AB Test Team v France.
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@pakman said in AB Test Team v France.:
The Whitelocks, the Barretts and the Clarkes (five of whom played for Waikato in one sixties match) would go close to being able to field a first class XV between them!
I kind of doubt the Clarkes could keep up with the pace of the game nowadays
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@pakman said in AB Test Team v France.:
@hooroo I tend to agree given they're in their eighties. Amazing to have so many talented players in one family.
Agreed! Good Mare and Good Stallion.
I do wonder if their fathers run the line of Men breed men
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it's past 5am, isnt the team usually named by now
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@taniwharugby You forgot to add the 12 hours time difference with France
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@stargazer pfft, 12 hours schmours!
NZ team should be named at 5am NZT, while we are all asleep regardless of where we are playing!
Otherwise it makes our 'whens the team named' quip pointless
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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.
