All Blacks vs Tonga
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Team I'd pencil in for this one
Atu Moli, Liam Coltman, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuitupolou, Sam Whitelock, Luke Jacobson, Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Brad Weber, Josh Ioane (although he won't be in main RWC squad), George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Bench: Dane Coles, Ofa T, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Kieran Read, TJP, SBW, Jordie Barrett
Opportunity to try out a few things, give first Test starts to a few of the squad and a chance to say goodbye to guys going offshore after the RWC.
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Team I'd pencil in for this one
Atu Moli, Liam Coltman, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuitupolou, Sam Whitelock, Luke Jacobson, Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Brad Weber, Josh Ioane (although he won't be in main RWC squad), George Bridge, Ryan Crotty, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith
Bench: Dane Coles, Ofa T, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Kieran Read, TJP, SBW, Jordie Barrett
Opportunity to try out a few things, give first Test starts to a few of the squad and a chance to say goodbye to guys going offshore after the RWC.
Sam W too valuable to risk.
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I think we may see a close to strength 23 for this test.They may need a blow out before the Wc after a 3 week break.
I am sure we will have game scenarios and inter squad run outs within the camp.
But I can see The coaches wanting to fine tune before the Boks.
If they are going to worry about injuries for this game then we worry through the pool games.You can't think that way need to be match harden for the Boks. -
@CO This articles suggests that we will see most of the AB top 23 against Tonga. It is a warm-up game ahead of South Africa:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12259569
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Ardie Savea needs some rest, as does Sam Whitelock. Moreover, they are too important for the team so they should not be risked against a physical outfit like Tonga. My guess :
Moli Coltman Franks Hemopo Tuipolutu Fifita Cane (capt) Jacobson Weber Ioane Ioane Laumape Ennor Reece J Barrett
I know that a Hemopo - Tuipolutu combination in the second row is not very complementary but Whitelock has to be spared.
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@cgrant said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Ardie Savea needs some rest, as does Sam Whitelock. Moreover, they are too important for the team so they should not be risked against a physical outfit like Tonga. My guess :
Moli Coltman Franks Hemopo Tuipolutu Fifita Cane (capt) Jacobson Weber Ioane Ioane Laumape Ennor Reece J Barrett
I know that a Hemopo - Tuipolutu combination in the second row is not very complementary but Whitelock has to be spared.
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test. -
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@CO said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test.Excuse me, but the Mitre 10 Cup is currently being staged. It is real rugby as S Barrett has two of those games listed as stand down matches counting toward his suspension. If he was down to play those games than there is scope for the entire squad to do likewise during the weeks before the 'Ikale Tahi game.
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@Higgins said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@CO said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test.Excuse me, but the Mitre 10 Cup is currently being staged. It is real rugby as S Barrett has two of those games listed as stand down matches counting toward his suspension. If he was down to play those games than there is scope for the entire squad to do likewise during the weeks before the 'Ikale Tahi game.
could you imagine if Barrett or Savea blew a knee playing NPC?
The collective nationwide meltdown would be a sight to behold
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Higgins said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@CO said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test.Excuse me, but the Mitre 10 Cup is currently being staged. It is real rugby as S Barrett has two of those games listed as stand down matches counting toward his suspension. If he was down to play those games than there is scope for the entire squad to do likewise during the weeks before the 'Ikale Tahi game.
could you imagine if Barrett or Savea blew a knee playing NPC?
The collective nationwide meltdown would be a sight to behold
I assume you mean Broden and not the lesser Barretts?
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@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Higgins said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@CO said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test.Excuse me, but the Mitre 10 Cup is currently being staged. It is real rugby as S Barrett has two of those games listed as stand down matches counting toward his suspension. If he was down to play those games than there is scope for the entire squad to do likewise during the weeks before the 'Ikale Tahi game.
could you imagine if Barrett or Savea blew a knee playing NPC?
The collective nationwide meltdown would be a sight to behold
I assume you mean Broden and not the lesser Barretts?
of course. shrugs and "meh" don't make much noise
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@Higgins said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@CO said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Maybe but the flip side is no real rugby
For 5 weeks if they don’t play .Then out against the Boks that’s a tough ask for those boys they have 3 weeks to the Tongan test.Excuse me, but the Mitre 10 Cup is currently being staged. It is real rugby as S Barrett has two of those games listed as stand down matches counting toward his suspension. If he was down to play those games than there is scope for the entire squad to do likewise during the weeks before the 'Ikale Tahi game.
Didn't say is wasn't what I said was that most of the 23 will play against Tonga they will not play NPC so will not have had real rugby.
Quote from the Hansen interview after Bledisloe 2
"Hansen intends to play most of his front-liners against the Tongans in order to keep them ticking over for next month's tournament in Japan and we will get a better idea of who they are when he announces his 31-player squad a week on Wednesday".
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@Stargazer I am weary of players being knackered by October because of too many minutes on the park in one year. Think of how tired many ABs were by the time of the Dublin game last year or against England in 2012.
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Stargazer I am weary of players being knackered by October because of too many minutes on the park in one year. Think of his tired many ABs were by the time of the Dublin game last year or against England in 2012.
Yeah but if they don't play any Rugby until WC V Boks its 5 weeks you need to be match harden not conditioned.
I would be worried if we don't play for 5 weeks then play the Boks first up we will be under done.
Then if we lose what do we do play our top players right through to get them match fit.
I think they will rest them for the 2 weeks play Tonga then 2 weeks rest until the Boks.
