All Blacks v France Test 3

pukunui

@frank said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@crucial
My theory is they are purposely holding him back to make him hungrier and reform his attitude because they see part of him still not being not a team man. Perhaps the theory is he was so talented for his age that he has never had to think in terms of a team, so still plays like an individual in some ways. I remember after they won the JWC and Scott Robertson expressing a bit of exasperation that Akira doesn't really play to the team pattern (even though they won). Not sure this is still true though.

That would make a lot of sense. If it was straight no dickheads he wouldn't be training with them.

ACT Crusader

@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Bit of a different feel this close to a WC , not saying its doom and gloom , far from it ,

but the last couple , things have felt more settled selection wise

When you have quite a few 100 test vets in your group, things are going to seem far more settled...

We’ve had a turnover of those players and I think all things considered we’re pretty fortunate to still have the likes of O. Franks, Whitelock, Read still around.

Stargazer

@pakman said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@marty said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@pakman said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Likewise, wasn't Coltman training with the squad to cover Harris's situation? If so, why has Riccatelli leapfrogged him?

Has he leapfrogged him? I assumed he was brought in to fill the third hooker gap. Good on the guy but I'm disturbed to see him there. When he's on it looks like an over-fed toddler has invaded the pitch.

I also assumed that, but looking at AB.com Colatman is not listed as in the squad, unlike Franklin, and OFT was plainly said to be added to squad. Who knows?

From the team naming:

As well as the 33-man squad, two other players will assemble with the squad. Highlanders hooker Liam Coltman, will come in as paternity cover for Nathan Harris, whose partner is expecting a baby during the Steinlager Series; while Blues loose forward Akira Ioane will assemble as well, with the All Blacks selectors wanting to take the opportunity to continue his development at international level.

Stargazer

Yuck

Should Barrett miss the test, Damian McKenzie is expected to be named at first-five after an extended run in the second test.

Hansen has thrown his support behind McKenzie and hopes to see a better foundation laid by the forwards in Dunedin.

"It's not so much I’d like to see from Damian, I'd like to see to a platform that he could then work off," he said.

"It would be very easy to blame Damian for what was a poor performance from the whole team and that's not the case."

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2018/06/rugby-all-blacks-call-in-reinforcements-for-third-french-test.html

ACT Crusader

@stargazer said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Yuck

Should Barrett miss the test, Damian McKenzie is expected to be named at first-five after an extended run in the second test.

Hansen has thrown his support behind McKenzie and hopes to see a better foundation laid by the forwards in Dunedin.

"It's not so much I’d like to see from Damian, I'd like to see to a platform that he could then work off," he said.

"It would be very easy to blame Damian for what was a poor performance from the whole team and that's not the case."

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2018/06/rugby-all-blacks-call-in-reinforcements-for-third-french-test.html

This early, it’s already looking like too many Chiefs...

booboo

@stargazer would prefer Mounga as the better 10. But think there's a fair bit of DMac Derangement Syndrome about. He's ok.

Stargazer

@booboo Just posted the Sunday morning press conference in the other thread. I think Newshub has jumped to conclusions. There's no hint from Hansen at all, whether Dmac or Mo'unga will get a start.

Louis

I'd prefer Mounga to start, even just to see how he goes.

I reckon they need to make some calls around some players. Squire's been unlucky with injuries, but I don't think he or Fifita are the answer at 6. I don't know who is though. There doesn't seem to be a genuine enforcer type running around at blindside. Squire may be a better bet as a no.8 galloping down the tramlines. They can't all be stars, but Luke Whitelock is pretty limited at test level. They need to take a punt on Akira now. He's played plenty of Super Rugby against the players in the RC and should be thrown in the deep end to see what he can do.

I'm not that convinced about Jordie (yet). A better balanced back three would be Naholo, Ioane, and B. Smith.

Nepia

On Akira, maybe they're using Read as the blueprint for him - you all might remember, Cantabs certainly will, that Read was actually held back from elevation to the ABs initially.

KiwiMurph

@nepia Akira is still training with the AB squad in Dunedin (as he was in Auckland and Wellington). Will be interesting to see what the ABs do in regards to blindside flank with Squire presumably out (and Taufua out). Fifita at 6 I assume is the most likely (EDIT I see he is out with concussion) but do they look at giving Frizell at crack 6 or on the bench or does Akira get a chance.

taniwharugby

@kiwimurph Fifita took a head knock too.

Gunner

Akira gets a start surely?
He’s at least got runs on the board by playing well in super rugby, where Frizell has barely played 80 minutes of super rugby.

Or Cane to 6, Todd to 7.
Cane plays a lot like a 6 anyway.

Victor Meldrew

@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.

Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy

Bones

@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.

Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy

He's the wrong colour.

Victor Meldrew

@bones
Sadly, I suspect you're right. Never any comment about players like TKB being poached from Australia is there?

No Quarter

@gunner said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Akira gets a start surely?
He’s at least got runs on the board by playing well in super rugby, where Frizell has barely played 80 minutes of super rugby.

Yup, without even mentioning the massive shift he put in for the Maori v the Lions. I have absolutely no doubt about his ability at test level.

Crucial

@no-quarter said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@gunner said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Akira gets a start surely?
He’s at least got runs on the board by playing well in super rugby, where Frizell has barely played 80 minutes of super rugby.

Yup, without even mentioning the massive shift he put in for the Maori v the Lions. I have absolutely no doubt about his ability at test level.

Where though? I think he is more an 8 than a 6 now. Does LW move to blindside or get dropped.

My preference is that AI gets a run at 8 but we need more than LW at 6. Maybe roll the dice and have two rookies with LW on the bench?
It's a pity that we have to be finding a future player because if we want a strong experienced player that won't let the side down I would be quite happy for JK or Messam to come back to fill a gap.

Chris B.

@victor-meldrew said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@bones said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

Good to see them replacing Harris with Riccitelli.

Cue multiple articles in the UK press about NZ poaching from Italy

Not this year.

"Deflector Shields at maximum power, Captain".

"Thank you, Mr Scott".

Stargazer

@victor-meldrew Why Italy?

Victor Meldrew

@stargazer
Being sarcastic/ironic about the UK press. One of the major UK papers famously accused NZ of poaching Kev Mealamu from Tokaroa....

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v France Test 3