All Blacks vs Fiji

[Higgins]

Sevu Reece had better hope that Fiji do not have much ball as I suspect his opponent might be a bit of a handful come tackle time if he is the same size he was the last time I saw him play.

[Stargazer]

@higgins Reece will also be a handful for Nadolo if he has the ball. It's speed v strength, small v big.

[sparky]

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bridge (11)

No fu#king way!

[voodoo]

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bridge (11)

No fu#king way!

Seems to give credence to the suggestion that he wasn't entirely fit last week?

[Kirwan]

@voodoo said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bridge (11)

No fu#king way!

Seems to give credence to the suggestion that he wasn't entirely fit last week?

Or that there aren't many options for 11 in the squad.

[Duluth]

@voodoo said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Seems to give credence to the suggestion that he wasn't entirely fit last week?

It's more about Ennor being injured. He's the only other real left wing in the squad (without moving RI)

Interesting that they rate Ennor enough that he's in the squad despite probably missing the first 3 games

When Jordan subs on I hope it's at 14 and they try Reece on the left.

[Nepia]

@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@voodoo said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bridge (11)

No fu#king way!

Seems to give credence to the suggestion that he wasn't entirely fit last week?

Or that there aren't many options for 11 in the squad.

If there were 13 options available the best 11 in the squad could move out one space for this match.

[Kirwan]

@nepia said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@kirwan said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@voodoo said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@sparky said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bridge (11)

No fu#king way!

Seems to give credence to the suggestion that he wasn't entirely fit last week?

Or that there aren't many options for 11 in the squad.

If there were 13 options available the best 11 in the squad could move out one space for this match.

It looks like they want to develop RI as the 13. If ALB is the best 12 of the other options then that could be the top pairing.

Reece has problems on defence but at least he offers more on attack than Bridge.

[cgrant]

Pretty underwhelming backrow and back three, IMO.

[MN5]

@stargazer said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Flying Fijians v All Blacks Line-Up

1 Peni Ravai
2 Samuel Matavesi
3 Mesake Doge
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Leone Nakarawa
6 Johnny Dyer
7 Mesulame Kunavula
8 Albert Tuisue
9 Simione Kuruvoli
10 Ben Volavola
11 Nemani Nadolo
12 Levani Botia {c}
13 Waisea Nayacalevu
14 Eroni Sau
15 Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves
16 Peni Narisia *
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Leeroy Atalifo
19 Tevita Ratuva
20 Peceli Yato
21 Setareki Tuicuvu
22 Eneriko Buliruarua *
23 Manasa Mataele *

(*) indicated the debutants in the squad

Media release: https://www.fijirugby.com/flying-fijians-named-for-all-blacks-match/

Well he’s always good fun to watch, I wonder if there has EVER been such a disparity in the attacking prowess of the oppositions 11 vs the All Blacks 11 in test history ?

[pakman]

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

George Bower (1)
Codie Taylor (56)
Nepo Laulala (29)
Patrick Tuipulotu (37)
Brodie Retallick (81)
Shannon Frizell (13)
Ethan Blackadder (1)
Hoskins Sotutu (5)
Aaron Smith (97) - captain
Beauden Barrett (89)
George Bridge (11)
David Havili (3)
Rieko Ioane (35)
Sevu Reece (8)
Jordie Barrett (24)
RESERVES:
Dane Coles (75)
Ethan de Groot – new cap
Tyrel Lomax (7)
Samuel Whitelock (123)
Luke Jacobson (3)
Finlay Christie (1)
Damian McKenzie (28)
Will Jordan (3)

Starters as I thought, other than expected Skipper to be retained.

Not confident in reserve front row.

Saves still not right — is Vaa’i carrying an injury?

[Stargazer]

During the press conference, Foster explains several of the selections.

[nostrildamus]

I can see Fozzie's strategy, even 6"1' (World 7's Rookie of the Year) Eroni Sau will have trouble finding Reece in the long grass!

[ACT Crusader]

@duluth said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Aaron Smith (97) - captain
Beauden Barrett (89)
George Bridge (11)
David Havili (3)
Rieko Ioane (35)
Sevu Reece (8)
Jordie Barrett (24)

Halfway there Fozzie. Just missing Mo’unga at 1st 5, Ennor at centre and Jordan at fullback. I can live with the token Lander.

Looking at that Fiji bench they’ve got a couple of guys that play in France - Seta Tuicuvu who can legitimately cover halfback, 1st 5, fullback and wing; and Eneriko Buliruarua who is making his debut and is a big solid midfielder. And congrats to Mataele also making his debut.

[booboo]

@stargazer said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Flying Fijians v All Blacks Line-Up

1 Peni Ravai
2 Samuel Matavesi
3 Mesake Doge
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Leone Nakarawa
6 Johnny Dyer
7 Mesulame Kunavula
8 Albert Tuisue
9 Simione Kuruvoli
10 Ben Volavola
11 Nemani Nadolo
12 Levani Botia {c}
13 Waisea Nayacalevu
14 Eroni Sau
15 Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves
16 Peni Narisia *
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Leeroy Atalifo
19 Tevita Ratuva
20 Peceli Yato
21 Setareki Tuicuvu
22 Eneriko Buliruarua *
23 Manasa Mataele *

(*) indicated the debutants in the squad

Media release: https://www.fijirugby.com/flying-fijians-named-for-all-blacks-match/

I know 4 of them

[Bones]

@booboo really? Not sure that's a reflection of the strength of this team...maybe something else...

[booboo]

@bones said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@booboo really? Not sure that's a reflection of the strength of this team...maybe something else...

Like not following NH club rugby?

[booboo]

5 Leone Nakarawa

May have

10 Ben Volavola
11 Nemani Nadolo
12 Levani Botia {c}
14 Eroni Sau

May have

17 Haereiti Hetet

May have

23 Manasa Mataele *

Tell me why I should have heard of the others

[Bones]

@booboo
https://www.fijirugby.com/flying-fijians-squad-for-2019-rugby-world-cup/

A fair few others have been floating about 7's and SH rugby.

[pakman]

@booboo said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@stargazer said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Flying Fijians v All Blacks Line-Up

1 Peni Ravai
2 Samuel Matavesi
3 Mesake Doge
4 Temo Mayanavanua
5 Leone Nakarawa
6 Johnny Dyer
7 Mesulame Kunavula
8 Albert Tuisue
9 Simione Kuruvoli
10 Ben Volavola
11 Nemani Nadolo
12 Levani Botia {c}
13 Waisea Nayacalevu
14 Eroni Sau
15 Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves
16 Peni Narisia *
17 Haereiti Hetet
18 Leeroy Atalifo
19 Tevita Ratuva
20 Peceli Yato
21 Setareki Tuicuvu
22 Eneriko Buliruarua *
23 Manasa Mataele *

(*) indicated the debutants in the squad

Media release: https://www.fijirugby.com/flying-fijians-named-for-all-blacks-match/

I know 4 of them

We’ll know a lot move about Havili’s defence once he’s had Botia running at him all day.