@Bovidae said in Japan v All Blacks:

This is the team that Knowler thinks could be selected.

Possible All Blacks starting XV: Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Braydon Ennor, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali'i, Akira Ioane, Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower.

View embedded content

I'd select a stronger XV by starting Mo'unga and having Perofeta at fullback myself. DMac on the bench.

That looks like a team that Japan would be very happy to face

The 2018 match. Teams, highlights and top fern comments: https://www.thesilverfern.com/match/2018-11-03-japan-allblacks/

@gt12 said in Japan v All Blacks:

@Crucial

That’s ugly.

Thus far, draw appears to be a pretty crucial factor in winning a WC.

Unless there is an upset and things go pear-shaped for another strong team, I think we have our worse chance ever to win it, and that’s not only due to the weakness of this team.

Do you mean the potential RWC run of games?

That has been known for a long time. It's why some of the comments around the chances of the ABs are quite ridiculous. The draw has the top four teams (currently) ranked all on one side of the draw and two will get knocked out in the quarters.
The chances of a quarter final exit are high and that's not because we are shit but because either one of SA or IRE can beat us on the day. We are all about on par IMO.

So back on discussion (which is a diversion in itself). Unless you get a very lucky draw you always have to be strong for 3 games in a row at a RWC.

Knowler was wrong.

@Bovidae

I thought Coles was out of this tour. I was hoping they might have given Perofeta a run at 1st. With Richie in the reserves just in case

1. George Bower (19)
2. Dane Coles (84)
3. Nepo Laualala (42)
4. Brodie Retallick (98)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (15)
6. Shannon Frizell (21)
7. Sam Cane (85) (captain)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (12)
9. Finlay Christie (12)
10. Richie Mo’unga (41)
11. Caleb Clarke (11)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2)
13. Braydon Ennor (5)
14. Sevu Reece (21)
15. Stephen Perofeta (1)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (17)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (48)
18. Tyrel Lomax (20)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (42)
20. Dalton Papali’i (18)
21. Aaron Smith (111)
22. David Havili (21)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (56)

Spread at 29 pts.

Cant remember, but think I might be right on this ..was the last time Sam Cane played Japan in Japan, Sir Ritchie McCaw actually played number 8?

Pretty much the logic I thought they would apply but I'm disappointed they don't seem to plan on using Perofeta at 10 (unless Havili is going to 15 or there is a reshuffle of Ennor to wing and Reece to 15)

@Crucial Yeah I think Havili will be used at fullback if Mo'unga is subbed/injured. Ennor covering wing.

A big game for Sotutu with potentially their favoured 6 and 7.

Looks like a good mix between players who need game time and experience vets.

30 mins after an AB team naming and only 5 posts about it...

Better side than I thought they'd name, the mid-field has potential, both ways!

@taniwharugby i forgot this game was coming until i saw the match thread....

surprised ALB not starting

@KiwiMurph said in Japan v All Blacks:

Looks like a good mix between players who need game time and experience vets.

Yeah, some of the earlier hissy fitting in the thread about the quality of this team seems a bit silly right now.

@ploughboy Maybe he's on the bench because he's only played about 50 minutes of NPC since April? This Saturday, that Waikato game is 3 weeks ago.

@Nepia said in Japan v All Blacks:

@KiwiMurph said in Japan v All Blacks:

Looks like a good mix between players who need game time and experience vets.

Yeah, some of the earlier hissy fitting in the thread about the quality of this team seems a bit silly right now.

But that's the Fern! Silly hissy fits all over the place!

@Stargazer said in Japan v All Blacks:

@ploughboy Maybe he's on the bench because he's only played about 50 minutes of NPC since April? This Saturday, that Waikato game is 3 weeks ago.

...but i mean...10-15 minutes off the bench isn't going to change that much, so if hes not ready to start against Japan should he not have been selected?

That midfield is greener than the Hulk.

@Kiwiwomble said in Japan v All Blacks:

@taniwharugby i forgot this game was coming until i saw the match thread....

Too focused on the Black ferns huh ? What a progressive guy you are !

@Stargazer
how much rugby has ennor had.but i take your point