would be the one who's played a lot of minutes - though he got that imposed rest at a good time so he's only had a four week run vs Chiefs/Rebels/Highlanders/Lions.
Pakman's team looks about right. I think Scott Barrett is a good bet as bench lock, since he definitely needs a run. Agree with Billy Tell, that Taylor might be under pressure from Harris after Saturday.
Dagg didn't look right to me in the second half vs Lions. If he's fit, he'll surely play, but I reckon that points to Jordie getting the bench spot. If he's not fit, maybe Ben Smith goes to the wing and Jordie gets the start and if that worked out OK that might even be what they went with in the first test!!!
They will be wanting the two fullbacks/high ball exponents.
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@Chris-B. in previous years we've gone into a test like this with what ended up being a very different lineup to the first big test.
A number of guys need some serious game time, but others will need a lighter workload to freshen up for three consecutive tests.
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@ACT-Crusader True - but, then they've released 6 guys to the Maori and Highlanders and Read, Coles, Crotty and Cruden are all unlikely to play in this game, so there's not too many variations can be made within the squad 33.
I can't see the point in playing Tu'ungafasi. Scott Barrett certainly needs the game time and I expect him to play here, but not in the first test. Sopoaga will need to back-up from the Highlanders game and one of Jordie or Laumape sits on the bench.
Pakman's team with my suggested variations would mean everyone getting a game this week except Ofa, Romano and Laumape - plus they'll need to dip into their stand-by pool for a loose-forward.
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@Stargazer nah, we are rumoured to be stronger at scrum time so he'll ping Samoa all night.
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@taniwharugby LOL, don't want that either. Just want a game that's entertaining and where the lead role is not played by the ref.
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@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:
Any idea when the team is named?
The team is:
1 Viliamu Afatia - Racing 92 - Vailoa Palauli/Salelavalu/Sapapali'i
2 Maatulimanu Leiataua - Bayonne - Manono/Safune
3 Census Johnston - Toulouse - Lalomanu/Falevao
4 Chris Vui -Worcester Warriors - Foaluga/Lano /Saasaai
5 Faatiga Lemalu - Saracens - Faleasiu/Lefaga
6 Piula Faasalele - Toulouse - Magiagi/Nofoalii
7 Jack Lam - Bristol - Gaitavai/Malie/Taga
8 Faifili Levave - Mitsubishi - Lalomanu/Fasito'o-Uta
9 Kahn Fotualii - Bath - Faleapuna
10 Tusiata Pisi - Bristol - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua
11 Tim Nanai Williams - Chiefs - Manono/Falelatai
12 Alapati Leiua - Wasps - Malie
13 Kieron Fonotia - Ospreys - Apia
14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
15 Ah See Tuala - Northampton Saints - Moamoa/Gaitavai16 Seilala Lam - Nevers - Gaitavai /Malie/Taga
17 Nephi Leatigaga - Piacenza - Saleloga/Siumu
18 Paul Alo-Emile - Stade Francais - LeulumoegaTuai/Fasito'o-Tai/Falefa
19 Taiasina Tuifua - Lyon - Lauli'i
20 Alafoti Faosiliva - Worcester Warriors - Afega/Tuana'i
21 Auvasa Falealii - Nevers - Letogo/Lefaga Gagaifo
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
23 Ken Pisi - Northampton Saints - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua -
holy shit, how old is Census Johnson?
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@mariner4life Levave must be getting on a bit too.
Bloody good backline.
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@Nepia said in AB's v Samoa:
@mariner4life Levave must be getting on a bit too.
Bloody good backline.
Three former Mako$ in that backline and another in the pack!
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Some serious pace for Samoa at 13.
