Italy v All Blacks

Kiwidom

@KiwiMurph AJ needs to throw more interceptions or have his kicks charged down to get selected.....

Tordah

Robertson started the year disappointing me and ended it alike.

Landers92

I would have liked to have seen Bell, Holland etc. get a game, but other than it being nice for them and their families, I am not sure it proves anything, because of the level of opposition, and the fact the next test is 9 months after this

And playing your near full strength squad does?

ACT Crusader

@Landers92 said in Italy v All Blacks:

@frugby said in Italy v All Blacks:

I would have liked to have seen Bell, Holland etc. get a game, but other than it being nice for them and their families, I am not sure it proves anything, because of the level of opposition, and the fact the next test is 9 months after this

And playing your near full strength squad does?

ALL BLACKS: v ITALY 2004 EOYT
S. Taumoepeau
A. D. Oliver
C. J. Hayman
C. R. Jack
N. M. C. Maxwell
J. Collins
R. H. McCaw
M. M. Tuiali'i
B. T. Kelleher
D. W. Carter
J. T. Rokocoko
J. F. Umaga (C)
C. G. Smith
R. L. Gear
J. M. Muliaina

frugby

@Landers92 said in Italy v All Blacks:

@frugby said in Italy v All Blacks:

I would have liked to have seen Bell, Holland etc. get a game, but other than it being nice for them and their families, I am not sure it proves anything, because of the level of opposition, and the fact the next test is 9 months after this

And playing your near full strength squad does?

Obviously not. I think this is the coaches purely wanting to end the year really strongly, which I can understand - not saying I agree with it, but in the context of a loss last week (four this year), a big win to end the year might be what the coaches feel is necessary

Landers92

@ACT-Crusader said in Italy v All Blacks:

@Landers92 said in Italy v All Blacks:

@frugby said in Italy v All Blacks:

I would have liked to have seen Bell, Holland etc. get a game, but other than it being nice for them and their families, I am not sure it proves anything, because of the level of opposition, and the fact the next test is 9 months after this

And playing your near full strength squad does?

ALL BLACKS: v ITALY 2004 EOYT
S. Taumoepeau
A. D. Oliver
C. J. Hayman
C. R. Jack
N. M. C. Maxwell
J. Collins
R. H. McCaw
M. M. Tuiali'i
B. T. Kelleher
D. W. Carter
J. T. Rokocoko
J. F. Umaga (C)
C. G. Smith
R. L. Gear
J. M. Muliaina

Ok, thanks, I guess?

Jet

@Landers92 said in Italy v All Blacks:

As you’ll see on one of my posts further up in this thread, I said I was told to not expect many changes, I didn’t want to believe it but it has rung true. Actually quite disappointing that there are guys on this tour who were with the team all along and they aren’t getting at least a bench spot against a weaker Italy side.

What are we achieving by having Havili on the bench? I can understand TJ and Cane getting their send offs but yeah, slightly disappointing when there are guys like Ruben Love and Josh Lord who should have at least been given some reward.

Ruben Loves sojourn has amounted to nothing more than a waste of aviation fuel.

canefan

@KiwiMurph said in Italy v All Blacks:

@mariner4life said in Italy v All Blacks:

I guess Havili is the last.man standing but what an obviously awful selection.

He isn't even last man standing.

AJ Lam is in the squad - can play 12, 13 and wing and his form shits on Havili's this year.

Yet Lam can't get a look in.

It's insane.

This might be the only way we get Razor to bench his boys and play someone with actual promise

alt text

The team have made steps forward, but next year we need to see Razor really sharpen his selections up by cutting some of the players he clearly has a horn for, otherwise we will be held back.

frugby

@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:

The team have made steps forward, but next year we need to see Razor really sharpen his selections up by cutting some of the players he clearly has a horn for, otherwise we will be held back.

This is where I am at - and I expect that he will. Decent core, with a game plan that does seem to be the blueprint of one that works. Bring in a Holland and a new winger/fullback + some better depth options and this team looks like the first one in a while that could string a record breaking run together.

canefan

@frugby said in Italy v All Blacks:

@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:

The team have made steps forward, but next year we need to see Razor really sharpen his selections up by cutting some of the players he clearly has a horn for, otherwise we will be held back.

This is where I am at - and I expect that he will. Decent core, with a game plan that does seem to be the blueprint of one that works. Bring in a Holland and a new winger/fullback + some better depth options and this team looks like the first one in a while that could string a record breaking run together.

I'm sceptical. He has played favourites at almost every turn so far, I'm not convinced he can part with his toys. I want him to prove me wrong

ARHS

Bitterly disappointed with this selection. Perhaps the most unfathomable one of the past decade in my view.

Plummer might not be the last fringe AB to fly the coop this summer. Have to feel sorry for Ruben Love, Josh Lord, Christian Lio-Willie, Stephen Perofeta in particular, but there are others who have also long awaited a chance to show their wares. And a real kick in the guts for DMac too - " thou shalt not play with Cam Roigard" and show what you might unleash in tandem.
It really looks like there is a desperation to get 2 or 3 players back in ahead of those who fronted for the AB's this year, and to promote some familiar players at any opportunity. Just don't know what to think really.

gt12

@ARHS

On DMac, it seems clear to me that they want him to be bench impact, regardless of his capability, as the starting 10 spot already has a saved name on it.

I'm interested to see if he'll be prepared to accept that a 23 shirt is the best he'll get.

KiwiMurph

@gt12 said in Italy v All Blacks:

I'm interested to see if he'll be prepared to accept that a 23 shirt is the best he'll get.

DMac has already said Mo'unga departing was a key factor in him re-signing with NZ.

I'd be floored if he stuck around once Mo'unga returns - when he's not even the undisputed 10 without Mo'unga.

Victor Meldrew

@gt12 said in Italy v All Blacks:

@ARHS

On DMac, it seems clear to me that they want him to be bench impact, regardless of his capability, as the starting 10 spot already has a saved name on it.

I'm interested to see if he'll be prepared to accept that a 23 shirt is the best he'll get.

If DMac's seen as bench impact, then we're either relying on BB for the next couple of seasons or Robertson's pinning his hopes on a very average AB 10 who's currently playing in Japan.

Bugger me.

Billy Tell

No Love that’s not amore that’s odio. Pretty disappointing selection.

Bones

@gt12 said in Italy v All Blacks:

I'm interested to see if he'll be prepared to accept that a 23 shirt is the best he'll get.

Depends on his character I guess - me I'd be happy getting paid just as much to sit on the bench and play less.

African Monkey

Far out he's conservative with selections for a guy who we got told wasn't afraid to make big decisions and has all these innovative ideas.

mencey

Cannot believe D Havili is even near this team. Until we get rid of the dead wood we are never getting anywhere. I hope to fuck next year we pick totally on form and not just the coaches favourite player.s Terrible !!!

game_film

Compare and contrast the fortunes of Havili and Sotutu. It ain’t right, I’m telling ya, it ain’t right.

Darren

I was so hopeful when Razor took over. Might see some innovation, new tactics and players.
Turned out to be a bit of a joke.
Only time he has given a new inform player a shot is if the old out of form incumbent is injured.
He really can't take any credit for newbies starring, they are only playing because he had no other options - Sititi
Why are we not trying things in midfield, when it's obvious they are a handbrake - Lam and Proctor, at least give them a shot to see what they can do.
Jordan al 15 doesn't work, why not try the in form Love?

I was so hopeful this year, but feel really let down, it's just Foster 2.0
If only we had someone like Schmidt, who gives a guy playing his first pro game a start.

Feel like he pulled the wool over our eyes.

The Silver Fern

Italy v All Blacks