All Blacks vs Fiji 2
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Oh and if you don't think Akira is far and away the best 6 in NZ then you just have an irrational dislike of the guy.
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@african-monkey said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
It always helps when Akira's in the starting lineup. He sorted the Pumas out last year when he came in and did much the same last night. Jacobsen was also very strong and worked well with Ioane, where both were stopping the Fiji ball carriers in their tracks. I'm definitely on the Jacobsen bandwagon for the time being, he reminds me of a young Kieran Read style wise. Would like to carry Papali'i off the bench for the Aussie test as he can cover all 3 backrow positions, with the same back row.
I know its only 25 mins against a tiring Fiji pack, but Taukei'aho is certainly one to watch. He could become a regular in the matchday 23 in the not too distant future. Scott Barrett has definitely gone ahead of Tuipulotu as well in the lock department. He gives away penalties at times, but his wor in the tight is more effective than Tuipulotu at this level. Tuipulotu needs to go back to his old role in the side which is a 15-20 minute impact player as he is no starter at this level sadly.
In the backs, I like Havili at 12. He's certainly the most rounded midfielder in the country as he's light on his feet, has the ability to crash and play as another playmaker. If they're gonna keep starting Mo'unga, I feel that Havili has to start outside him. He has the ability to take the pressure off Mo'unga and they've played more than enough rugby together.
My preferred back 3 would be Rieko, Jordan and Jordie with Reece off the bench but it looks like they prefer Reece starting. Not usually a Reece fan, but he's been good against the Fijians, so he deserves a spot for now somewhere in the 23.
Front paged
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@rapido said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
O8s there something wrong with old stand at Waikato Stadium? Why was it not used?
I expect is was for visual effect to make the rest of the stadium that was used look fuller.
What we've all been thinking, but no-one has said.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I just think this coaching setup love having DMac in the lineup so I can see him being in there somewhere.
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I just think this coaching setup love having DMac in the lineup so I can see him being in there somewhere.
You are probably right but Jordie is better starting and Beauden is just a far superior player all round. There's no room for him in our top 23.
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@no-quarter I'd prefer Rieko to start ahead of Jordan against top opposition at this stage. Jordan is just too sloppy at everything apart from running without having to link. Bring him in in the second half to carve up, let Rieko do the hard yards.
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@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
Specially as the girl plays hockey, which seems to be a game designed by dentists.
Best description yet.
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@kiwiwomble yeah mate got there early and skipped the lines, had a few pre drinks so was feeling a bit warm. Great atmosphere, was surrounded by Fijians and they're just so passionate. Good game and good atmosphere so can't complain for my first test.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I think that's the best lineup right now. Havilli looks good and ALB has the nous to build the 12/13 combination. The only debate is around 15, I think it's 50/50 with JB & DMac at 15, but happy with either.
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@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
TJP
Beauden
RiekoBeauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I agree with @ACT-Crusader that these guys like Dmac, so I think he'll get a few more chances (I'm not sure whether I think he deserves them or not), and I've added TJP back in there, as he'll be the placeholder until they can cap Fakatava.
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Back on Akira I rewatched today and he was active and physical up until he left (after 65 minutes or so?) Did seem slower to one ruck than Savea but they did share the highest number of tackles by an AB (where did I see that?) Perhaps another 6 might have a higher workrate but to my eyes he was good, direct and physical. But Savea, wow, not just in attack, he was dynamic when defending.
Plumtree:
The All Blacks might have found their first-choice loose forward trio
Ahead of the 2021 Steinlager Series against Tonga and Fiji, much was made of the high level of competition for places in the All Blacks squad, particularly among the loose forwards.
"I thought Akira Ioane was strong with his ball-carrying around the edges of the rucks,” he remarked. “He got us momentum at crucial parts of the game.” -
Akira, Dalton, Luke is my preferred combo. Swap in cane when he gets back and move Dalton to the bench in place of savea. Blackadder has real potential too.
Don’t think loose forward is a problem area. Our props are borderline crap though, weakest area by far. Not great locking depth either.
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@bones said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter I'd prefer Rieko to start ahead of Jordan against top opposition at this stage. Jordan is just too sloppy at everything apart from running without having to link. Bring him in in the second half to carve up, let Rieko do the hard yards.
If you're marking him on the latter part of SRA and SRTT perhaps.
His form definitely fell away as the Crusaders injuries mounted and he started overplaying his hand in the points chase.
For the ABs, I can only recall one loose pass against Tonga and if you are marking harshly, he passed outside when an inside pass was a better option - but, he scored anyway.
He needs to play!
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I think that's the best lineup right now. Havilli looks good and ALB has the nous to build the 12/13 combination. The only debate is around 15, I think it's 50/50 with JB & DMac at 15, but happy with either.
I don't think DMac and Jordie really fit the same style so I guess it comes down to the gameplan.
DMac has shown what he does and we know that if you want a continuity game with multiple playmakers he has the speed to get in the right places.
Jordie brings....I'm not really sure what Jordie brings tbh. He's a skilled ball player and has a great kick but I struggle to find a role for him that brings much difference. -
@crucial said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I think that's the best lineup right now. Havilli looks good and ALB has the nous to build the 12/13 combination. The only debate is around 15, I think it's 50/50 with JB & DMac at 15, but happy with either.
I don't think DMac and Jordie really fit the same style so I guess it comes down to the gameplan.
DMac has shown what he does and we know that if you want a continuity game with multiple playmakers he has the speed to get in the right places.
Jordie brings....I'm not really sure what Jordie brings tbh. He's a skilled ball player and has a great kick but I struggle to find a role for him that brings much difference.if he was fast enough, a high kick in the corner, not many fullbacks should be able to get higher than him (apart from he who won't be named and doesn't like playing against heathens)..
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@chris-b said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bones said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter I'd prefer Rieko to start ahead of Jordan against top opposition at this stage. Jordan is just too sloppy at everything apart from running without having to link. Bring him in in the second half to carve up, let Rieko do the hard yards.
If you're marking him on the latter part of SRA and SRTT perhaps.
His form definitely fell away as the Crusaders injuries mounted and he started overplaying his hand in the points chase.
For the ABs, I can only recall one loose pass against Tonga and if you are marking harshly, he passed outside when an inside pass was a better option - but, he scored anyway.
He needs to play!
I'm marking him on his Tests.
Against Tonga and Fiji.
Where he showed an awful inability to link once in space, sloppy passing and option taking Against a team we beat 102-0. Didn't matter because he scored though eh! Not sure I'll be saying that if we're not winning by 50 points.
He needs to play? Great, that's why I said bring him on in the second half.
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@bones I have no idea why you are beating this drum but you have cherry-picked a few moments to fit your perspective and ignored the rest. One of the first people on the teamsheet.
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@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bones I have no idea why you are beating this drum but you have cherry-picked a few moments to fit your perspective and ignored the rest. One of the first people on the teamsheet.
Eh? Beating what drum? I haven't ignored anything.
Yes one of the first names on the teamsheet. In 23.
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@crucial said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I think that's the best lineup right now. Havilli looks good and ALB has the nous to build the 12/13 combination. The only debate is around 15, I think it's 50/50 with JB & DMac at 15, but happy with either.
I don't think DMac and Jordie really fit the same style so I guess it comes down to the gameplan.
DMac has shown what he does and we know that if you want a continuity game with multiple playmakers he has the speed to get in the right places.
Jordie brings....I'm not really sure what Jordie brings tbh. He's a skilled ball player and has a great kick but I struggle to find a role for him that brings much difference.More physical presence apparently cos he’s really tall as opposed to McKenzie cos he’s really short.
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@mn5 said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crucial said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks vs Fiji 2:
@bovidae or give Reece more time on the left.
It’s a good way to build options there, let’s us move away from Bridge. And RI becomes very hand for the bench covering both wings and centre.
Yeah, so long as we're not starting Bridge I'm happy. Reece provides a lot of threat on the wing.
I'd be pretty happy with a backline of:
Smith
Mo'unga
Reece
Havili
ALB
Jordan
JordieBench:
Beauden
Rieko
Christie (please not Weber. We're best to just not sub Smith).Beauden and Rieko can cover every position 10 out and, seriously, they will both carve tired defenses to pieces given their quality. That's some serious impact off the bench with no major weaknesses starting.
I think that's the best lineup right now. Havilli looks good and ALB has the nous to build the 12/13 combination. The only debate is around 15, I think it's 50/50 with JB & DMac at 15, but happy with either.
I don't think DMac and Jordie really fit the same style so I guess it comes down to the gameplan.
DMac has shown what he does and we know that if you want a continuity game with multiple playmakers he has the speed to get in the right places.
Jordie brings....I'm not really sure what Jordie brings tbh. He's a skilled ball player and has a great kick but I struggle to find a role for him that brings much difference.More physical presence apparently cos he’s really tall as opposed to McKenzie cos he’s really short.
He makes less terrible decisions for a start.
