AB Test Team v France.
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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.
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@bovidae said in AB Test Team v France.:
Barrett could either replace Fifita or Romano so there is some versatility. I wouldn't be surprised if Cane moves to 6 when Todd comes on rather than a straight swap.
It will be interesting how they play it. Cane has been replaced in 5 of the 9 tests he’s started this year. I can’t see them playing Fifita for 80.
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@billy-tell said in AB Test Team v France.:
The team is fine except ALB on the bench. Laumape please Steve.
If one of our wingers get injured we are forced to bring on Sopoaga, move Barrett to fullback and McKenzie to wing (well that’s what we did last time when in that position).
Tamanivalu would be the ideal bench player IMO. What coulda been for Moala....
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@act-crusader said in AB Test Team v France.:
@billy-tell said in AB Test Team v France.:
The team is fine except ALB on the bench. Laumape please Steve.
If one of our wingers get injured we are forced to bring on Sopoaga, move Barrett to fullback and McKenzie to wing (well that’s what we did last time when in that position).
Tamanivalu would be the ideal bench player IMO. What coulda been for Moala....
Moala wouldn't have been bitched in two movements vs Wales but ah well, what do I know?
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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.
Indeed. Would be awesome if he could get close to matching one of the incumbents. It's a while back now, but Iirc he was preferred to BBBR in the very early days. Never really kicked on but the potential has always been there.
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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.
How does that pie taste?
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@mn5 said in AB Test Team v France.:
He should have just done a Charlie Ngatai and not played.....even better yet retired. #greatestabever
Charlie is plotting a way into the AB midfield. Instead of taking the risk of actually playing there he's cunningly playing 15 for Maori to showcase his utility value!
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FRANCE : Ducuing - Huget, Doumayrou, Bastareaud, Thomas – (o) Belleau, (m) Dupont - Picamoles, Gourdon, Cancoriet - Gabrillagues, Vahaamahina - Slimani, Guirado (cap), Poirot.
Remplaçants : Maynadier, Chaume, Kotze, Jedrasiak, Jelonch, Serin, Trinh-Duc, Penaud -
@billy-tell said in AB Test Team v France.:
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.
Toeava is 31 and every time I watch Clermont (which is relatively often - as they won the title last year) he is absolutely killing it. Injuries and retirements would have broken his way had he stayed. He is polarising though.
Tom Taylor had he stayed could have had a sniff to be ahead of Lima? I understand the need to move on, and they both are getting on, but had they stayed I'm not sure anyone would have ousted Smith or Nonu yet. Especially with SBW taking '16 off.
Really kind of disappointing we are 1/2 way through the cycle and outside of Barrett and Cane no one new has locked down a spot in the 22 yet.
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@pakman said in AB Test Team v France.:
FRANCE : Ducuing - Huget, Doumayrou, Bastareaud, Thomas – (o) Belleau, (m) Dupont - Picamoles, Gourdon, Cancoriet - Gabrillagues, Vahaamahina - Slimani, Guirado (cap), Poirot.
Remplaçants : Maynadier, Chaume, Kotze, Jedrasiak, Jelonch, Serin, Trinh-Duc, PenaudChrist how desperate are France to call up old lard boy for the midfield?
The loosehead prop might solve a few problems though.
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@act-crusader said in AB Test Team v France.:
@billy-tell said in AB Test Team v France.:
The team is fine except ALB on the bench. Laumape please Steve.
If one of our wingers get injured we are forced to bring on Sopoaga, move Barrett to fullback and McKenzie to wing (well that’s what we did last time when in that position).
Tamanivalu would be the ideal bench player IMO. What coulda been for Moala....
And with Naholo starting there is a pretty strong chance he won't last the game. As much as I like him, he has to be one of the most injury prone guys going.
