AB's v Samoa

No Quarter

@mariner4life said in AB's v Samoa:

I am far from ready to trust Naholo to a long term spot. Flaky and injury prone. Mad wheels though.

I reckon Jules is gonna rip it up.

i suspect thats why they tend to lean towards julian over naholo , they trust his decision making a bit more

Yeah, and he's less prone to taking players out in the air which is a bonus.

Jules was largely very good in the RC last year, led most of the stats for metres gained, tacklers beaten etc, and he ripped the Aussies a new one at Eden Park when they were really pushing us 50 minutes into the game. I can see why the selectors have a lot of faith in him.

That said, I can see Rieko overtaking him in the next year or so - that kid has incredible talent.

Crucial

@kiwiinmelb said in AB's v Samoa:

despite the calls for him to play 13, its looking like they are grooming reiko as an 11 for now , still a bit raw, but plenty of natural talent

will be interesting to see how this develops

Bet the coaches are hoping they have a Kahui equivalent on their hands.

The next advancement of the game in NZ to get an advantage at RWCs is having versatile players in the squad that and just jacks of all trades but masters of a number of spots.
Rieko, JB, Ardie, hopefully Akira will mature into a 6/8. Fifita and Barrett as lock/6's. maybe even DMac as a 9/10. ALB and Crotty equally effective at 12 or 13

All have the potential to be top class in more than one position.

Tregaskis

Here's some very basic Julian Savea stats from ESPN Scrum:
http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/117357.html?class=1;template=results;type=player

45 tries in 52 tests (49 starts)
17 tries in 20 away starts (3 subs), 20 tries in 22 home starts, 8 tries in 7 neutral starts (mostly RWC 2015)

2012: 12 tries from 9 starts
2013: 7 tries from 11 starts
2014: 11 tries from 11 starts (plus 2 tests as sub)
2015: 8 tries from 8 starts
2016: 7 tries from 10 starts (plus 1 test as sub)

2015 RWC: 8 tries from 6 starts (3 tries vs. France in QF, 3 vs. Namibia, 2 vs. Georgia)

Rugby Championship: 13 tries in 20 starts (plus 1 sub) including 9 tries in 9 starts against the Pumas (includes 1 start vs. Pumas in RWC)
Bledisloe Cup: 6 tries in 11 starts (plus 1 sub) - I think one of the starts was the RWC final (not a BC game)
vs Boks: 1 try in 7 starts (1 start vs. BOKs in RWC)

It's pretty obvious that the try scoring ratio is, overall, outstanding and consistently high, with a glitch against the Boks (noting Jonah Lomu never scored against the Boks).

Bovidae

Speaking of Akira, it seems Umaga and Cooper have decided that no.6 is the position for him at the moment. This makes sense to me as he doesn't have to think as much and can just focus on strong ball-carrying and making dominant tackles. There is no doubt Ioane is a physical beast but some of his decision-making with the ball has been questionable.

Rembrandt

Naholo has been incredibly frustrating in black, I keep expecting that one breakout game which will cement his place but it just hasn't come. Easily our best winger for beating defenders at the moment. Hope he gets a shot against the Lions.

kiwiinmelb

@Crucial for sure ,
But I think as far as team balance goes , they see him more of a starting wing than midfield at this point in time .

RoninWC

The other thing that Naholo brings is his over the ball work.
As we saw on Tuesday, it's amazing just how often he wins penalties or gets turnovers at the ruck. Far more than most backs and certainly more than any other winger.
(The Highlanders are lucky in that the have the two best backs in the comp for this, Naholo and Buckman)
But yes, I question his decision making and consistency as well. If he can get this right, then his speed and over the ball work will see him cement that starting spot for the AB's.

Stargazer

@mimic said in AB's v Samoa:

@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:

Any idea when the team is named?

The team is:

1 Viliamu Afatia - Racing 92 - Vailoa Palauli/Salelavalu/Sapapali'i
2 Maatulimanu Leiataua - Bayonne - Manono/Safune
3 Census Johnston - Toulouse - Lalomanu/Falevao
4 Chris Vui -Worcester Warriors - Foaluga/Lano /Saasaai
5 Faatiga Lemalu - Saracens - Faleasiu/Lefaga
6 Piula Faasalele - Toulouse - Magiagi/Nofoalii
7 Jack Lam - Bristol - Gaitavai/Malie/Taga
8 Faifili Levave - Mitsubishi - Lalomanu/Fasito'o-Uta
9 Kahn Fotualii - Bath - Faleapuna
10 Tusiata Pisi - Bristol - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua
11 Tim Nanai Williams - Chiefs - Manono/Falelatai
12 Alapati Leiua - Wasps - Malie
13 Kieron Fonotia - Ospreys - Apia
14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
15 Ah See Tuala - Northampton Saints - Moamoa/Gaitavai

16 Seilala Lam - Nevers - Gaitavai /Malie/Taga
17 Nephi Leatigaga - Piacenza - Saleloga/Siumu
18 Paul Alo-Emile - Stade Francais - LeulumoegaTuai/Fasito'o-Tai/Falefa
19 Taiasina Tuifua - Lyon - Lauli'i
20 Alafoti Faosiliva - Worcester Warriors - Afega/Tuana'i
21 Auvasa Falealii - Nevers - Letogo/Lefaga Gagaifo
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
23 Ken Pisi - Northampton Saints - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua

Samoa squad update:

7 Jack Lam replaced by Fa'alemiga Selesele due to injury
21 also due to injury, Auvasa Falealii replaced by Dwayne Polataivao

chimoaus

Smallest ABs crowd I think I have ever seen for a test at Eden Park. Looks to be filling up now. Let's play well boys.

Stargazer

Nice, the three bros next to each other while singing the anthem.

Sapetyvi

I don't know much of the Haka, but it isn't that scary with the accountant at the front. Is it always the captain there first?

Stargazer

@Sapetyvi Yes, since they started in that triangular formation at the 2015 RWC.

No Quarter

Great start from Samoa, they look well drilled.

No Quarter

That's not fine Marshall, there's a clear cut rule against that. Unfortunate as they had us under pressure.

chimoaus

BBBR looks sexy in black.

Baron Silas Greenback

@No-Quarter said in AB's v Samoa:

That's not fine Marshall, there's a clear cut rule against that. Unfortunate as they had us under pressure.

Jeez our commentators are tossers.

Tordah

rubbish officiating.

No Quarter

I know the ABs will want to run it a lot, but I'd like to see them get the basics right for the first 20-30 mins before trying to open it up.

Tordah

ABs look rusty as always in the first test. Here's hoping they're only just getting warm

kiwiinmelb

Need this hit out to get the rust out , hopefully Samoa don't drop away too early

Need a tough work out

The Silver Fern

AB's v Samoa