All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test
-
Liam Napier: The All Blacks' five big selection dilemmas
OPINION: There could be as many as five starting tweaks for the second test.
I spoke with Havili on Tuesday and he described his Covid experience as a head cold, declaring himself ready to go this week.
Caleb Clarke is yet to resume full training after the hamstring strain he suffered six weeks ago with the Blues.
Akira Ioane was held back last week due to a lingering foot injury but after finishing 2021 as the incumbent blindside, he is likely to slot into that role this week.
Possible All Blacks squad: George Bower, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Akira Ioane, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii, Folau Fakatava, Richie Mo'unga, Quinn Tupaea
-
@Tim be annoyed if they drop Tupaea for Havili, Tupaea earned another chance to start, Havili offers versatility so is actually a good option off the bench.
-
@taniwharugby yeah, these are the moments i feel use to be more common, something "happens" giving a new guy a shot (i know QT has played before)...he takes it and plays well and now its his to lose...i feel fozzie tends to go back to who he originally had in mind regardless of how the last game went resulting in the in and out of players we've seen over the last few years
-
-
Forget the selections, check out the title of the article
All Blacks v Ireland: Ian Foster's five big selection dilemmas for second test - The Sauce with Liam Napier
That is flat out plagiarism from the Fern.
-
If QT gets dropped after that performance thrn these selectors can get fucked
-
@mariner4life agreed
we talk about the selections that are made based on experience and the jump from super to international...well we should reward those that make the jump successfully
-
@mariner4life best back on the field on Saturday, definitely deserves another shot. I like the fact they are trying Jordie Barrett late in the game at 12 aswell to give him experience there at international level.
-
The problem with Napier's team is that if Havili starts I don't see the point of having Tupaea on the bench. Rieko would need to cover winger which means Havili or (more likely) Tupaea then moves out to centre. It would be better to just have Fainga’anuku on the bench (wing/centre) and use JB as the backup 2nd 5 if required. Less disruption.
-
@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@mariner4life best back on the field on Saturday, definitely deserves another shot. I like the fact they are trying Jordie Barrett late in the game at 12 aswell to give him experience there at international level.
He did ok, but best back on the field?
-
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
Foster has talked a lot about how this year they will be focusing on building combinations more compared to previous 2 seasons so it will be particularly interesting what he does at 12.
So I guess the question is if Havili and Goodhue didn’t get COVID would QT have been picked to partner Ioane? And is that the combination they want/wanted?
For this test I think there should be minimal changes where possible.
@Bovidae hasn’t QT played some 13 and even wing?
-
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
Foster has talked a lot about how this year they will be focusing on building combinations more compared to previous 2 seasons so it will be particularly interesting what he does at 12.
So I guess the question is if Havili and Goodhue didn’t get COVID would QT have been picked to partner Ioane? And is that the combination they want/wanted?
For this test I think there should be minimal changes where possible.
@Bovidae hasn’t QT played some 13 and even wing?
He can play both, but he's pretty dicey at 13 - even worse on defense.
-
QT played on the wing for the Chiefs out of necessity (covid/injuries). He did reasonably well, but he doesn't have the speed to be an international winger. Yes, he can play centre, but as @gt12 says, it is not his preferred position.
I also don't think Havili is the utility player people think he is for the ABs. He isn't going to play fullback ahead of JB, Jordan or even BB, or 1st 5 ahead of BB/Mo'unga.
-
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
QT played on the wing for the Chiefs out of necessity (covid/injuries). He did reasonably well, but he doesn't have the speed to be an international winger. Yes, he can play centre, but as @gt12 says, it is not his preferred position.
I also don't think Havili is the utility player people think he is for the ABs. He isn't going to play fullback ahead of JB, Jordan or even BB, or 1st 5 ahead of BB/Mo'unga.
Yep, Havili is a jack of all trades master of none. He's not really good enough in any of the positions individually, so seems to be getting picked because he can play a lot of positions to an OK level. We really need to move on.
I'm also not a fan of picking a bench player for their versatility. Yes we need to cover as many positions as possible, but players on the bench should have the ability to make an impact when they come on.
-
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
QT played on the wing for the Chiefs out of necessity (covid/injuries). He did reasonably well, but he doesn't have the speed to be an international winger. Yes, he can play centre, but as @gt12 says, it is not his preferred position.
I also don't think Havili is the utility player people think he is for the ABs. He isn't going to play fullback ahead of JB, Jordan or even BB, or 1st 5 ahead of BB/Mo'unga.
Yep, Havili is a jack of all trades master of none. He's not really good enough in any of the positions individually, so seems to be getting picked because he can play a lot of positions to an OK level. We really need to move on.
I'm also not a fan of picking a bench player for their versatility. Yes we need to cover as many positions as possible, but players on the bench should have the ability to make an impact when they come on.
That’s why Marc Ellis went to league.
-
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
QT played on the wing for the Chiefs out of necessity (covid/injuries). He did reasonably well, but he doesn't have the speed to be an international winger. Yes, he can play centre, but as @gt12 says, it is not his preferred position.
I also don't think Havili is the utility player people think he is for the ABs. He isn't going to play fullback ahead of JB, Jordan or even BB, or 1st 5 ahead of BB/Mo'unga.
Yep, Havili is a jack of all trades master of none. He's not really good enough in any of the positions individually, so seems to be getting picked because he can play a lot of positions to an OK level. We really need to move on.
I'm also not a fan of picking a bench player for their versatility. Yes we need to cover as many positions as possible, but players on the bench should have the ability to make an impact when they come on.
god thats a depressing state to be in
i don't mind a certain level of versatility, but more like 15/14 or 15/10 or 12/13...limited utility
@MN5 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
QT played on the wing for the Chiefs out of necessity (covid/injuries). He did reasonably well, but he doesn't have the speed to be an international winger. Yes, he can play centre, but as @gt12 says, it is not his preferred position.
I also don't think Havili is the utility player people think he is for the ABs. He isn't going to play fullback ahead of JB, Jordan or even BB, or 1st 5 ahead of BB/Mo'unga.
Yep, Havili is a jack of all trades master of none. He's not really good enough in any of the positions individually, so seems to be getting picked because he can play a lot of positions to an OK level. We really need to move on.
I'm also not a fan of picking a bench player for their versatility. Yes we need to cover as many positions as possible, but players on the bench should have the ability to make an impact when they come on.
That’s why Marc Ellis went to league.
thats what it feels like when we have guys that dont specialise, feels like an bog standard like of league backline
-
@Crazy-Horse yeah I thought he was, he had a very tidy game. R Ioane probably matched him as he also had a very sound performance.
-
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
so seems to be getting picked because he can play a lot of positions to an OK level
Is he though?
Of his tests he has played mainly 12 hasn't he, he has utility value, although aside from his debut at FB largely untested?
The coaches clearly rate him at 12, I don't, but see he could cover several positions from the bench.
All being fit, I'd have him behind Goodhue and Tupaea at 12, and even RTS too who has highest ceiling of the 4 IMO.
-
i really wish the AB's coaches would learn there is often a difference between a good bench/utility and a starter
