All Blacks v Argentina II
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I kind of be a little surprised if Sititi starts, coming back from injury, and hasn't quite looked real world beater during Super this year (although he was good). Think they may just bring him in slowly. But of course in me suggesting that they may do exact opposite.
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Patrick Tuipolotu and Anton Leinert-Brown have been ruled out for test 2. I'd imagine that almost guarantees another test start for Billy Proctor, unless they decide to shift Ioane back to centre.
I can see both Williams and Sititi coming into the starting XV which will give us a bit more size in the pack and I think Lakai will get his first opportunity off the bench for 2025 as he can cover 7, 8. Kirifi drops out for me.
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So we require lock coverage on the bench. Be interesting if they decide to get cute and decide that shifting Vaa'i works best. Then we need a big body to cover the loose forward swap. That can only be one of two people and if they're serious about seeing Parker, then he'll probably come off the bench at the expense of Finau.
Proctor will start again. If Tavatavanawai comes onto the bench I expect to see a swap if Proctor has to leave the field. Big Jim to the vacated left wing spot as Rieko covers centre.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@antipodean I don't disagree but I can't see Savea being subbed off or starting on the bench any time soon.
Unfortunately neither can I, and the All Blacks are the worse for it.
What the fuck are U talking about. Ardie is world class. He has proved himself time after time for years . I would have Ardie, Wallace and Parker/Vaa’i from here on in. Please let ALB and Christie go away and not come back.
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@mencey said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@antipodean said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@antipodean I don't disagree but I can't see Savea being subbed off or starting on the bench any time soon.
Unfortunately neither can I, and the All Blacks are the worse for it.
What the fuck are U talking about. Ardie is world class. He has proved himself time after time for years .
At hitting rucks? Putting in a hard shoulder that turns into a dominant tackle others can driver through to win a turnover?
Or are we talking about seagulling to carry a ball, often with defenders hanging off him with the resulting slow ruck clearance for the next phase? Chip kicks from 10m out of our own line? His abysmal defensive reads? His low effort in running back into the defensive line? His giving up metres in defence trying to scrag players to the deck in the hope he gets a turnover?
He looks all the world a back that's been asked to play in the forwards.
Or maybe I'm wrong and his highlight reel clearly puts me back in my box.
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@mencey said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Ardie is world class
at one thing. He has serious flaws in other areas. And they actually hurt the team. And that is @antipodean 's point.
I probably wouldn't dump him but you have to be very careful who you partner him with.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mencey said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Ardie is world class
at one thing. He has serious flaws in other areas. And they actually hurt the team. And that is @antipodean 's point.
I probably wouldn't dump him but you have to be very careful who you partner him with.
I wouldn't dump him given his undoubted talents, but he'd be on the bench ready to wreak havoc after the big nasties have softened and exhausted their opponents.
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Thinking ahead to the Boks, going to need a big physical bench, but equally they will want some experience.
Expecting to see Sititi in for Kirifi, with Savea back to 7, but the makeup of the bench is fascinating.
Parker and Lakai would be my pick for this week, but that is awfully green for the Boks.
The alternatives are Kirifi & Finau. Not sure they fill me with a lot of confidence.
For me, let Parker loose this week, and then all going well he lines up to come on for the last 20 for one of the locks, with Vaa’i shifting to lock, and Jacobson is there to replace Sititi for the closing stages.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@mencey said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
Ardie is world class
at one thing. He has serious flaws in other areas. And they actually hurt the team. And that is @antipodean 's point.
I probably wouldn't dump him but you have to be very careful who you partner him with.
I wouldn't dump him given his undoubted talents, but he'd be on the bench ready to wreak havoc after the big nasties have softened and exhausted their opponents.
I've long wanted Savea on the bench as impact. A Savea - Sititi one-two punch at 8 would cause teams a lot of problems. Either of them coming off the bench for 30 to wreck havoc would be fun to watch.
For mine, I'd like our loosies to be:
6 - Vaa'i, Finau
7 - Dalton, Lakai
8 - Savea, SititiI don't really like Savea at 7 in the modern game, your 7 needs to do a lot more tackling and be a physical presence at the ruck, which Savea is not. 8 has always suited his skillset a lot better as it's easier to utilise his running game, just need to pair him with a couple of blokes that enjoy the dirty work and win the collisions more often.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
It might have been mentioned but I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor is rested for this game so he can play his 100th test in NZ.
Is that something that's happened before - resting a player so they can reach a milestone at a particular location?
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Argentina II:
It might have been mentioned but I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor is rested for this game so he can play his 100th test in NZ.
Is that something that's happened before - resting a player so they can reach a milestone at a particular location?
Cheaper than flying all the family to Arg.
Savea is on track to play his 100th test at Eden Park too.
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