All Blacks vs Tonga
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@Rapido said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Moouage always missing this game. Out for minimum 3 weeks.
Only question was whether Josh from outside the squad or some random unco from inside the squad.
"Hansen said there would be "heaps" of stuff they would be holding back this weekend, but plenty they need to also tick off, the main one being getting some minutes under the belt of some players.
Centre Jack Goodhue may not yet return this weekend, still being troubled by the hamstring injury he picked up against the Wallabies in Perth.
Hansen said he was still to see the medical report on first-five Richie Mo'unga, who took a shoulder knock against the Wallabies at Eden Park, and that non World Cup squad member Josh Ioane was therefore with the squad this week and a chance of a test debut."
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If anyone is wondering where that quote in @Machpants' post comes from, you can find it at the bottom of this article:
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I think the third and fourth choice Ten need some game time so Beauden Barrett gets a rest. Apart from that select the top team available.
So the team I'd pick:
- Moody 2. Coles 3. Laulala 4. Tuipulotu 5. Whitelock 6. Savea 7. Cane 8. Read 9. A.Smith 10. J. Barrett 11. R. Ioane 12. SBW 13. ALB 14. Reece 15. B.Smith 16. Taylor 17. Moli 18. Ta'avao 19. S. Barrett 20. Jacobson 21. TJP 22. J.Ioane 23. G.Bridge
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
I think the third and fourth choice Ten need some game time so Beauden Barrett gets a rest. Apart from that select the top team available.
So the team I'd pick:
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Moody 2. Coles 3. Laulala 4. Tuipulotu 5. Whitelock 6. Savea 7. Cane 8. Read 9. A.Smith 10. J. Barrett 11. R. Ioane 12. SBW 13. ALB 14. Reece 15. B.Smith
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Taylor 17. Moli 18. Ta'avao 19. S. Barrett 20. Jacobson 21. TJP 22. J.Ioane 23. G.Bridge
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"We won't risk anyone who's 50-50, or even 80-20," Hansen told a press conference in Hamilton.
"If we could play all 31 members in the weekend, that's what we'd do. But we're only allowed to play 23. So we're going to have to make some hard decisions, because not all of them can play."
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The Pacific Legends have unveiled a squad stacked with fire-power and big names from the recent past for their clash against the New Zealand Barbarians in Hamilton on Saturday 7 September.
Coached by Tana Umaga, the Pacific Legends squad features former internationals from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, recently retired sevens stars, and even a former rugby league star in the form of Lesley ‘The Volcano’ Vainikolo.Pacific Legends Squad:
Inoke Afeaki, Tomasi Cama, Graham Dewes, DJ Forbes, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Frank Halai, Jeff Ierome, Roy Kinikinilau, Nili Latu, Filipo Levi, Lua Lokotui, Laisa Maasi, Deacon Manu, Seilala Mapusua, Onehunga Mata’uiau, Luke Mealamu, Mikaele Pesamino, Junior Poluleuigaga, John Senio, Semo Sititi, Hale T Pole, Justin Va’a, To’o Vaega, Samiu Vahafolau, Lesley Vainikolo, Silao Vaisola-Sefo, Tanner Vili, Gavin Williams, Radike Samo
Coach: Tana Umaga
The all-star clash will kick off at 12.10pm at FMG Stadium Waikato prior to the All Blacks vs Tonga match at 2.35pm. Get your TICKETS HERE.The driving force behind the curtain raiser is the MaiBody, MaiFuture health project launched by the Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) last year that sees high profile rugby players role modelling healthier lifestyles to fight obesity and diabetes.
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
"We won't risk anyone who's 50-50, or even 80-20," Hansen told a press conference in Hamilton.
"If we could play all 31 members in the weekend, that's what we'd do. But we're only allowed to play 23. So we're going to have to make some hard decisions, because not all of them can play."
More great insight coming from Steve...
I don’t think Whitelock will start or perhaps even play.
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It's a gamble playing any player that is a starter v SA IMO. Honestly throwing J Barrett in at 10 might not be the worst idea if there is any possibility of him playing there during the RWC (not an endorsement of him playing there just being pragmatic).
With respect to Tonga I doubt we will gain much from playing our top team unless we are injury free and can comfortably sub key players early.
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Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
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@JC said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Reading through the thread, does anyone actually think this test is a good idea? It seems like a good way of turning the 100% fit players into 50:50s if you ask me. And I’m not sure a test vs Tonga in The Tron will prepare any undercooked players for a World Cup test vs the Springboks in Tokyo. No offence to Tonga.
It's a survival exercise
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@reprobate said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@JC I do, but a fair bit of what could be gained is lost if Mounga can't play. That system still needs practice. Likewise midfield combos, and 9/10, and lifting with nepo etc. Lots of stuff that needs to bed in.
Agree. Calculated risk to bed in some of the training field work. Can't go into the SA game wondering if the work you are doing will pay off.
It may risk some players' bodies but will benefit their minds. -
