North vs South

Duluth

@Duluth

He made two tackles on the weekend (no misses), 9 with 3 misses against the Saders, and 3 made one missed against the blues. That’s his last three games.

So, he’s probably got a few places to work on and might be pretty tired. I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t wear black at some stage.

Yup he's basically where Akira was a few years ago

Bovidae

Regarding the locks, at least Plumtree didn't select Blackwell.

Tim

Selby-Ricket got hammered by the Blues pack in contact. Parkinson stood up better.

MMT probably too raw at the moment. Plenty of talent, needs to have more impact on defence.

Otere Black, Bryn Hall, and Sam Nock can all feel unlucky. One first five for North is pretty weird. Lack of decent fullback options too.

Glad to see Hodgman get some recognition, even if he should be playing for North!

Tupou Vaa’i is a shocker! Hasn't shown anything this year. GCT and Goodhue will be pissed. Pierce has a much better frame for test rugby. At least Scrafton got in. TTT is fucking lucky.

Bovidae

@Tim As has been mentioned Mitch Hunt is in the NI squad too.

Parkinson must be injured.

KiwiMurph

I don't have a problem with Vaa'i getting picked - he's a youngster who has good size who I thought held up bloody well in a very tough situation for his rookie year. They obviously see some potential there.

Tim

Those are some really weak locks.

Bovidae

https://twitter.com/paulcullystuff/status/1295513376609558529?s=20

Also on Stuff:

All Blacks coach Ian Foster says Pari Pari Parkinson and Quinten Strange are injured and were not considered for the North v South match.

taniwharugby

criteria that sees BB and Jordie playing for different islands is flawed IMO.

Kiwiwomble

@taniwharugby said in North vs South:

criteria that sees BB and Jordie playing for different islands is flawed IMO.

yeah...and a format having so many "winners" and "loosers" speaks to that too, some are just making up the numbers

taniwharugby

@Kiwiwomble concept is great, but thier criteria is such they that they are better to have gone down the possible/probable route and picked the best 50, especially if this is looking likely the highest level of rugby we see this year!

Kiwiwomble

for those like me that like pictures

alt text

Tim

So, what are the XXIII's?

1 Tu'inukuafe
2 Aumua
3 Tu'ungafasi
4 Tuipulotu
5 Scrafton
6 Ioane
7 Savea
8 Sotutu
9 Smith
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 ALB
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 McKenzie

16 Eklund
17 Johnstone
18 Ta'avao
19 Vaa'i
20 Papalii
21 Perenara
22 Umaga-Jensen
23 Telea/Hunt

Kiwiwomble

Ekland over Dixon?

Bovidae

I'd start Dixon and bring Aumua off the bench in my team. Otherwise about right.

Tim

1 Moody
2 Taylor
3 Lomax
4 Dunshea
5 Whitelock
6 Frizell
7 Hunt
8 Sanders
9 Drummond
10 Mo’unga
11 Bridge
12 Goodhue
13 Ennor (in by default)
14 Jordan
15 Barrett

16 Makalio
17 Hodgman
18 Laulala
19 Prinsep
20 Christie
21 Christie
22 Ioane
23 Faingaanuku

Tim

@Kiwiwomble Offers more off the bench. Dixon competing with Aumua for the start.

KiwiMurph

@Tim Bridge is going to have a busy day on both wings.

Bovidae

Taylor is a handy hooker, right?

Tim

@Bovidae Yikes, brain-fart.

Duluth

@Tim said in North vs South:

12 ALB
13 Ioane

Looking forward to seeing that combo. Hopefully ALB can get that Chiefs stink off of him quickly

The Silver Fern

North vs South