@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Japan:

Here you go folks. Backline for this weekend.

9. Cam Roigard
10. Dmac
11. Mark Tele’a
12. ALB
13. Billy Proctor
14. Sevu Reece
15. 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.

BB with 130+ caps is obvs first choie for Razor, he picks experience esp on the back of a good team performance. Not saying I agree, but I reckon BB for Eng and the next 2 - DMac on the bench

@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.

@ARHS Lakai?

@Tim said in All Blacks v Japan:

@ARHS Lakai?

He will likely start if they don't utilise Cane.

Lakai is now part of the AB squad, so will be involved. Rooming with Cane.

@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:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. 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:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. 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.

Disappointing forward selections if this is true.

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.

@Bovidae That team will take care of Japan no problem.

Suggests they (currently) see Ratima as their number one halfback.

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:

1. Tamaiti Williams

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Pasilio Tosi

4. Scott Barrett (c)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Sam Cane

8. Wallace Sititi

9. Cam Roigard

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Anton Lienert-Brown

13. Billy Proctor

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

16. George Bell

17. Ethan de Groot

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Sam Darry

20. Peter Lakai

21. Cortez Ratima

22. David Havili

23. 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:

View image

Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved

Impact: Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell and George Bell

Some stupid penalties, 1m of carries, and increased belief in the red and black bias

@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

It isn’t much, but it’s honest work.

See you again next week for another early announcement.

A bolder selector would have started Peter Lakai and Ruben Love.

I would have preferred to see AJ Lam or Quinn Tupaea as the midfield sub ahead of David Havili.

No complaints about the rest. A good side.

@reprobate said in All Blacks v Japan:

@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.

And yet here you are!

@JK said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks v Japan:

View image

Dunn how they can call the bench "Impact" when Havili is involved

Since Niggles isn't there DH offers dominant injury cover.

Wings looks slow with little speedy cover - IMO Lam would have been more valuable bench cover than DH, and they certainly have enough FB cover..