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..

Last chance saloon for Finau IMO. He needs to show some smash em bro.

@sparky said in All Blacks v Japan:

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

Perhaps they're spooked by the thought of the being the coach that lost to Japan?

Interesting to speculate the loosies had Paps, Niggles, Iron Thumb and Hoss not all been injured.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Japan:

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..

Agreed. I’m guessing for this game wing cover is ALB, they have used him there a few times before.

@Landers92 Steve Borthwick says hi and thanks

@Landers92 The second coming of Kahui

@nostrildamus have to agree with that. This tour will be make or break for the six position. But the issue is that the depth is non existent. Two out and out six’s in the squad. I suspect this tour will be a patch work job for the back row and next year will see Sititi at 8, Lakai at 7, and a shootout for six for the rest

@antipodean said in All Blacks v Japan:

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

But if they don't

LOOK OUT

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Japan:

Last chance saloon for Finau IMO. He needs to show some smash em bro.

I’m sure some puny Japanese first five will get the ball in a vulnerable position and get poleaxed

@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks v Japan:

@nostrildamus have to agree with that. This tour will be make or break for the six position. But the issue is that the depth is non existent. Two out and out six’s in the squad. I suspect this tour will be a patch work job for the back row and next year will see Sititi at 8, Lakai at 7, and a shootout for six for the rest

Haig. I could well be wrong (oh such early days) but I think he could become a good AB 6.

@MN5 said in All Blacks v Japan:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v Japan:

Last chance saloon for Finau IMO. He needs to show some smash em bro.

I’m sure some puny Japanese first five will get the ball in a vulnerable position and get poleaxed

@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks v Japan:

@nostrildamus have to agree with that. This tour will be make or break for the six position. But the issue is that the depth is non existent. Two out and out six’s in the squad. I suspect this tour will be a patch work job for the back row and next year will see Sititi at 8, Lakai at 7, and a shootout for six for the rest

No such thing as a 6 anymore, 6s and 8s are one and the same.

@nostrildamus oh I’m 100% on the Haig bandwagon but not this tour. That’s a baptism of fire

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks v Japan:

@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks v Japan:

@nostrildamus have to agree with that. This tour will be make or break for the six position. But the issue is that the depth is non existent. Two out and out six’s in the squad. I suspect this tour will be a patch work job for the back row and next year will see Sititi at 8, Lakai at 7, and a shootout for six for the rest

No such thing as a 6 anymore, 6s and 8s are one and the same.

hmmmmmmmm

@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks v Japan:

@nostrildamus oh I’m 100% on the Haig bandwagon but not this tour. That’s a baptism of fire

oh yeah. Not for awhile, maybe another season or two.

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Japan:

@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.

Roigard is the future.

Freak of a player.

@Jet said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Japan:

@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.

Roigard is the future.

Freak of a player.

I’ll just tag @Canes4life so he can get on the bandwagon

@MN5 said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Jet said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v Japan:

@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.

Roigard is the future.

Freak of a player.

I’ll just tag @Canes4life so he can get on the bandwagon

He's driving the bandwagon!

Is there room for a camshaft joke here?

Sititi-Roigard-DMac. Plenty of go forward there.
Might have a new no 8 by years end.
Razor needs to look after Ratima too. The guy has been brilliant for us this year.