All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I
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Changes I would make for the Wallabies test:
- Name the team on Wednesday. Controversial, I know, but scrap the Thursday palaver. Give the media and fans more time to review, critique and talk about the game.
- Start the Crusader front row - Williams, Taylor, Newell. Shocking aye.
- Get Holland in to start at lock. If you are intent on starting Scooter and Vaa’i, move Vaa’i to 6 and Parker to 8 or the bench.
- Bring in Luke Jacobson. Whether for Sititi or Kirifi, we need more size.
- Give Love a start at 10. The time is now, it’s a big game and time for him to feel the blowtorch as a starter in the 10 jersey. And if you don’t genuinely see him as a 10 then bring in Reihana. No more DMac or Beauden at 10. Zero, zilch, nada more opportunities at 10. It’s killing us. And only select one of them in the 23.
- Go back to Jordan at fullback and bring Clarke into the starting XV. Put Ioane on the other wing.
- Give the Jordie/Quinn combo a start. There’s a skill set between the two of them that we need. Proctor can be on the bench or watching from the stands.
- Pick whatever halfbacks are fit….
- Use the midfield pod more, it actually created space in the Welly test, but select the 1st 5 that will use it.
- No box kicks in our own 22.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
Changes I would make for the Wallabies test:
- Name the team on Wednesday. Controversial, I know, but scrap the Thursday palaver. Give the media and fans more time to review, critique and talk about the game.
- Start the Crusader front row - Williams, Taylor, Newell. Shocking aye.
- Get Holland in to start at lock. If you are intent on starting Scooter and Vaa’i, move Vaa’i to 6 and Parker to 8 or the bench.
- Bring in Luke Jacobson. Whether for Sititi or Kirifi, we need more size.
- Give Love a start at 10. The time is now, it’s a big game and time for him to feel the blowtorch as a starter in the 10 jersey. And if you don’t genuinely see him as a 10 then bring in Reihana. No more DMac or Beauden at 10. Zero, zilch, nada more opportunities at 10. It’s killing us. And only select one of them in the 23.
- Go back to Jordan at fullback and bring Clarke into the starting XV. Put Ioane on the other wing.
- Give the Jordie/Quinn combo a start. There’s a skill set between the two of them that we need. Proctor can be on the bench or watching from the stands.
- Pick whatever halfbacks are fit….
- Use the midfield pod more, it actually created space in the Welly test, but select the 1st 5 that will use it.
- No box kicks in our own 22.
Is Jacobsen 131kg ?
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@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@Number-10 said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
What time is breakfast?
Asking for a friend
@Jegga ?
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I'm still disappointed with the nature of the loss. Losing in a tight tussle and going down to the wire I can live with, but the way we folded was disgusting. Never want to see that happen ever again. Anyhoo, gotta rinse it off and move on...unless the Wallabies thrash us and then I'll be joining the baying mob calling for the coaches and key players heads to roll. When does Schmidt come off contract?
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@Tim said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
Give the Jordie/Quinn combo a start
Not confident about Tupaea's defence when playing centre. Seems a lot more comfortable at 12.
There might be some hold ya breath moments, but he trains at both so I’d give it a go. That’s where I’m at. I’m willing to see just about anything tried.
I’m not sold on the Ioane at centre and Clarke on the left wing. Saw too many bad reads in combination. But would have both on the wings.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@Tim said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
Give the Jordie/Quinn combo a start
Not confident about Tupaea's defence when playing centre. Seems a lot more comfortable at 12.
There might be some hold ya breath moments, but he trains at both so I’d give it a go. That’s where I’m at. I’m willing to see just about anything tried.
I’m not sold on the Ioane at centre and Clarke on the left wing. Saw too many bad reads in combination. But would have both on the wings.
Ioane isn't playing great at wing and I'd have thought he is more of a 11 than 14.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@Tim said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
Give the Jordie/Quinn combo a start
Not confident about Tupaea's defence when playing centre. Seems a lot more comfortable at 12.
There might be some hold ya breath moments, but he trains at both so I’d give it a go. That’s where I’m at. I’m willing to see just about anything tried.
I’m not sold on the Ioane at centre and Clarke on the left wing. Saw too many bad reads in combination. But would have both on the wings.
Ioane isn't playing great at wing and I'd have thought he is more of a 11 than 14.
@nostrildamus he’s played both.
Jordan needs to keep playing fullback to continue that progress.
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@nostrildamus he’s played both.
Jordan needs to keep playing fullback to continue that progress.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@nostrildamus he’s played both.
Jordan needs to keep playing fullback to continue that progress.
yes but not often
https://all.rugby/player/rieko-ioane#google_vignette
Center : 137 times ( Outside Centre 64%, Inside Centre 3% )
Winger : 66 times ( Left Wing 29%, Right Wing 4% ) -
I'm still disappointed with the nature of the loss. Losing in a tight tussle and going down to the wire I can live with, but the way we folded was disgusting. Never want to see that happen ever again. Anyhoo, gotta rinse it off and move on...unless the Wallabies thrash us and then I'll be joining the baying mob calling for the coaches and key players heads to roll. When does Schmidt come off contract?
@allblackfan2 said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
I'm still disappointed with the nature of the loss. Losing in a tight tussle and going down to the wire I can live with, but the way we folded was disgusting. Never want to see that happen ever again. Anyhoo, gotta rinse it off and move on...unless the Wallabies thrash us and then I'll be joining the baying mob calling for the coaches and key players heads to roll. When does Schmidt come off contract?
It's a headspace/leadership thing that's the problem. There's panic and there's giving up. The Caketin was the latter.
Same team, I suspect but with Roigard or Ratima
Forget Schmidt. He's made it as clear as he can that he's not interested while Robertson & NZR Board are in place
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@allblackfan2 said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
I'm still disappointed with the nature of the loss. Losing in a tight tussle and going down to the wire I can live with, but the way we folded was disgusting. Never want to see that happen ever again. Anyhoo, gotta rinse it off and move on...unless the Wallabies thrash us and then I'll be joining the baying mob calling for the coaches and key players heads to roll. When does Schmidt come off contract?
It's a headspace/leadership thing that's the problem. There's panic and there's giving up. The Caketin was the latter.
Same team, I suspect but with Roigard or Ratima
Forget Schmidt. He's made it as clear as he can that he's not interested while Robertson & NZR Board are in place
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@Victor-Meldrew that does highlight a point, about the sorry state we find ourselves in. Being an AB coach used to be something highly sought after and monumental to those that achieved it.
Now we've got guys going "nah, fuck that".
@Bones said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@Victor-Meldrew that does highlight a point, about the sorry state we find ourselves in. Being an AB coach used to be something highly sought after and monumental to those that achieved it.
Now we've got guys going "nah, fuck that".
It is def. a sorry state of affairs. But the real point is if you throw shit an an AB coach instead of supporting him, don't be surprised if people do say "Nah. fuck that"..
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When Tuipolutu will be back again ? He is the best lock to have on the bench. Actually, I think that his combo with Holland could be the best association in the second row but this won't happen as SB is a lock in. Vaa'i's could be back at 6 with Parker on the bench.
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The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
The only caveat to this is -- I don't recall any midfielders looking good outside BB or Dmac in recent years.
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The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
The only caveat to this is -- I don't recall any midfielders looking good outside BB or Dmac in recent years.
@Mattasaurus yep, everyone looking at our midfield and outsides, when 10 is the biggest issue.
This year the injuries.at 9 have not helped either, but the main problem is 10.
EOYT they need to take 2 young 10s with them.
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I'm not sure I can be bothered watching this given some of players couldn't be bothered to try last weekend.
@sparky said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
I'm not sure I can be bothered watching this given some of players couldn't be bothered to try last weekend.
Liar
You'll be watching in your All Blacks pyjamas
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The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
The only caveat to this is -- I don't recall any midfielders looking good outside BB or Dmac in recent years.
@Mattasaurus said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
The only caveat to this is -- I don't recall any midfielders looking good outside BB or Dmac in recent years.
Chiefs midfield pretty much always looks good. Blues was notably worse with Barrett than it had been with Plummer.
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For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anuku -
For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anuku@tubbyj said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anukuGood to see you're picking a few debutantes. Keen on seeing Takelouko.
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@tubbyj said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anukuGood to see you're picking a few debutantes. Keen on seeing Takelouko.
@booboo said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@tubbyj said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anukuGood to see you're picking a few debutantes. Keen on seeing Takelouko.
My spelling isn't too bad considering I couldn't be bothered using Google at all. When they play with a bit of pride they might deserve people taking the time to spell their names right. -
@booboo said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
@tubbyj said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
For me they should pick
- T Williams
- C Taylor
- T Lomax
- F Holland
- S Barret
- T Vaai
- D Papali'i
- W Sititi
- C Roigard/K Preston
- R Love
- C Clkarke
- Q Tupeau
- R Iaoane
- L Carter
- J Barret (c)
16,. E de Groot
17. S Takelouko
18. F Newell
19. P Tuipolotu/S Darry
20. A Savea
21. Preston/J Viljoen
22. D Mackenzie
23. L Fainga'anukuGood to see you're picking a few debutantes. Keen on seeing Takelouko.
My spelling isn't too bad considering I couldn't be bothered using Google at all. When they play with a bit of pride they might deserve people taking the time to spell their names right.@tubbyj i wouldn't worry, people still spell Kerin Reid wrong, and he played with plenty of pride.
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The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
The only caveat to this is -- I don't recall any midfielders looking good outside BB or Dmac in recent years.
@Mattasaurus said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:
The fact we are still tossing Rieko's name around "cos of his defense" .. sums up the issues we have in midfield for me.
Ikitau and Suaalii are far better and more complete midfielders and create so many opportunities for the outsides... we simply have no center's standing up and demanding to be picked at least not any with a complete game on both defense and offense.
They are.... because they've been training under Schmidt for 18 months - those guys were not exactly setting the world alight in Super Rugby - B.Sullivan, Q.Tupaea, ALB, Tawawanavai, Umaga-Jenson, Proctor, were statistically the best performers in Super Rugby this year.
We just have poor technical coaches like our 'midfield specialist' Holland who has overseen the midfield functionality going from world-class under Schmidt in 2023 to steadily going backwards in 2024 and 2025 under Holland.
Not a single midfielder has improved under Holland's watch, they have regressed in every aspect - defense, offense, positional play - Ioane, Barrett, ALB, all performed significantly better under Schmidt.
Stop blaming the players and wake up.
