North vs South

[Tim]

NZ Rugby:

OK, this might well be the only rep rugby this year, so we'd better deliver something special.

Also NZ Rugby:

Right, got it. Lets start a 20 yo lock who is clearly substandard at Super Rugby level, and Aaron Smith is on fire at the moment, so we'll put him on the bench. That should get the fans really pumped!

[Tim]

Ian Foster on selections:

Well Tupou Vaa'i impressed at U19 and U20 levels, where he was actually fairly dominant ...

[ACT Crusader]

I reckon Smith and Perenara get 40 each so I wouldn’t be too concerned on that one.

More worried about South’s halfbacks...

[gt12]

@ACT-Crusader said in North vs South:

I reckon Smith and Perenara get 40 each so I wouldn’t be too concerned on that one.

More worried about South’s halfbacks...

That really sums up the problem here; why not just have the Probables versus possibles, so we can see Perenara versus Smith?

[Crucial]

@gt12 said in North vs South:

@ACT-Crusader said in North vs South:

I reckon Smith and Perenara get 40 each so I wouldn’t be too concerned on that one.

More worried about South’s halfbacks...

That really sums up the problem here; why not just have the Probables versus possibles, so we can see Perenara versus Smith?

Still no contest

[KiwiMurph]

The teams are fine. The 4 halfbacks are all starters for their Super teams. Bring it on.

[ACT Crusader]

@KiwiMurph said in North vs South:

The teams are fine. The 4 halfbacks are all starters for their Super teams. Bring it on.

Yeah I’m pretty excited about the game having seen the teams.

Some have more to play for than others, which always creates a bit more edge to it.

[gt12]

@KiwiMurph said in North vs South:

The teams are fine. The 4 halfbacks are all starters for their Super teams. Bring it on.

Good attitude. I always tell my wife that the key to happiness is low expectations.

[Bovidae]

So Boshier not in the NI 23 eh @Duluth

There looks to be a degree of "looking at a few players" in these selections.

[Duluth]

@Bovidae

Vaa'i getting a start is a surprise

[KiwiMurph]

Clarke vs Jordan on the wing should be a lot of fun - though if the weather forecast doesn't improved they may not be too involved.

[Bovidae]

@Duluth said in North vs South:

Vaa'i getting a start is a surprise

I would agree. The same for Christie over Hunt in the SI team. The SI has a lot of Crusaders' combos which will be an advantage. Favourites!

Here are the players that aren't in the match-day squads:

NI
Kurt Eklund, Alex Fidow, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Mark Telea

SI
Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Reed Prinsep, Mitchell Drummond, Sio Tomkinson

[Hooroo]

The South will get towelled up if there is any sort of intensity to this game.

My prediction is untold - nil in first 40 mins and then heaps of changes and a word to back off in second half.

[Tim]

@Hooroo In the wet the South will target the set piece, and could do quite well there. Don't count them out, especially with the Crusaders combos.

[Hooroo]

@Tim said in North vs South:

@Hooroo In the wet the South will target the set piece, and could do quite well there. Don't count them out, especially with the Crusaders combos.

What's the forecast for Wellybops on the weekend? If it is wet, same result but the margin may flatter the South.

[Tim]

@Hooroo

[ACT Crusader]

@Stargazer said in North vs South:

TEAM NAMING

The North team

Forwards: 1. Karl Tu'inukuafe 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Hoskins Sotutu.

Backs: 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Damian McKenzie.

Replacements: 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Ayden Johnstone, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Scott Scrafton, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23. Mitchell Hunt.

The South team

Forwards: 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Samuel Whitelock (captain), 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Tom Sanders.

Backs: 9. Brad Weber, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Brayden Ennor, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Jordie Barrett

Replacements: 16. Liam Coltman, 17. George Bower, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Dillon Hunt, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Leicester Faingaanuku.

Media release: https://www.allblacks.com/teams-named-for-steinlager-north-v-south-match

Did I get this right?

North
Blues - 9
Chiefs - 4
Hurricanes - 5
Crusaders - 1
Highlanders - 4

South
Blues - 1
Chiefs - 2
Hurricanes - 2
Crusaders - 13
Highlanders - 5

[Stargazer]

I don't think there's much difference in strength between the teams as a whole; only in a few positions (both ways). I honestly don't see how anyone can say that team North will towel up the South. If the weather doesn't spoil it, this could be an exciting arm wrestle.

[gt12]

It's basically the Crusaders/Canterbury versus the rest. God help us if the South win.

[ACT Crusader]

@gt12 said in North vs South:

It's basically the Crusaders/Canterbury versus the rest. God help us if the South win.

Just putting it out there, I will be supporting the South team.