RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2)

taniwharugby

lots of white noise around this test, love it!

Much better than the cakewalks in the past!

antipodean

A lot of people very nervous about this game.

taniwharugby

team naming not far off, my 15:
Moody, Taylor, Laulala
BBBR, Whitelock
Cane, Read, Ardie,
Smith, Mounga,
Crotty, ALB
Bridge, BB, Reece

Outside of the mid-field and hooker, I'd be surprised if those above are not named to start.

Canes4life

@taniwharugby I have the same as you, but would start Coles over Taylor.

taniwharugby

@Canes4life yea hooker is a toss of a coin for me, mid field, could be any combination but reckon that one has put in the best performance for us in the last year or so.

Bovidae

Knowler has Goodhue at centre and Coles starting in his team.

Hooroo

@Canes4life said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

@taniwharugby I have the same as you, but would start Coles over Taylor.

Same here. Coles starts every day of the week for me.

Bench will be interesting around Tuipolutu and Red Barrett

rotated

@Hooroo said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

Bench will be interesting around Tuipolutu and Red Barrett

Why not both?

Hooroo

@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

@Hooroo said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

Bench will be interesting around Tuipolutu and Red Barrett

Why not both?

True. Was thinking just one or the other but that makes sense.

Do we have to assume that Retallick will only play 60 due to fitness?

taniwharugby

@Bovidae think Yealden had ALB/Goodhue, SBW on bench...

For me, just leaves us a bit green - Mounga, ALB, Goodhue, Bridge, Reece....less caps than BB??

Bovidae

@taniwharugby said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

@Bovidae think Yealden had ALB/Goodhue, SBW on bench...

For me, just leaves us a bit green - Mounga, ALB, Goodhue, Bridge, Reece....less caps than BB??

I was thinking about exactly that earlier today. If JB is on the bench, as some have speculated, then this would be one of the greenest backlines the ABs have selected for a big RWC test in a long time. That's why I would put BFA on the bench to provide some experience if needed.

Although, having said that, for the ABs to win it is the forwards who need to dominate.

rotated

@taniwharugby said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

For me, just leaves us a bit green - Mounga, ALB, Goodhue, Bridge, Reece....less caps than BB??

It would have been inconceivable to think just 12 months ago that a fit Smith, Ioane and Crotty could all be outside the 23 for a QF.

Inconceivable that Crotty would even be fit at this stage, yet here we are.

taniwharugby

@rotated probably only go back to the 2019 super season and you'd still be expecting a fit Smith, Ioane and Crotty would be in the 23.

your comment on Crotty

KiwiMurph

I think it's strange to put Goodhue at 13 when ALB has been so good at 13 vs Wallabies at Eden Park and vs Boks opening game.

Crucial

Surely the experience of BFA trumps the potential of JB?

Horses for courses approach in the centres and I guess that entirely depends on tactics. SBW with ALB/Goodhue speaks to manipulation being the key while ALB with Goodhue speaks to banking on using fast ball and creating mismatches after a phase or two.

Personally I would go SBW/ALB with Goodhue on the bench.

taniwharugby

@KiwiMurph I guess they arent giving that EP test as much weighting as fans are, that said, I guess if it is the case, the ALB/Goodhue duo is one they have been looking to get going but havent been able to and was cut short in Perth...although may have been a blessing given how poorly our pack went.

But I guess if our pack turns up, the backs whichever are picked, will do the job.

reprobate

I'd play Goodhue every time over SBW alongside ALB. Without crotty there he is the defensive organiser. Constantly moving guys around to even up numbers and avoid mismatches.
Much better distribution too.

Frank

I am hoping we have gone up a level since Bled 2.
That we are actually a better team with the changes we have implemented and that other teams haven't realized it yet.

That our dual playmaker system, dynamite Ardie at 6, in-form ALB, our reserve locks improving and two superb and in form wings will push us over the top.

Hooroo

@Frank said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

I am hoping we have gone up a level since Bled 2.
That we are actually a better team with the changes we have implemented and that other teams haven't realized it yet.

That our dual playmaker system, dynamite Ardie at 6, in-form ALB, our reserve locks improving and two superb and in form wings will push us over the top.

Surely it will be Crotty and ALB?

Personally for a massive game like this, I think Goodhue is too inexperienced. Crotty/SBW (I don't carte which with ALB outside them. Actually, I do care which, Crotty to start for me to help organise ourselves

canefan

@Frank said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

I am hoping we have gone up a level since Bled 2.
That we are actually a better team with the changes we have implemented and that other teams haven't realized it yet.

That our dual playmaker system, dynamite Ardie at 6, in-form ALB, our reserve locks improving and two superb and in form wings will push us over the top.

I think we underestimate how good the performance in the opener vs SA was. Not a perfect one, but they were well up for it and thought themselves a big chance, our defence held fast and we tore them apart for 15 minutes before half time, we were able to pull away from them in the final 15 minutes. Take away that jammy intercept score from an offside position and the margin looks even better

The Silver Fern

RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2)