the other thing to consider, is the form of players returning from Japan...
@Steven-Harris interviewed Pat after his club game on Saturday, reckons he is in great shape, but, is that great shape for AB rugby?
I hope he pans out, he has all the physical attributes to be a world class lock.
@Daffy-Jaffy Bugger!
3 weeks ago we picked 5 locks, now we have 2, after 1 game. That's quite the attrition rate.
One assumes Patty T will come straight on to the bench. God help us if one of the starters goes down early.
@Duluth said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
So Retallick/Barrett with Lord on the bench?
Lord is out for year. Guess it means Barrett to lock, Akira to 6?
@KiwiMurph I think Gallagher is a good candidate for the All Blacks XV, later in the year.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
Far out I'm glad we control World Rugby as that deserves a citing
The ghost of Paddy O’Brien lives on!
@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Duluth said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
So Retallick/Barrett with Lord on the bench?
Lord is out for year. Guess it means Barrett to lock, Akira to 6?
really? i'd missed it was that serious
I’d bring one of the Maori locks in for cover. Both of them acquitted themselves pretty well in that first tour match.
Quinten Strange won't be far away.
Fozzie has picked him previously, he got injured before getting a game.
@Duluth said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Bovidae Hmmm that suggests Ioane's foot might still be a problem
It could just be to make up numbers for training, and the location.
Tuipulotu was with the ABs in Auckland so they (the coaches) will know if he is ready to be a reserve.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
Quinten Strange won't be far away.
Fozzie has picked him previously, he got injured before getting a game.
Never seen him stand out at Super level. Seems hyped.
My take is that if Patty T gets through training and demonstrates he has the fitness then he’s on the bench. Dickson is match fit ready to go if he’s not.
Frizell is for training purposes only as they’ll need a blindside to run against the starters with Barrett moving to lock for training and PGS or Papali’i will run with the starters at 6. All assuming Ioane is not doing full contact training
Under the 12-day World Rugby stand down protocols, Whitelock is now expected to be unavailable for the remainder of the series.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks Vs Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Duluth Lord was ruled out a few days after squad naming wasnt he?
Jeez so we go from 3 locks in the starting XV, to having to bring a player straight from Japan on the bench!
