All Blacks vs Ireland

[Mr Fish]

Apart from off the scrum, I'd love to know what people here believe the difference is between a 6 and a 8, particularly in the way the All Blacks play. It doesn't feel like Sititi is getting any less ball than Savea at the moment?

[nostrildamus]

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

Who do people keep wanting to move Sititi to 8? He’s been absolutely brilliant at 6. Just leave him there.

You haven't seen him play at 8?

[Tim]

Is there any word on Papalii rejoining the squad? Cane was completely anonymous. Tough ask coming off a hamstring injury to play Ireland.

[BerniesCorner]

@Tim The safest starting option maybe 6. Finau 7. Savea 8. Sititi

[Mr Fish]

Papali'i and Blackadder are both at least another week away.

And Proctor is out of the tour...

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

Proctor is out of the tour...

Training injury?

[sparky]

@Tim said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

Is there any word on Papalii rejoining the squad? Cane was completely anonymous. Tough ask coming off a hamstring injury to play Ireland.

I'd heard that Blackadder and Papalii were going to be ready by France at the earliest.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim

[African Monkey]

Will Brodie McAlister get in ahead of Bell on the bench? Not a fan of either yet, but maybe McAlister is a bit more 'seasoned' for a test of this size if you were to choose between the 2?

[MiketheSnow]

All the best to Proctor but can’t help but feel he’s not done himself any favours

[stodders]

@MiketheSnow by returning for the birth of his child? Jeez Mike. You’re a hard marker!

[sparky]

@taniwharugby An apostrophe is in the wrong place in the last sentence of that press release. Standards are slipping.

[Tim]

@African-Monkey yeah, he is not nearly as shit as Bell

[sparky]

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

All the best to Proctor but can’t help but feel he’s not done himself any favours

Hard disagree, Mike. Whānau comes first. All the best to Billy Proctor and his family for the days ahead.

[Mr Fish]

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

@taniwharugby An apostrophe is in the wrong place in the last sentence of that press release. Standards are slipping.

Unless it's only his own best wishes - maybe the other All Blacks think like @MiketheSnow.

[Kiwidom]

@sparky Problem is neither Papalii or Blackadder will be match fit of they rejoin the squad, and if they play will be well off the pace for test rugby . At this stage it would be far easier for Kirifi and Lakai to join the team after the all blacks XV game over in Montpellier this weekend

[Mr Fish]

@Kiwidom said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

@sparky Problem is neither Papalii or Blackadder will be match fit of they rejoin the squad, and if they play will be well off the pace for test rugby . At this stage it would be far easier for Kirifi and Lakai to join the team after the all blacks XV game over in Montpellier this weekend

I suppose it's only a problem if there are further injuries. In all likelihood, the same starting trio will be used for the next two games so it just means Papali'i and Blackadder might both start against Italy.

[sparky]

@Kiwidom

1. I think if we see either Papalii or Blackadder against France it will be off the bench. Being involved in the Italy game is much more likely.

2. I trust the All Blacks training to get experienced players like those two up to speed and match sharpness. The issue will be how much of the full training programme are they involved with?

[booboo]

@Bones said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

@kidcalder I don't think that's the case at all. Pretty bizarre selecting a poor player to start, just so the guy that replaces him is better.

South Africa would never do that ... hang on ...

[booboo]

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Ireland:

@taniwharugby An apostrophe is in the wrong place in the last sentence of that press release. Standards are slipping.

Upvote for a new apostrophe nazi. That's my job!