All Blacks v Argentina I
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Then look out NZ
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From Stuff:
All Blacks No 8 Wallace Sititi will miss the Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Cordoba on Sunday (NZT). Sititi is still recovering from ankle surgery that saw him miss the 3-0 series win against France in New Zealand July. All Blacks coach Scott Robertson confirmed news of Sititi’s delayed comeback from Argentina on Tuesday morning.
If Parker and Lakai are late arrivals that almost guarantees Savea will start at no.8.
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Sititi gooooone
Edit: well, delayed return from surgery.
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Sititi gooooone
Edit: well, delayed return from surgery.
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It’s not going to happen but this seems like a great time for Robertson to try a 6. Vaa’i 7. Savea 8. Finau combination. Sure, the breakdown might be a bit messy. And yeah, Finau hasn’t played at number 8 since 2023 (ahem, against the Western Force).
But the lineout options would be great. And there should be no issue of getting over the gain line. And surely Finau is more of an 8 than he is a lock, and Robertson doesn’t seem to have any qualms of playing him there.
What was it that Scott Robertson said back in July? Oh right:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/565864/test-footy-s-a-big-man-s-game-scott-robertson-explains-all-black-selectionsThis is Test footy and those are some big men. Rugby really is pretty simple when you think about it.
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It’s not going to happen but this seems like a great time for Robertson to try a 6. Vaa’i 7. Savea 8. Finau combination. Sure, the breakdown might be a bit messy. And yeah, Finau hasn’t played at number 8 since 2023 (ahem, against the Western Force).
But the lineout options would be great. And there should be no issue of getting over the gain line. And surely Finau is more of an 8 than he is a lock, and Robertson doesn’t seem to have any qualms of playing him there.
What was it that Scott Robertson said back in July? Oh right:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/565864/test-footy-s-a-big-man-s-game-scott-robertson-explains-all-black-selectionsThis is Test footy and those are some big men. Rugby really is pretty simple when you think about it.
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If you were keen on that, why not Parker at 8? That gives plenty of height and a guy who has been in that shirt a bit lately?
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Sititi gooooone
Edit: well, delayed return from surgery.
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Likely 23 going from latest updates in the media:
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Newell
- Barrett (c)
- Holland
- Va'ai
- Kirifi
- Savea
- Ratima
- Barrett
- Ioane
- Barrett
- Proctor
- Reece
- Jordan
- Taukei'aho
- Norris
- Tosi
- Parker
- Lakai
- Preston/Christie
- McKenzie
- Tavatavanawai/Leinert-Brown
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@Frank said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
I just don't want to see Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time - like ever.
Lol you'll likely see it this week.
According to the Justin Marshall, Razor is a massive fan of Peter Lakai so I doubt we'll see Kirifi and Savea together much longer than this week.
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@Frank said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
I just don't want to see Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time - like ever.
Lol you'll likely see it this week.
According to the Justin Marshall, Razor is a massive fan of Peter Lakai so I doubt we'll see Kirifi and Savea together much longer than this week.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@Frank said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
I just don't want to see Savea and Kirifi on the field at the same time - like ever.
Lol you'll likely see it this week.
According to the Justin Marshall, Razor is a massive fan of Peter Lakai so I doubt we'll see Kirifi and Savea together much longer than this week.
The combo is too small for test rugby.
Lakai has more power, so that'll be an improvement -
Having Savea, Kirifi and Lakai in the 23 goes against everything they are saying about wanting size. Lakai OR Kirifi.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
Having Savea, Kirifi and Lakai in the 23 goes against everything they are saying about wanting size. Lakai OR Kirifi.
Lakai is much more suited to test rugby than Kirifi. He is built like a brick shithouse and will only put on more size as he develops. He's got the power game that not many other loosies have so he will be fine IMO.
I don't think it will be a regular thing. I don't see Kirifi as a permanent fixture in the 23 moving forward, injuries will force their hand this week though. They may choose to have Tuipolotu on the bench and have Parker as loose cover though.
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This is the issue with selecting utility loose forwards instead of specialists. One of your first choice players goes down and you have to shuffle players around. It's also highlighting the issue with naming Lord as injury cover for Jacobson. That cover should've been Lio-Willie, given they refuse to select Sotutu.
As far as Kirifi's concerned, I doubt he'll play many more test matches unless the team continues with the injuries they've had this season.
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If one assumes the late arrivals won’t play, we end up with Vaa’i at 6, Kirifi 7, RD 8 and Finau as bench loosie.
Then Patty T on bench for lock change at some point.
That would mean Finau covering injuries to Vaa’i or RD, and moving to 8 if Kirifi subbed at some point.
