Australia v All Blacks - Bled I

[Frank]

If McCleod is given a chance in this test, (even if at reserve), it might be a sign Havili is on the outer. Possible clear preference for a bigger 12 who can get over the gainline.

[KiwiMurph]

@Bovidae keep BB away from 10 please.

[Frank]

Still prefer DMac to Richie at 10.

[akan004]

There's so much talent in that Wallaby team although am not sure if Tom Hooper is quick enough to be a 7. It's their lack of cohesion and picking a couple of players with very little match fitness that will count against them this weekend.

[Bovidae]

@KiwiMurph said in Australia v All Blacks - Bled I:

@Bovidae keep BB away from 10 please.

I don't want him there either but if DMac isn't in the 23 then he (BB) is the only option if Mo'unga got injured early. I would prefer that Foster and co don't put themselves in that situation come the RWC, and see that now.

Jones is going for size in his pack, but won't have the same impact at the breakdown.

[KiwiMurph]

In fairness to Eddie neither M Hooper nor McReight offered much at the breakdown in tests 1 and 2 so i can see the logic of T Hooper.

[Duluth]

Ardie Savea to captain All Blacks against Australia in Melbourne

All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have announced the team for this week’s Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship Test against Australia at the MCG.

1. Ethan de Groot (15)

2. Codie Taylor (78)

3. Tyrel Lomax (25)

4. Brodie Retallick (101)

5. Scott Barrett (60)

6. Shannon Frizell (27)

7. Dalton Papali’i (24)

8. Ardie Savea (72 - captain)

9. Aaron Smith (116)

10. Richie Mo’unga (46)

11. Mark Telea (3)

12. Jordie Barrett (50)

13. Rieko Ioane (61)

14. Will Jordan (22)

15. Beauden Barrett (114)

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (22)

17. Ofa Tu’ungfasi (51)

18. Nepo Laulala (47)

19. Samuel Whitelock (143)

20. Luke Jacobson (12)

21. Cam Roigard *

22. Anton Lienert-Brown (60)

23. Caleb Clarke (17)

[KiwiMurph]

Happy with that AB team. Clarke is lucky Narawa and Leicester are both not 100%.

Dalton tends to go better starting than off the bench but he needs a big game.

[Bovidae]

Yep, the 23 could have been so much worse. Ofa needs a big one from the bench. Great for Roigard.

The timing of the introduction of the subs will be interesting.

[Canes4life]

Soo good to see Roigard on the bench. Hopefully he has a blinder.

[Frank]

They could have given the reserve wing spot to Stevenson.

[voodoo]

Happy with that! Would rather Sami started to get some minutes up, and not really sure what Clarke adds off the bench - but great to see Roigard in and also to have ALB back. Hope Jacobson gets some gametime too

Fozzies A Team is becoming pretty clear

[mariner4life]

that team is a pleasant surprise

turn up with purpose and we could flog them.

Aus have picked a big quick backline so our forwards need to squash them and our kicking needs to be on point.

[MN5]

Woulda thought McLeod would be in the mix for some good old fashioned rawboned running.

Cane obviously not fit ?

Shouldn’t matter too much, ABs by 50

[dogmeat]

One of the things I like about the development of the team this year is we are starting to see depth off the bench, particularly with a couple of injured players to come back. Not very long ago the subs were a massive step down. Not so much now.

[mariner4life]

@dogmeat said in Australia v All Blacks - Bled I:

One of the things I like about the development of the team this year is we are starting to see depth off the bench, particularly with a couple of injured players to come back. Not very long ago the subs were a massive step down. Not so much now.

yeah that's a sweet bench. We look so much better with the 3 locks playing as locks. So much of that obviously rests on Frizzell maintaining his form.

But ST, Whitelock and ALB off the bench, and even clark and ofa, that's serious impact.

[Stag]

Good team. But it should be out of either Whitelock or Barrett for the captaincy depending on who is on the paddock. Savea is a great player but not a captains Arsehole.

[kiwiinmelb]

Starting to get a much calmer feeling of trust when I read the names on the team sheet.

Wasn’t expecting that

[bayimports]

good team, looks like they will look to similar tactics to start like last week given the combination players. If we get up by some margin that bench looks like it could allow for different combos and tactics although clearly they are focused on win first

Frizz to hopefully continue momentum

[taniwharugby]

Probably the best bench we've put out for a bit?

I'd rather ST start, but Codie earned the start again, not much to complain about.