Bledisloe 2

Grooter

@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

Mattasaurus

I would like to see Jacobson given a start at 8, ardie 7 and give AI another go at 6... Just for learnings...

voodoo

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 SB at 6. Pretty awesome lineout options in that trio too

Mattasaurus

@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...

Chris B.

@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!

Frye

@ARHS said in Bledisloe 2:

What do others think on the value of the stats being presented after matches?

Haven't improved in 20 years. Appalling.

Machpants

Team for the second Bledisloe test set to be named at 11.30am

Chris B.

Assuming Cane is out, I reckon the loosies will be Frizell, Papalií 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.

Tim

https://i.imgur.com/lOaXsOy.jpg

Machpants

Taylor OMFG. Scooter injured?

nzzp

@Tim JB at 12... So will Jordan stays on the wing? Wtaf

Bovidae

Taylor and Laulala? WTF!!!

ACT Crusader

Sevu Reece back in the side, good to see.

Bovidae

Also I see Whitelock as captain, not Savea.

ACT Crusader

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!

Machpants

@Bovidae said in Bledisloe 2:

Taylor and Laulala? WTF!!!

Imagine if they come one early with Taylor

Only Foster would bench his equal best player for his worst in a ‘must win finals game’

Kirwan

@nzzp said in Bledisloe 2:

@Tim JB at 12... So will Jordan stays on the wing? Wtaf

He has to improve under the highball and with his tackling before getting the 15 gig.

Machpants

@Kirwan said in Bledisloe 2:

@nzzp said in Bledisloe 2:

@Tim JB at 12... So will Jordan stays on the wing? Wtaf

He has to improve under the highball and with his tackling before getting the 15 gig.

Agree

Crucial

@Bovidae said in Bledisloe 2:

Also I see Whitelock as captain, not Savea.

Fair call. He captained well last week. Ardie can concentrate on his return

KiwiMurph

Was hoping to see Perofeta at 15 but otherwise pretty happy with that.

I like that bench (except Laulala).

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe 2