All Blacks vs Tonga
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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
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Bovidae JB to lock, SB to 6 and LJ to 7
You might be right with two of those.
This would be a good game to play SB at 6 if that is something they are thinking about for the SA test.
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@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Hard to know what to read into that selection.
No Ioane, no midfield cover and Pat T ahead of Barrett probably the most interesting points.Jordie will be midfield cover. Pat is better than Scott. Scott's never dominated a game like Pat did against Australia.
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Based on "you're only as good as your last game", I am.
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@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Hard to know what to read into that selection.
no midfield cover.I think Goodhue wasn't considered because of his hamstring injury and SBW had a "tight calf" during the week, so he's presumably one of those who "could have played if it was a final of some sort...".
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So, if you take Mo'unga, Retallick, Goodhue and SBW out as injured - and maybe Rieko.
Then Moli, Coles, Cane and Weber are the guys not getting a run. Maybe Coles and Cane are carrying niggles - otherwise slightly surprising they're not in the 23.
I'd guess they're looking to pair Josh Ioane with Aaron Smith, so TJ starts with Beauden.
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@Chris-B i think reading anything in to this week at all is completely pointless from our external point of view. Everything about this will be based on internal metrics. Expected outcomes will be on a micro level, and probably the opposite of what we expect. Training loads, niggles, player welfare, all of those will come well before the actual game.
It's a slightly tougher training run against 23 blokes operating with a different plan to our 31 blokes.
The game itself is probably well down the list of priorities.
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The josh ioane selection is an interesting one ,
If mounga or Barrett have a niggle in the pool rounds , josh won’t be available as a bail out .
I guess they see him as a valued standby player , and there may be benefits keeping him involved.
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@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
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@mariner4life You're pretty much right, I'd imagine.
I think they would have quite liked to have given their top team a hit out before the big dance, but they won't be risking anyone who's not 100%.
They unfortunately can't all be wrapped in cotton wool, though - need to play some rugby!
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
I hate your imagination.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
this would be monumentally stupid
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@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Hard to know what to read into that selection.
No Ioane, no midfield cover and Pat T ahead of Barrett probably the most interesting points.Jordie will be midfield cover. Pat is better than Scott. Scott's never dominated a game like Pat did against Australia.
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Based on "you're only as good as your last game", I am.
While that gets said a lot im not sure it is the best basis to assess anything on. It ignores too many factors.
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Like the look of the team.
Opportunity for :
BFA and Scott Barrett to bounce back from the disappointment of Perth.
Reece and Bridge to nail down starting roles Vs Boks.
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
Beauden Barrett to remind everyone what a good First-Five he is.
The Tight Five to send out a signal.
Jordie Barrett to prove the haters and doubters wrong.
Jacobson to get on the park for the All Blacks in front of his hometown mates.
Josh Ioane to make his ABs debut.
Reado, Crotty, BFA and Todd to play their last games in NZ.
