All Blacks vs Tonga

[sparky]

[Stargazer]

@sparky So that seems to indicate they don't want to risk Mo'unga.

[canefan]

@Stargazer said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@sparky So that seems to indicate they don't want to risk Mo'unga.

Good plan. Ioane can get some reps, just in case

[Bovidae]

Yep, this is probably just about maximising his time training with the team before they leave for Japan.

[Jailbreak7]

Yes indeed. Or ist it the coaches know something we don't about the health of the squad?
Certianly gonna be interesting who they select for this clash,
I wouldn't want either Ritchie or Beaudy in the firing line.

[Rapido]

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.

[nzzp]

@Rapido said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Only question was whether Josh from outside the squad or some random unco from inside the squad.

I'd pay good money to see how the ABs go with Owen Franks at 10.

[Bovidae]

This needs to be posted separately.

[Machpants]

@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."

[Stargazer]

If anyone is wondering where that quote in @Machpants' post comes from, you can find it at the bottom of this article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/115453825/rugby-world-cup-2019-all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-hits-back-at-cheats-tag

[Machpants]

@Stargazer rest of article was a waste but that was some relevant info

[sparky]

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:

1. 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

[Bovidae]

Crotty needs to be in the 23 as he is most needing gametime. Coltman too.

[Stargazer]

@sparky You can count on it that Ryan Crotty will get a start because he missed the entire TRC. Scott Barrett probably, too.

[pukunui]

Would be good if they tried Bridge on the right wing.

[Nepia]

@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:

1. 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

2. Taylor 17. Moli 18. Ta'avao 19. S. Barrett 20. Jacobson 21. TJP 22. J.Ioane 23. G.Bridge

[sparky]

"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."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/115478956/all-blacks-v-tonga-josh-ioane-called-in-as-injury-cover-for-richie-mounga

[Stargazer]

It's a Barrett conspiracy to remove Josh Ioane from the Otago squad in the weekend of Taranaki's Ranfurly Shield Challenge.

[Daffy Jaffy]

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.

[ACT Crusader]

@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.