All Blacks vs Tonga
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Hooroo No wonder Grant Fox said he would bet on Ngani Laumape being involved in the Rugby World Cup.
Perhaps they should be looking for a player who isn't so mentally fragile.
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
A RWC tune-up game on a saturated, muddy pitch in the rain against Tonga in Hamilton. What could possibly go wrong?
This ain't the 1970s! Even with the rain expected over the next few days the field surface will be very good. It always is.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
The NZ Barbarian legends have 4 halfbacks in their squad. 20 mins each I suppose as Tonu'u hasn't gotten any smaller in retirement.
Based on the last time I saw Junior at Auckland airport, I’ll be surprised if he lasts 20 minutes....
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So old Hansen is fucking with everyone right?
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@taniwharugby I had to check what day it was.
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@taniwharugby In a few hours time...
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Moody, Taylor, ?????
Stuff it.
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Tonga team to meet the All Blacks:
David Halaifonua, Cooper Vuna, Malietoa Hingano, Siale Piutau, Viliami Lolohea, Kurt Morath, Sonatane Takulua; Maama Vaipulu, Fotu Lokotui, Sione Kalamafoni, Leva Fifita, Sam Lousi, Siua Halanukonuka, Siua Maile, Siegfried Fisiihoi.
Reserves: Sione Anga'aelangi, Vunipola Fifita, Ma'afu Fia, Dan Faleafa, Zane Kapeli, Leon Fukofuka, James Faiva, Atieli Pakalani.I'm disappointed that Tamiefuna isn't playing.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Moody, Taylor, ?????
Stuff it.
Moody, Taylor, Hansen, Barrett....
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The matchday 23 is as follows (with Test caps in brackets, * is uncapped):
- Joe Moody (40)
- Codie Taylor (44)
- Nepo Laulala (19)
- Patrick Tuipulotu (24)
- Samuel Whitelock (111)
- Ardie Savea (38)
- Matt Todd (20)
- Kieran Read - captain (121)
- TJ Perenara (58)
- Beauden Barrett (77)
- George Bridge (4)
- Ryan Crotty (44)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (37)
- Sevu Reece (2)
- Ben Smith (79)
- Liam Coltman (5)
- Ofa Tuungafasi (29)
- Angus Ta'avao (7)
- Scott Barrett (30)
- Luke Jacobson (1)
- Aaron Smith (86)
- Josh Ioane *
- Jordie Barrett (11)
The team features several changes from the side which played the Wallabies in the second Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on August 17.
In the forwards, Codie Taylor starts at hooker, with Liam Coltman providing cover from the bench; Matt Todd starts at openside, with Luke Jacobson coming onto the bench for his second Test, while Scott Barrett comes in as lock cover on the bench.
In the backs, TJ Perenara will start in the 9 jersey, with Aaron Smith on the bench; Beauden Barrett is at 10 with Josh Ioane poised to make his All Blacks debut off the bench if required; Ryan Crotty returns from injury into the 12 jersey for his first Test appearance of the year, while in the outsides, Ben Smith comes in at fullback, with Jordie Barrett providing cover in the reserves.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said there was a real sense of excitement in the team.
"It's great to get the squad together and start preparing for what will be a great match against Tonga. We know the Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, but we are focusing on 'right here, right now'," he said.
"The players have brought real energy into our preparations here in Hamilton and the key will be to harness that excitement and put in a skillful and clinical performance on Saturday.
"Tonga will be targeting this game in a bid to build momentum into their Rugby World Cup campaign, and so are we, as it's going to be important for both teams to head into the Tournament with confidence."
Hansen said the team was also looking forward to passionate home crowd support at FMG Waikato Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to give the All Blacks a good send
off in their last home Test of the year. -
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There will be multiple objectives for this game, including giving some players valuable game time because they haven't played enough minutes (in black) recently, either starting (Crotty) or from the bench (Scott Barrett); giving some rookie players more time in black to get a bit more experience (Bridge, Reece, Jacobson); giving players (incl maybe Josh Ioane) a run because others are not 100% fit (Mo'unga, Goodhue, maybe SBW?) and maybe test players' utility value (e.g. Jordie).
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@Bovidae JB to lock, SB to 6 and LJ to 7
