@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

and that's our problem, not distance, but height. We kick it the required distance, but nowhere near high enough to get our chasers to arrive. So it's an uncontested catch and a simple 7-10m return.

This applies to restarts too

Take a look at the second half restart

Just awful. Was deepish but it was the opposite of hanging - was flat - allowing the boks to catch it with ease and space to run forward leading to an easy exit.

there was a bomb BB put up i think off a lineout that didn't even make the advantage line and we STILL didn't recover

Reiko on bench and Carter , Jordan wings
McKenzie 15 and apparently Christie is benched

I like the BB - DMac 10/15 combo, it has had success in the past, and it's worked much better than the Mo'unga - BB combo. Having a genuine playmaker at the back can take some heat off BB trying to create everything as well.

My assumption is our line up will be

1. Ethan De Groot
2. Samisoni T
3. Fletcher Newall
4. Scott Barrett
5. Tupou Vaii
6. Simon Parker
7. Ardie Savea
8. Wallace Sitti
9. Finley Christie
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Reiko Ioane
15. Will Jordan
16. Brodie M
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Tyrel Lomax
19. Fabian Holland
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Noah Hotham
22. Damian Mckenzie
23. Quinn Tupea

@george33 said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Reiko on bench and Carter , Jordan wings
McKenzie 15 and apparently Christie is benched

Encouraging.
Showing they are adapting and learning.
DMac was far better than Jordan last week.
Suggests Clarke at 11.

@george33 said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Reiko on bench and Carter , Jordan wings
McKenzie 15 and apparently Christie is benched

I heard something similar on the radio , same starting back 3 as that with reiko out of the 23 and love on the bench

@handa457 Won't be far away.

Three main questions:

(i) Which props start and which are on the bench. They may switch this around to create better matches for our guys.

(ii) Who is available at halfback and who plays where - Christie, Ratima, Hotham and Preston all somewhat in contention. I'm inclined to think Christie will be there - benched if Ratima is available, starting if paired with either Hotham or Preston.

(iii) How they configure the back three (and the bench cover).

Liam Napier hinting that Leroy Carter could be in the 23 and usually his oil is impeccable but the actual article seems quite speculative by his standards.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@handa457 Won't be far away.

Three main questions:

(i) Which props start and which are on the bench. They may switch this around to create better matches for our guys.

(ii) Who is available at halfback and who plays where - Christie, Ratima, Hotham and Preston all somewhat in contention. I'm inclined to think Christie will be there - benched if Ratima is available, starting if paired with either Hotham or Preston.

(iii) How they configure the back three (and the bench cover).

Boks are playing a 6' 4" LH off the bench. I like the sound of Williams, McAlister and Newell on our bench. Plenty of cohesion.

@KiwiMurph His team: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Billy Proctor, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Leroy Carter/Caleb Clarke, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Noah Hotham, 8. Wallace Sititi, 7 .Ardie Savea, 6. Simon Parker, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1. Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Ruben Love, 23. Quinn Tupaea.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

I like the BB - DMac 10/15 combo, it has had success in the past, and it's worked much better than the Mo'unga - BB combo. Having a genuine playmaker at the back can take some heat off BB trying to create everything as well.

It was one of the interesting things about that failed '2 playmaker' time for me: DM + either was okay, BB + Mo'unga was godawful.
Not advocating for it, because as I'm sure most are aware by now I think BB should just get the arse, but it was interesting how one guy could make it work whoever he was paired with, and the other two couldn't manage it together.

@george33 said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Reiko on bench and Carter , Jordan wings
McKenzie 15 and apparently Christie is benched

Who covers 12?

@Frank If bench Christie, Tupaea, Rieko?

I know Rieko has been away this week due to the death of his grandmother.

Carter on bench would be a reasonable swap for Rieko. Love at Caketin also would appeal to some, naming no names.

Is Jacobson a roughy for a bench spot? Has he actually made it on to field for ABs so far this year?

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@KiwiMurph His team: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Billy Proctor, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Leroy Carter/Caleb Clarke, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Noah Hotham, 8. Wallace Sititi, 7 .Ardie Savea, 6. Simon Parker, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1. Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Ruben Love, 23. Quinn Tupaea.

Same backline I was told and yes was told Ruben Love will get his spot off the bench at home in Wellington. Left wing and halfback was undecided when I had the word given to me but still haven’t had that confirmation hence why I haven’t posted.

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Is Jacobson a roughy for a bench spot? Has he actually made it on to field for ABs so far this year?

He hasn't.

I don't think he actually adds a lot from the bench. If he's in the 23, I'd rather he was starting.

In saying that, I think he's a better bench option than Kirifi. Would prefer a Lakai or even a Finau over both of them, probably.

@Landers92 the Myth of Dmac social media page posted a similar side

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

He's too jack-of-all-trades.

But maybe if he has another full season at 7 alongside Parker and Sititi then the combo would be worth preserving with, but there are some good loosies coming through so maybe not.

@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

He and Dalton feel like they are in the same boat. Their window is closing. Fast.

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

He and Dalton feel like they are in the same boat. Their window is closing. Fast.

I think Dalton would do pretty well between Sititi and Parker.

@Landers92 said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@KiwiMurph His team: 15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Billy Proctor, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Leroy Carter/Caleb Clarke, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Noah Hotham, 8. Wallace Sititi, 7 .Ardie Savea, 6. Simon Parker, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1. Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Ruben Love, 23. Quinn Tupaea.

Same backline I was told and yes was told Ruben Love will get his spot off the bench at home in Wellington. Left wing and halfback was undecided when I had the word given to me but still haven’t had that confirmation hence why I haven’t posted.

Word is that Hotham has looked pretty sharp so far, but some more work outs tomorrow.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

He and Dalton feel like they are in the same boat. Their window is closing. Fast.

I think Dalton would do pretty well between Sititi and Parker.

Razor doesn't seem to agree

Kirifi must really be impressing in training and on post game analysis.
I was sure he would be one of the first dropped once more players came back.

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Maybe a discussion for another thread but I just don’t think Jacobson is ever going to crack being a regular starter test level. I know he’s had his injury challenges but I feel like the time had passed him by.

He and Dalton feel like they are in the same boat. Their window is closing. Fast.

I think Dalton would do pretty well between Sititi and Parker.

Razor doesn't seem to agree

And thank goodness for that.

@canefan if only Dalton, Luke and Hoskins moved to Wales a couple of years ago.

When do so many want to put our best fullback on the wing, makes no sense to me‍️

@Stag Yeah, I agree. DMac should have always stayed at 15

Carter and Clarke on the wings.
Cant wait to see Carter get a run.

@Stag said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

When do so many want to put our best fullback on the wing, makes no sense to me‍️

Many don’t believe he loses his effectiveness when playing there and on occasions such as this one with narawa unavailable, the back 3 as a collective can be stronger

@chchfanatic said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Carter and Clarke on the wings.
Cant wait to see Carter get a run.

Carter will need to be better under the high ball than he showed for the Chiefs at times. But at least we've got some speed and x-factor on the wings.

@kiwiinmelb don't no did hear Reiko may have pulled out sighting personal reasons

@Stag said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

When do so many want to put our best fullback on the wing, makes no sense to me‍️

Who would be your wings for Saturday?

@Bovidae given our current woes under the high ball, he will fit in...

If Love is on the bench would be quite surprised if Clarke is not in 11, as think if Carter had the nod, they would want specialist wing cover on the bench.

Richie; 'I tried to be consistent throughout my career. Your goal is to be consistent for 2 weeks'.

If Love and Carter are involved I think Razor may have turned a corner.
Let go of the fear of losing.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

@chchfanatic said in All Blacks vs Springboks II:

Carter and Clarke on the wings.
Cant wait to see Carter get a run.

Carter will need to be better under the high ball than he showed for the Chiefs at times. But at least we've got some speed and x-factor on the wings.

What is this thing called x-factor? It’s so elusive that it’s meaning has evaded me….