All Blacks v Italy
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haha shit team. we're fucked. 0-2 on the tour to start.
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wow!
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So from the travelling squad being rested are: Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith
Unavailable: Luke Romano
Injured: Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, George Moala
I wouldn't be surprised if Ioane comes on for McKenzie, with Dagg going to fullback, just to keep some experience in the backline (unless they move Cruden when Sops comes on, instead of subbing him off). Otherwise A Smith would be the only experienced player in the entire backline in the second half. I can't remember Ioane ever playing on the left wing?
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I think there will be some nervous moments on Sunday morning. Don't mind the front row, but the 4-8 has me just a little concerned.
9-10 a good combo but I can't say either are in any great form. New midfield combo and a back three that have never been on the park together.
Don't mind the bench so much and will look forward to seeing Ioane get a run at some stage (hopefully on the wing).
There will be a bit of pressure on the likes of Cane, Cruden and Dagg to step up and show leadership.
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So from the travelling squad being rested are: Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Jerome Kaino, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Kieran Read, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith
Unavailable: Luke Romano
Injured: Sam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, George Moala
I wouldn't be surprised if Ioane comes on for McKenzie, with Dagg going to fullback, just to keep some experience in the backline (unless they move Cruden when Sops comes on, instead of subbing him off). Otherwise A Smith would be the only experienced player in the entire backline in the second half. I can't remember Ioane ever playing on the left wing?
@Stargazer Are Fifita, Tamanivalu, Jordie Barrett not travelling?
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Our success so far this year has been built on 2,4,5,8,9,10,13 and 15. None of those guys are playing, except ALB, and he's in a different spot. Each game has been similar, we stretch and stretch until one of those blokes blows the game open. Who is doing that this week?
That's NZ A, not the All Blacks. In a full strength side, 2 of those would start (and Dagg might not if we had everyone fit). This is a huge gamble.
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@Stargazer Are Fifita, Tamanivalu, Jordie Barrett not travelling?
@ACT-Crusader Correct. They have just not been picked, so didn't fit in "injured", "unavailable" or "being rested". Where Squire and A Savea fit is not clear. Not sure whether they needed the rest.
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That team says to me , they are throwing everything at Ireland the following week ,
And anyone that can benefit from a spell is getting one ,
Lets just hope they arent taking their Eye off the Italians too much .
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Our success so far this year has been built on 2,4,5,8,9,10,13 and 15. None of those guys are playing, except ALB, and he's in a different spot. Each game has been similar, we stretch and stretch until one of those blokes blows the game open. Who is doing that this week?
That's NZ A, not the All Blacks. In a full strength side, 2 of those would start (and Dagg might not if we had everyone fit). This is a huge gamble.
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I thought we were done with the days when we would change the whole team for the so-called weaker games, and players got be judged playing along side the top players. Guess we are back to this.
The word "disrespect" gets thrown around a lot these days...
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@mariner4life On the other hand - no Moody to get carded, a starting halfback who can defend, a balanced back 3, two proper locks etc.
@KiwiMurph said in v Italy:
@mariner4life On the other hand - no Moody to get carded, a starting halfback who can defend, a balanced back 3, two proper locks etc.
glass half full much? The Moody one i will give you (he needs to be sat down and told to sort his shit out). A starting halfback who can defend, but has very little rugby under his belt, and has questionable decision making skills. The balance to the back 3 is tempered by a rookie fullback who, based on his only outing so far, is yet to learn that Test rugby is not Super rugby, and has ropey core skills.
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I would say this is the side they intended for this game all along, and arent willing to change thier plans with Ireland - France to come, keeping our 'A Team' fresh, not least of all wanting to be seen as panicking by running a strong team out.
That said, this doesnt bode well....
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Who's the vice-captain and will lead the team if Cane goes off? Or will he go the full 80 and will Luatua be replaced by Todd? Or will Cruden stay on the field to take over the captaincy? Or Brodie when he comes on? Can't see Aaron Smith as (vice)-captain, nor Dagg.
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@KiwiMurph said in v Italy:
@mariner4life On the other hand - no Moody to get carded, a starting halfback who can defend, a balanced back 3, two proper locks etc.
glass half full much? The Moody one i will give you (he needs to be sat down and told to sort his shit out). A starting halfback who can defend, but has very little rugby under his belt, and has questionable decision making skills. The balance to the back 3 is tempered by a rookie fullback who, based on his only outing so far, is yet to learn that Test rugby is not Super rugby, and has ropey core skills.
@mariner4life I'm not a fan of McKenzie, but at least he should provide some positive aspects to counter out his bad stuff, which is more than can be said for Savea last week. As for TKB I think comments on his decision making are well overblown - plus he's played a heap of rugby with Cruden over the years (who himself should be a huge step up on Barrett's performance at 10 last week, which wouldn't be hard).
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@mariner4life I'm not a fan of McKenzie, but at least he should provide some positive aspects to counter out his bad stuff, which is more than can be said for Savea last week. As for TKB I think comments on his decision making are well overblown - plus he's played a heap of rugby with Cruden over the years (who himself should be a huge step up on Barrett's performance at 10 last week, which wouldn't be hard).
@KiwiMurph not sure about Cruden. He was borderline okayish last week when he came on, but the test before that he was pretty dodgy. Hopefully with him starting he can turn things around.
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@mariner4life I'm not a fan of McKenzie, but at least he should provide some positive aspects to counter out his bad stuff, which is more than can be said for Savea last week. As for TKB I think comments on his decision making are well overblown - plus he's played a heap of rugby with Cruden over the years (who himself should be a huge step up on Barrett's performance at 10 last week, which wouldn't be hard).
@KiwiMurph yea, I didn't see last week except for about 15 mins, where Savea did 2 really, really shit things. Not sure Naholo has exactly been a step up either, he just gets marked a lot easier.
My feeling is Cruden really needs rugby, so hopefully he allows himself to settle in to the game before trying too much.
I still think we'll win, it's the All Blacks they always win. But this team is certainly the hard way of going about it.
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Video with Hansen answering questions in this article:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11745611&ref=NZH_Tw
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My read is that Luatua will be expected to play a full 80. Shag certainly made it clear that this is his big chance. Most interesting element of selection is how bench will work if any injuries to him. If Luatua off one of Pat T or Barrett ends up in loose trio.
If a midfielder hurt (please, God, no) it would seem Rieko slots in to 13 (I really don't like thought of Naholo there).Also interesting implications for rematch. Am assuming Whitelock will be expected to play French, so bench at most there. Barrett and Pat T competing for start against Irish. Reserve lock would mean one loose forward reserve. With both Savea and Squire being rested that would suggest both are in contention for a start, and maybe that there is an undisclosed injury issue. In backs one would presume Dagg would be favoured to counter Irish kicking game. Rest of starters are fairly plain. Midfield cover the big query. To me it's too early for Ioane. Seta T, who's also played wing, would be the obvious, but no role in 23 throws that into doubt. That would leave Naholo -- see above!
Crockett, Coles, Franks
BBBR, Barrett/Pat T
Cane, Kaino, Read
TJP, Barrett,
ALB, Fekitoa
Savea, Smith, DaggTaylor, Moody, Faumuina, Pat T/Barrett/Whitelock/Luatua/Squire, Savea/Dixon, Smith, Cruden, Seta T/Ioane/Naholo
