AB Test Team v France.
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ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Kane Hames. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/98702338/all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-hands-vaea-fifita-big-chance-to-impress-against-france -
Ha ha
The Akira for the Maori team theory was correct.
He replaces Whitelock after his Maori commitments are over.
Welll done to those who put forward the theory.
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Ardie, Squires and
Kainoto start the mid week against French Barbarians. Kaino heading back to NZ with his PCL injury, -
The team is fine except ALB on the bench. Laumape please Steve.
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I like Romano getting a start. Just a harder edge to him than S Barrett.
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Ioane spent time with the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship and, with Kaino's exit, Hansen said he was next cab off the rank.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11942043
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@antipodean said in AB Test Team v France.:
I like Romano getting a start. Just a harder edge to him than S Barrett.
He's considerably bigger too, I don't think Barrett has the size to start at lock against the better test match packs.
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It's probably "Best of luck Jerome and thanks for the memories". 34 years old and no longer the 1st choice 6. It's a loooong way back. Not sure he ever pulls on black again.
I was thinking of which NZ rugby players overseas I'd have back who would have a realistic chance of being in the top 23: aside Faumuina, Cruden and Piutau, Vito was immense in the only match I watched him play this season, and Luatua has had a good year, despite never impressing in Black for me.
Add Vito and Luatua into the mix with Squite, Fifita, Ioane...and Kaino, and there would be a few selection headaches.
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Player with the most pressure: Naholo. IMO our top team adds in Smith at 15, Squire at 6, Retallick at 4, Franks at 3 and Moody at 1.
The selectors probably rate Dagg and NMS higher than Naholo, and JB is also lurking, but Naholo could do with a statement performance. Back 3 selection is going to generate a lot of press on here next season.
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Aumua vs Fifita in a foot-race.
Who wins?
Hansen will be using this tour to answer that extremely important Q. At least I hope it's one of the main goals of the tour. We have a right to know.
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@billy-tell Naholo has put in a statement performance already. I'd have him over NMS already. Dagg has to have a big Super Rugby next year.
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Sucks for Kaino but excellent to see Akira called in. Hopefully he can get through the Maori game then given a chance to show what he can do.
I think SBW will have some pressure on him with the way Laumape played last week. Likewise Crotty will want to bounce back from a rare off performance with a Mr Goodhue waiting in the wings to get his shot later in the tour.
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@antipodean said in AB Test Team v France.:
@billy-tell Naholo has put in a statement performance already. I'd have him over NMS already.
You would but I’m not sure Steve would.
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@cantab79 said in AB Test Team v France.:
Can't believe people are seriously suggesting that Steve Hansen has not called up Akira Ioane because he is saving him for the Maori team. Is there any precedent to back up this theory? Luke Whitelock has outplayed Ioane at both Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup levels this year, and that's why he's been selected.
Well if there wasn't precedent before guess there is now....
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Boring team. Luke Whitelock should have started.
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@no-quarter said in AB Test Team v France.:
Boring team. Luke Whitelock should have started.
He'd walk into the opposition team......
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@kiwimurph said in AB Test Team v France.:
@no-quarter said in AB Test Team v France.:
Boring team. Luke Whitelock should have started.
He'd walk into the opposition team......
He probably would ironically. France beset by injuries.
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@antipodean I always worry a bit about naholo, but think he coming on, not drifting out of games so much. I think he quite a bit quicker than NMS and that could hold him in good stead when they both fit.
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It's interesting that they seem to have moved away from the 'big' loosie on the bench option this season and have the specialist openside.
