All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

Was pretty good. I just have little trust because of the historic selections and performance.

@nzzp said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

Was pretty good. I just have little trust because of the historic selections and performance.

A discussion for another thread but we have really veered into 'say it enough times and it's true' territory with the Foster period. It taints all genuine discussion and criticism.
If I was the lone selector my squad wouldn't be much different and I can assure you that it would be wrong.

So far there's no new news around player availability which is hopefully a good thing.

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

The larger All Black squad, or the best 23/ XV for the game?

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@nzzp said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

Was pretty good. I just have little trust because of the historic selections and performance.

A discussion for another thread but we have really veered into 'say it enough times and it's true' territory with the Foster period. It taints all genuine discussion and criticism.
If I was the lone selector my squad wouldn't be much different and I can assure you that it would be wrong.

I carry my grudge back to his involvement with Hansen and some of the selections back then. Rational is not the answer @Crucial , embrace the bitterness

@antipodean said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

The larger All Black squad, or the best 23/ XV for the game?

yeah, weren't too many surprises for e in the squad....im just concerned week to week we're going to see all the same names and the new blood wont get a proper run

@antipodean said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

The larger All Black squad, or the best 23/ XV for the game?

The comment I responded to said squad selection.

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@antipodean said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@JK said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Bit of a no-win situation for Foz.

Either ABs lose or they win without requiring him.

Or they loose without him and we get the loss blamed on covid etc rather than his shit coaching and squad selection

Genuine question here. A couple of contentious decisions aside (well Karl T really) what is the squad selection issue? Apart from keyboard selectors having their own favourite players I thought the squad was pretty much what most people would pick.

The larger All Black squad, or the best 23/ XV for the game?

The comment I responded to said squad selection.

Selection has been okay..........the ways the ABs have played, including the first ever loss to Argentina, not so much.

People have fuck all confidence in him because he has won fuck all has a head coach and he was preferred to a clearly more talented coach (Razor).

If the ABs start playing well, I'll change my mind.

Will Jordan gone with covid!!!

Now it's getting serious!

Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga was also absent from Tuesday training with a tummy bug. He may recover in time but, if not, Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta could be called onto the bench to make his test debut.

On the plus side - the stuff article says Jordan was one of only three ABs who hadn't already had covid - and they're taking extra precautions with the other two - so hopefully we're not going to lose a whole wave of players.

I'd much rather see Leicester on the bench than Ennor.

The players usually share a room too, so hopefully those already confirmed as positive are/were roommates.

if R Ioane goes down we are fucked. Proper fucked.

Unless there is this amazing new attacking pattern to unlock the ability of the lessor skilled backline members.

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

if R Ioane goes down we are fucked. Proper fucked.

Unless there is this amazing new attacking pattern to unlock the ability of the lessor skilled backline members.

That was announced this year, the new way to break open rush defences. Surely it will not be try to fling it wide really fast still? I mean hasn't worked since 2017

@mariner4life just made a tricky series opener, more spicy...

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Will Jordan gone with covid!!!

Now it's getting serious!

Thought he'd be able to outpace it. Disappointed.

Have Waikato been asked to urgently arrange a match against a neighbour so that DMac can run on for 10 minutes?
Surely 'special circumstances' apply when your squad is decimated.

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Have Waikato been asked to urgently arrange a match against a neighbour so that DMac can run on for 10 minutes?
Surely 'special circumstances' apply when your squad is decimated.

Got both tens, and it is not even decimated in the traditional sense, yet.

@Frank said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Will Jordan gone with covid!!!

Now it's getting serious!

Thought he'd be able to outpace it. Disappointed.

Longer than everyone but 2 in the squad. AMazing how fat fozzie managed it for so long, just behind Jordan!

@Tim said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Duluth If all the mentioned players are out then you might see something like this:

1 Ross
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 Perofeta

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Papalii
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Fainga'anuku

This lineup starting to look very close. I would swap the hookers around starting/bench altough it's still possible Bower is there over Ross.
Would loosehead/hooker combos be the way to go?

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Tim said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Duluth If all the mentioned players are out then you might see something like this:

1 Ross
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 Perofeta

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Papalii
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Fainga'anuku

This lineup starting to look very close. I would swap the hookers around starting/bench altough it's still possible Bower is there over Ross.
Would loosehead/hooker combos be the way to go?

Can’t do that, would break the rule that if you have a ‘ in your name you gotta be on the bench

@Machpants said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Tim said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Duluth If all the mentioned players are out then you might see something like this:

1 Ross
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 Perofeta

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Papalii
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Fainga'anuku

This lineup starting to look very close. I would swap the hookers around starting/bench altough it's still possible Bower is there over Ross.
Would loosehead/hooker combos be the way to go?

Can’t do that, would break the rule that if you have a ‘ in your name you gotta be on the bench

Scott Bar'ret?

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Machpants said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Tim said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Duluth If all the mentioned players are out then you might see something like this:

1 Ross
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 Perofeta

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Papalii
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Fainga'anuku

This lineup starting to look very close. I would swap the hookers around starting/bench altough it's still possible Bower is there over Ross.
Would loosehead/hooker combos be the way to go?

Can’t do that, would break the rule that if you have a ‘ in your name you gotta be on the bench

Scott Bar'ret?

The ' stands for card (colour dependant on the occasion).

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Machpants said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Tim said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@Duluth If all the mentioned players are out then you might see something like this:

1 Ross
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 Perofeta

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Papalii
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Fainga'anuku

This lineup starting to look very close. I would swap the hookers around starting/bench altough it's still possible Bower is there over Ross.
Would loosehead/hooker combos be the way to go?

Can’t do that, would break the rule that if you have a ‘ in your name you gotta be on the bench

Scott Bar'ret?

Note I didn’t say you have to have one, just if you do you’re bench warming. RTS is on thin ice with his -

All these players going down with COVID

When did Caleb Clarke last play a game?

I guess he played between getting red carded and getting injured?

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

When did Caleb Clarke last play a game?

I guess he played between getting red carded and getting injured?

Brumbies 2nd last regular season game. Blew his hamstring out in the second half.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Will Jordan gone with covid!!!

Now it's getting serious!

Annoying. Jordan was awesome last year, and after his Super form I was looking forward to him absolutely fucking carving up this year. Hope he recovers for test 2.

@No-Quarter Yeah - with CC not having played in a while and Leicester being an absolute rookie, I was pretty sure they were planning to start Reece and Jordan on the wings (unless the outlier of playing Goodhue at centre and shifting Rieko out) and maybe ease Clarke in from the bench.

Now the options are pretty narrow.

A big test for Leicester to make his debut in, so it won't surprise me to see Ennor in the 23.

With all these issues coming through this is what I think might be the announced team.

1 Bower
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Vaa'i
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Fainga’anuku
12 Tupaea
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 J Barrett

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Sotutu (or Akira)
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Perofeta (or Ennor)

Obviously I would have probably missed some injuries and/or health issues. But from what info I've come across this is what I think could happen.

I chose QT as 2nd 5 and he can be covered by J Barrett and Fainga’anuku which is why I've put Perofeta at 23 to cover 15 if needed. But that's probably asking a lot from them so I'd have Ennor at 23 as an option too. I can see RTS playing later on in the series, just not the first game, but you never know.

I've also added Vaa'i at 6 even though he mainly plays lock because he's had a good season and can bring a punch. Nothing against Akira. The man's a beast too.

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome to the Fern! :waving_hand:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome Joel!

Crikey - the backs look a bit Super rugby level to me - strong Super rugby, but a bit short of Big All Black test level!

@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome to the Fern! :waving_hand:

Thanks for having me. Seems like a good place to discuss NZ rugby.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome Joel!

Crikey - the backs look a bit Super rugby level to me - strong Super rugby, but a bit short of Big All Black test level!

how good would it be if they clicked though!

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome Joel!

Crikey - the backs look a bit Super rugby level to me - strong Super rugby, but a bit short of Big All Black test level!

Yeah I completely understand. My original back line up from the start of the month was Clarke, Goodhue, R Ioane, Reece and Jordan. But with how things went and are going this didn't really become an option. Even for Clarke, I'd rather have him rest up longer for the later games in the series before putting him on the field.

And Reece has been amazing this year, both with playing and keeping his team mates moral high during games which I think we definitely need even if it's a losing battle.

Reece over J Barrett, just because I think that J Barrett will have more of an impact off the bench.

@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Have Waikato been asked to urgently arrange a match against a neighbour so that DMac can run on for 10 minutes?
Surely 'special circumstances' apply when your squad is decimated.

gawd he's not even allowed to play club footy tried to this weekend club committee turned him down.

@ThecostlyJoel With a bit of cloning, my Mako boys could put out a set of backs that wouldn't get smashed by those ABs.

Mitch Hunt would have to play out of his skin though.

Christie, Hunt, Faingaánuku, Havili, Nankivell, Reece, Jordan.

Chapman/Hotham. Paea, Tavatavanawai.

Will Jordan won’t be the last to go down with covid in the camp.
The team that runs on the field Saturday may differ from the team named on Thursday.