So what was the point of selecting so many midfield backs in the original squad?

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks XV vs Ireland A:

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As a comparison, here is the team that played the Māori in Hamilton. Obviously a few first-choice players in this team.

1 Jeremy Loughman 2. Dave Heffernan 3. Tom O’Toole 4. Kieran Treadwell 5. Joe McCarthy 6. Cian Prendergast 7. Nick Timoney 8. Gavin Coombes 9. Craig Casey 10. Ciaran Frawley 11. Keith Earls 12. Bundee Aki (c) 13. Jamie Hume 14. Jordan Larmour 15. Jimmy O’Brien

Reserves: 16. Niall Scannell 17. Cian Healy 18. Finlay Bealham 19. Ryan Baird 20. Jack Conan 21. Conor Murray 22. Joey Carbery 23. Michael Lowry

@Bovidae

All Blacks XV: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Tevita Mafileo, 4-Josh Dickson, 5-Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6-Dominic Gardiner, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-AJ Lam, 12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Shaun Stevenson, 15-Ruben Love

Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Christian Lio-Willie, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Alex Nankivell

Damian gets his big chance to see if he's got it as a 10

Anyone established if this is being screened in the UK? Can’t find any evidence.

@scribe The game will be shown live on Virgin Media Two with coverage starting at 7.00pm. It will also be streamed on the Virgin Media Player. according to the Independent.ie

Over 3 times the amount of test experience in the starting XV. This should be a strong victory to the ABXV honestly.

All Blacks XV:
1-Aidan Ross (1)
2-Brodie McAlister
3-Tevita Mafileo
4-Josh Dickson
5-Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (43)
6-Dominic Gardiner
7-Luke Jacobson (12)
8-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
9-TJ Perenara (78)
10-Damian McKenzie (40)
11-AJ Lam
12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (3)
13-Braydon Ennor (6)
14-Shaun Stevenson
15-Ruben Love

Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Christian Lio-Willie, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Josh Ioane (1), 23-Alex Nankivell

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks XV vs Ireland A:

@scribe The game will be shown live on Virgin Media Two with coverage starting at 7.00pm. It will also be streamed on the Virgin Media Player. according to the Independent.ie

I believe they’re Irish channels only so will require a VPN.

@Frye said in All Blacks XV vs Ireland A:

Over 3 times the amount of test experience in the starting XV.

It is all in the books of three players though, with a massive amount in one.

Will the All Blacks XV do the haka before the match? I couldn’t remember if the JABs did it before they were disbanded.

@ACT-Crusader The Junior ABs did do a haka. Don't all NZ rep teams?

v Tonga (2009):

v Samoa (2007):

Our pack might get outgunned here. Backs look more potent though.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV vs Ireland A:

Will the All Blacks XV do the haka before the match? I couldn’t remember if the JABs did it before they were disbanded.

TJ Perenara confirmed on Thursday that there would be a haka.

Is no one watching this?

Just turned it on.

Stevenson looking sharp. Lot of penalties against us so far.

@Crucial Can’t. VPN not working

@Crucial Yep.

Jeez wtf was that from Ennor.

Shocker of a pass - between 7 and 14.

TJ done again by the player standing in the ruck knocking his arm when he picks up the ball
I get that it is technically correct but it is a really dumb law interpretation IMO. Disruptive and negative and encourages “snakes” at rucks to clear the ball.
Faf dK was YCd for doing it not long back. That’s how stupid it looks to the eye.

Strong runs by Patrick

Great angle change to take the catch by Stevenson

2 crap pieces from Ennor , poor pass and a nothing kick

@Canes4life said in All Blacks XV vs Ireland A:

Jeez wtf was that from Ennor.

Yep

DMac s direction and kicking from hand very good so far.

Ensor however

Beautiful try.

@Duluth Yeah, both are standouts so far.

Lovely try by Stevenson, nice cross kick by DMac

Like the kicking options as we all know the Irish are gonna be up on the rush defensive

Nice hit from Ennor.

Really frustrated this is not on in the UK.

Thanks for any updates, all appreciated

Needed to go wide there.

Not smart from Love

Great run and offload from MMT to Perenara.

@Steven-Harris He's been sharp coming into the line.

Inside balls and smart kick options , hope Fozzy is watching this

Nice lineout steal from Tuipulotu earlier.

This back three looking dangerous.

For a new squad, this team looks well organized ..... sigh

DMac getting some rubbish passes from TJ.
Hope we get to see a Roigard/DMac combo for a spell