@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

My point about both Havili and Mo'unga is that they don't handle the physical teams well, and come RWC time most teams gameplan against us is to try and bash us into submission. Those two starting would be cannon fodder. Players like Beauden, Goodhue, Tupaea and RTS are much better equipped to deal with that.

Let’s not forget QT got badly exposed against the French last year in that first half. Several others didn’t play well and QT was amongst them. Still very much a work in progress as is Havili.

Havili has played one full season with the ABs after just a handful of opportunities in 2017, so I’d say there is opportunity for growth there.

@Victor-Meldrew Common sense says QT should start again. Should be BB QT RI until someone shits the bed or injury strikes. Only 17 tests to go before the World Cup! JG, and DH are the next cabs off the rank if needed and ALB to come in as well.

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

@Victor-Meldrew Common sense says QT should start again. Should be BB QT RI until someone shits the bed or injury strikes. Only 17 tests to go before the World Cup! JG, and DH are the next cabs off the rank if needed and ALB to come in as well.

ALB could become the forgotten man! I'd like to see RTS and TUJ thrown into the mix to see how something a little bit different goes in the lead up to RWC, but if the midfield keeps growing from Saturday's game, why not stick with that.

We really need to protect Rieko though, so would be good to see if JG can still cut it at centre.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

Halfback is still a massive work in progress.

Given that it is home ground, that he regularly subs Aaron Smith there, and he is probably going to be a lot better than Christie, I hope Fakatava gets the bench spot.

When is the team announced?

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

When is the team announced?

11.30am today

@Bones said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

@Crucial How is that meant to be read? Is 2018 saying he played 8 games as a sub, 8 as a centre then one on the wing?

I guess I only remember him from 2019. I had a quick look and saw he came on at fullback in the 2018 final then gave up.

It's from that NZRugby private stats site where someone has compiled figures from almanacs.
Where there isn't a team mentioned it is the province.

In this instance it shows that in 2017 Canterbury put him in the side and used him on the wing. However he was a centre for the U20s.
In 2018 he subbed on for the Saders but they don't have the details of what position. Where he started for Canterbury it was at centre (bar one game).

So yes he has been moved around between the two positions but was originally a centre (age grade/school stuff) and has eventually settled there in other teams.

His stats seem to indicate more scoring when at wing but that's what wings are for.

@Bones said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

I'd like to see RTS and TUJ thrown into the mix to see how something a little bit different goes in the lead up to RWC,

Not just to see something different, but give these guys some experience.

If we win on Saturday, I hope RTS is in the 23 for the 3rd Test. Give him a run and see how he goes with minimal pressure and a chance to express himself..

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

Wrong, RTS is to the manor born, and come the RWC he'll be a lock at 12 partnering Rieko

They'll only go into the second row if they put on loads of weight and get too slow for the midfield

Someone needs to tell Bundee Ali that. Crikey, he looked about 120 clicks !

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

When is the team announced?

Thursday

I’m hearing Bower, Taylor, Scott Barrett, Mo’unga, Fainga’anuku, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan are all in

Whitelock out with head knock issues

Moody and Blackadder not considered because of injury

Bridge and Ennor not considered

The rest I sort of tuned out….

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

I’m hearing Bower, Taylor, Scott Barrett, Mo’unga, Fainga’anuku, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan are all in

Whitelock out with head knock issues

Moody and Blackadder not considered because of injury

Bridge and Ennor not considered

The rest I sort of tuned out….

did i miss Bridge being brought into the squad?

@Kiwiwomble whoosh...

this is @ACT-Crusader MO of naming Crusader-Blacks

@Duluth 3 7s....we knew it was gonna happen.

Good to see Ross & Fakatava getting a shot!

Really pleased to see the same backline given a go.

Will be fascinating to see how Dalton goes at 6.

Really excited to see Ross and Fakatava hopefully debut.

Some real firepower off of the bench under the roof!

Same starting lineup other than the one forced change and positional movement. I like it.

Also glad they bought in Papalii to start.

Congrats to Ross and Fakatava.

Happy to see some continuity in the starting XV (injuries aside). Looking forward to Ross and Fakatava taking the field.

No midfielder on the bench

Jordie covers 12 and starts at 15
LF covers 13 and starts at 11

Would've preferred Goodhue on the bench

@Duluth Tupaea also covers 13