@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

Because Sexton is a mouthy git* and Doris wears sensible shoes.**
Actually you make good points, I wonder if it is because fans don't mix like they used to (so many at home watching from tv with their rewind and slow frame buttons).
Ireland played well, they have good players (I still think there are some limitations with the midfield and outer backs (oh I like the Irish 15) but if the ABs can't capitalise on these weaknesses something is wrong (maybe I am).
*yet I like Coles so I am a hypocrite.
**not true, sorry Caelan.

I actually think there culd be a lot in the fans don't mix a lot, and tend to do a lot of discussing on the net, where everyone sounds maybe more harsh than they probably mean (well I put my hand up for that as I still find talking over a beer easier) and then everyone digs in. I go into a few forums, and find the interaction in general is a lot less friendly etc than when we talk in person.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

Why start Nepo? It's not like our scrum creaks against Ireland with that second row pushing. And Nepo offers less than nothing around the ground.

I am happy that Ofa has paid for his terrible performance. It goes without saying that it would be much better if we had a better alternative than Nepo.

I am surprised Ofa is there at all.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

Why start Nepo? It's not like our scrum creaks against Ireland with that second row pushing. And Nepo offers less than nothing around the ground.

I am happy that Ofa has paid for his terrible performance. It goes without saying that it would be much better if we had a better alternative than Nepo.

I am surprised Ofa is there at all.

Ta'avao is out, so based on previous Lomax would be the next option.

That team. Lots of fullback options, not many wings. Looks like they expect high attrition in the forwards.
I'm an Akira fan (sometimes) but I'd like to see Grace at some stage in the ABs this year.

Wonder how much discussion goes on with senior players etc(if any) while deciding on team. Just was hearing Sam W saying when Foster and co had covid a couple of weeks back that generally trainings were more or less run by players in 2nd part of test weeks, and had that was usually way it always been done.
Remember Tana Umaga saying they had even suggested Graham Henry not really even talking in dressing sheds before games.
I wonder this when trying to work out why ST isn't in team and wondering if it becuase of scrum or something.

@Dan54. Irish pretty much at full strength bar Ringrose. But Aki might me a bigger handful for Havili and RTS. Henshaw good enough for either Jersey.

@Dan54 said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

Wonder how much discussion goes on with senior players etc(if any) while deciding on team. Just was hearing Sam W saying when Foster and co had covid a couple of weeks back that generally trainings were more or less run by players in 2nd part of test weeks, and had that was usually way it always been done.
Remember Tana Umaga saying they had even suggested Graham Henry not really even talking in dressing sheds before games.
I wonder this when trying to work out why ST isn't in team and wondering if it becuase of scrum or something.

??
Do you think he is weak in the scrum? Chiefs Front Row usually went from dominant to holding it's own when he departed in games.

@ARHS said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@Dan54. Irish pretty much at full strength bar Ringrose. But Aki might me a bigger handful for Havili and RTS. Henshaw good enough for either Jersey.

Bundee will be off his game. I had a quick chat to him in the stands the other night and reminded him (gently) of his CM and Chiefs roots.

@ARHS said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@Dan54. Irish pretty much at full strength bar Ringrose. But Aki might me a bigger handful for Havili and RTS. Henshaw good enough for either Jersey.

Yep ARHS and just seen Aki is at 13, not Henshaw. I just don't recall him playing there a lot, but agree he may just be a real handful.

@Crucial said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

Wonder how much discussion goes on with senior players etc(if any) while deciding on team. Just was hearing Sam W saying when Foster and co had covid a couple of weeks back that generally trainings were more or less run by players in 2nd part of test weeks, and had that was usually way it always been done.
Remember Tana Umaga saying they had even suggested Graham Henry not really even talking in dressing sheds before games.
I wonder this when trying to work out why ST isn't in team and wondering if it becuase of scrum or something.

??
Do you think he is weak in the scrum? Chiefs Front Row usually went from dominant to holding it's own when he departed in games.

Yep I was just wondering, I trying to understand why he not in team. I can't say I noticed it either.

@Crucial Sami seems like one of those rare hookers who’s only ever truly upright when he’s throwing in. His body position when carrying, hitting rucks or scrumming is always impressively low. And obviously huge explosive power. Taylor has to have a huge game this weekend to justify his place. He was the 4the best hooker on the field in the second test, by some margin.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

That team. Lots of fullback options, not many wings. Looks like they expect high attrition in the forwards.
I'm an Akira fan (sometimes) but I'd like to see Grace at some stage in the ABs this year.

Yep I wondering if Grace has put forward a case with his performance for MABs, where he seemed to carry quite strongly.

I’m hoping someone has got in the ear of the officials about that ridiculous penalty for going too far beyond the breakdown at the clean out. I don’t understand that penalty at all, especially when Ireland weren’t penalised for the same thing, or coming in from the side to clean out either. Ireland were clearing their ball at speed, and slowing ours down very effectively. We hardly fired a shot there and I’m sure that was at least partly because we toned down the aggression after that penalty.

@Dan54 Big Grace fan (as you can see from previous posts) and I think Sotutu and Grace should be in the ABs as specialist No.8s competing for the position against each other. But you'd think Sotutu would get a go first and foremost if they were taking this line of thought? His SR form was great (he had a big improvement in physicality), his No.8 skills off the back of the scrum are exceptional... and yet he hasn't been sighted.

@Old-Samurai-Jack is it just him, Perofeta and Goodhue that havent been used?

Seriously guys, who is our centre cover? Surely not Jordie…

Reece?

@JC probably Jordie, then Havili (possibly played there more recently than Jordie?) or maybe Aaron Smith played there at school once.

Why has their been no press conference?

@mariner4life have you not seen social media this week, everyone is mean.

@taniwharugby Vaa'i?