All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II
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@Tim said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Revealed: Stevenson in line for debut as ABs expected to ring changes
The Chiefs fullback's expected to make his much-anticipated debut on the wing in Dunedin.
Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
If this team selected it would seem Lord won’t be in RWC squad. Big opportunity for Finau.
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So 13 starting changes to last weeks line-up, can't see it myself.
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Revealed: Stevenson in line for debut as ABs expected to ring changes
The Chiefs fullback's expected to make his much-anticipated debut on the wing in Dunedin.
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
On the evidence of his one start to date, I would prefer Lord to Vaii in the pecking
They both have big futures in black but Lord has great potential.
Lord’s injury puts him at a big disadvantage. Locked in for 24.
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@taniwharugby seems like a pretty big reach aye. We've def got a few guys who float in and out of the matchday squad that we know plenty about. Keen to see some of the newer faces get a hoon, and more game time for guys coming back from injuries.
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If true, what a turnaround on Stevenson. I can’t see Fozzie’s logic given the logjam in the outside backs. Is Narawa or Clarke going to miss out?
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah Liam Napier is pretty damn reliable I'd suggest Stevenson is playing.
I hope you're - and he's - right. Don't think so, though. I doubt they are going to go with wholesale changes. All I'm reading is "likely", "expected", "could", and "possible".
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@Tordah said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah Liam Napier is pretty damn reliable I'd suggest Stevenson is playing.
I hope you're - and he's - right. Don't think so, though. I doubt they are going to go with wholesale changes. All I'm reading is "likely", "expected", "could", and "possible".
He's typically very well connected - not just speculation. There does seem to be some speculation in the article (possible ABs team for example) but by leading with Stevenson as the story I'd be floored if he's not in the 23.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
of all the All Black teams, that's certainly one of them
of all the possible ...
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
what a turnaround on Stevenson
How is it a "turnaround"?
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@KiwiMurph Devlin had the same team on his show "from a usually reliable sauce".
We'll see.
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I suppose because he was only injury cover for Telea to start with and missed out on being named in the squad.
I think it is just reward for a player who seems to have impressed in his time with the squad.
It makes sense to give him 40-50 minutes as, if he is called into the RWC squad (assuming he missed initial selection) and is thrown into a knockout game, he at least has had a taste of test rugby.
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