A bit early in the week to start this thread, but I am interested in some squad ponderification this week.

This is where I think Foz et al have some scope to tweak and test a bit.

Stuff I'd like to see:

Williams get another crack. Either starting or bench. I think he gives us something different off the bench later in the year, but wouldn't mind him starting this time. Williams 1, Groot 17.

Could give Coles some game time. Start Samisoni. Coles to bench.

Someone (@Chris ?) suggested Newell maybe on the bench. Would be happy with that.

Barrett has a break. ("Drop" MOTM!) Start the old guys, Lord comes off bench.

Assuming Cane comes back and Ardie stays at 8, then 6 and bench is open for some rotation for me. Want to give Jacobsen some time at 8, so bring him off the bench and start Finau.

Start Roigard, Ginge on bench. Christie playing for his spot.

Keep Richie at 10, ALB at 12, Roane at 13. Try McLeod on bench.

Jordan at 15, Telea and Narawa on the wings (Telea can play both sides huh?).

DMac bench.

I'd hope that's not too much rotation.

Back to the 1st XV (with one or two rotations on the bench) at Twickers v Jaaps.

Wow, a day time kick off!

1. Let the guys going offshore get a great send off.

2. Look at the two or three up in the air positions.

3. Beat the Aussies again.

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Wow, a day time kick off!

Lunchtime our way. Afternoon snooze likely called for.

@sparky said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Let the guys going offshore get a great send off.

Ah yeah. Be nice to give Aaron a send off. Reckon they will.

But the above is what I'd do, coz I'm heartless (and don't actually have to make that call ...).

Something like: Williams, Coles, Newell, Whitelock, Vaa’i, Finau, Cane (c), Jacobson, Smith, Mo’unga, Leicester F, ALB, R. ioane, Narawa, Jordan.

Bench: Sami T, De Groot, Laulala, Lord, Frizell, Roigard. DMac, McLeod or Ennor

@sparky said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

Vaa’i

So no send off for BBBR?

@booboo Is he definitely going? I might start him from the bench.

Still scratching my head in disbelief that compared to a year ago we have some devastating wingers, a solid 2nd five, RM and SF fulfilling their potential, Sco Bar Beast mode activated and a front row.
By crikey the gods are smiling.

@BerniesCorner Happy days, the possibility of injuries and the French being awesome are the main concerns.

@BerniesCorner Takes some astonishing coaching to get it to all line up like that at the top level eh.

Sir Foz ultimate long game strategist

@Bones and a bit of luck, and some decisions forced upon him...but hey, regardless of what happens from here, the last 5 or so years (yes i know Foz wasnt at the helm then, but the rot set in way back) have still been average with some unwanted records.

It's hard to know where the injured players are at, but Jordan starting at fullback would be good. Maybe Clarke gets a start on the left wing.

@taniwharugby Been kinda painful to get where we are but I'm thankful.
Rapt for SF/RM/Foz/Cane/JB

Start whoever the fuck you want.

Last week will be a pleasant memory compared to what happens next Saturday

@sparky said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:

@booboo Is he definitely going? I might start him from the bench.

Now you ask ... dunno ...

Who are the Wallabies going to field Thor and their captain will surely be out.

Can't remember the last time we had the relative luxury of being able to try a few new things out - we've been scrambling around avoiding the loss for years.

Think we might see some of the more experienced players in the starting XV - ALB, DMac, Ofa and poss. Coles - along with newbies like Jacobson, Lord & Leicester. Finau, Ennor on the bench with Roigard getting some decent game time. Sami T seems to be the impact replacement hooker say maybe on the bench?