Japan vs All Blacks

Machpants

I reckon NMS will start, for experience, and maybe BBBR too. It's easier to manage minutes for starters than someone who could be called on to do almost an entire match.

Looks about right tho

nzzp

@cgrant I'm actually a supporter of taking so many players over for a week. I think Japan is so different to the rest of the world in terms of cities, culture, food and lifestyle that exposing potential world cup selections is a good move. Ideally we wouldn't dish out one cap wonders for it, but that is modern rugby.

Imagine the counter-factual: calling up a young player who hasn't travelled, throwing them in the deep end in Japan to deal with the people, transport, etc, while hoping they deliver their best on the rugby field. It's a big ask.

Machpants

Yeah I agree, it's a good idea. It's not like we haven't had two ABs teams before at the same time.

sparky

@cgrant BBBR is on the early plane to the UK according to the NZ Herald.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12151002

booboo

@cgrant said in Japan vs All Blacks:

The All Blacks team should look like this, IMO :

J. Barrett
Naholo
Proctor
Laumape
Bridge
Mo'unga
TTT
L. Whitelock (capt)
Papali'i / Hunt
Fifita
Tuipolutu
Hemopo
Tu'ungafasi
Coles
Perry

Aumua
Reilly
Ta'avao
Retallick
Hunt / Papali'i
Drummond / Hall
Cameron
NMS

Reilly? 52nd player ...

(I think you mean O'Neill )

Bovidae

@sparky said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@cgrant BBBR is on the early plane to the UK according to the NZ Herald.

BBBR said in his post-test comments that he wanted to play in the Japan test. Not his decision of course. You would probably leave him on the bench for the English test but increase his workload if not involved in this game.

As to the team to play Japan, I expect the full squad members, and those used during the season, to start or be in the 23. That means NMS and Papali'i to start and maybe Coltman ahead of Aumua on the bench.

Also, Havili might make the bench too.

ACT Crusader

@booboo said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@cgrant said in Japan vs All Blacks:

The All Blacks team should look like this, IMO :

J. Barrett
Naholo
Proctor
Laumape
Bridge
Mo'unga
TTT
L. Whitelock (capt)
Papali'i / Hunt
Fifita
Tuipolutu
Hemopo
Tu'ungafasi
Coles
Perry

Aumua
Reilly
Ta'avao
Retallick
Hunt / Papali'i
Drummond / Hall
Cameron
NMS

Reilly? 52nd player ...

(I think you mean O'Neill )

[Thread] So Akira now 53rd. [\hi-jack]

sparky

Sparky's Team to play Japan

Perry, Coles, Tu'ungafasi, Hemopo, Tuipolutu, Fifita, Papalii, Evans, TTT, Mo'unga, Naholo, Laumape, Proctor, NMS, J Barrett

Bench: O'Neill, Aumua, Ta'avao, L Whitelock, Hunt, Hall, Havili, Bridge

Tempted to give Jordie Barrett some gametime at First Five.

Stargazer

Havili has test experience. I expect him to be him in the 23. Based on current form, he's better than NMS and I'd rather see him cover the midfield than Jordie.

I vaguely remember Hansen saying Papali'i wouldn't play the early games, but I may be wrong. I definitely remember him saying that they see Papali'i only as a 6 at this stage, so that's where I expect them to start him if he plays. I'd pick Fifita at lock, with Hemopo as cover on the bench (assuming BBBR is on the plane) and Evans to cover all loose forward positions.

Anyway, I don't expect this to be an easy selection for Hansen and co.

Duluth

@sparky

Who would be captain of your side? I think Whitelock is almost a certainty to start and captain

I think you might be right about Jordie covering ten. When Fox spoke about the Cameron selection he made it clear he only made the squad because Perofeta was injured. He then went on to say that he might not be involved in this match. So possibly he's only injury cover.

Duluth

@stargazer said in Japan vs All Blacks:

I definitely remember him saying that they see Papali'i only as a 6 at this stage, so that's where I expect them to start him if he plays.

They said he's not a natural 7 and that he's primarily selected as a blindside that can cover openside.
However they were excited about his ability to play both flanks because that is unique in this squad.

The best way to use him on this tour IMO would be to start him at 7 vs Japan and at 6 vs Italy (slightly harder than the other way around)

Bovidae

Papali'i would have played more at 7 than 6 in the last 2 seasons. He was also at no.7 for the NZ U20s.

ACT Crusader

I reckon Papali’I could be our next Rodders. Decent enough over the ball but more a hard working tackling option that can do the grunt work clearing bodies at the ruck.

MN5

@stargazer said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Havili has test experience. I expect him to be him in the 23. Based on current form, he's better than NMS and I'd rather see him cover the midfield than Jordie.

I vaguely remember Hansen saying Papali'i wouldn't play the early games, but I may be wrong. I definitely remember him saying that they see Papali'i only as a 6 at this stage, so that's where I expect them to start him if he plays. I'd pick Fifita at lock, with Hemopo as cover on the bench (assuming BBBR is on the plane) and Evans to cover all loose forward positions.

Anyway, I don't expect this to be an easy selection for Hansen and co.

Very cruel, sadistic even. He doesn't like hard work remember?

Chris B.

@sparky said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@cgrant BBBR is on the early plane to the UK according to the NZ Herald.

If that article is correct, then you'd have to conclude that Goodhue is no chance of playing vs England - they're shipping four midfielders to the UK (which I don't think would have been the original plan).

I reckon there could be a few wrinkles in Yalden's report, which basically telegraphs that we'll use the same 23 as vs Australia.

Earlier Hansen had talked about only 22 being on the plane and that they thought BBBR might only be ready to play Japan. At that point they were presumably happy to leave him in Japan and with Romano unavailable, that might come back on the table - especially if they think he would benefit from a run.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Naholo on the plane and maybe a midfielder - or even DMac - left behind.

ACT Crusader

@stargazer said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Havili has test experience. I expect him to be him in the 23. Based on current form, he's better than NMS and I'd rather see him cover the midfield than Jordie.

I vaguely remember Hansen saying Papali'i wouldn't play the early games, but I may be wrong. I definitely remember him saying that they see Papali'i only as a 6 at this stage, so that's where I expect them to start him if he plays. I'd pick Fifita at lock, with Hemopo as cover on the bench (assuming BBBR is on the plane) and Evans to cover all loose forward positions.

Anyway, I don't expect this to be an easy selection for Hansen and co.

If Hemopo doesn’t get a decent run in this test (eg doesn’t start), then it would be a real strange one that they kept him in the smaller squad throughout TRC.

Frank

@act-crusader said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@stargazer said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Havili has test experience. I expect him to be him in the 23. Based on current form, he's better than NMS and I'd rather see him cover the midfield than Jordie.

I vaguely remember Hansen saying Papali'i wouldn't play the early games, but I may be wrong. I definitely remember him saying that they see Papali'i only as a 6 at this stage, so that's where I expect them to start him if he plays. I'd pick Fifita at lock, with Hemopo as cover on the bench (assuming BBBR is on the plane) and Evans to cover all loose forward positions.

Anyway, I don't expect this to be an easy selection for Hansen and co.

If Hemopo doesn’t get a decent run in this test (eg doesn’t start), then it would be a real strange one that they kept him in the smaller squad throughout TRC.

Not really, he's a Highlander he could possibly play 6 in the All Blacks.

mariner4life

Do people care more or less about this test than the bore-fest last Saturday?

Hooroo

@mariner4life said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Do people care more or less about this test than the bore-fest last Saturday?

So much less. I at least recorded last weeks to watch after the Winx race and post race guff.

I think I will prefer having a beer outside with True-love and the dogs if it is a nice evening than watch our heartland XV take on Japan

mariner4life

@hooroo said in Japan vs All Blacks:

@mariner4life said in Japan vs All Blacks:

Do people care more or less about this test than the bore-fest last Saturday?

So much less. I at least recorded last weeks to watch after the Winx race and post race guff.

I think I will prefer having a beer outside with True-love and the dogs if it is a nice evening than watch our heartland XV take on Japan

Derby day isn't it? So afternoon on the punt. My best mate's 40th that night. Might catch a replay on Sunday while recovering, so i can watch all these guys with no AB future getting their time to shine.

The Silver Fern

Japan vs All Blacks