@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.
@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 !
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
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
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Duluth Tupaea also covers 13
And Jordan provides the fullback cover if JB moves into the midfield.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:
@Duluth Tupaea also covers 13
True and better than LF
Still I would prefer cover on the bench for the midfield rather than move starters.
