All Blacks v France Test 3
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@taniwharugby from the disparate Islands of Naki!
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Squire is about as robust as Crotty.
What they do with the back row is going to be the most interesting selection this week. Cane looked like he needed a rest last week, Ardie had plenty of minutes but didn't stand out in the first two games. So did Whitelock. Fifita, Taufua and Squire injured.
So we are left with a tired Cane, Whitelock, Savea, Frizell, Todd, Hemopo and Akira.I can't see them using Akira. There is obviously a plan there. Unless they are planning on moving Cane to 6 with Savea or Todd at 7, my guess is Frizell starts with Cane and Whitelock. Savea on the bench.
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Sooooooooo Fall is free to play this weekend bu Beaudy isn't.......yeah right
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I'll give this backrow conundrum a little more thought over the next day or two and let you know my thoughts earlyish Thursday.
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@chester-draws said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@pukunui and my guess is 6 = L Whitelock, 7 = Todd and 8 = A Savea. Good 'ole Frizzzel on the bench, getting seven minutes.
that sounds awful. Worse than awful. holy shit is this what we are reduced to?
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@crucial said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@pukunui said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
SBW to 6? Probably where he should have been all along.
And Ardie to 12?
Yep. Dmac to 9
Dagg to 10
Jordie to lock
Codie Taylor could probably go to wing too.
Tjp or Aaron Smith can be the ref. -
They could really do anything with the loose forwards, but I'm going to guess at:
- Ioane; 7. Cane; 8; Whitelock; 19. Frizell; 20. Savea
I think they will sell this that Frizell is covering lock and blindside (which Akira "can't" do). Savea is covering 7 and 8.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
They could really do anything with the loose forwards, but I'm going to guess at:
- Ioane; 7. Cane; 8; Whitelock; 19. Frizell; 20. Savea
I think they will sell this that Frizell is covering lock and blindside (which Akira "can't" do). Savea is covering 7 and 8.
Happy with that.
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I don't think Cane will play on Saturday. He was one of the players of which Hansen said they had made the mistake of "doubling up" players who had come back from injury. He said that while they had no other options for the props, they had for Cane. That's why I think Todd will play, hopefully starting, because I can't see Ardie as a starter.
If Squire can't play, and with Fafita etc already out with injury, I think Frizell will play; just not sure in which jersey (6 or 20).
Romano is back with the squad in Dunedin, btw.
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@stargazer didn't think Todd made the squad or was he called in, or is he one of the ones in the squad but not really but just being tricky?
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@taniwharugby Cane was still under an injury cloud when the ABs got into camp before the first test. That's when they brought in Todd as injury cover for Cane, and he's been there all the time.
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@stargazer Hansen's explanation didn't make a hell of a lot of sense to me.
Usually, in Super rugby, you see people return to the fray and play short minutes. then the next week they play a few more minutes, and they gradually get up to speed and play their normal allocation.
All sorts of things they could do - including featuring Romano or Hemepo.
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@tim said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@antipodean said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
Phil Kearns is right.
Phil Kearns: His kid had it coming.
I must be evil. I laughed
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
They could really do anything with the loose forwards, but I'm going to guess at:
- Ioane; 7. Cane; 8; Whitelock; 19. Frizell; 20. Savea
I think they will sell this that Frizell is covering lock and blindside (which Akira "can't" do). Savea is covering 7 and 8.
I really hope that is what they do but not holding my breath.
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Franklin has played at 6 for the Highlanders hasn't he? He'd be the ideal lock/blindside cover off the bench, and has found some form.
I think we'll see BFA move back to fullback and Naholo on the right wing. This is the test Mo'unga is always likely to start now that the series has been won. He'd be wanting his pack and halfback to play better this week though!