Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November

It's amazing how your rotation options are in many positions better than your starters IMO. Akira ffs. Notable exception being TJ - the most overrated yappy little flog to ever grace a rugby field.

Not sure he is. Meaning the general consensus is he has slipped from where he was and isn't living up to his previous potential.

Crucial

@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

@Bovidae said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

This starting XV will be one for the history books with the Barrett and Ioane brothers.

If only Isi Tu'ungafasi, Marty McKenzie and Daniel Lienert-Brown were All Blacks 😉

Now you are being silly.

How do we get someone banned around here?

Kirwan

@DMX said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

@Kirwan said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

He might have some selection headaches after this.

Really? Don't think so, not after one game, maybe pressure on Karl T, but I am guessing he considers last weeks starting team except for Ardie at 8 as his top line up. The rest is building depth and resting players. Don't think there is anyone else except maybe Hodgeman who could play themselves into the strongest lineup or their preferred position.

I think Taylor is fading, Scott has a chance to start ahead of Patrick, Weber could leapfrog TJ, maybe Goodhue and Laumape.

Frizzle has been good, but not safe if Akira or Grace have a barnstormer.

Lots of little battles, and yes it'll take more than one game, but players like Reece won't get many opportunities IMO.

akan004

Is this the first ever AB 23 that does not have a Highlander in it?

Canes4life

The hate on here around TJ is stupid. Yes he had an off game and he was the first to admit that, but that doesn’t make him a bad player over night.

akan004

@Canes4life said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

The hate on here around TJ is stupid. Yes he had an off game and he was the first to admit that, but that doesn’t make him a bad player over night.

His passing has been shit for years.

taniwharugby

@akan004 TBF his passing was never a strength and I doubt the reason he was selected in the first place...in fact, it was the other aspects of his game that were in contrast to Smith that probably made them complimentary to one another

Chris B.

@DMX said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

@Kirwan said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

He might have some selection headaches after this.

Really? Don't think so, not after one game, maybe pressure on Karl T, but I am guessing he considers last weeks starting team except for Ardie at 8 as his top line up. The rest is building depth and resting players. Don't think there is anyone else except maybe Hodgeman who could play themselves into the strongest lineup or their preferred position.

Joe Moody.

I don't think Jordie will be a long term fixture on the right wing - Rieko or Jordan will take that, though maybe not immediately.

Looking ahead to the next game, all going to plan, I'd guess it will be Beauden's turn to rest, Mo'unga back to first five and Jordie at fullback, so someone (probably Will) gets a chance on the right wing.

Canes4life

@akan004 every halfback’s pass is going to look shit when they come on for A Smith.

It’s laughable you think he’s a worse halfback than Webber. TJ is easily the second best 9 in the country, in fact his skill set almost compliments Smiths and allows the ABs to finish with a flourish on most occasions.

NTA

@Derpus said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

This is one bloodbath I won't be putting myself through.

Camping this weekend looking like a good option

Kirwan

@Canes4life said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

@akan004 every halfback’s pass is going to look shit when they come on for A Smith.

It’s laughable you think he’s a worse halfback than Webber. TJ is easily the second best 9 in the country, in fact his skill set almost compliments Smiths and allows the ABs to finish with a flourish on most occasions.

He's also going overseas (even if temporarily), so it makes sense to start getting Webber up to speed.

KiwiMurph

Personally I don't think the ABs have properly replaced TKB when he left in 2015. There was a reason TKB was the preferred backup in the 2015 RWC.

Crucial

@akan004 said in Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November:

Is this the first ever AB 23 that does not have a Highlander in it?

You'd have to go back a fair way wouldn't you?

Between Nugget and Bender there was usually at least one.

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe Four: Brisbane, 7 November