Bledisloe #2
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@reprobate Rieko did not play vs Argentina.
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@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe #2:
@reprobate Rieko did not play vs Argentina.
Completely invisible. Useless.
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@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:
@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe #2:
@reprobate Rieko did not play vs Argentina.
Completely invisible. Useless.
Too busy playing Fortnight no doubt. Youngsters today...
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@No-Quarter Don't you make me get all curmudgeonly kiddo.
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@Bovidae said in Bledisloe #2:
@mariner4life said in Bledisloe #2:
didn't Ofa play tighthead through the entire Northern tour last year, and handle it more than adequately?
Ofa actually replaced Big Karl at LH in both the Irish and English tests, and started at LH vs Italy. My point is that although Ofa has mainly played TH prop previously he has also been used at LH by both the Blues and ABs, including both tests he has played this year.
The first time I remember Moli at LH was his AB debut off the bench on the 2017 EOYT vs the French XV, when Hansen mentioned they wanted to convert him into a LH prop. Last year he had a serious leg injury and never played. This year Moli had a late start to the SR season, and then was the regular starting LH prop for the Chiefs. He's still learning his trade at LH.
The AB selectors are still trying to finalise their 5 props with 2 spots to find after Moody, Franks and Tu'ungafasi. Laulala gets his opportunity at Eden Park.
You are quite right. Ofa has plyed there quite a lot and went well on last autumn tour, against fairly average replacement props. That said, he has had some very bad games there -- I seem to recall Blues being mullered by Waratahs with Ofa at LH and Angus at TH. I think his height is a problem when he comes up against shorter THs such as Nyakane. Tupou will be a good hard test.
Moli has seemed alright at LH for Chiefs, certainly much better than Angus at LH. But perhaps too early to judge.
I'm more worried about LH than TH. If Franks were injured Nepo and Ofa in that order can cover. If Moody out then Karl T is out only true starting option against proper scrums.
Looking to RWC for me Moody and Ofa, and probably Angus, are nailed. Then at least one of Franks/Nepo (at least in theory). If after Saturday doubts remain about Ofa at LH then in comes Karl. If Ofa handles Tupou and Nepo performs then Nepo and Owen both travel. I don't see Moli making it.
A. Moody/Karl/Owen/Ofa/Angus
B. Moody/Karl/Nepo/Ofa/Angus
c. Moody/Ofa/Owen/Angus/Nepo
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Reckon Scott Barrett will get the job done on Saturday!
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@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe #2:
Rory Arnold is out so Coleman starts, Rob Simmons on the bench. Liam Wright (an openside) replaces Luke Jones on the bench. AAC replaces Banks on the bench.
Wallabies to face All Blacks 1. Scott Sio (57 Tests) 2. Tolu Latu (14 Tests) 3. Allan Alaalatoa (33 Tests) 4. Izack Rodda (20 Tests) 5. Adam Coleman (32 Tests) 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (14 Tests) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (94 Tests) 8. Isi Naisarani (3 Tests) 9. Nic White (25 Tests) 10. Christian Lealiifano (21 Tests) 11. Marika Koroibete (22 Tests) 12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (28 Tests) 13. James O’Connor (46 Tests) 14. Reece Hodge (36 Tests) 15. Kurtley Beale (86 Tests) Reserves 16. Folau Fainga’a (10 Tests) 17. James Slipper (89 Tests) 18. Taniela Tupou (14 Tests) 19. Rob Simmons (96 Tests) 20. Liam Wright* 21. Will Genia (103 Tests) 22. Matt To’omua (45 Tests) 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper (117 Tests)Jeez that is a big promotion for Liam Wright. Capable young bloke but what a cauldron to get thrown into!
AAC will add experience in the back end and I've heard the weather won't be entirely friendly, so maybe we're digging the heels in a bit for some trench warfare.
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@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe #2:
Catching a few passes and making a few tackles always helps too.
That and a bit of mongrel.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe #2:
Would be terrible if Hanson ends such an illustrious career by losing both the Bledisloe and the World Cup.
Or worse and lose Aura
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@reprobate said in Bledisloe #2:
@Nevorian said in Bledisloe #2:
look out for plenty of cross field kicks but hopefully we will improve our possession stats
Well kicking the ball away is half our possession problem...
Wish I could give this five likes. Contrast with Oz which almost didn't kick other than Tupou's 'effort'.
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@pakman said in Bledisloe #2:
@reprobate said in Bledisloe #2:
@Nevorian said in Bledisloe #2:
look out for plenty of cross field kicks but hopefully we will improve our possession stats
Well kicking the ball away is half our possession problem...
Wish I could give this five likes. Contrast with Oz which almost didn't kick other than Tupou's 'effort'.
Maybe this is the cunning plan. Kick the ball away in the two years leading up to the WC, then hold on to the ball at the WC and it's wham bam thank you mam. Thanks for coming.
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@pakman said in Bledisloe #2:
Looking to RWC for me Moody and Ofa, and probably Angus, are nailed.
Agreed.
Then at least one of Franks/Nepo (at least in theory). If after Saturday doubts remain about Ofa at LH then in comes Karl. If Ofa handles Tupou and Nepo performs then Nepo and Owen both travel. I don't see Moli making it.
Ideally you would want 2 x LH (Moody, ???), 2 x TH (two of Franks, Ta'avao and Laulala) and one who could play both (Tu'ungafasi). Hansen said Moli is rated ahead of Tu'inukuafe so you would have to say the other LH spot is his to lose.
As Ta'avao offers more mobility off the bench, which is what they are wanting for impact, he would be the ideal second TH. Then Franks and Laulala are fighting for one position.
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@Bovidae I think we're at one other than back up LH.
Agreed that when Karl was let go it was Moli's to lose. But from what I saw on Saturday, not only in scrums, but also in work around field, it's too early for him.
Which means Ofa is a chance, but if not if it were me I'd take Karl, although if it came to that I have a hunch TWM would send for Perry, and that I'd be dead against.
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@Nepia said in Bledisloe #2:
@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe #2:
In all seriousness I feel better about this side than last weeks.
Really? I’d like to hear the reasoning behind this? I mean two of your precious Crusaders forwards have been replaced by Nancy boy North Islanders.
I don’t mind another prop getting a shot and Patty T needs a start to see if he has what it takes to be a starter should he be called on in a big game. He hasn’t had many opportunities to do so.
I think the wingers are an improvement and I’m glad Laumape is not starting.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe #2:
Would be terrible if Hanson ends such an illustrious career by losing both the Bledisloe and the World Cup.
I get that losing the Bledisloe would be a travesty. Given the year on year success. Fans would call for immediate sacking 😁
But WC’s aren’t really lost in a conventional sense. Each WC is it’s own event and given the format I think there’s a winner and a loser of the final and then everyone else.
Similar to the Blackcaps and the CWC, if the ABs get to the final I think that’s an achievement in and of itself given form over recent times.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe #2:
Would be terrible if Hanson ends such an illustrious career by losing both the Bledisloe and the World Cup.
Or worse and lose Aura
We're always losing Aura
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@booboo said in Bledisloe #2:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe #2:
Would be terrible if Hanson ends such an illustrious career by losing both the Bledisloe and the World Cup.
Or worse and lose Aura
We're always losing Aura
Seen yesterday in Zurich...
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@booboo said in Bledisloe #2:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Bledisloe #2:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Bledisloe #2:
Would be terrible if Hanson ends such an illustrious career by losing both the Bledisloe and the World Cup.
Or worse and lose Aura
We're always losing Aura
She always comes back
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