Bledisloe I
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@kiwiinmelb said in Bledisloe I:
Im imagining this is the backline he was pencilling in with Jordie at 15 in place of DMac originally ,
I think with BSmith about to be unavailable for a while , they are looking at their options ,
Same 12 13 combo that started the first lions test with everyone available , and that first half of the first test , it probably went better than the rest of the series
If Dagg hadn't been injured I think they would've started the Smith, Dagg, Ioane back 3 for this first test. That backline in the first Lions test was very good.
DMac gets his chance with two injuries. It will be interesting how they use the subs in this test.
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Interesting selection - hope Hansen has 100% faith in the security firm they're using this time. Doesn't @Nepia live in Sydney these days?!!!
Duncan Johnstone writing an article suggesting the writing is on the wall for Kaino. I'm more inclined to think that they will want to give Squire increasing game time and manage JK to see if he can get through to 2019, but have options if he can't.
Another notable choice is Ofa on the bench. He apparently is our second best tighthead prop.
I guess with Dagg injured, DMac at fullback and Ben on the wing is the best way to get two fullbacks in the equation. Be interesting to see quite how DMac is played and how much license he's given to counter-attack.
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expect the 2nd test is when we will know more about Coles' situation if he is still unavailable.
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@Chris-B. Yep, in Sydney, I think Hansen will take a wide berth from me if we run into each other as I will likely blow my stack at him for overlooking Kaino! Although, I'm happy for them to start giving Squire game time (he was one of my correct AB predictions ... that came right :)) but maybe have one on the bench.
That's an on paper weaker looking team than usual ... but I think it's jut a case of a changing of the guard?
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@Nepia said in Bledisloe I:
That's an on paper weaker looking team than usual ... but I think it's jut a case of a changing of the guard?
I think they are looking at the EOYT as well. Last year they fell over in the final games - the coaching team are being proactive to avoid that this year.
Still, against the Wobs in Sydney. They played well against us at EP last year, good physical play. A try got hauled back for taking out Savea, which was marginal (but stupid from the Aussies). Will be interesting to see how it goes. I think it will be a good close game
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe I:
@JayCee I think our reddit guy is the real deal. Apparently he correctly predicted the AB team for all three BIL tests a couple of days before the team was announced.
I don't think Steve will be pleased that someone's naming his team for him on Tuesdays.
I'm not thrilled with DMac's selection.
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@antipodean Apparently DMac was considering an overseas move as he didn't feel he had a realistic chance of making the ABs again. Perhaps his selection was made to keep him in NZ?
I'm personally excited about seeing him play, I think he's a fantastic player. Imagine if he has a blinder, we will then have another very good backup option at 15.
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@Unite said in Bledisloe I:
Surely Smith will be stood down now? What a cluster.
Why? It all hit the press well before the team was named.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe I:
@Unite said in Bledisloe I:
Surely Smith will be stood down now? What a cluster.
Why? It all hit the press well before the team was named.
Also I would assume that this is old news to Hansen and Co. and Smith was prepared for this to come out
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try to keep that issue to this thread
http://www.thesilverfern.com/topic/1543/2017-bledisloe-cup-rugby-championship-4-nations/190
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This post is deleted!
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe I:
@JayCee Apparently the NZ Herald had access to this story pre the Lions series and chose not to run it. The AB management have obviously known about this for a while now and I think they have dealt with it and have moved on from it.
It's interesting the way the two major newspaper sites are covering this. It's the story on the Herald, which has no Mitre 10 Cup coverage. It's not being covered on Stuff, which has Mitre 10 Cup coverage.
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