All Blacks v France Test 3
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@booboo said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@shark personally think we're suffering an unprecedented injury crisis that I can't remember having to go through before.
Our depth is currently shit at prop yes?
Doesn't help that Hames, Laulala and Moli are out. All of a sudden that'd put Karl Mo outside the squad and leave one of our current THs out too.
Read. Have a feeling there's some potential 6/8s around who are injured (like Seu and others I can't think of).
Tim Perry is also missing from the loosehead props, but I'm inclined to think that might have been a blessing in disguise.
A No. 8 who could really come from "nowhere" is Whetu Douglas. He'll have to do it the hard way - through NPC later this year, but I reckon Hansen will be watching the Crusaders games prior to the play-offs if Whetu is playing.
Leaving off my list wasn't 100% a mistake
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
So, whats it gonna be, some spots not sure we can afford to start the rookies...
That team from Sumo looks pretty logical and I'm going to bet it's on the money.
Moody, Taylor, Franks, Barrett, Whitelock, Frizell, Savea, Whitelock, Smith, DMac, SBW, Goodhue, Ioane, Naholo, Smith
Tu'inukuafe, Coltman, Tu'ungafasi, Hemepo, Todd, Perenara, Mo'unga, JBarrett
The biggest surprise for me if this is the team is that they would have Jordie on the bench instead of a specialist midfielder - especially with Goodhue making his debut and SBW just back from injury. I'd have Crotty on the bench if fit and failing that ALB.
I'm a bit surprised Cane isn't playing despite being a bit off the pace last weekend. I wonder if he's still carrying that injury? Either Todd or Ardie could be starting/coming off the bench. Ardie offers more utility from the bench, so wouldn't surprise me if Todd starts - but, Ardie was in the original squad and Matt wasn't, so...
Hemepo able to cover the locks for injuries and Frizell in case he's a bust, makes sense and might add a bit more logic in terms of Ardie's utility value on the bench.
DMac starting and Mo'unga on the bench doesn't overly surprise me - since Damien already had a run last week, give him another for continuity. The bench would be more versatile if it was Perenara, DMac, ALB though.
Not at all surprised about the back three shuffle.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
DMac starting and Mo'unga on the bench doesn't overly surprise me - since Damien already had a run last week, give him another for continuity.
If true, I worry about the mental state of the coaches. Contrast Mo'unga's display in the same position in the same competition. It's a no brainer.
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@antipodean I guess they are in the somewhat unenviable position of having to develop two test first fives before RWC.
So, I think they won't look at this game in isolation - rather as an opportunity to build DMac's confidence after what I thought was a reasonable outing last week. Richie making a 20 minute debut off the bench.
Agree with you that Mo'unga is the better prospect as a specialist first five, but I'm also pretty certain they're planning DMac as their supersub.
I suspect what they might planning is Mo'unga to get starts later in the season with Beauden covering him off the bench.
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@chris-b Rieko, Smith & JB are all (on paper) mid-field options too.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
@chris-b Rieko, Smith & JB are all (on paper) mid-field options too.
Just not very good ones IMO.
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@chris-b Who said anything about good, there is a lot of not good stuff going on in selections presently...
I mean Rieko can play 11, 12 & 13, Jordie can play anywhere from lock to 15 and BFA can play 13-15...we got it covered.
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TJPs form has been pretty up and down this year, injury hasn't helped. He single-handedly blew the Blues off the park in his comeback game but has since been off the pace for whatever reason. I think he needs more rugby, though I do agree it would be good to blood TTT as he looks a promising player.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test 3:
TJPs form has been pretty up and down this year, injury hasn't helped. He single-handedly blew the Blues off the park in his comeback game but has since been off the pace for whatever reason. I think he needs more rugby, though I do agree it would be good to blood TTT as he looks a promising player.
what was his excuse last year in Black?
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Some top level whining bullshit:
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"The week before Ofa Tu'ungafasi put a shoulder to a head and that should have been a red card.
Nonsense.
"We didn't say anything, we let it go, we're not getting refereed the same way.
Your own coach had a whinge in media.
"I don't want to be a cry baby or anything, but it's just not fair
Cry baby.
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call the waaaambulance!!
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@machpants @antipodean haha exactly my thoughts....
"We didn't say anything, we let it go, we're not getting refereed the same way.
Clearly.
