All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II

[sparky]

Foster talking about the selections for this game.

[Victor Meldrew]

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

One pattern with the ABs is giving rookies a game off after their debut.

Maybe a strategy by the coaching staff to have a good look at new players in the AB environment & let them settle in slowly by managing their game time?

[Bones]

@Victor-Meldrew Genius. Who woulda thunk the best way to manage game time was to just have next to none of it.

[Victor Meldrew]

That's an interesting 23 - mix of experience and newbie plus a new midfield. Great that SS has a start but not convinced about Christie. As someone mentioned above, perhaps he's in last chance saloon.

Must be a bit of a luxury for Foster and co. to be on the front foot and have the headroom to try new players and new positions. We seem to have been scrambling to to keep up with other sides save series for years.

[ACT Crusader]

@Chris said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@george33
struggling with it I hear.

Yep. I reckon his chances of RWC are pretty slim.

[pakman]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Foster confirms flanker Ethan Blackadder injured his calf a few weeks ago, just how long he is sidelined for isn’t clear.

Sounds like Jacobson can pack his French dictionary. Finau just has to do his basics well also to be on the plane.

[pakman]

@NTA said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

lol at the thought of the average Eddie Jones team after he's been in charge for 5 years

Props who can't scrum
Locks who can't maul
Add 12 loig backs and we're set like a jelly!

Who is next best scrummaging TH after AAAAAAA and TTTTT?

[ACT Crusader]

The ALB / Ennor midfield as far as I can recall have only played about 15 or so minutes together. If they can maintain shape I actually don’t mind the combination of skills.

Ennor looked good when he came on in both the Argies and Boks test. ALB looked slim and quick last weekend.

For me the test will largely be about what the Christie and DMac combo does and how Will Jordan comes into the line as a playmaker.

[Bones]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Will Jordan comes into the line as a playmaker

Could really cause some headaches for selectors if it clicks with Stevenson - two very samey players that can cause headaches for the opposition chiming into the backline.

[Bovidae]

@ACT-Crusader It's certainly the biggest game Ennor has started in. So far his other test starts have been USA, Italy and Japan. As I have said, he could play the role as the direct midfield runner à la JB. He could swap around with ALB depending on the move called.

[Chris B.]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@Chris said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@george33
struggling with it I hear.

Yep. I reckon his chances of RWC are pretty slim.

Awful run of injuries for Ethan.

Hopefully, he'll recover quickly and rampage through the NPC!!!

[nostrildamus]

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

If Smith doesn't play his last ever test in NZ that also happens to be at his home ground, then the ABs have no soul

he'll always have the disableds..

[nostrildamus]

@pakman said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Sounds like Jacobson can pack his French dictionary.

Luc Jacobin?

[nostrildamus]

Hat off to Foster and co, win or lose, and apart from 9 (holds head in hands) that is an exciting and promising side. Old heads, some exciting new talent. Colour me impressed.

[pakman]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@pakman said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Sounds like Jacobson can pack his French dictionary.

Luc Jacobin?

Luc de Jacob?

[nostrildamus]

Sure but Jacobin was a thing...

[pakman]

If he were Old Norman he could be FitzLuc.

[NTA]

@pakman said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@NTA said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

lol at the thought of the average Eddie Jones team after he's been in charge for 5 years

Props who can't scrum
Locks who can't maul
Add 12 loig backs and we're set like a jelly!

Who is next best scrummaging TH after AAAAAAA and TTTTT?

:man_shrugging:

Maybe one of the Ponies' backup men? There are other guys injured like Robertson.

[pakman]

@NTA said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@pakman said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@NTA said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

lol at the thought of the average Eddie Jones team after he's been in charge for 5 years

Props who can't scrum
Locks who can't maul
Add 12 loig backs and we're set like a jelly!

Who is next best scrummaging TH after AAAAAAA and TTTTT?

:man_shrugging:

Maybe one of the Ponies' backup men? There are other guys injured like Robertson.

Thought you might say Slipper J.!

[ACT Crusader]

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Wallabies named

1. Angus Bell (22 Tests)
2. David Porecki (13 Tests)
3. Pone Fa’amausili (4 Tests)
4. Nick Frost (11 Tests)
5. Richie Arnold (3 Tests)
6. Tom Hooper (2 Tests)
7. Fraser McReight (11 Tests)
8. Rob Valetini (33 Tests)
9. Tate McDermott (c) (24 Tests)
10. Carter Gordon (3 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (54 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (44 Tests)
13. Jordan Petaia (26 Tests)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (5 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (22 Tests)

Finishers
16. Jordan Uelese (18 Tests)
17. James Slipper (130 Tests)
18. Zane Nonggorr (1 Test)
19. Will Skelton (27 Tests)
20. Rob Leota (15 Tests)
21. Nic White (62 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (79 Tests)
23. Izaia Perese (4 Tests)

336 tests on the bench vs 277 tests starting. How times have changed for the Aussies.