Bledisloe 2

Duluth

Game 1 he was subbed very early, probably because he had only just come back after a long injury break. Before being subbed he was part of a dominant forward display.

I think he was subbed early because they were being cautious about a possible head knock.

At the ground, I noticed he was flat on his back after a collision and my initial thought he was out cold.. then he jumped up and looked ok. Thats when he was subbed.

Bones

Yeah I think we're being pretty quick to dismiss the opposition when rating Squire. It was good to see, but I'd certainly like to see a lot more before we toss out the beast.

pakman

In third test we had good seats at end ABs defended in first half. Great view of JK in beast mode manhandling Lions loitering with intent. In particular, Itoje got monstered several times when trying to sneak around the corner.
My suspicion is that the main reduction in effectiveness is slowing down and thus taking longer to get to breakdowns from open play, but not something I've actually noticed.
Squire is uncompromising and looks full of running, but Wombats are another league to Lions.
Boks will be where things get interesting.

ACT Crusader

Squire was pretty effective in previous outings for the ABs, so it wasn't so much a surprise that he took advantage of poorer opposition on the weekend.

98blueandgold

Kaini will be a valuable member of our next World Cup campaign, issue is the balance in back row to beat more complex defence (like England). Cane is a workhorse while Read and Kaino offer a similar producr. Ardie is a point of difference but Squire has x-factor if needed. You need the x-factor to win a World Cup!

pakman

On the read front, always a skilful player, but throws in some massive hits on occasion. Absolutely buried Beale at one point in first half, and Kurtly was fairly anonymous for rest of 40.

Chris B.

@98blueandgold said in Bledisloe 2:

Kaino will be a valuable member of our next World Cup campaign

JK's currently only a few months short of Richie's age when he retired.

Big ask to go two more years and still be among the best couple of blindsides in the country.

98blueandgold

@Chris-B. I'm thinking more of a Brad Thorne or even Mealamu involvement. Listening to interviews from past big difference between McCaw and Kaino is tests played. Kaino went to Japan to prolong career and as he is not captain does not need to play the minutes Richie did.

Bovidae

@Chris-B. said in Bledisloe 2:

JK's currently only a few months short of Richie's age when he retired.

Big ask to go two more years and still be among the best couple of blindsides in the country.

That's my take too. Kaino has played the Lions so has now ticked off all the boxes internationally. There are a few from the current squad that won't make 2019 because of age and wear and tear, and I'd be very surprised if Kaino isn't amongst them.

Crucial

I doubt he will be discarded, will just slip back to a covering role.
We are in the period where (apart from the next freak outside back) we need to have about 4 choices in each position earmarked and involved to various degrees.

ACT Crusader

Where's that reddit team leak?

cgrant

The way Hansen used Squire - i.e. outwide - was very effective against the Wallabies. His speed and power were destructive. Kaino is playing much tighter. Let's see if this tactic remains the same for Saturday.

Milk

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11909623

All Blacks team to play Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday:

15 Damian McKenzie
14 Ben Smith
13 Ryan Crotty
12 Sonny Bill Williams
11 Rieko Ioane
10 Beauden Barrett
9 Aaron Smith
8 Kieran Read (c)
7 Sam Cane
6 Liam Squire
5 Sam Whitelock
4 Brodie Retallick
3 Owen Franks
2 Dane Coles
1 Joe Moody

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

booboo

Added benefit with Coles back is Taylor to 16.
Looks slightly stronger with Taylor and Barrett on the bench. A little weak around the reserve props though.

No probs with Dub's head knock?

( ps @Milk edited yiur post so the numbering is right. Silly software numbered 15 to 29. It sees a list with a full stop after a number and lists upwards regardless of what you type in.)

kiwiinmelb

Fantastic to see Coles back ,

lets hope he gets a good run at it now

Billy Tell

Give me a D, give me an A, give me an N, give me an E.

Yeah!

(would like the ABs to try something different than Savea and ALB off the bench though, although I suppose Crotty is an injury-magnet)

taniwharugby

@booboo had heard earlier in the week SBW had passed the tests....

Centreman

@Billy-Tell

Anyone here believe in Ofa Tu'ungafasi potential or talent as much as Shag and his fellow selectors as I am struggling to see his worth off the bench or even in the AB environment.
Would welcome some enlightenment here.

chimoaus

Very strong starting side and very happy to see Coles back. Biggest interest will be to see how the reserves go and whether we can win the second half. I am hoping for a tighter game but if the starting side plays like last week it will take a drastically improved defensive effort from the Wallabies.

Chris B.

@98blueandgold It's not impossible that he'll make it and is apparently going to give it a go. But, to get there he'll have to become one of the four oldest ever ABs.

In Kev's case, at least, there didn't really seem to be many hookers stepping up to take his place - they went on and on with him and Hore until Coles finally arrived.

In JK's case, Squire is pressing and Akira is queuing up behind him. Those guys will get better and JK won't - seems like a long time for him to fend them off.

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe 2