All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour
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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.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@victor-meldrew Akira and Havili in the same boat. Good early in the season, but the last few games a bit off.
I think (and the poll seems to agree) that Akira has had more peaks.
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@nostrildamus The poll haha.
I wasn't saying anything about how many peaks, or how high their peaks, early in the season were. Just that both were better earlier in the season than in the last few games.
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Looks like the Ireland 23 will be unchanged for this week's match with one change seeing Iain Henderson start instead of Tadgh Beirne who moves to the bench.
Keenan, Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Sexton, Gibson-Park
Conan, van der Flier, Doris, Henderson, Ryan, Furlong, Kelleher, Porter -
@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?
This should’ve been their top midfield for the 2nd Bok test in Rugby Championship. Havili hasn’t shown the running game to trouble the big teams. Distributes and kicks well, like ALB makes good decisions but just lacks the strong carrying game. ALB reminds me a lot of Crotty, very cerebral player, plays equally well at 12 or 13 and makes others look good. ALB/Reiko combo frees up a spot for Reece who has shown to be a dynamic winger, good under high ball, high work rate and dangerous with ball in hand.
A great backline but will mean little if we can’t gain ascendency over the Irish pack or deal with the Irish rush defence.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
@victor-meldrew Akira and Havili in the same boat. Good early in the season, but the last few games a bit off.
Yup. It’s like they hit a wall at the first Bok test in Rugby Championship.
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@sparky said in All Blacks v Ireland, 2021 NH Tour:
Three Kiwis in the Irish team
Yes, but what about all the South Sea Island poaches in the NZ team
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@billy-tell Every single one of them NZ players is from an island in the Southern Sea.
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Very interesting loosie combo, 2 x 6.5s and a 7.
I think the best balance currently, without a fit Cane, is AI, LJ, AS slightly ahead of AI, LJ and DP.
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Havilli on the bench to come on and add SFA.
Akira to come on and power his way in the last 20-30 mins after Blackadder has done all the graft and hard work. I like that.
we will be 5 points down with 30 to go and Christie will come on with Mounga and ignite the backs!
