@Frank not sure that the confirmed test status is anyone given your bar. It's 'starring' at Test level, not just being at the test level.
Ofa's got 44 tests over 6 years. Not newby.
Blackadders' yet to show his physicality on the biggest stage (but looked better this year)
Mo'unga's got the ability to play open, needs to transfer his Super kicking and territory game to the top level.
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@Old-Samurai-Jack Yeah they did, but we're not talking about SR, we're talking big boys stuff here. Look, I want everyone to succeed in the Black jersey and couldn't care less where they come from, but not gonna lie, a fair few Crusaders players have failed to make the step up to test rugby, no need to throw tantrums when players from your team get criticised, and don't worry, there are Blues players in that category too.
I get what you are trying to say, but that was not a tantrum from @Old-Samurai-Jack.
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
I think news hub guess is what we're going to see, injuries permitting
Predicted team: 1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Dalton Papalii, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-David Havili, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Jordie Barrett.
Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Akira Ioane, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Leicester Fainga'anuku
You're probably pretty close, but I think Foster will go for experience above all, so I'd expect Goodhue instead of Havili at 12 and Havili on the bench instead of Leicester to cover midfield.
Paps v Akira is a tricky one for Foster. Personally, I'm happy with either. Ditto Reece v Caleb Clarke. Sami T coming on for impact looks great and/but I'd hope he's given a start in the latter tests.
@Frank said in All Blacks 2022:
@African-Monkey
What would the list look like of players who have failed to fire?Of the newish players-
Possibly Underperformed
Crusaders: Bridge, Havili, Ennor, Bower(??) Mounga(??), others??,
Blues: Akira vs South Africa, Ofa(??), Karl T(??), Nepo(??)Confirmed test level status:
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder.
Blues: Papalii, Akira vs everyone bar South Africa.
I think Ennor and Bridge performed to the best of their ability in their selected positions.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae I like Knowler’s team except for the loose trio.
That could be the loose forward trio that finishes the game though.
@Stargazer so QT is a lock-in at 12?
@taniwharugby For the first game, yes, looks like it.
I hope there are not going to be more positive tests over the next few days.
I suspect Covid is going to spoil a few more games, this year, and mess up selections.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
Holy sh*t!
What I would do. Schmidt to take change. Razor and Rangi to be his assistants for the week.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2022:
But yaaaay three 6.5s how goooood
Trying to get all your best players on the park rather than picking a team.
We will get our come-uppance somewhere down the line if we take this path.
Topic event: Duluth referenced this topic on
@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland:
@pakman Panadol?
Leon Macdonald - nickname from all the headknocks he took as a player.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Stargazer so QT is a lock-in at 12?
That's the most likely selection
The BB/RTS/Ioane combo is probably tempting. Although I don't think they want to start RTS yet
I think Jordie has a niggle? If he's fully fit, that could be an option.
@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Ennor joining the team is the most alarming bit of news.
Is it really though? Are there any other capped midfielders not injured outside the current squad? I mean if you need a replacement midfielder who knows the systems who else would u suggest? ALB is injured and Umaga-Jensen is probably too given his injury record.
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@Crucial said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Ennor joining the team is the most alarming bit of news.
Is it really though? Are there any other capped midfielders not injured outside the current squad? I mean if you need a replacement midfielder who knows the systems who else would u suggest? ALB is injured and Umaga-Jensen is probably too given his injury record.
I know the options are limited. There isn't really another to call in at this late stage. It's just more scary that we need him than it is that Foster won't be there.
