All Blacks v Italy
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You'd have to think in their planning that several players were specifically earmarked for this one - Luatua, Ioane, Dixon, Todd, Sopoaga, TKB.
I'm looking forward to it. When's the team named?
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I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
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I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
@westcoastie said in v Italy:
I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
we're going in without a left winger? This is taking arrogance well beyond ' starting a blindside at lock'.....I hope it works.....
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@westcoastie said in v Italy:
I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
we're going in without a left winger? This is taking arrogance well beyond ' starting a blindside at lock'.....I hope it works.....
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@westcoastie said in v Italy:
I remember seeing Grant Fox on the naming of the team, and his suggestion was they start with this game and work backwards from it.
Shits got interesting, but I don't expect them to change the course too much.
I expect Read, Ben Smith, Beaudie & Coles to be given a rest.
Moody should get suspended. Franks should get benched.I read Retallick is likely to be back, Whitelock maybe next Ireland test.
So:
1 Faumuina
2 Taylor
3 Crockett
4 Retallick
5 S.Barrett
6 Kaino (for experience sake)
7 Cane (c)
8 Dixon
9 A. Smith
10 Cruden
11 Naholo/Savea
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Ioane
15 Dagg16 Coltman
17 Ofa
18 Franks
19 Tuipolutu
20 Luatua
21 Kerr-Barlow
22 Sopoaga
23 D-MacOur 'A' team gets its chance for redemption vs Ireland. I can see Cruden maybe getting a start v Ireland if he plays well in this game, but then TJP's combo with Barrett, and the fact that Ireland will stick to a similar script - because honestly, this being the first time they've beaten us, nothing else has ever worked, they will refine things however. Test for coaches too, because it feels for once Hansen got out-coached. Feels a bit like that game England caught us on eh?
That ALB/Fekitoa combo will get a workout in training eh.
If Ioane tears it up in this game, like 4 tries on debut stuff, does he get a crack v Ireland?
Team v Ireland...mk 2 (assuming no injuries)
1 Crockett
2. Coles.
3 Franks
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock if available. Romano.
6 Kaino
7 Cane
8 Read
9 TJP
10 Barrett
11
12 ALB
13 Fekitoa
14 Dagg.
15 B.Smith16 Taylor
17 Moody
18 Faumuina
19 Tuipolutu
20 A.Savea
21 Smith
22 Cruden
23Some spots TBC. Apologies if props are wrong.
we're going in without a left winger? This is taking arrogance well beyond ' starting a blindside at lock'.....I hope it works.....
@MN5 I did say some spots TBC... but I dunno who deserves a start v. Ireland there any more.
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Why not a Crusaders pack with : Crockett - Taylor - Franks - Romano - Barrett - Todd - Read - AN Other ?
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Why not a Crusaders pack with : Crockett - Taylor - Franks - Romano - Barrett - Todd - Read - AN Other ?
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Why not a Crusaders pack with : Crockett - Taylor - Franks - Romano - Barrett - Todd - Read - AN Other ?
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Luatua must be a good show to start at least one test at either 8 when Read is rested or 6 surely. And that is probably this one?
Squire does not look a starting 6, Dixon has looked pretty mediocre. I'd be amazed if they don't give him a start to see what he brings to the table. First time round he looked a good option to back up Read, but far too loose to back up Kaino, hence losing out to the tighter Messam & the more veristile Vito, but with the alternatives pretty "m'eh" he has a second shot.
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I'm undecided about what I think they should do with this test but it may be a good idea to give a few of the players who had off games against Ireland a week in the stands to stew over the weekend's loss and come back extra fired up in the rematch.
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Stick to the plan. Italy is for newbies.
Just dawned on me that post-RWC clean-out cycles really only effect the exporter countries, not the club importers (Europe). So this tour has gotten a lot more interesting in my eyes.
SAF and Aus were weak compared to 2015, now we should find out a lot more about the 2016 ABs in these next few weeks.
Good times.
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Crockett to extend record: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/86210690/old-memories-wont-haunt-crockett-as-he-aims-to-add-his-world-record-of-43-consecutive-test-wins
If the ABs lose against Italy, well we know who to blame then. Obviously it will be Crockett for not respecting his own legacy of greatness
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Crockett to extend record: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/86210690/old-memories-wont-haunt-crockett-as-he-aims-to-add-his-world-record-of-43-consecutive-test-wins
If the ABs lose against Italy, well we know who to blame then. Obviously it will be Crockett for not respecting his own legacy of greatness
@ACT-Crusader said in v Italy:
Crockett to extend record: http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/86210690/old-memories-wont-haunt-crockett-as-he-aims-to-add-his-world-record-of-43-consecutive-test-wins
If the ABs lose against Italy, well we know who to blame then. Obviously it will be Crockett for not respecting his own legacy of greatness
Or for repeating his 2009 performance. But lets hope we don't need to resolve that argument...
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The Italian team to take on the All Blacks has been named:
1 Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre Rugby, 8 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Stade Toulousain, 81 caps)
3 Lorenzo CITTADINI (Bayonne, 50 caps)
4 Marco FUSER (Benetton Treviso, 13 caps)
5 Andries VAN SCHALKWYK (Zebre Rugby, 5 caps)
6 Maxime MBANDA’ (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)
7 Simone FAVARO (Glasgow Warriors, 30 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 119 caps) - capitano
9 Giorgio BRONZINI (Benetton Treviso, esordiente)
10 Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby, 12 caps)
11 Angelo ESPOSITO (Benetton Treviso, 7 caps)
12 Luke MCLEAN (Benetton Treviso, 81 caps)
13 Tommaso BENVENUTI (Benetton Treviso, 34 caps)
14 Giulio BISEGNI (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)
15 Edoardo PADOVANI (Zebre Rugby, 3 caps)Reserves
16 Ornel GEGA (Benetton Treviso, 5 caps)
17 Sami PANICO (Patarò Calvisano, 3 caps)
18 Pietro CECCARELLI (Zebre Rugby, 4 caps)
19 George BIAGI (Zebre Rugby, 11 caps)
20 Francesco MINTO (Benetton Treviso, 28 caps)
21 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Treviso, 53 caps)
22 Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Treviso, 24 caps)
23 Tommaso BONI (Zebre Rugby, 1 cap)The halfback makes his debut on Saturday.
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Amazing that Luke McLean has played 81 tests. I remember when this guy was running around in Perth. Well done to him.
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I think it'll be something like:
Crockett, Taylor, Faumuina
BBBR, Barrett
Cane, Squire, Luatua
Smith, Sopoaga
ALB, Fekitoa (12)
Naholo, DMac, IoaneColtman, Moody, Ofa T, Todd, Dixon, TKB, Cruden, Seta T
Not sure where Pat T fits in overall thinking. Based on Saturday I'm not convinced he's a test starter. Has Sopoaga ever played fullback -- there would be an argument for Dagg in the 23?
Then Ireland
Crockett, Coles, Franks
BBBR, Whitelock
Cane, Kaino, Read
Smith, Cruden
ALB, Fekitoa
Savea, Smith, DaggTaylor, Moody, Faumuina, Barrett/Pat T/Luatua, Savea/Dixon, TJP, Barrett, Seta T/Ioane/Naholo
Whether or not Whitelock fully fit a big issue here. He and BBBR allow us to have two loosies on bench. Any doubts and we need a lock, or perhaps Luatua there. The latter allows a specialist 7. If a lock on bench, then Dixon's versatility a big plus.
Other issue is midfield cover. This would probably argue for Tamanivalu. But Ioane a chance depending on how Italy goes. Naholo has also been mooted as cover???
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I think it'll be something like:
Crockett, Taylor, Faumuina
BBBR, Barrett
Cane, Squire, Luatua
Smith, Sopoaga
ALB, Fekitoa (12)
Naholo, DMac, IoaneColtman, Moody, Ofa T, Todd, Dixon, TKB, Cruden, Seta T
Not sure where Pat T fits in overall thinking. Based on Saturday I'm not convinced he's a test starter. Has Sopoaga ever played fullback -- there would be an argument for Dagg in the 23?
Then Ireland
Crockett, Coles, Franks
BBBR, Whitelock
Cane, Kaino, Read
Smith, Cruden
ALB, Fekitoa
Savea, Smith, DaggTaylor, Moody, Faumuina, Barrett/Pat T/Luatua, Savea/Dixon, TJP, Barrett, Seta T/Ioane/Naholo
Whether or not Whitelock fully fit a big issue here. He and BBBR allow us to have two loosies on bench. Any doubts and we need a lock, or perhaps Luatua there. The latter allows a specialist 7. If a lock on bench, then Dixon's versatility a big plus.
Other issue is midfield cover. This would probably argue for Tamanivalu. But Ioane a chance depending on how Italy goes. Naholo has also been mooted as cover???
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There's a video in the Herald of Hansen talking about the selections for the Italy game, so the team has obviously been announced. But I can't find it anywhere.
