@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs USA:

Playing teams like the USA should be treated like mid-weekers. No one should get a Test cap for this "demonstration effort".

Disagree. That is like the insults NZ Cricket used to get for decades.

Just because you aren't a top tier test team doesn't mean you don't deserve to play tests.
That's the point. You are testing yourselves against another team. That's how you get better and just one reason why the ABs won't be playing a 'demonstration'.
In fact those playing need to show they are worthy of the jersey they are wearing.
We have had plenty of touring players disappear from future squads after playing second tier teams.

Absolutely spot on.

Another plus is it gives the game credibility in the US and helps it grow there.

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@mn5 said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants seriously, there were already big question marks around him being in the team...and we've still taken him even though he had an injury before leaving?

Yeah I certainly would not have the prat anywhere near a black jersey

Sevu Reece is in the team though, what are your thoughts on him ?

Not a fan, can add samisoni to that as well, Reece is a double: a poach and a wife beater.

Man these kind of posts get tedious.

Don't quite get why BB is needed. I would have thought that Reece needs more play and it is another chance to use DMac as a utility. Despite the claims from some that he 'still does the same thing' I think his pivot game has come on hugely. He gets the backs moving forward by delivering nicely weighted passes right in front of them to run on to (something that BB especially struggles with)

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

Don't quite get why BB is needed.

That was my first thought too. I can only assume that the 1st 5 position for the Welsh test is still up for grabs and that BB will play decent minutes in the game at 10. Obviously the quality of the opposition won't tell us much.

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

Don't quite get why BB is needed.

That was my first thought too. I can only assume that the 1st 5 position for the Welsh test is still up for grabs and that BB will play decent minutes in the game at 10. Obviously that quality of the opposition won't tell us much.

That's the reason I thought as well. IF BB travels straight away that is a signal to RM that he has already lost the competition.

A press conference in a couple of hours apparently.

Just clicked that BB is sitting on 98 tests. This gives him a chance to clock up the ton in a 'name' game at a big stadium.

Aumua starting probably means Taukei'aho gets the Italian test, and may even be on the bench next weekend if Coles isn't ready yet.

@daffy-jaffy said in All Blacks vs USA:

1. Ethan de Groot (2)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) - captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)
9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)
16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord - new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

Any UK coverage anybody know?

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

@daffy-jaffy said in All Blacks vs USA:

1. Ethan de Groot (2)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) - captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)
9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)
16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord - new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

Yes every team must always and without exception consist of the top 23. Development is a dirty word.

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

Any UK coverage anybody know?

Premier Sports 2

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team. Not worthy of the name.

A bit insulting.

I'm sure Josh Lord's parents feel very differently.

Sam Cane on the bench.

Pretty inexperienced starting 15 when Dmac as second most caps. That bench though!

Almost 400caps on the bench vs less than 250 in the starting 15!

Strange seeing Aumua starting given the young Chiefs locks but otherwise predictable. Did not realise USA would be missing so many of their best players though.

This is the sort of fixture where Will Jordan could score a million points.

@arhs to be fair it could be his only opportunity this tour unless injuries strike. He deserves another crack after his performance against Argentina.

The one hooker that needs to lift his game is Codie Taylor, I think Samisoni has really put the pressure on him this year so it will be interesting to see what happens as the tour progresses. Samisoni will start a test at some point, probably against the Italians.

Honestly I think if there was a 3rd Springbok test Taukeiaho could have started in it. He's definitely high up in contention.

Who are the 11 flying early to Wales?

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

Who are the 11 flying early to Wales?

From the NZH

While the All Blacks take on the USA in front of over 50,000 at FedEx Field, home of the Washington NFL team in Maryland on Sunday morning, an advanced party of players will make their way to Cardiff 24 hours before the rest of the squad for the next test against Wales.

That group includes Brodie Retallick, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Shannon Frizell, Ethan Blackadder, Ofa Tuungafasi, Akira Ioane and Jordie Barrett.

The vast majority of that contingent will be expected to start next week against Wales. Frizell, who joined the squad in the USA after missing the Rugby Championship, is carrying a shoulder injury suffered while playing for  Ta$man.

@machpants said in All Blacks vs USA:

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs USA:

@machpants seriously, there were already big question marks around him being in the team...and we've still taken him even though he had an injury before leaving?

Yeah I certainly would not have the prat anywhere near a black jersey

A point made on social media:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs USA:

@stargazer said in All Blacks vs USA:

@mariner4life They read the Fern and notice the insecurity and stress some Ferners are suffering from if they don't know the exact time and date of the announcement.

we could wheel out Hawkes Bay B and horsewhip the US, who gives a fuck?

< JC frantically searching for his old boots and mouthguard >

So US of A would be calling anything less than a 100 point loss a success or if they score a five pointer

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team.

Why?

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team.

Why?

Because they selected a Heartland player?

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team.

Why?

Looks like an exciting team that would bend over double against a top group of forwards, which I assume the US of A still doesn't have...
I'd probably swap the starting props with the bench though..

@dice said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team.

Why?

Because they selected a Heartland player?

Yeah that's all I can come up with. Let's see....

A debutant, but in an area where our stocks are awfully low, and off the bench. Green front row, but 2 players who have proven themselves at T1 level and another who is a capable journeyman. One of our best locks and another next gen player beside him. A loose trio who a lot wouldn't have minded seeing together this year. Halfback hasn't been great shakes at SR but looks comfortable in black. 10 could be our best, 14 many think is our best, 15 is our second best, 12 many think could be a future best, 13 keeps getting selected so must be doing something right.

Oh.

George Bridge.

@duluth said in All Blacks vs USA:

Codie

That loose trio will be interesting. I quite like the balance. LJ’s first AB outing for a while at 6.

Will be interesting for Wales if Hoskins rips it up.

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs USA:

This is the sort of fixture where George Bridge Will Jordan could score a million points.

Could be a nightmare..

@bovidae said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

Don't quite get why BB is needed.

That was my first thought too. I can only assume that the 1st 5 position for the Welsh test is still up for grabs and that BB will play decent minutes in the game at 10. Obviously the quality of the opposition won't tell us much.

Maybe he has a bit of a profile in the US (at least among semiknowledgeable fans there) and they want to have a star on the field at some stage? I think some of his more memorable moments have gone somewhat viral.

@billy-tell said in All Blacks vs USA:

Yes every team must always and without exception consist of the top 23. Development is a dirty word.

Who said that? Not I.

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

A bit insulting.

I'm sure Josh Lord's parents feel very differently.

The All Blacks are about pandering to peoples parents?

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

That’s an abortion of a team.

Why?

Not convinced about Aumua, Whitelock the only forward with any decent experience, Christie is poor in my view, Bridge has zero x-factor,

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs USA:

Looks like an exciting team that would bend over double against a top group of forwards, which I assume the US of A still doesn't have...

Yes, I agree. It's a team to beat a poor team.

@bones said in All Blacks vs USA:

Yeah that's all I can come up with. Let's see....

A debutant, but in an area where our stocks are awfully low, and off the bench. Green front row, but 2 players who have proven themselves at T1 level and another who is a capable journeyman. One of our best locks and another next gen player beside him. A loose trio who a lot wouldn't have minded seeing together this year. Halfback hasn't been great shakes at SR but looks comfortable in black. 10 could be our best, 14 many think is our best, 15 is our second best, 12 many think could be a future best, 13 keeps getting selected so must be doing something right.

Oh.

George Bridge.

You are way off with you number 9 call, but rest looks right.

I guess I'll never see Jordan at 15 if he isn't playing there this game.
I think Rieko would have ripped it up in this game.

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

You are way off with you number 9 call

I can't stand Chrsitie for some reason and would be the second (after @antipodean) to call him out if he was bad in black....but I can't. He's done as good a job as any other 9 outside Smith this season (not saying much, but there's no other choice is there).

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

A bit insulting.

I'm sure Josh Lord's parents feel very differently.

The All Blacks are about pandering to peoples parents?

Who said that? Not I.

@bones yeah I'm no fan of Christie, but has looked better in Black than he has in Blue.

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

@majorrage said in All Blacks vs USA:

@crucial said in All Blacks vs USA:

A bit insulting.

I'm sure Josh Lord's parents feel very differently.

The All Blacks are about pandering to peoples parents?

Who said that? Not I.

Touche.

Stand by my point. Have no idea about Josh Lord at all, not seen him play, so not mentioned him. You'll also note that 3 people have mentioned him in reply to my post, so it's hardly fair to suggest I'm the one with an issue with him ...

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks vs USA:

@bones yeah I'm no fan of Christie, but has looked better in Black than he has in Blue.

Like a gazillion times better. He was pretty bad for the Blues - so if he can bring his current level of play to SR next year, imagine how much more dangerous the Blues will be.

@majorrage seen Lord play a couple of times and therefore have no problem with his selection - has plenty of promise, from what I recall, I'd say an early version of PPP, just without the concrete feet. Tall for a Chiefs lock....