All Blacks v Ireland II
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Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
A pissed off Kaino would have been useful in this fixture but we will survive.
@rotated said in Ireland II:
Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
Fekitoa will be fine. He's played well enough in black all year and he'll be particularly good with ALB creating. Defensively he's the best centre running around in New Zealand.
@akan004 said in Ireland II:
Prefer PT on the bench over Barrett. Other than that it's a good team and should be too strong for Ireland.
Ordinarily, I'd say that the coaches would agree, but it seems they're a bit gun shy after the injuries in Chicago and that both our locks are coming back from issues.
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What time is Kick off?
I'm on a golf trip this weekend kicking off tomorrow. If it is the middle of the night I will miss it. (I've missed the last two game too)
@Hooroo said in Ireland II:
What time is Kick off?
I'm on a golf trip this weekend kicking off tomorrow. If it is the middle of the night I will miss it. (I've missed the last two game too)
630am
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With Whitelock back, this is a very predictable squad to me. Not surprised at all by SBarrett being preferred over PT after his two great performances. I found PT quite underwhelming in most of the games he played this season.
Kaino is definitely a big loss to the squad. Squire will have to show what he's made of. Depending on the seriousness of Kaino's injury, I wonder whether they will keep Tom Franklin in Europe, now that the Maori tour is over? As injury cover? (I wouldn't mind Shane Christie either, btw).
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I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey. S Barrett has looked money in his two All Black appearances. Ireland looked ready for our big physical runners in Chicago and held up PT a number of times (he was running quite upright). Barrett provides different question marks to the defence.
@KiwiMurph said in Ireland II:
I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey.
Squire's probably been a bit undercooked by the AB management. He wasn't released for any gametime for the Mako$, so going into the Chicago test he'd had one full game against Argentina and four appearances off the bench in about three months.
http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/profile.asp?ABID=1151
I'm thinking him, Sam Cane and Aaron Smith should all be significantly better for having a bit of game time under their belts.
Lets hope Whitelock and Retallick are up-to-speed.
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PT could have helped himself by not going AWOL while he was on the field. No qualms from me about him being left right out.
@Donsteppa Same applies to every other forward who started that game. Very selective to focus on him.
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@Donsteppa now you've done it, you have upset the Canerbry of Auckland rugby!
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@Donsteppa Same applies to every other forward who started that game. Very selective to focus on him.
@Tim at least @Donsteppa isnt actually wrong for once though
Moody went missing the most though....
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@Donsteppa now you've done it, you have upset the Canerbry of Auckland rugby!
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Slightly nervous about Moody starting - if he has another game full of indiscipline, there will be Qs for Joe & Steve to answer.
Disappointed Kaino injured, but Squire is probably the best option. Squire has been a major mover this year, from Highlanders bench to core AB23 player.
No problem with the backs - I suppose I should follow the herd and criticise Savea and bemoan Naholo not starting...but I won't because I agree with the selection.
On the bench, I agree too. PT has been a major disappointment in his 2 recent games - didn't think he was that impressive against Italy either...he needs a big Super 18 season, and hoping the ABs continue with a lock on the bench.
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Slightly nervous about Moody starting - if he has another game full of indiscipline, there will be Qs for Joe & Steve to answer.
Disappointed Kaino injured, but Squire is probably the best option. Squire has been a major mover this year, from Highlanders bench to core AB23 player.
No problem with the backs - I suppose I should follow the herd and criticise Savea and bemoan Naholo not starting...but I won't because I agree with the selection.
On the bench, I agree too. PT has been a major disappointment in his 2 recent games - didn't think he was that impressive against Italy either...he needs a big Super 18 season, and hoping the ABs continue with a lock on the bench.
@Billy-Tell no coments thus far that Naholo should start over Savea?
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when Kaino is unavailable , it hits home how handy Messam was
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@KiwiMurph not since the team naming though??
all you said above was
Julian Savea needs a much better performance than the rubbish he served up in Chicago.
I was more pointintg to the comment by Willy
No problem with the backs - I suppose I should follow the herd and criticise Savea and bemoan Naholo not starting...but I won't because I agree with the selection.
I think Savea deserves most of the shit he has copped, but Naholo isnt doing enough to dsiplace him at the moment, which is saying somethign IMO.
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Fair point. I'm saying it now. He should. I don't see Savea and Naholo being held to the same standard if i'm honest. Savea produced some terrible mistakes in Chicago, meanwhile Naholo was dangerous against Italy and his mistake rate has come way down this year in tests.
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Fair point. I'm saying it now. He should. I don't see Savea and Naholo being held to the same standard if i'm honest. Savea produced some terrible mistakes in Chicago, meanwhile Naholo was dangerous against Italy and his mistake rate has come way down this year in tests.
@KiwiMurph I agree to an extent, I think Naholo has more of an upside when on his game, but I think both are quite a way off thier game.
Although I think that running the ball dead a fortnight ago was very, very poor.
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In a perfect world I would read 11. Piutua...but the world is not perfect so I'll take "1 try a match" savea. The whole team was rubbish in Chicago including savea but I don't think Hansen should drop 15 players not should savea be singled out.
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How the fuck does JSavea earn so much redemption? Exactly what has he done to show Shag and co he has upped his game? And when does Sops get a start?
Fuck if it is shitty weather and comes down to goal-kicking I hope bloody Barrett and Cruds have their kicking boots..
It almost may have been better for a 6-2 split as you can guarantee Ireland will mauk all night
