All Blacks vs Tonga
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So, if you take Mo'unga, Retallick, Goodhue and SBW out as injured - and maybe Rieko.
Then Moli, Coles, Cane and Weber are the guys not getting a run. Maybe Coles and Cane are carrying niggles - otherwise slightly surprising they're not in the 23.
I'd guess they're looking to pair Josh Ioane with Aaron Smith, so TJ starts with Beauden.
@Chris-B i think reading anything in to this week at all is completely pointless from our external point of view. Everything about this will be based on internal metrics. Expected outcomes will be on a micro level, and probably the opposite of what we expect. Training loads, niggles, player welfare, all of those will come well before the actual game.
It's a slightly tougher training run against 23 blokes operating with a different plan to our 31 blokes.
The game itself is probably well down the list of priorities.
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The josh ioane selection is an interesting one ,
If mounga or Barrett have a niggle in the pool rounds , josh won’t be available as a bail out .
I guess they see him as a valued standby player , and there may be benefits keeping him involved.
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The josh ioane selection is an interesting one ,
If mounga or Barrett have a niggle in the pool rounds , josh won’t be available as a bail out .
I guess they see him as a valued standby player , and there may be benefits keeping him involved.
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
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@Chris-B i think reading anything in to this week at all is completely pointless from our external point of view. Everything about this will be based on internal metrics. Expected outcomes will be on a micro level, and probably the opposite of what we expect. Training loads, niggles, player welfare, all of those will come well before the actual game.
It's a slightly tougher training run against 23 blokes operating with a different plan to our 31 blokes.
The game itself is probably well down the list of priorities.
@mariner4life You're pretty much right, I'd imagine.
I think they would have quite liked to have given their top team a hit out before the big dance, but they won't be risking anyone who's not 100%.
They unfortunately can't all be wrapped in cotton wool, though - need to play some rugby!
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@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
I hate your imagination.
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@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
this would be monumentally stupid
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@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Hard to know what to read into that selection.
No Ioane, no midfield cover and Pat T ahead of Barrett probably the most interesting points.Jordie will be midfield cover. Pat is better than Scott. Scott's never dominated a game like Pat did against Australia.
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Based on "you're only as good as your last game", I am.
@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Hard to know what to read into that selection.
No Ioane, no midfield cover and Pat T ahead of Barrett probably the most interesting points.Jordie will be midfield cover. Pat is better than Scott. Scott's never dominated a game like Pat did against Australia.
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Based on "you're only as good as your last game", I am.
While that gets said a lot im not sure it is the best basis to assess anything on. It ignores too many factors.
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Like the look of the team.
Opportunity for :
BFA and Scott Barrett to bounce back from the disappointment of Perth.
Reece and Bridge to nail down starting roles Vs Boks.
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
Beauden Barrett to remind everyone what a good First-Five he is.
The Tight Five to send out a signal.
Jordie Barrett to prove the haters and doubters wrong.
Jacobson to get on the park for the All Blacks in front of his hometown mates.
Josh Ioane to make his ABs debut.
Reado, Crotty, BFA and Todd to play their last games in NZ. -
Like the look of the team.
Opportunity for :
BFA and Scott Barrett to bounce back from the disappointment of Perth.
Reece and Bridge to nail down starting roles Vs Boks.
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
Beauden Barrett to remind everyone what a good First-Five he is.
The Tight Five to send out a signal.
Jordie Barrett to prove the haters and doubters wrong.
Jacobson to get on the park for the All Blacks in front of his hometown mates.
Josh Ioane to make his ABs debut.
Reado, Crotty, BFA and Todd to play their last games in NZ. -
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
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Like the look of the team.
Opportunity for :
BFA and Scott Barrett to bounce back from the disappointment of Perth.
Reece and Bridge to nail down starting roles Vs Boks.
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
Beauden Barrett to remind everyone what a good First-Five he is.
The Tight Five to send out a signal.
Jordie Barrett to prove the haters and doubters wrong.
Jacobson to get on the park for the All Blacks in front of his hometown mates.
Josh Ioane to make his ABs debut.
Reado, Crotty, BFA and Todd to play their last games in NZ.@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
BFA and Scott Barrett to bounce back from the disappointment of Perth.
Reece and Bridge to nail down starting roles Vs Boks.
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
Beauden Barrett to remind everyone what a good First-Five he is.
The Tight Five to send out a signal.
Jordie Barrett to prove the haters and doubters wrong.it is my very real belief that not one of these is dependent on this weekend.
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@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Opportunity for :
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
I think Messers Williams and Goodhue will likely have something to say about that.
@Gunner said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@sparky said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Opportunity for :
Crotty and ALB to establish themselves as the first-choice starting midfield for RWC.
I think Messers Williams and Goodhue will likely have something to say about that.
Be something odd if they didn't. Fierce competition for places in the midfield.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
this would be monumentally stupid
@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@kiwiinmelb I'd imagine both Josh and Jordie will get time at 10 in the second half. They might both spend time at 10/15.
this would be monumentally stupid
Foster is in charge of the backs isn't he?
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BFA needs a big game if he is to force his way into the starting XV.
I will be interested in what positions SB, Jacobson and JB play when they take the field.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
BFA needs a big game if he is to force his way into the starting XV.
I will be interested in what positions SB, Jacobson and JB play when they take the field.
I suspect if we have a lead Whitelock and Read will be replaced. Scott to lock and Jacobson to blindside.
Given the niggles in the camp who is selected is not surprising. Plus if history is to go by, a huge risk playing SBW and Crotty in the same 23
Jordie covering midfield, wing and fullback.
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@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
The great thing about flashy new toys is that you only need them for Christmas/New Year period. We only need Reece to perform at the RWC and then let’s see where it goes.
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Hansen confirmed that Rieko Ioane, the other outside back casualty at Eden Park recently, was not considered due to a tight calf and neither was Sonny Bill Williams, due to a similar issue. Sam Cane (tight hamstring), Jack Goodhue (hamstring) and Richie Mo'unga (sore shoulder) are the other absentees.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12265160
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@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
The great thing about flashy new toys is that you only need them for Christmas/New Year period. We only need Reece to perform at the RWC and then let’s see where it goes.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
The great thing about flashy new toys is that you only need them for Christmas/New Year period. We only need Reece to perform at the RWC and then let’s see where it goes.
I'd prefer we rely on Ioane (who's performed for a couple of years now and his drop in form has been blown way out of proportion) and Bridge who looks to be the next long term Ben Smith/Cory Jane style player.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
The great thing about flashy new toys is that you only need them for Christmas/New Year period. We only need Reece to perform at the RWC and then let’s see where it goes.
I'd prefer we rely on Ioane (who's performed for a couple of years now and his drop in form has been blown way out of proportion) and Bridge who looks to be the next long term Ben Smith/Cory Jane style player.
@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
@pukunui said in All Blacks vs Tonga:
Im definitely not sold on the Bridge/Reece combo.
Why is that?
To clarify that probably should have been followed by “as our first choice combo”
I just don’t think it is the best one we can put on the park. Ioane/Smith still #1 for me if BB is at 15.
If Smith is at 15 i would have Bridge in the conversation for 14 but they don’t seem to want to play him there.
With Reece i just don’t rate him that highly yet. He hasn’t done anything in an AB wingers jersey that someone like Jordie hasn’t and he was about as good in Super rugby as Ben Lam was a season or two back. For now i put him firmly in the “flashy new toy” category.
The great thing about flashy new toys is that you only need them for Christmas/New Year period. We only need Reece to perform at the RWC and then let’s see where it goes.
I'd prefer we rely on Ioane (who's performed for a couple of years now and his drop in form has been blown way out of proportion) and Bridge who looks to be the next long term Ben Smith/Cory Jane style player.
I'd prefer we rely on the form winger rather than the grossly out of form winger.
The way Bridge hunted out the ball during the last Bled was enough for me to want to see a lot more of that
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I am still surprised they haven't looked at Bridge on the right wing. Maybe the injury to Ioane has prevented that in this test, but it seems that it is Bridge or Ioane on the left and BFA or Reece on the right. Ioane did play on the right wing for the Blues in at least one game IIRC.
