Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour
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From an article on Stuff of 26 October 2021:
Cane, on Tuesday (NZT) from Cardiff, revealed a planned timeline between he and coach Ian Foster that has him regrouping following his return to test footy via a half-hour off the bench in the 104-14 romp over the USA in Washington DC at the weekend.
By his own admission, Cane is still not ready for a full-blown test against a tier-1 nation, such as this weekend’s clash against Wales at a sold-out Principality Stadium in Cardiff, after a six-month rehabilitation from shoulder surgery to repair a pectoral muscle tear.
But he hopes the next fortnight will nudge him close enough for the selectors to at least have something to think about ahead of that brutal finish against Ireland in Dublin (November 13) and France in Paris (November 20). -
@stargazer Italy is not a full blown test, imo. I read that, and it is not his actual words but reporter paraphrasing, that he hopes too be up to speed enough to start one of those big tests. To do that he needs some game time, Italy ideal for that
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@stargazer said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
Cane has already said via the media that he won't be available for this game and is aiming for the last two tests.
Imo putting cane against either France or Ireland is asking for trouble. He should accept this season is over and aim to get his place back in 2022. Don’t mind if he trots out against Italy though.
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@bovidae said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
The Breakdown crew all expect Cane to be the captain in this test.
I'd tend to agree. Ardie and Sam will both be having a rest and there is no need to play Taylor as well. Someone has to be captain and I don't think it will be Coles.
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@machpants said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
@bovidae said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
The Breakdown crew all expect Cane to be the captain in this test.
Me too, and Vai’i and Lord lock, frizzle on the bench to cover.
That is what I am expecting as well. The only caveat is whether Frizell is fit to be on the bench. If not, Whitelock might have to be named in the team but only used as a last resort.
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@machpants said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
@bovidae said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
The Breakdown crew all expect Cane to be the captain in this test.
Lord lock.
Man that has a ring to it
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It's Italy. This could be his first game back and we'd be fine.
I wonder if DMac will get a chance to start at 10 again and if Tupaea gets more time at 12. However, just like against the USA, we're not going to learn much.
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It will be pretty much everyone fit who didn't play vs Wales plus a few from the bench.
DMac, Reece, Ennor, Tupaea, Bridge, Moúnga, Christie, Sotutu, Cane, Jacobsen, Vaa'i, Lord, Ofa, Coles, Bower
De Groot, Aumua, Taávao, Frizell, AIoane, Weber, RIoane, JBarrett
Assuming the props are all fit.
Edit: It's possible that Havili will be in the 23, but if he is, I think that will be a pretty clear indication they're not going to use him in the next game.
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@antipodean said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
It's Italy. This could be his first game back and we'd be fine.
I wonder if DMac will get a chance to start at 10 again and if Tupaea gets more time at 12. However, just like against the USA, we're not going to learn much.
Wouldn't have thought. Thinking @Chris-B is pretty close. Mo'unga to start on rotation and trial, but maybe BB comes off the pine covering fullback and 10?
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@booboo I don't think BB will play, because that would mean five games in a row for him - and likely starting the big three tests.
Richie will have to do five games, but he skipped TRC and will have at least two big ones from the bench.
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@chris-b said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
It will be pretty much everyone fit who didn't play vs Wales plus a few from the bench.
DMac, Reece, Ennor, Tupaea, Bridge, Moúnga, Christie, Sotutu, Cane, Jacobsen, Tupaea, Lord, Ofa, Coles, Bower
De Groot, Aumua, Taávao, Frizell, AIoane, Weber, RIoane, JBarrett
Assuming the props are all fit.
Edit: It's possible that Havili will be in the 23, but if he is, I think that will be a pretty clear indication they're not going to use him in the next game.
R Ioane has played a ton this year, the most minutes maybe? I think he’ll get a rest, maybe Jordie too - both too important to risk. I think they’ll have Havili on the bench covering mid/FB, and Jordan for wing. Havili needs to get back upto speed after a trio of poor performances.
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@machpants I don't think they will play Jordan, because that would likely mean five games in a row for him on EOYT.
I think Jordie and Rieko - because they didn't play at all vs USA. But, they might not get off the bench unless someone is injured.
I don't think Havili needs more game time - but, he is the only other back who skipped the USA game.
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@chris-b said in Italy vs All Blacks 2021 NH Tour:
@machpants I don't think they will play Jordan, because that would likely mean five games in a row for him on EOYT.
I think Jordie and Rieko - because they didn't play at all vs USA. But, they might not get off the bench unless someone is injured.
I don't think Havili needs more game time.
It's sad when even the locals have given up on you.
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This is one of the strongest squads for many a year The second XV would give the first a run for its money
