All Blacks v Japan

[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:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. 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:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. 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.

[KiwiMurph]

Chuckling that this coaching staff can't find it in themselves to give a player a debut start vs Japan.

Fairly predictable.

[antipodean]

@Bovidae That team will take care of Japan no problem.

[Frank]

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

[Bovidae]

The advance party leaves on Friday so maybe we get to know who they are at the press conference.

[canefan]

@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness

[Billy Tell]

@darylmitchell said in All Blacks v Japan:

All Blacks team vs Japan:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. Ruben Love

Yeah nah. Cf actual team named.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Includes Proctor and Love -

[Canes4life]

@canefan said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness

I don't think fitness is the issue, it's more getting his confidence back by playing minutes. I think there's nothing wrong with Ratima starting on this tour with Cam coming off the bench but I feel that role will be reversed once Roigard is back up to speed again.

[JK]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Japan:

Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved

[Machpants]

Impact: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell

Some stupid penalties, 1m of carries, and increased belief in the red and black bias