All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour
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I'll add that assuming that Weber is definitely out, Smith is there as insurance for this test. If one of TJP or Christie pulled up lame during the week or pre-match then they have another halfback to slot in. Halfback and hooker are two positions you don't want to be compromised in through late injuries.
But I'd definitely be playing Smith against France.
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"Right now we have three nines in hunt for this weekend's start,'' Plumtree said. "Aaron is only arriving Wednesday, he doesn't know what the plan is. So it's pretty unrealistic to think that Aaron is going to be playing at the weekend.''
Weber had to leave the field in the first half of the 47-9 win over Italy in Rome last weekend after suffering a nasty blow to the nose, and is still working through World Rugby's head injury assessment protocols.
Christie, who replaced Weber, also has a sore neck but Plumtree said he was still able to be involved in a practice on Tuesday and should be available for selection.
"TJ is pretty happy with his form. All of them are going pretty well,'' Plumtree added. "Obviously Brad has got these HIA protocols that he is going through this week, and Finlay has a little bit of an issue with his neck.
"But he trained today and (we) are expecting him to be fit for the weekend.''
Other than tighthead prop Angus Ta'avao, who is still recovering from an elbow injury, Plumtree said the All Blacks had no other injuries.
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@tim said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
he doesn't know what the plan is
i reckon he knows it's "spin it wide at all costs"
i do
you do
the irish do
my nanna does, and she's dead -
Pretty sure TJ is being lined up to start vs Ireland.
They've said Smith is being called up "as cover", which sort of suggests to me that if TJ and Christie are both fit they'll be the pairing for this game (and that Weber isn't fit).
Of course, if our halfbacks shit the bed vs Ireland, I'm sure the coaches are pragmatic enough to get Smith in the team for France.
If they've got concerns about Christie, they'll probably be pragmatic enough to play Smith on Saturday - but, most people seemed to think he went pretty well vs Italy.
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Smith plays, Ireland won’t win.
Smith doesn’t play, Ireland can win.
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@mikethesnow said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Smith plays, Ireland won’t win.
Smith doesn’t play, Ireland can win.
That's kind of my take on it. Smith can't start though.
He is the most important playing in our team at the moment. Like NZ cricket when Kane Williamson isn't there.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@hooroo said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Only issue is if Christie does a Weber and pulls up short with a hammie in the first few minutes. Smith wouldn't manage 75 mins I doubt. Dmac into halfback most likely
There is no guarantee that DMac will be on the bench. He wasn't against Wales. I think they'll go for the TJP-Christie combo in this test.
Sounds like Sevu Reece is fit - I reckon he'll be on the bench again. That's probably the most balanced sub, with Rieko covering the midfield and Jordan or Mo'unga/Barrett covering fullback.
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@tim said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Aaron is only arriving Wednesday, he doesn't know what the plan is.
....its aaron smith....he decides what the plan is and it more often than not works
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@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
If they've got concerns about Christie, they'll probably be pragmatic enough to play Smith on Saturday - but, most people seemed to think he went pretty well vs Italy.
Finlay Christie being picked ahead of Aaron Smith - Jesus fuck no
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@frank said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@chris-b said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
If they've got concerns about Christie, they'll probably be pragmatic enough to play Smith on Saturday - but, most people seemed to think he went pretty well vs Italy.
Finlay Christie being picked ahead of Aaron Smith - Jesus fuck no
No worries - it's not like we've never lost to Ireland before!
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For all the talk of Christie starting it 100% won't happen, TJP is a lock, it just depends if it's Christie or A Smith on the bench. I'd far prefer Smith.
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@hooroo said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
He has a nice crisp pass and isn't shy on the tackle and he snipes. That's good enough for me at the moment
I've been impressed with him - but sniping was not his strong point for the Blues. He often didn't even look at the gap in front of him, was so focussed on hitting runners outside him.
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@antipodean feels like an age since we just saw a blackline move resulting in the wing in clear space
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@nzzp alot of his play for the Blues is inferior to what he has done in Black, certainly taken his chances and stepped into international level well so far.
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@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@antipodean feels like an age since we just saw a blackline move resulting in the wing in clear space
because we don't play a lot of shit teams that don't know how to defend space
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@mariner4life ha, that could be Northland defending that, I mentioned that very thing in my season review!!
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@nzzp alot of his play for the Blues is inferior to what he has done in Black, certainly taken his chances and stepped into international level well so far.
He's pretty harshly reviewed here, but he was good for the Blues too.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Be nice if our own backs could catch and pass like this last weekend...
Since we are doing Hugo Keenan appreciation: https://www.the42.ie/hugo-keenan-ireland-2-5596413-Nov2021/
