Bledisloe 2
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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.
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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!
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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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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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. -
Where's that reddit team leak?
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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.
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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 MoodyReserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
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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.)
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Fantastic to see Coles back ,
lets hope he gets a good run at it now
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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)
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@booboo had heard earlier in the week SBW had passed the tests....
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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. -
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.
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@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.
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Laulala is a much better option as a starter and is similar to Franks in many ways - good scrummager but not as mobile as Ofa.
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I'd be happy for Nepo to start in Owen's place. If he gets his setup right, he's a very competent prop that can hold his own.
TBH, Franks' achilles injury is unsurprising given he's been carrying it and trying to manage it.
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From the All Blacks twitter account:
UPDATE: Owen Franks is out of this weekend's Test with Achilles troubles. Replaced by Nepo Laulala. Toomaga-Allen called in as replacement.
HANSEN: Franks may be out for a while so will be monitored. Taking it one step at a time.
HANSEN: Franks has been battling with Achilles issue all season.
HANSEN: Wallabies hadn't played for several weeks. They will be alot sharper of mind and body and desperate.
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Wallabies to take on the All Blacks
1 Scott Sio (33 Tests)
2 Stephen Moore (121 Tests)
3 Allan Alaalatoa (13 Tests)
4 Rob Simmons (72 Tests)
5 Adam Coleman (13 Tests)
6 Ned Hanigan (4 Tests)
7 Michael Hooper (c) (69 Tests)
8 Sean McMahon (16 Tests)
9 Will Genia (79 Tests)
10 Bernard Foley (46 Tests)
11 Henry Speight (13 Tests)
12 Kurtley Beale (61 Tests)
13 Tevita Kuridrani (48 Tests)
14 Dane Haylett-Petty (17 Tests)
15 Israel Folau (56 Tests)Reserves
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (72 Tests)
17 Tom Robertson (10 Tests)
18 Sekope Kepu (81 Tests)
19 Rory Arnold (13 Tests)
20 Lopeti Timani (8 Tests)/Jack Dempsey (1 Test)
21 Nick Phipps (53 Tests)
22 Reece Hodge (14 Tests)
23 Curtis Rona (1 Test)IN: Jack Dempsey, Dane Haylett-Petty
OUT: Samu Kerevi -
Simmons can't make the Reds 2018 team but gets a starting spot with the wobs. Clown is truly clueless.
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Herald and Stuff are saying Laulala's starting. Time to breath a sigh of relief.
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Stuff says that JTA also comes into the 23. I assume that is a mistake and will be corrected.
*All Blacks prop Owen Franks has been ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin on Saturday through injury.
Nepo Laulala will come into the starting 15 with Jeff Toomaga-Allen moving into the 23.
Franks was in line for a rest after Saturday's match.*
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@Bovidae said in Bledisloe 2:
Stuff says that JTA also comes into the 23. I assume that is a mistake and will be corrected.
*All Blacks prop Owen Franks has been ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin on Saturday through injury.
Nepo Laulala will come into the starting 15 with Jeff Toomaga-Allen moving into the 23.
Franks was in line for a rest after Saturday's match.*
Fake news....
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@ACT-Crusader NZH have copied and pasted the same thing.
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Well our propping stocks are well and truly being tested. Glad its the Wallabies they get to go against first. Would anyone notice if we wheeled out Vunipola for a few matches?
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@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
Simmons can't make the Reds 2018 team but gets a starting spot with the wobs. Clown is truly clueless.
Simmons is a very good lineout lock, probably Australia's best.
I'm astounded the front row is unchanged and Kerevi is the only real casualty from last weekends debacle.
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Still don't understand why Ardie Savea is in the All Blacks squad. Fourth best openside flanker in NZ, and offers no physical impact from the bench. A mystery.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe 2:
@akan004 said in Bledisloe 2:
Simmons can't make the Reds 2018 team but gets a starting spot with the wobs. Clown is truly clueless.
Simmons is a very good lineout lock, probably Australia's best.
I'm astounded the front row is unchanged and Kerevi is the only real casualty from last weekends debacle.
Rona also moved to the bench.
Moore and TPN should be swapped at least.
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@Tim its his height.
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@taniwharugby That's two metres now, isn't it?
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@ACT-Crusader But he's a marshmallow around the park. Arnold is not a bad lineout forward and offers a lot more physicality than Simmons. Their lineout was surprisingly good last weekend as well.
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Interesting the Wallabies haven't made any changes to their starting back row - they were woeful last week. I know options aren't in abundance but thought they would try something else.
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It would be interesting to see the number of changes in the Wallabies side from week to week under Cheika, it would make Henry's? rotation policy pale in comparison.
It seems he makes changes expecting them to magically cure the teams woes. In saying that the few changes he made this week are probably a career low.
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@Stargazer Thank goodness re: Parsons.
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@ACT-Crusader I wouldn't count out Akira come World Cup time. A bit of coaching and being in a dominant AB pack and his potential will be realized.
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@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe 2:
Interesting the Wallabies haven't made any changes to their starting back row - they were woeful last week. I know options aren't in abundance but thought they would try something else.
Think it comes down to the bench option - Timani - having a pretty quiet game, too.
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Pretty happen with team. Glad that Franks is having a rest even an enforced one, he needs it!!!! He is still young by prop standards (30) and will be crucial at next world cup. Laulala was looking good before being injured and would like to see him have a good crack at it.
Looks like McKenzie will be full back when bender leaves and Dagg on the wing, thought Dagg and Naholo NMS option wld be best but happy for McKenzie.
Lets see what the Wallabies bring to Dunners!!
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