Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11

[KiwiMurph]

Foster wouldn't reveal his selections early but he says the aim is to get the whole squad up to speed.

"I know who's playing 10 yep. We probably spend less time focusing on the starting XV than what people think. You focus on the squad and getting that squad of 35 on the same page so that everyone is really clear on their roles and when or if they do come it, it's seamless."

Foster says Sunday's Bledisloe Cup opener will be a "huge" test for himself and his Wallabies counterpart, New Zealander and former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.

With Super Rugby cancelled by Covid-19 and Australia and New Zealand hosting domestic competitions, the All Blacks didn't get to play against their Wallabies counterparts and neither side has played a test for almost a year.

Sunday will be Foster's first test in charge of the All Blacks and Dave Rennie's first as Wallabies coach, while there are a host of fresh faces in the Australian team.

Foster concedes both teams are heading into unchartered territory.

"We've probably got the same difficulties as them. They've watched out domestic comp and we've watched theirs, but our players haven't played against each other. We've got two new coaching groups, some new players, a disrupted year and a little bit of the unknown, so that makes it a huge test on both sides."

Oct 5, 2020  /  Sport

All Blacks have been picked, but who will start where?

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has already picked his starting XV for Sunday's first Bledisloe Cup test, so who will be at first-five, in the loosies and the back three?

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph good article.

at the end of the day, to win is the same as ever. Dominate up front, and don't stuff up too many times in the backs. Ideally, find some magic somewhere, but kick goals, put pressure on and dominate physically.

I suspect they'll bring both Savea and DMac off the bench, and start ALB and RIoane. Can see Jordie somewhere too, with his long range goal kicking ability and general growth and development.

Friday team naming just seems ... weird?

[Machpants]

@nzzp Not as weird as a game at 4PM on a Sunday! Minimum beers as have to get back to NLD after, and work the next day!

[KiwiMurph]

Is this the biggest profile first test of the year since ABs v England 2003 in Wellington?

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

"I know who's playing 10 yep. We probably spend less time focusing on the starting XV than what people think. You focus on the squad and getting that squad of 35 on the same page so that everyone is really clear on their roles and when or if they do come it, it's seamless."

I fucking hope not. Strike one, Ian.

[NTA]

@Bones said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

"I know who's playing 10 yep. We probably spend less time focusing on the starting XV than what people think. You focus on the squad and getting that squad of 35 on the same page so that everyone is really clear on their roles and when or if they do come it, it's seamless."

I fucking hope not. Strike one, Ian.

Can't wait for the fawning praise when a late injury sees someone come in from the wings and have a blinder

[Bones]

@NTA said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

@Bones said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

"I know who's playing 10 yep. We probably spend less time focusing on the starting XV than what people think. You focus on the squad and getting that squad of 35 on the same page so that everyone is really clear on their roles and when or if they do come it, it's seamless."

I fucking hope not. Strike one, Ian.

Can't wait for the fawning praise when a late injury sees someone come in from the wings and have a blinder

That's a given, it's only Australia.

But if at this stage they are not heavily focussed on the starting side, with guys from outside the starting side filling in around that, it's pretty bollocks. Especially for the guys making their debut...

[junior]

@voodoo said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

Surely there is no chance Savea starts at 8 over Sotutu? He can't whack on about bringing physicality back then do that, it'd be a mockery.

Apparently Ardie is one of SRA's most dominant tacklers, tho...

[Canes4life]

@Yeetyaah could be the deciding factor in leaving the Canes for the Blues after his contract is up. I hope not though.

[Tim]

The key ingredient the Wallabies must take out of their recipe to avoid another Bledisloe disaster

The question the Wallabies must ask is, how much ball-in-hand rugby do they want to play? Because too much may play straight into the All Blacks hands as it has for the last four years.

[ACT Crusader]

@KiwiMurph said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

I figured I'd just enter @ACT-Crusader 's team on his behalf:

Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Whitelock, Dunshea, Grace, T Chief/Captain, T Cane, T Highlander, Mo'unga, Bridge, ALB, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan

And a mighty fine team it is. Fozzie take note

[Machpants]

Amazingly, despite standard post RWC exodus, we could still put out the same team as against Ireland in the Quarters -2 (and one of them will be back)


[Bovidae]

[Bones]

@Machpants you've really gotta get the hang of this uploading pics thing eh.

[Machpants]

@Bones said in Bledisloe One: Wellington, October 11:

@Machpants you've really gotta get the hang of this uploading pics thing eh.

it's too big, bishop, I couldn't be arsed resizing, wasn't that funny anyway

[Tim]

Hall and Parsons seem pretty convinced that the midfield will be ALB and Ioane.

[Bovidae]

This interview is more informative.

[Machpants]

@Bovidae except you can't hear the questions, and it made me realise that I'm a bit bored of laconic drawling coaches.

[Kirwan]

Liked his answers about the new players. Seems more steely eyed than normal.

Must be weird to be asked questions. Became a bit for Hanson to direct the press to Fozzie at times.

[Bovidae]

@Machpants Yes, unfortunately it is a common problem with a lot of press conferences.

So the main points were that the ABs might not take 11 extra players to Aust now, and Coles is available for selection.