All Blacks vs England I
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Average side for me.
Front row is fine, but Taylor and de Groot haven't played for a bit, and Lomax was short of a gallop and looked it in the semi, so while I don't fault the selections and hope they go well I'm not sure.
Locks are fine and loosies are the conservative approach. McKenzie and midfield is fine. Sevu deserves a go on form.
Perenara is a liability, and his selection with Christie on the bench limits our attack and adds pressure to McKenzie when we really need him to find his feet at test level fast.
Don't think Telea or Perofeta should be there on form, but I don't think BB should walk back in so fair enough.
Bench has little impact other than Aumua, and a little from Ofa. Pretty disappointed with that. -
I was never that sold on perenaras temperament back in the day when he was automatic selection in the 23.
But I hope he has grown up now and goes well
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This is a big test for PT imo. Has generally been eye catching at super level and borderline invisible in tests. Maybe Robertson can get the best out of him.
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@Tim said in All Blacks vs England I:
So, the differences from teams predicted before Super Rugby are due to injury (Jordan, Roigard, Taukei'aho) other than Perofeta and Jacobson?
I reckon form came into the equation for Tuipulotu. Losing two locks that were basically guaranteed in the 23 if fit, there were two fringe locks in Vaa’i and Tuipulotu. For me they went with the player in form plus a bit of experience. I’m not sure he would’ve been first choice as a starter given his international record to date but a definite in the 23.
Razor is a big fan of Jacobson, so I’m not too surprised by his selection on the bench.
Agree on Perofeta.
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Would have liked to see us be a bit more adventerous and have a loose forward trio of Finau, Savea at 7 and Sititi but can understand the selection. Finau, Papps and Savea is a good line up.
TJ back in the team is great for the autobiography but a step backwards for the AB's I feel, would have been better as an impact player to help close out games rather than starting by throwing the ball at DMac's ankles for 60 minutes but we'll see how he goes.
Perofeta I've never been overly sold on so will be interesting to watch him play.
Overall a good squad, understandable selections albiet conservative.
If I was England I'd put pressure on TJ and the first reciever and bomb Perofeta all day till he cracks.
But looking forward to this team playing and what sytle Robertson brings.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks vs England I:
Pretty similar to a Foster team IMO, understandable with the short lead up but still feels a bit meh.
Foster would 100% have started Beauden.
He would have started Cane, if that was an option. As captain.
He seemed to strongly favour Vaa'i over Tuipolotu.
I'm not sure he would have started Reece either.
Definitely Blackadder, but is he fit?
Towards the end Foster started to get the team mostly right (forced by injuries generally) so really it isn't a surprise that the team isn't radically different. The game plan is what will matter, not the personnel. That is particularly important with DMc, who he never really had a game plan for at all.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs England I:
I love we are talking about Finau's mythical red card risk compared to, say, the very real red card risk of the fucking captain? Fucking cantabs circling the wagons, and whiny 'canes fans.
Though, after Jacobson got car5ded because he tackled with force, maybe you whiny bitches are right, and rugby really is a game for faeries now.
Who is fucking bitching I mention he is a potential Red card and he will be.
I would still pick him I like his intimation factor now you are circling the Chiefs wagons Sir Duke. -
50/50
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks vs England I:
@Chris I know you weren't against Finau mate, but genuinely every player is a red card risk really with the laws as they are. I not convinced that Finau is anymore a risk than any other forward really!
I think he is a bit more with all that stupid negative stuff in the Australian media after a couple of hits has blown up and highlighted it.
I hope he doesn't get red carded I want to win test matches.
