All Blacks vs USA

[Crucial]

Don't quite get why BB is needed. I would have thought that Reece needs more play and it is another chance to use DMac as a utility. Despite the claims from some that he 'still does the same thing' I think his pivot game has come on hugely. He gets the backs moving forward by delivering nicely weighted passes right in front of them to run on to (something that BB especially struggles with)

[Bovidae]

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

Don't quite get why BB is needed.

That was my first thought too. I can only assume that the 1st 5 position for the Welsh test is still up for grabs and that BB will play decent minutes in the game at 10. Obviously the quality of the opposition won't tell us much.

[Crucial]

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

Don't quite get why BB is needed.

That was my first thought too. I can only assume that the 1st 5 position for the Welsh test is still up for grabs and that BB will play decent minutes in the game at 10. Obviously that quality of the opposition won't tell us much.

That's the reason I thought as well. IF BB travels straight away that is a signal to RM that he has already lost the competition.

[Crucial]

A press conference in a couple of hours apparently.

[Crucial]

Just clicked that BB is sitting on 98 tests. This gives him a chance to clock up the ton in a 'name' game at a big stadium.

[Bovidae]

Aumua starting probably means Taukei'aho gets the Italian test, and may even be on the bench next weekend if Coles isn't ready yet.

[MajorPom]

@daffy-jaffy said in All Blacks vs USA:

1. Ethan de Groot (2)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) - captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)
9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)
16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord - new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

Any UK coverage anybody know?

[Stargazer]

[Billy Tell]

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

@daffy-jaffy said in All Blacks vs USA:

1. Ethan de Groot (2)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) - captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)
9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)
16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord - new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

Yes every team must always and without exception consist of the top 23. Development is a dirty word.

[Stargazer]

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

Any UK coverage anybody know?

Premier Sports 2

https://www.premiersports.com/tv-schedule

[Crucial]

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

A bit insulting.

I'm sure Josh Lord's parents feel very differently.

[Yeetyaah]

Sam Cane on the bench.

[JK]

Pretty inexperienced starting 15 when Dmac as second most caps. That bench though!

Almost 400caps on the bench vs less than 250 in the starting 15!

[ARHS]

Strange seeing Aumua starting given the young Chiefs locks but otherwise predictable. Did not realise USA would be missing so many of their best players though.

[antipodean]

This is the sort of fixture where Will Jordan could score a million points.

[Canes4life]

@arhs to be fair it could be his only opportunity this tour unless injuries strike. He deserves another crack after his performance against Argentina.

The one hooker that needs to lift his game is Codie Taylor, I think Samisoni has really put the pressure on him this year so it will be interesting to see what happens as the tour progresses. Samisoni will start a test at some point, probably against the Italians.

[Frye]

Honestly I think if there was a 3rd Springbok test Taukeiaho could have started in it. He's definitely high up in contention.

[Machpants]

Who are the 11 flying early to Wales?

[Duluth]

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

Who are the 11 flying early to Wales?

From the NZH

While the All Blacks take on the USA in front of over 50,000 at FedEx Field, home of the Washington NFL team in Maryland on Sunday morning, an advanced party of players will make their way to Cardiff 24 hours before the rest of the squad for the next test against Wales.

That group includes Brodie Retallick, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Shannon Frizell, Ethan Blackadder, Ofa Tuungafasi, Akira Ioane and Jordie Barrett.

The vast majority of that contingent will be expected to start next week against Wales. Frizell, who joined the squad in the USA after missing the Rugby Championship, is carrying a shoulder injury suffered while playing for  Ta$man.

[antipodean]

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants seriously, there were already big question marks around him being in the team...and we've still taken him even though he had an injury before leaving?

Yeah I certainly would not have the prat anywhere near a black jersey

A point made on social media: