Bledisloe #2
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Also, there is nothing wrong with moving on from an old stalwart on the eve of a RWC, for some it can just be a bridge too far; a similar thing happened with Mils in 2011. If Hansen and co have made the judgement that Smith's 10 year career is in it's twilight and he isn't starting calibre anymore then I have to trust their judgement. They aren't going to play favourites and won't pick players on past glories when their form is waning.
Oh and welcome back SBW.
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Who would have picked a top XV with everyone fully fit that wouldn't include Smith or Jordie.
If they dump Ben Smith a month out from the RWC from the XV after preaching experience, experience, experience all cycle at the expense of having a full look at other options then they may as well give it away.
The only way it makes sense if Smith is carrying a niggle and they've made the judgement that Smith at 80% isn't good enough anymore - which is reasonable. But if that were the case I doubt they would have risked him last week with RWC looming.
Surely Smith is the type of player who doesn't need to be "sent a message".
Will be interesting to find out if injuries a factor -- Franks for example.
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Oh and welcome back SBW.
Yep. We def. need physicality, off-loading, ball skills, discipline, leadership,. ball retention and rugby nous in the midfield.
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SouthernMann had the good oil!
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Joe Moody (39)
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Dane Coles (63)
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Nepo Laulala (18)
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Patrick Tuipulotu (23)
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Samuel Whitelock (110)
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Ardie Savea (37)
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Sam Cane (62)
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Kieran Read - captain (120)
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Aaron Smith (85)
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Richie Mo’unga (11)
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George Bridge (3)
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Sonny Bill Williams (52)
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Anton Lienert-Brown (36)
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Sevu Reece (1)
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Beauden Barrett (76)
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Codie Taylor (43)
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Ofa Tuungafasi (28)
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Angus Ta’avao (6)
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Jackson Hemopo (4)
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Matt Todd (19)
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TJ Perenara (57)
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Ngani Laumape (12)
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Jordie Barrett (10)
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Here's the media release (incl video):
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34546/all-blacks-team-named-for-bledisloe-cup-decider
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Surely Smith is the type of player who doesn't need to be "sent a message".
I don’t know that they are sending a message. Certainly not to him; tho’ possibly a message to others. They already know what they have with him — a senior leader, one of the world’s most experienced rugby players. I suspect they’re resting him and bleeding a couple newbies before the WC, possibly to give them some pressure minutes in a black jersey, possibly to help the selectors. They’re unlikely to learn anything they don’t already know about Ben. They want to nurse his knee, and he hasn’t been sharp for a while. My take anyway.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down. -
@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down.Was going to complain about this, but @Snowy beat me to it. It upsets the natural order of things.
also, thanks @SouthernMann good consistent oil, cheers
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If they were experimenting you’d think they’d have Bender on the bench in case of emergency. That he’s out completely in such a crunch match surely suggests he’s still injured. But dropping Rieko as well is what’s really perplexing. We’re left with two starting wingers as green as the Eden Park turf and a backstop on the bench with the Hex Factor. It’s like they’re playing Russian Roulette with five bullets in the chamber.
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@MrDenmore they are either grasping at straws, or this is all part of some grand plan....
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@MrDenmore said in Bledisloe #2:
If they were experimenting you’d think they’d have Bender on the bench in case of emergency. That he’s out completely in such a crunch match surely suggests he’s still injured
Was implied that the hammy still wasn't right in an article in the Herald. Would also explain why he has looked slow (whether that is due to lack of confidence in it, or it still is giving problems physically).
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@nzzp said in Bledisloe #2:
@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down.Was going to complain about this, but @Snowy beat me to it. It upsets the natural order of things.
also, thanks @SouthernMann good consistent oil, cheers
It’s called sauce. Get it right.
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@canefan I think Chris B probably got it right. It was a grand plan hatched on the presumption that the Bledisloe would be tucked away after the Perth match. Had that been the case this selection would have looked smart. It now looks desperate. But as others have pointed out who the wingers are is immaterial if the front five aren’t winning the ball
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@Crucial said in Bledisloe #2:
@nzzp said in Bledisloe #2:
@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down.Was going to complain about this, but @Snowy beat me to it. It upsets the natural order of things.
also, thanks @SouthernMann good consistent oil, cheers
It’s called sauce. Get it right.
I believe the young ones call it "awesome sauce" these days.
Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words
The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years!
A young employee of mine said it and I actually thought she read the Fern for a minute.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Oh and welcome back SBW.
Yep. We def. need physicality, off-loading, ball skills, discipline, leadership,. ball retention and rugby nous in the midfield.
Love the description. Not sure who that player is though.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe #2:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Oh and welcome back SBW.
Yep. We def. need physicality, off-loading, ball skills, discipline, leadership,. ball retention and rugby nous in the midfield.
Love the description. Not sure who that player is though.
Irony is sometimes spelt "Sonny Bill Williams".
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@MrDenmore said in Bledisloe #2:
@canefan I think Chris B probably got it right. It was a grand plan hatched on the presumption that the Bledisloe would be tucked away after the Perth match. Had that been the case this selection would have looked smart. It now looks desperate. But as others have pointed out who the wingers are is immaterial if the front five aren’t winning the ball
Cue the tight 5 (apart from Sam) getting shown what for again, while the wingers romp in 20 or more points between them.
