All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour
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@pakman said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@derm-mccrum said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
For those vaguely interested, a take on the likely/possible 23 squad members with a couple of other options for the weekend.....
What’s happened to Will Connors?
Bad knee injury with Leinster in late May. Not back in the fold yet.
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@jc said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
When do they name the team?
Today - Thursday lunchtime - Irish time.
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@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
i am currently having a ...discussion...off the fern with bloke who thinks sending over smith was madness....doesnt think he brings anything that we dont already have with TJ and christie "they all have strengths in different areas"...and thinks we would have been fine with two halfbacks....but if we did have to have a third he would have flown over someone else, someone new...a bolter like lord
i tried explaining there is a huge difference between taking a bolter that trains with the team for weeks before playing, someone you can plan around blooding...and flying someone in who may have to play with very few training sessions
its really a bizarre conversation
Fun
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They like Lomax.
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@sparky said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Team named. Disappointed that they are not starting Akira and no Ofa T. The rest looks fine. Go Black!
You do wonder if there's something not quite right with Akira as he seems to have slipped a bit in the last few games he's played - hopefully not and it's just the coaches giving Bladder more time at 6.
Interesting choice in midfield but Havili has been a bit hit and miss so makes sense. Pretty clear the strategy is centred around ALB which is a solid place to start.
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@yeetyaah said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
No idea why TJ is starting when Christie played really well last week.
Experience I suppose. Been impressed with Christie as he's really stepped up but could be exposed against a top tier side.
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@victor-meldrew Akira and Havili in the same boat. Good early in the season, but the last few games a bit off.
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@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@sparky said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Team named. Disappointed that they are not starting Akira and no Ofa T. The rest looks fine. Go Black!
You do wonder if there's something not quite right with Akira as he seems to have slipped a bit in the last few games he's played - hopefully not and it's just the coaches giving Bladder more time at 6.
Interesting choice in midfield but Havili has been a bit hit and miss so makes sense. Pretty clear the strategy is centred around ALB which is a solid place to start.
I think they are going back to the 2015 model by trying to finish teams in the last 20 with playmakers who can make a difference. Personally speaking, I'd start Akira, but at this stage in his career, he might be able to show his value more off the bench, so I'm not worried by it. The midfield combo is the one we should have seen much more of, IMO.
Apart from that, I think it's form/fitness except for TJP, but I always expected him to start.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
The midfield combo is the one we should have seen much more of, IMO.
We need to stick with it for a few games at least - something Foster hopefully seems to be aware of.
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@kiwimurph said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
One of the better benches they've picked this season - some real impact there on paper. Proof will be in the pudding.
I’m liking the bench too.
Quite pleased they selected Lomax who I think offers something in terms of ball carrying and workrate.
Only risk for me is if it’s close I hope Vaa’i doesn’t come on because I reckon he’s a late lockable penalty just waiting to happen…
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@gt12 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@sparky said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Team named. Disappointed that they are not starting Akira and no Ofa T. The rest looks fine. Go Black!
You do wonder if there's something not quite right with Akira as he seems to have slipped a bit in the last few games he's played - hopefully not and it's just the coaches giving Bladder more time at 6.
Interesting choice in midfield but Havili has been a bit hit and miss so makes sense. Pretty clear the strategy is centred around ALB which is a solid place to start.
I think they are going back to the 2015 model by trying to finish teams in the last 20 with playmakers who can make a difference. Personally speaking, I'd start Akira, but at this stage in his career, he might be able to show his value more off the bench, so I'm not worried by it. The midfield combo is the one we should have seen much more of, IMO.
Apart from that, I think it's form/fitness except for TJP, but I always expected him to start.
Ioane brings a bit of size, pace and power to the midfield. I think ALB is a better 12. He offers the ability to truck it up if required, but can also use his footwork if required. Is ALB the backline defence co-ordinator? Like Conrad Smith used to be?
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Not surprised by the halves. TJP starting over Christie makes sense, considering the difference in experience. If TJP starts, BB starts.
If Smith gets the start next week, then Mo'unga might get the start, too. IMO, that has been the best combo thus far, this year. -
The new hooker can consider himself really unlucky. Has been excellent this season. But coles was decent last week and importantly has the experience.
Team would look just that bit better with
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@stodders said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Ioane brings a bit of size, pace and power to the midfield. I think ALB is a better 12. He offers the ability to truck it up if required, but can also use his footwork if required. Is ALB the backline defence co-ordinator? Like Conrad Smith used to be?
Happy with either combo, but think the jury is out on which is the better one. Havili/ALB offers a bit more kicking skill at 12 than ALB/RI IMHO, but RI's pace should be more of a threat.
Agree on ALB being the glue - there's few better midfielders in the game ATM.
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@stodders said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@gt12 said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@sparky said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Team named. Disappointed that they are not starting Akira and no Ofa T. The rest looks fine. Go Black!
You do wonder if there's something not quite right with Akira as he seems to have slipped a bit in the last few games he's played - hopefully not and it's just the coaches giving Bladder more time at 6.
Interesting choice in midfield but Havili has been a bit hit and miss so makes sense. Pretty clear the strategy is centred around ALB which is a solid place to start.
I think they are going back to the 2015 model by trying to finish teams in the last 20 with playmakers who can make a difference. Personally speaking, I'd start Akira, but at this stage in his career, he might be able to show his value more off the bench, so I'm not worried by it. The midfield combo is the one we should have seen much more of, IMO.
Apart from that, I think it's form/fitness except for TJP, but I always expected him to start.
Ioane brings a bit of size, pace and power to the midfield. I think ALB is a better 12. He offers the ability to truck it up if required, but can also use his footwork if required. Is ALB the backline defence co-ordinator? Like Conrad Smith used to be?
Personally speaking, I think this combination has a bigger upside than the Havili/ALB combo, and we haven't seen much value from Havili lately. Rieko is still a better wing at international level, so I expect mistakes, but Rieko is our future 13 - that pace at 13 is a huge weapon for the future and we have no shortage of wingers.
