Bledisloe 2
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@FakatavaAllBlack I know how much you love Fakatava, but don't think he's been putting out the same quality as Christie in black so far.
He's got huge upside, but doesn't seem to have kicked on yet ... but there is time. Christie's pace and defensive work is really good, he's really stepped up the last few years
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I am assuming that SF and SC aren't available.
Do they stick with SB at 6 and Ardie 8 with DP getting a chance to improve or will it be Sotutu that gets that chance with Ardie at 7?
I don't like the balance of Ardie and Hoskins together at all.
As a one off I do like the idea of our back three playing more traditional roles. Let's keep the 6 and 8 close. Jacobsen the better option for stopping the Oz loosies rampaging from deep and Ardie the better option to range out and make Jordan's tackles for him. -
@nzzp hasn't had the chance to show his wears over the last two months, as I've said before those Irish tests where we were on a hiding to nothing was a tough introduction for Folau, Fakatava & Sevu Reece are just two guys i would like to see in our final rugby championship Test
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I would like to see Jacobson given a start at 8, ardie 7 and give AI another go at 6... Just for learnings...
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@voodoo said in Bledisloe 2:
Sotutu to stay at 8 is my preference. He's been in the squad all year, he deserves a shot to step up. I'd be challenging him to play a little tighter with Ardie there. I also expect SBH at 6. Pretty awesome lineout options in that trio too
Yup, fair enough point. They have used SB, SF a lot in the line out in recent matches. And Sotutu is another great target...
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@ARHS said in Bledisloe 2:
What do others think on the value of the stats being presented after matches?
They're a very blunt instrument for analysis.
Catch a long kick in the 22 and run back fast, you'll get 40 easy running metres - compared to some guy who repeatedly hits the ball up one off the ruck.
Missed tackles - as you note - work hard to get one hand to a guy and slow him, gets a black mark compared to the guy who doesn't get there.
Lineouts won accrue to the thrower not the jumper - that's completely uninteresting! Who thought up that dumb idea!
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Assuming Cane is out, I reckon the loosies will be Frizell, Papalià and Ardie.
Akira on the bench.
Not sure which lock starts on the bench.
I'd be inclined to rest Newell - I don't think his general play is test standard yet.
I'd keep Jordie at fullback and start RTS, but it doesn't sound like what's going to happen.
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Sevu Reece back in the side, good to see.
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Based purely on my own research, I believe Jordie Barrett will become the first All Black to start a test match at 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15.
Give the man a start a centre!