@MN5 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

Does Akira Ioane still have a sore foot ?

Yep, Akira and Clarke mentioned with issues still. And the Covid 3 were not pushed to play, it maybe Havili and Goodhue still not a hundy, Cane mentioned they don’t want to risk long covid by hitting the exercise too early

well look, a pleasant surprise, how nice.

My only minor quibble is the lineout could be a little shakey, so we'll need to be quick and smart. But other than that, alright

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

@MN5 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

Does Akira Ioane still have a sore foot ?

Yep, Akira and Clarke mentioned with issues still. And the Covid 3 were not pushed to play, it maybe Havili and Goodhue still not a hundy, Cane mentioned they don’t want to risk long covid by hitting the exercise too early

Thanks fella. It took three minutes but someone got back to me eventually

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

And the Covid 3 were not pushed to play, it maybe Havili and Goodhue still not a hundy, Cane mentioned they don’t want to risk long covid by hitting the exercise too early

Ok that explains the lack of midfielders on the bench. Those two still not ready and Ennor played his way out of the 23

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

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

And the Covid 3 were not pushed to play, it maybe Havili and Goodhue still not a hundy, Cane mentioned they don’t want to risk long covid by hitting the exercise too early

Ok that explains the lack of midfielders on the bench. Those two still not ready and Ennor played his way out of the 23

I hope RTS is getting lots of experience carrying the water bottles around.

@chimoaus

I'm not expecting to see RTS until an Argentina test.

When the squad was named Foster explained they wanted him around the squad but they want him to add a kicking option to his game

The coaches doing some coaching. That seems to make sense for now

So freakin' excited to see Folau Fakatava's name in that 23!! Really hope he'll go well!

@Duluth

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

@chimoaus

I'm not expecting to see RTS until an Argentina test.

When the squad was named Foster explained they wanted him around the squad but they want him to add a kicking option to his game

The coaches doing some coaching. That seems to make sense for now

I just hope he gets plenty of minutes for Auckland in the NPC as he needs to be playing just as much as training IMO.

2 x on debut
3 x Barrett’s
3 x 7’s
4 x start with the letter A
5 x have an apostrophe in their surname
5 x who have captained the ABs
6 x played 50+ tests
6 x words in one name - Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku
8 x that have not played a test at Dunedin
10 x that have played less than 20 tests

@ACT-Crusader you missed 7 Crusaders

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

well look, a pleasant surprise, how nice.

My only minor quibble is the lineout could be a little shakey, so we'll need to be quick and smart. But other than that, alright

Haven’t you seen our 6’8’’ forward from Wellington at number 8. He’s Lebron James in a rugby jersey

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

@ACT-Crusader you missed 7 Crusaders

No place for that sort of provincialism.

I'm slightly surprised that they haven't gone with Cane at 6 and Papalii at 7, but my brain is probably too old school on that one.

Wow - really like that selection. I would have preferred Sotutu over Sowakula on bench, but fair to give him another run. The rest seems the best fit given covid and injuries. Easing Jordan in off the bench allows Jordie to cover 12 - which I really like. So pleased to see the stronger bench. I see our biggest weakness being an inability to stop Irish momentum in the tackle later in a game. When Cane goes off or is not there, it seems to be an issue for AB's. Ross and Fakatava are both aggressive defenders and will add starch in later stages. Papalii will add plenty in the early exchanges.

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

2 x on debut
3 x Barrett’s
3 x 7’s
4 x start with the letter A
5 x have an apostrophe in their surname
5 x who have captained the ABs
6 x played 50+ tests
6 x words in one name - Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku
8 x that have not played a test at Dunedin
10 x that have played less than 20 tests

This is amazingly committed ferning.

Hats off.

@MN5 said in All Blacks v Ireland - 2nd Test:

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

2 x on debut
3 x Barrett’s
3 x 7’s
4 x start with the letter A
5 x have an apostrophe in their surname
5 x who have captained the ABs
6 x played 50+ tests
6 x words in one name - Leicester Ofa Ki Wales Twickenham Fainga'anuku
8 x that have not played a test at Dunedin
10 x that have played less than 20 tests

This is amazingly committed ferning.

Hats off.

only thing that would make this better is if none of them were correct

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

I'm slightly surprised that they haven't gone with Cane at 6 and Papalii at 7, but my brain is probably too old school on that one.

I think they’ve got it right.

Plus we don’t want to give Stu Barnes theory any legs by not having Cane wear number 7…

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

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

I'm slightly surprised that they haven't gone with Cane at 6 and Papalii at 7, but my brain is probably too old school on that one.

I think they’ve got it right.

Plus we don’t want to give Stu Barnes theory any legs by not having Cane wear number 7…

True, I'm a much bigger fan of the Read and Kronfeld reply.

About time the trope that Ardie is a 7 playing at being an 8 is put to pasture isn't it?

The guy is an ex-7

It's like complaining that Nonu was a winger playing 12.