@DaGrubster 1.2 million across the UK have access to TNT. 18 million have access to Sky Sports. 19 million have access to Amazon Prime. Everyone has access to the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on free to air so of course the guardians of the game choose the option that fewest people have. 
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@sparky said in All Blacks v Japan:
@DaGrubster 1.2 million across the UK have access to TNT. 18 million have access to Sky Sports. 19 million have access to Amazon Prime. Everyone has access to the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on free to air so of course the guardians of the game choose the option that fewest people have.
Yeah, it’s pretty poor putting it on TNT.
Rugby fans in the UK get a raw deal as you have to have 4 subscriptions to watch all the various rugby competitions.
@DaGrubster can watch on Munster TV (will cost €10) and for the Georgia game, you can watch on NZR+
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:
Here you go folks. Backline for this weekend.
- Cam Roigard
- Dmac
- Mark Tele’a
- ALB
- Billy Proctor
- Sevu Reece
- Stephen Perofeta
Bench
21. TJ Perenara
22. David Havili
23. Ruben Love
Pretty pleased with that to be honest.
Roigard needs rugby and to build a combination with McKenzie.
McKenzie needs to keep playing because he is central to everything we're trying to do - and the game plan hasn't fully meshed yet.
With Jordie injured ALB needs to play, and Proctor deserves more opportunities.
Don't really know why you would have TJ or Havili on the bench, but that's incidental.
@reprobate the only concern is they now see Beauden as our starting 10 after the Wallabies win. I will be sure to get the popcorn ready to see your reaction if that is the case 
Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.
I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Japan:
@reprobate the only concern is they now see Beauden as our starting 10 after the Wallabies win. I will be sure to get the popcorn ready to see your reaction if that is the case
lets them pick WJ at 15 though. And BB is a placeholder until Richie comes home right?
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Japan:
@reprobate the only concern is they now see Beauden as our starting 10 after the Wallabies win. I will be sure to get the popcorn ready to see your reaction if that is the case
faaaaaaaark don't even think that bro, Robertson might hear you.
We won't know who they see as the first choice 10 until the team is named to play England.
Entirely possible, that they want to give DMac and Roigard a run together because they've never played together.
I think it is probable that Ratima and Barrett will start next week with DMac and Roigard on the bench, but far from certain.
@frugby said in All Blacks v Japan:
We won't know who they see as the first choice 10 until the team is named to play England.
Entirely possible, that they want to give DMac and Roigard a run together because they've never played together.
I think it is probable that Ratima and Barrett will start next week with DMac and Roigard on the bench, but far from certain.
I think I'm correct in saying McKenzie started every game except the last one, which was a dead rubber against the Aussies - and Robertson said specifically that it was always planned to give Beauden a run at 10.
I reckon that makes it abundantly clear who the first choice 10 is, and I won't have you messing with my mental health.
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:
Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.
I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.
I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.
Kinda thought Lio Willie is logical replacement for Luke J on bench, to keep Cane and Savea on ice for UK
Sincerely hope TJ is only in the squad as injury cover for the two young 'uns and to pass on hairdressing tips.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks v Japan:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:
Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.
I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.
I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.
Hard to imagine it won't be Haig or CLW, but Holland a chance if they really want to rest their locks.
@frugby said in All Blacks v Japan:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks v Japan:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:
Stoked for Proctor, more than deserved. Ruben Love should be starting at 15 imo, to think he’s been around the squad since the England series and hasn’t had a single minute and now he’s getting capped off the bench. Dont see him getting a lot of time against the big teams in the UK so why not get big minutes now.
I struggle to get the forward pack line up but I have been told that there is a real chance an AB XV player that is training with the team will be named in the 23.
I'm very hopeful it is one of our lads Haig or Holland. Will be so cool to see one of those two debut.
Hard to imagine it won't be Haig or CLW, but Holland a chance if they really want to rest their locks.
Yeah looking at the players unavailable, I'm leaning towards it being Haig. That might just be hopeful thinking on my behalf. He also looks like a potential option to be the final player added to the full squad too. The locks seem relatively settled and untouched by injury. Probably depends on how they have performed in front of the coaches this week too.
@Machpants how is he obvious first choice when Dmac has started all bar one game
To me Dmac is the first choice and will start the big games
All Blacks team vs Japan:
Tamaiti Williams
Asafo Aumua
Pasilio Tosi
Scott Barrett (c)
Patrick Tuipulotu
Samipeni Finau
Sam Cane
Wallace Sititi
Cam Roigard
Damian McKenzie
Mark Tele'a
Anton Lienert-Brown
Billy Proctor
Sevu Reece
Stephen Perofeta
George Bell
Ethan de Groot
Fletcher Newell
Sam Darry
Peter Lakai
Cortez Ratima
David Havili
Ruben Love
Scott Barret presumably plays all big tests.
Not sure why he starts against Japan.
(You were wrong on that one)
Great to see Roigard starting and Sititi at 8.
Hope Lakai gets some good minutes.
@darylmitchell said in All Blacks v Japan:
All Blacks team vs Japan:
Tamaiti Williams
Asafo Aumua
Pasilio Tosi
Scott Barrett (c)
Patrick Tuipulotu
Samipeni Finau
Sam Cane
Wallace Sititi
Cam Roigard
Damian McKenzie
Mark Tele'a
Anton Lienert-Brown
Billy Proctor
Sevu Reece
Stephen Perofeta
George Bell
Ethan de Groot
Fletcher Newell
Sam Darry
Peter Lakai
Cortez Ratima
David Havili
Ruben Love
Is this a confirmation or an assumption of what you think the team will be?
This would seem bizarrely strong in the forwards... makes the selection of Lord a little puzzling, because if he wasn't to play this game, then when else would he play? Also thought they would have wanted to give Ofa a run.
Pretty happy with that. Have to remember they haven't played a game in quite a while, and this is the only warm-up. Complete rest for Vaai, Lomax, Taylor, Savea who have had the heaviest workload I'd think. Good opportunity for the other front rowers to start. Hopefully Ethan is just doing lots of running. Expect Lord on for Barrett early.
If we had a rapid traditional style 7 there, you'd just about be looking at a balanced trio, but Cane is a long way from that now - still, good to see Samipeni get another run and Sititi at 8. Be nice to see them operate with Lakai on for Cane early - although Sititi coming off would be better for managing minutes.
Chuckling that this coaching staff can't find it in themselves to give a player a debut start vs Japan.
Fairly predictable.
The advance party leaves on Friday so maybe we get to know who they are at the press conference.
@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:
Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.
I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness
@darylmitchell said in All Blacks v Japan:
All Blacks team vs Japan:
Tamaiti Williams
Asafo Aumua
Pasilio Tosi
Scott Barrett (c)
Patrick Tuipulotu
Samipeni Finau
Sam Cane
Wallace Sititi
Cam Roigard
Damian McKenzie
Mark Tele'a
Anton Lienert-Brown
Billy Proctor
Sevu Reece
Stephen Perofeta
George Bell
Ethan de Groot
Fletcher Newell
Sam Darry
Peter Lakai
Cortez Ratima
David Havili
Ruben Love
Yeah nah. Cf actual team named.
@canefan said in All Blacks v Japan:
@Frank said in All Blacks v Japan:
Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.
I think they will be happy for him to start while giving Cam plenty of time to build his fitness
I don't think fitness is the issue, it's more getting his confidence back by playing minutes. I think there's nothing wrong with Ratima starting on this tour with Cam coming off the bench but I feel that role will be reversed once Roigard is back up to speed again.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Japan:
Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved
@Machpants said in All Blacks v Japan:
Impact: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell
Some stupid penalties, 1m of carries, and increased belief in the red and black bias
hopefully Bell's improved and the barn door is now in danger
