TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98)
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@taniwharugby said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@MN5 will you watch the game?
Corporate Box. I'll try not to get too pissed or full of food beforehand. I might hang a sign saying "Hi TR, wish you were here". ( you'll know it's for you )
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I’ve got this feeling the sbw selection at the RWC will either be a disaster or a master stroke, no inbetweens ,you just can’t imagine it going any other way, and either way there will be those saying , told ya so .
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@mariner4life said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Chris-B said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@mariner4life said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
This team is a fucking gamble, and the brains trust should face backlash if it doesn't work. But they won't, because the World Cup has fucked everything up.
A part-time fullback. Another new midfield, including a dude with serious doubts over current ability. A loose forward trio comprising of a seriously untested (at any level) rookie, and a veteran with form concerns. The bench contains a rookie, and a bloke who hasn't cut it at test level in any position.
I think the backs selection is the most exciting we've picked for ages. I'm not too concerned about SBW being picked because the default "settled midfield" is Crotty-Goodhue. I think Hansen's preferred first choice option is SBW-Goodhue, so we're getting to see that.
Loose forward selections are slightly odd - but, I think Frizell now has the inside running as our starting six and Todd is only a touch behind Ardie and Cane. Really it's the bench selections that are a bit odd.
i don't actually disagree with any of this. I think the backs could be really good. But it could also be terrible. As i say, it's a risk, in a home game, against South Africa.
Frizzell is probably firming in to the 6 jersey, and the bits i saw of him at Super level started to look pretty pleasing. But again, he's not had a lot of rugby this year. With a 2nd thought, pairing him with Read and Todd as a combination might remove a little pressure from him.
I still find it astounding that we are playing the Boks at home, and our 3 best players from last week, 3 guys who are all basically top 15 players, are not starting, and only one is in the side at all.
They've shuffled the players around a bit, but there's not many missing from what I think is our best 23.
Scott Barrett is injured, Ryan Crotty is injured (and might not make that 23), they haven't picked Sam Cane, Ardie or Big Karl. But, a good Matt Todd game will be better than a mediocre Sam or Ardie game, so it's sort of just balance of probabilities there.
I'm pretty amped about this selection - we're going to find out some answers to a few nagging questions.
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@kiwiinmelb said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
I’ve got this feeling the sbw selection at the RWC will either be a disaster or a master stroke, no inbetweens ,you just can’t imagine it going any other way, and either way there will be those saying , told ya so .
My honest prediction is that he won’t make it to the RWC without picking up an injury. Then there will be whole saga about whether or not he will be fit in time. They will still pick him and carry him into the RWC injured. Then there will be a second saga about whether he will be fit for the finals or not.
Then something something we win the World cup.
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@pukunui said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@kiwiinmelb said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
I’ve got this feeling the sbw selection at the RWC will either be a disaster or a master stroke, no inbetweens ,you just can’t imagine it going any other way, and either way there will be those saying , told ya so .
My honest prediction is that he won’t make it to the RWC without picking up an injury. Then there will be whole saga about whether or not he will be fit in time. They will still pick him and carry him into the RWC injured. Then there will be a second saga about whether he will be fit for the finals or not.
Then something something we win the World cup.
A year ago I reckon you'd be right - but, Hansen's made a couple of comments in recent times that suggest to me that Sonny-Bill isn't completely crucial to his plans.
If everyone is fit, I still think it will be Laumape missing out - but, if anyone is injured it's close enough that I think Hansen will draw a line through that guy.
To be honest - I'd be happy enough if they lined all five of them up for a hundred metre sprint and left the guy who comes last at home! I'd be a bit pissed if it was Goodhue, though!
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@Salacious-Crumb said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
ABs select for results, not your popcorn habits.
Having seen some of the games from the ABs this last 12 months, I suspect Hansen and co. must have a 3rd reason for their selections...
RWC2019 is a couple of months away and they are still mucking about with key positions. Just hope they are boxing clever.
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Whilst I like Mo'unga + BB Combo I don't know why they're doing it so late in the day & against a fresh Boks who are lying in wait for an ambush
More I watch the ABs more I realise Damien McKensie is going to be a huge loss He was going to be the BB of 2019 RWC Carving up sides in last quarter of matches
Without him a diminished SBW/ALB or Jordie Barrett is a much weaker option at #23 DMAC features prominently in below vid
I did enjoy Irish using same move as BB try vs Wallabies in Tokyo to score against ABs a few weeks later
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@MN5 said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@MN5 said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Machpants said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
@Rancid-Schnitzel I hope it he breaks, he proper breaks, not a strain that means we carry this useless wreck who's had SFA games since the last world cup into the squad. He's played less games in the last 4 years that most play in a season, and the highlight is the ABs first red card for half a century & stuffing up our series against the Lions
I don't wish any harm on the fellow, but he certainly doesn't deserve to be there and he's about as reliable as a Soviet clock and just as likely to break.
I'm tempted not to even comment cos some valid points got deleted but to use your clock analogy he hasn't been right in goddamn ages and maybe Satdee night could be one of the two times this year ?
For sure. He could play well on Satdee, but is anyone here willing to bet a good slab of dosh that he'll be fully fit and available once the RWC starts? I don't think even those who would readily gulp on SBW's member would take that bet.
He's marking Damien De Allende who fucked him over last year. No chance.
All the more reason for TWM to want to see the match up again.
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@mariner4life last weeks team was a massive gamble and I didn’t like the balance of the back row, the inexperience of the backs, and when none of Moody Franks or Taylor aren’t in the game day 23, it’s a little unsettling.
This side has a more settled feel to it even with a few non-regulars.
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One big change which I haven't seen commented on is that I don't recall TWM in recent times picking a 23 to face Boks without THREE full grown locks.
Bokke has three, and PSDT has played there quite a lot. He's now used mainly at 7 (NZ:6), but will be well down for speed on Frizell and Fifita.
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@KiwiMurph said in TRC: The All Blacks against the Springboks (version 98):
With ALB on the bench I think it is highly likely we'll see the ALB-Goodhue combo in the second half that lots have been calling for.
We certainly will because SBW will be injured with "just a little niggle" inside the first 20 minutes.
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Good to see some angst about the team selection :).
My tuppence:
XV isn't far off full strength.
Top tight five (Taylor currently ahead of Coles).
Best #8.
You could put a case for best available 6.
Execllent, if 3rd choice, 7.
You could put a case for best available 9 & 10.
Some may argue first choice 12. Regardless he is one of 5 outstanding midfield options. 6 if Crotty isn't injured. ... 5 ...
First choice 11, 13 & 14*.
First choice team member at 15.
- Bender is the best right winger and best fullback.
And further to the 14/15 selection, given one of those is Ben Smith our options to accompany him are Reece, Bridge and Jordie. Given those options I'm more comfortable with Barrett (given Bridge is a left wing and only part time fullback).
Bench:
Coles. Check.
Ofa. Check.
Angus. Ok check.
Fifita. Cause for concern.
Papalii. Not quite sure what to make of that call.
Smith. Check.
ALB. Check.
Bridge. Best option of the remaining outside backs. -
You could put a case for best available 6.
I want to disagree with this but in reality it's up in the air right now. I would have have S Barrett or Hemopo, and possibly Jacobson and Papali'i over Frizzell but Barett is injured (minor injury though - should be ready for the RWC), Hemopo hasn't played enough 6 to determine that and Jacobson and Papali'i are too green.
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Hansen's cutting it fine though with only 3-4 games before RWC kicks off.
Bad scenario looms if SBW makes it thru this Test and/or Bledisloe 1 and then injures himself in Bledisloe 2.
