All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II
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Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
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This is certainly the week to roll out an experimental team.
Bledisloe secure, Wallabies will likely be down 2 tightheads, plus no Michael Hooper plus similar to ABs likely to give their wider squad a run.
I'd be tempted to run the Chiefs loose forward trio and give Ardie a bench spot.
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Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
@Tim said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
If this team selected it would seem Lord won’t be in RWC squad. Big opportunity for Finau.
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@Tim said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
If this team selected it would seem Lord won’t be in RWC squad. Big opportunity for Finau.
On the evidence of his one start to date, I would prefer Lord to Vaii in the pecking
They both have big futures in black but Lord has great potential.
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On the evidence of his one start to date, I would prefer Lord to Vaii in the pecking
They both have big futures in black but Lord has great potential.
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
On the evidence of his one start to date, I would prefer Lord to Vaii in the pecking
They both have big futures in black but Lord has great potential.
Lord’s injury puts him at a big disadvantage. Locked in for 24.
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So 13 starting changes to last weeks line-up, can't see it myself.
@taniwharugby seems like a pretty big reach aye. We've def got a few guys who float in and out of the matchday squad that we know plenty about. Keen to see some of the newer faces get a hoon, and more game time for guys coming back from injuries.
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I hate these articles that only reveal themselves as pure speculation after you've read past the headline. Fuckers. Stevenson is not getting a cap under Fatty Fister.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah Liam Napier is pretty damn reliable I'd suggest Stevenson is playing.
I hope you're - and he's - right. Don't think so, though. I doubt they are going to go with wholesale changes. All I'm reading is "likely", "expected", "could", and "possible".
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah Liam Napier is pretty damn reliable I'd suggest Stevenson is playing.
I hope you're - and he's - right. Don't think so, though. I doubt they are going to go with wholesale changes. All I'm reading is "likely", "expected", "could", and "possible".
@Tordah said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
@Tordah Liam Napier is pretty damn reliable I'd suggest Stevenson is playing.
I hope you're - and he's - right. Don't think so, though. I doubt they are going to go with wholesale changes. All I'm reading is "likely", "expected", "could", and "possible".
He's typically very well connected - not just speculation. There does seem to be some speculation in the article (possible ABs team for example) but by leading with Stevenson as the story I'd be floored if he's not in the 23.
