All Blacks v Japan

reprobate

@reprobate the only concern is they now see Beauden as our starting 10 after the Wallabies win. I will be sure to get the popcorn ready to see your reaction if that is the case

faaaaaaaark don't even think that bro, Robertson might hear you.

frugby

We won't know who they see as the first choice 10 until the team is named to play England.

Entirely possible, that they want to give DMac and Roigard a run together because they've never played together.

I think it is probable that Ratima and Barrett will start next week with DMac and Roigard on the bench, but far from certain.

reprobate

@frugby said in All Blacks v Japan:

We won't know who they see as the first choice 10 until the team is named to play England.

Entirely possible, that they want to give DMac and Roigard a run together because they've never played together.

I think it is probable that Ratima and Barrett will start next week with DMac and Roigard on the bench, but far from certain.

I think I'm correct in saying McKenzie started every game except the last one, which was a dead rubber against the Aussies - and Robertson said specifically that it was always planned to give Beauden a run at 10.
I reckon that makes it abundantly clear who the first choice 10 is, and I won't have you messing with my mental health.

SouthernMann

@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:

Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.

I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.

I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.

ARHS

Kinda thought Lio Willie is logical replacement for Luke J on bench, to keep Cane and Savea on ice for UK

Frank

Sincerely hope TJ is only in the squad as injury cover for the two young 'uns and to pass on hairdressing tips.

frugby

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:

Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.

I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.

I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.

Hard to imagine it won't be Haig or CLW, but Holland a chance if they really want to rest their locks.

Machpants

BB with 130+ caps is obvs first choie for Razor, he picks experience esp on the back of a good team performance. Not saying I agree, but I reckon BB for Eng and the next 2 - DMac on the bench

SouthernMann

@frugby said in All Blacks v Japan:

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:

Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.

I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.

I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.

Hard to imagine it won't be Haig or CLW, but Holland a chance if they really want to rest their locks.

Yeah looking at the players unavailable, I'm leaning towards it being Haig. That might just be hopeful thinking on my behalf. He also looks like a potential option to be the final player added to the full squad too. The locks seem relatively settled and untouched by injury. Probably depends on how they have performed in front of the coaches this week too.

Tim

@ARHS Lakai?

Canes4life

@Tim said in All Blacks v Japan:

@ARHS Lakai?

He will likely start if they don't utilise Cane.

Bovidae

Lakai is now part of the AB squad, so will be involved. Rooming with Cane.

chucknz

@Machpants how is he obvious first choice when Dmac has started all bar one game
To me Dmac is the first choice and will start the big games

darylmitchell

All Blacks team vs Japan:

Tamaiti Williams
Asafo Aumua
Pasilio Tosi
Scott Barrett (c)
Patrick Tuipulotu
Samipeni Finau
Sam Cane
Wallace Sititi
Cam Roigard
Damian McKenzie
Mark Tele'a
Anton Lienert-Brown
Billy Proctor
Sevu Reece
Stephen Perofeta
George Bell
Ethan de Groot
Fletcher Newell
Sam Darry
Peter Lakai
Cortez Ratima
David Havili
Ruben Love

Frank

~~Scott Barret presumably plays all big tests.~~
~~Not sure why he starts against Japan.~~
(You were wrong on that one)
Great to see Roigard starting and Sititi at 8.
Hope Lakai gets some good minutes.

Canes4life

@darylmitchell said in All Blacks v Japan:

All Blacks team vs Japan:

Tamaiti Williams

Asafo Aumua

Pasilio Tosi

Scott Barrett (c)

Patrick Tuipulotu

Samipeni Finau

Sam Cane

Wallace Sititi

Cam Roigard

Damian McKenzie

Mark Tele'a

Anton Lienert-Brown

Billy Proctor

Sevu Reece

Stephen Perofeta

George Bell

Ethan de Groot

Fletcher Newell

Sam Darry

Peter Lakai

Cortez Ratima

David Havili

Ruben Love

Is this a confirmation or an assumption of what you think the team will be?

frugby

This would seem bizarrely strong in the forwards... makes the selection of Lord a little puzzling, because if he wasn't to play this game, then when else would he play? Also thought they would have wanted to give Ofa a run.

ARHS

Disappointing forward selections if this is true.

Bovidae

reprobate

Pretty happy with that. Have to remember they haven't played a game in quite a while, and this is the only warm-up. Complete rest for Vaai, Lomax, Taylor, Savea who have had the heaviest workload I'd think. Good opportunity for the other front rowers to start. Hopefully Ethan is just doing lots of running. Expect Lord on for Barrett early.
If we had a rapid traditional style 7 there, you'd just about be looking at a balanced trio, but Cane is a long way from that now - still, good to see Samipeni get another run and Sititi at 8. Be nice to see them operate with Lakai on for Cane early - although Sititi coming off would be better for managing minutes.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Japan