@family-man said in ABs vs Ire - series decider:
whitelock back at lock
Might be out with the concussion protocols.
@family-man said in ABs vs Ire - series decider:
Akira has to start at 6 and whitelock back at lock and fainganuku out completely for Will Jordan and mounga for Barrett
Lol Mounga what?? Ireland will swallow him up as he runs down blind alleys all night
He's offering less than nothing off the bench so we should elevate him?
I’d have Nepo and ST start in the front row. Bower has been good.
Sam and Scott have been the best locks.
Akira has obviously been missed, starts at 6 if fit. Sotutu at 8 and Cane at 7 (last chance saloon). Vaa’i at six if Akira’s foot is not right.
Dalton and Vaa’i on the bench with DP to come on for Cane.
When Cane goes off I’d try SB as captain as that’s where we may have to go if Cane keeps playing poorly and captaining even worse.
As for the backs, keep Barrett. RM had his chance to claim the spot in his 30mins and was very poor. The current pattern they are trying is long wide passes, BB is far better at this.
And I would throw RTS into the deep end with DH on bench if it doesn’t pay off. If we are going to continue to do stupid one off runs a guy that always beats one or two players on the hit up will help. He can also catch a pass.
Jordan and Reece as the wings if Clarke is not ready. LF was extremely poor and can’t be risked against good sides.
Selections are one aspect, but defence system is too passive and we aren’t kicking enough, or the right kicks. The team pattern is clearly for these bombs, it ain’t working.
@Tim they said 12 days and was announced the Monday after wasnt it, so game day would be 12 days, so I'd say zero chance he plays unfortunately.
Bower, ST, Laulala
Barrett, Vaii
Akira, Sotutu, DP,
Smith, BB
Goodhue, Reiko
Reece, Jordie, Jordan
That'd be my starting 15, I suspect I'll be wrong by at least 5 players.
@FakatavaAllBlack said in ABs vs Ire - series decider:
@Kirwan surely Sotutu will be in the 23 over butter fingers Pita Gus
Only covers 8. So I can see why they are looking at 6/8 from PGS. In my team he would be starting.
It's so hard to say much positive about many from last nights game..
I feel Foster will largely rinse and repeat.
For me it's playing three 7s that is strange... Paps was disappointing in 6 (I'm a fan of him in 7) and he wasn't alone in being disappointing... Lock is troubling... BBBR in his twilight, Patrick T didn't show me enough either... Brings me back to selections.,.. Would have been a perfect opportunity to blood someone like Josh Lord with the future in mind... But hey we know Fossie is not into developing player depth or a new game plan..
I would be happy to see some changes in midfield... RI certainly worth persisting with at this stage.. But we really need to develop a solid combination in 12 13...quickly.
@Mattasaurus isn’t Lord injured?
@Kirwan said in ABs vs Ire - series decider:
@Mattasaurus isn’t Lord injured?
Oh I wasn't aware of that 
@Mattasaurus just looked it up, out for the rest of the ABs season this year. Bummer.
@Kirwan said in ABs vs Ire - series decider:
@Mattasaurus just looked it up, out for the rest of the ABs season this year. Bummer.
Bugger...
We certainly need more depth in the engine room. I can see SB cementing 6 if AI doesn't come back in and make it his (hope he does - but I'd like to see him play tighter than he did in SR)
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
@Tim they said 12 days and was announced the Monday after wasnt it, so game day would be 12 days, so I'd say zero chance he plays unfortunately.
Bower, ST, Laulala
Barrett, Vaii
Akira, Sotutu, DP,
Smith, BB
Goodhue, Reiko
Reece, Jordie, JordanThat'd be my starting 15, I suspect I'll be wrong by at least 5 players.
Savea best player in 1st test, DP anonymous in the 2nd. It’s like saying Frizzell was awesome in SR so he must make the starting XV. Has DP yet had a very good game for the ABs against proper opposition.
Provided Retallick and Vaai are fit I’d probably go SB again at 6, since he’s a jumper. Otherwise Akira.
Sotutu has to be in the mix. PGS sadly has looked a bit overawed in both Tests off the bench.
Not sure if that would change if PGS was running on in the starting 15, but he's not (yet) good enough to warrant that.
I mean the first Q is is Cane still captain? If yes he starts at 7. If not then who is captain (whitelock will be out)? If you keep cane then imo it’s SB at 6 and ardie at 8 and I’d have sotutu and akira on the bench (SB covering lock, dont want PT anywhere near the 23). If you dump your captain then I’d put ardie at 7, sotutu at 8 and akira and DP on the bench.
TBH I think the tactics are more of a problem. You can change the team but if it’s just midfield bombs and wide passes from AS then result will be the same.
Foz has confirmed Clarke won't be fit.
So like Lord that's a second wasted spot in the original squad.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
Foz has confirmed Clarke won't be fit.
So like Lord that's a second wasted spot in the original squad.
Also mentioned whitelock is a possibility, somehow
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
Foz has confirmed Clarke won't be fit.
So like Lord that's a second wasted spot in the original squad.
At least we got to have a look at Faingaanuku and he got to learn some harsh lessons. I can't see him repeating that performance.
@Billy-Tell that us rhe team I'd pick.
@KiwiMurph Reece moves to left wing, Will from Harcourts starts on the right.
@Machpants said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
Foz has confirmed Clarke won't be fit.
So like Lord that's a second wasted spot in the original squad.
Also mentioned whitelock is a possibility, somehow
Our turn to rush a player back in after a head knock out of desperation
@No-Quarter Worked for the Irish.
I think we'll go for something like this in Wellington:
- Bower
- ST
- Laulaula
- Rettalick
- Whitelock
- Barrett
- Cane (c)
- Savea
- Smith
- B Barrett
- Reece
- Tupaea
- Ioane
- Jordan
- J Barrett
- Coles
- Ross
- Tu'ungafasi
- Sotutu
- Papali'i
- Fakatava
- Mo'unga
- Goodhue
@Canes4life not bad, but either swap QT and Goodhue or don’t have Goodhue in the 23.
We could really mess with the Irish and go
Bower, ST, Ta’avao, Vaa’i, Barrett, PGS, Papalii, Sotutu, Fakatava, Perofeta, Clarke, RTS, Fainga’anuku, Reece, Jordan
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
We could really mess with the Irish and go
Bower, ST, Ta’avao, Vaa’i, Barrett, PGS, Papalii, Sotutu, Fakatava, Perofeta, Clarke, RTS, Fainga’anuku, Reece, Jordan
You ok bud?
You'd figure that Foster will take account of who NZ are likely to face next weekend, with some players from the Tuesday match having to go again in the final test.
Ringrose was clattered and is out of the remaining games with mandatory stand down for HIA.
O'Mahony is also a doubt.
Sexton says he just has a leg injury but reckons he's ok.
Something tells me Lowe might not get a start. And/or Hansen.
Keenan is a lock-in.
@Mattasaurus sentences no one would’ve predicted in 2007…
Experienced, talented Refs are like gold. Hope we’re saying similar things about that young Georgian ref in 15 years time…
@Smuts said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
@Mattasaurus sentences no one would’ve predicted in 2007…
Experienced, talented Refs are like gold. Hope we’re saying similar things about that young Georgian ref in 15 years time…
Well we won't be saying it about Jac O'Peyper 
@Bones said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
I can't see him repeating that performance.
Not unless he's a George Bridge clone
I'd expect Sami T & Vaii to start (if SW isn't available) with SB back at 6. Will Jordan back at wing. Toss-up between Goodhue & QT.
Fakatava on the bench and Perfofeta for Mo'unga?
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
Has DP yet had a very good game for the ABs against proper opposition.
Yep he was awesome last year on the NH tour. Needs to start at 7 Big calls needed
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
Has DP yet had a very good game for the ABs against proper opposition.
Yep he was awesome last year on the NH tour. Needs to start at 7 Big calls needed
Which games? Actually I now remember he was good Vs Ireland, didn't play France I think
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:
@Canes4life not bad, but either swap QT and Goodhue or don’t have Goodhue in the 23.
I would not be surprised to see Havili at 2nd 5 but Goodhue is the more likely. Mo'unga at 10 to have a Crusaders combo? If NZ was already up 2-0 I was expecting the latter in the 3rd test.
Given current WR guidelines re red and yellow cards do you think some teams have adapted better than others or is it pure luck?
Listening to O'Gara talk he said they spend a lot of time in the background covering these things and they are fully aware of the rules and outcomes. Said he though LF could have been red under guidelines and no issue with AT red.
We can debate the foul play aspect all day long but both teams play under the same rules and smart teams will adapt and train players not to jump into charge downs. Try to get lower etc etc.
I am still slightly cynical just how much a difference coaching can make to these instincts and fast paced decisions but at some point, someone like Ofa, SB are ticking bombs in terms of cards.
Edit: O'Gara also said he instantly knew the Savea sub was an error and was surprised Foster and Co let it happen.
@chimoaus the fact so many seem comfortable, some even happy with red cards for accidental contact is a worry for me.
I saw on social media plenty saying LF shoulda been red...no way.
The drum I bang is reds are for filth, not accidental contacts through mis timing a jump, turning into a contact, bracing for a contact, the attacker dipping at the last moment...there has to be a better way.
Players do need to do better, coaches need to do better, refs and WR need to do better.