Bell does start.
All Blacks XV
Match thread
Japan
Strangely, as soon as I read Strange, I started to worry.
But exclude that and fuck that's a good B side (when you consider it's a C side).
Would have preferred Fakatava and Thompson to start, especially because Bell has hardly played, this year, but at least Thompson hasn't been dumped, which I was afraid they'd do (like last year). I would also have preferred Rakete-Stones on the bench, but I guess this was always going to happen because you don't call up a player and then not give him game time and they weren't going to drop Ainsley or Ross, obviously.
@Stargazer Could never guess what team you support!
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
You've got to think they're really looking hard at PGS for a world cup surprise ticket, have involved him in plans last year but don't want too much material available for opposition?
Kudos if so, because they've clearly also been up front with him about his role.
@frugby Haha. If I'd added in my other likes or preferences it might have been less obvious, but I reckoned others would post the same thing.
But here you go: I'm happy to see Harmon get the start; I'm unhappy that Sullivan has been dropped for Lam, who I found very disappointing this year, and Sullivan was great last week, but the same applies here: all will get a run. Nanai-Setura has similarly been dropped for Nareki.
@Duluth said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
Don't really see the point of playing PGS. Would've like to have seen Lio-Willie again.. or if they wanted size in the trio try Suafoa at 8
yeah, as much as i dont like it...i can understand when they pick departing players for the AB's...if theyre the clear fav in a position....but if the ABXV isn't abouta stepping stone from super to international for the next generation....im not sure whats it for
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.
The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team
A bit of both, surely. Expose a greater number of players to international, esp now as we only play Oz
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
we only play Oz
?
In SR, and Fiji I guess. Moana just a kiwi team.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV v Japan:
@Kiwiwomble The ABs XV are used as the back-up pool for the ABs, in case an AB gets injured. It's a 2nd XV, not a development team.
The games are used to keep them match fit, and - I suppose - to determine a pecking order if there isn't one already.
but in the case where 1st - 3rd choice in each position are off with the AB's...these guys have to be at best 3rd choice (some overlap im sure) but mostly 4th - 6th...that sounds perfect for development, feeling like saying we'd rather spend money on guys we know are leaving purely to avoid something 2011 RWC 1st 5 situation is what will piss of young guys coming through