Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?

[Bovidae]

WR have updated their referee appointment list for these games.

Maori All Blacks v Ireland
Hamilton, New Zealand
Wednesday, 29 June, 2022
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Graham Cooper (RA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Maori All Blacks v Ireland
Wellington, New Zealand
Tuesday, 12 July, 2022
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: James Leckie (RA)

So using the test referees rather than Aust refs, for example.

[Stargazer]

So is Bryn Hall going to be the victim of both TJP and Weber not making the ABs, despite Hall having a much better season than TJP?

[Bovidae]

I assume this squad will be named shortly. They've gained 2 halfbacks and a prop from the ABs, although Lomax was always at long odds to make the ABs. More importantly, that haven't lost a player as a bolter to the ABs.

[Dan54]

@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I assume this squad will be named shortly. They've gained 2 halfbacks and a prop from the ABs, although Lomax was always at long odds to make the ABs. More importantly, that haven't lost a player as a bolter to the ABs.

They also got Norris at prop too.

[Stargazer]

@Dan54 Norris was never going to make the ABs (and was already on the list for potential MABs).

[Bovidae]

@Dan54 Norris was never a realistic chance for the ABs. One for the future. I was thinking of Bailyn Sullivan.

[bobily2]

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

[Machpants]

When's the team named, they're playing first, right?

[Bovidae]

@bobily2 said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

Yeah, even if McMillan picks 3 halfbacks Ratima might be the one who misses out.

[Stargazer]

@Machpants I heard that the team would be named today. I was a bit surprised they didn't name the squad after the ABs squad was named.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae They (MABs) never pick three halfbacks for just two games in NZ. One may be on stand-by, but not in the squad.

[Crucial]

I just read a post in the Stuff discussion that mentioned the MABs being named tomorrow.

[chimoaus]

Considering we have always had a huge gap behind Smith it is good we have competition at 9, even if they never reach Smith status at least they are putting pressure on each other.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer If they are taking these games seriously, which they will be, I would be picking a larger squad so all players are training together. There will be less disruption if there are injuries.

[bobily2]

@Stargazer said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

@Machpants I heard that the team would be named today. I was a bit surprised they didn't name the squad after the ABs squad was named.

I think I heard it was tomorrow

edit: well and truly beaten to it

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer given I read the reason they chose the location of the announcement was a nod to the Maori and Pacific influence in our game.

[ACT Crusader]

@Crucial said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I just read a post in the Stuff discussion that mentioned the MABs being named tomorrow.

Another day’s pay for the preacher then?

[ARHS]

@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

@bobily2 said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

Yeah, even if McMillan picks 3 halfbacks Ratima might be the one who misses out.

@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

@bobily2 said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

Yeah, even if McMillan picks 3 halfbacks Ratima might be the one who misses out.

But, is TJP injured?

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

But, is TJP injured?

Only his pride.

I expect he'll be the captain now.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae yeah, him or Weber. Unless McMillan has the same strange fascination with Prinsep as Holland has.