Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown & Dublin Duel

[ACT Crusader]

@Duluth said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@akan004 said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

Why has Bird not been given the call up? Is he injured?

Injured.. He had surgery planned for after the NPC

I doubt he would've got the call even he was fit. He's too much in the same mould as PT and Romero. Plus I don't think he's got the motor

[Billy Tell]

Don't know how much credence to give this but

Read and Barrett on the bench

http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/smith-returns-to-all-black-fold-for-pivotal-clash-35184347.html

[booboo]

@Billy-Tell said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

Don't know how much credence to give this but

Read and Barrett on the bench

http://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/international-rugby/smith-returns-to-all-black-fold-for-pivotal-clash-35184347.html

Not sure if I believe them if they can't get the airport right ...

... unless he had a quickie at Akl as well ...

... sly dog ...

[antipodean]

Ahahaha Read on the bench. Fuck me.

[Billy Tell]

@antipodean

It's possible I suppose given he has an injury requiring surgery.

[Derm McCrum]

Both coaches/teams seem to be giving some key players time out.... or is this just coincidental?

[antipodean]

If their crystal ball gazing is proven correct, I'll wipe the egg off my face.

[Stargazer]

It has been Thursday in Chicago for more than 7 and half hours! What are they waiting for?!

[Crucial]

@Stargazer said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

It has been Thursday in Chicago for more than 7 and half hours! What are they waiting for?!

The OK from The Fern to stop fucking with everyone and name the team.

[Daffy Jaffy]

All Blacks team to play Ireland in Chicago on Sunday morning (test caps in brackets):

1. Joe Moody (20)
2. Dane Coles (46)
3. Owen Franks (87)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (10)
5. Jerome Kaino (75)
6. Liam Squire (6)
7. Sam Cane (37)
8. Kieran Read (c) (94)
9. Aaron Smith (54)
10. Beauden Barrett (46)
11. Julian Savea (49)
12. Ryan Crotty (24)
13. George Moala (3)
14. Waisake Naholo (8)
15. Ben Smith (58)

Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor (11)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (2)
18. Charlie Faumuina (42)
19. Scott Barrett (0)
20. Ardie Savea (9)
21. TJ Perenara (26)
22. Aaron Cruden (43)
23. Malakai Fekitoa (20)

[Tordah]

Would have liked ALB to be on the bench for Fekitoa and Crockett for Ofa, but other than that, not much to complain. Just unlucky with the locks' injuries

[Billy Tell]

This is our raw Polynesian power selection.

[Bones]

@Billy-Tell Well I bet Sopoaga feels left out.

[Crucial]

@Bones said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Billy-Tell Well I bet Sopoaga feels left out.

I don't know. The selectors are usually quite upfront in their plans and will have told Lima when they expect he will play.

[rotated]

Kaino selection really only matters at scrum time - so providing he isn't too far behind on that it's an admirable and aggressive selection.

Kaino is a better lineout option than many locks in TRC and the extra mobility and physicality gives us an edge over the park.

But if the scrum starts going backwards...

[Bones]

@Crucial said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Bones said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Billy-Tell Well I bet Sopoaga feels left out.

I don't know. The selectors are usually quite upfront in their plans and will have told Lima when they expect he will play.

Oh of course, but I'm sure he's disappointed in not being as poly as Barrett.

[Crucial]

@Bones said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Crucial said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Bones said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

@Billy-Tell Well I bet Sopoaga feels left out.

I don't know. The selectors are usually quite upfront in their plans and will have told Lima when they expect he will play.

Oh of course, but I'm sure he's disappointed in not being as poly as Barrett.

Thought I heard something whooshing past my head when I read your post.

[DMX]

Sounds like unusually warm weather for Saturday, I wonder if that influenced team with strong running wings and center. Also would seem like Ben Smith will rest against Italy and Dagg starts at full-back.

[kiwiinmelb]

Thats an interesting starting forward pack , collectively mobile and aggressive in contact

[JayCee]

@DMX said in Ireland v NZ - Chicago Showdown:

Sounds like unusually warm weather for Saturday,

We all bought All Blacks onesies as we went to the USA game and it was fucken freezing. Expected to be just below 20 on saturday, so we'll be sweating balls I'd say.