@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.

@pakman Panadol?

They absolutely must play RTS now

@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.

@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.

Ennor joining the team is the most alarming bit of news.

@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.

The Ennor thing is probably getting ahead of things just in case there are more disruptions. Between QT, RTS, RI, JB and LF we will be OK.

These sorts of disruptions are the only way Foster moves on from previous players.

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

These sorts of disruptions are the only way Foster moves on from previous players.

Yet the pundits still think he will start with Taylor at 2?
Sami got one of those 'disruption' callups last year and has proven to be the best hooker we have.

Is there no stone unturned in our efforts to lose at Eden Park?