@booboo said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Ireland:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Ireland:

If every player has to get a run, that’s Preston, Parker, Tuipulotu if available and - ugh - Beauden Barrett.

There's reports DR had said earlier that everyone in squad will get game time, but heard, I think on ZB, that he said that wasn't the case in recent presser.

That’s good. I’m not sure exactly what he said originally but if it was something like ‘we’d like to give everyone a run’ or ‘the goal is to give everyone a run’, that’s a bit different to guaranteeing it. .

If think we should go with the following.

1. De Groot
2. Taukei'aho
3. Newell
4. Darry
5. Vaa'i
6. Parker
7. Jacobson
8. Lakai
9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Fineanganofo
12. Barrett
13. Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. Moorby

Reserves:
16. Aumua
17. Numia
18. Tosi
19. Tuipulotu
20. Segner
21. Preston
22. McKenzie
23. ALB

@Canes4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Ireland:

If think we should go with the following.

1. De Groot
2. Taukei'aho
3. Newell
4. Darry
5. Vaa'i
6. Parker
7. Jacobson
8. Lakai
9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Fineanganofo
12. Barrett
13. Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. Moorby

Reserves:
16. Aumua
17. Numia
18. Tosi
19. Tuipulotu
20. Segner
21. Preston
22. McKenzie
23. ALB

Solid but Jacobson might be injured?

This is the biggest game of this Nations Championship series this year, I would not be bringing in anyone into the starting lineup that hasn’t played unless it’s a fairly like for like replacement for injury. Look at our number one lock yesterday, he looked rusty as in that first half.

This is the test to hit a peak (of sorts).

6- Lakai
7- LJ (Segner)
8- Ardie
Bench: Sititi

Lots of talk about the front row, I’d be very surprised if Taylor didn’t start. Sami on the bench.
I’m not too fussed about Newell or Lomox starting, but I’d have Tosi on the bench regardless of who starts. EDG is in top shape and has been performing well, so first name on the team sheet….

Darry and Vaa’i pick themselves. PT hasn’t played any footy since June 12. Lord hasn’t been too bad either.

There are a few calls to rest Savea. If they were going to rest the captain, surely that would have happened against Italy.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Ireland:

There are a fell calls to rest Savea. If they were going to rest the captain, surely that would have happened against Italy.

Savea won’t be rested, Rennie has already mentioned that.

Sounds like Savea's rest will come at the start of the Bok tour

Parker will be 6 maybe Lakai bench
Jacobson poss injured? If so Segner 7
ALB prob starts 13- Quinn to bench but could also be other way round
Like to see Numia and Aumia start

@ACT-Crusader said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

first name on the team sheet….

T Lander

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Parker will be 6 maybe Lakai bench
Jacobson poss injured? If so Segner 7
ALB prob starts 13- Quinn to bench but could also be other way round
Like to see Numia and Aumia start

You have a source?
Or your speculation?

@Frank Purely my speculation how I feel it will roll... Parker unused so far and likely will get a decent run

@kidcalder
He would have been used by now if they really wanted to embed him into their style of play.

While Ireland have to be put to the sword, this is the ideal game for Rennie to give a couple - and I do mean a couple - of chances to players who haven’t featured yet.

Need to find out if they’re up for the first test against the Boks (and therefore likely vs the Sharks the week before) or if they’re fronting up against the Stormers and Bulls with Captain Beauden.

Over to you, Simon Parker and Kyle Preston.

@game_film think it's time to test out ST starting with Aumua finishing too.

I imagine Dave is also keeping a fair bit of dry powder in his basement, which should be a consideration at this stage.

Just rewatched the Italy test. Is it just me or are our props suddenly carrying the ball a lot better? Guys like DeGroot and Lomax appear to be more explosive with their carries and their post contact metres are higher than what they normally bring. Noticed this with Darry too.

Barnes did say that he wanted our forwards to carry more effectively, and I think that's happening.

Bit on the line here for Dave in his third test , with the eden park record and all that .

Not one he would want to drop or the knives will be out very early in his tenure ..

@akan004 EdG has been doing it all year.

Lomax was like a tractor in traffic, just kept chugging along, - was weird as he looks a long way off his fitness levels of the past and he's not exactly explosive.

@kiwiinmelb be a good excuse to move to a new captain though...

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kiwiinmelb be a good excuse to move to a new captain though...

Not sure that would help his popularity though , ardie has a bigger fan club

@akan004 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Just rewatched the Italy test. Is it just me or are our props suddenly carrying the ball a lot better? Guys like DeGroot and Lomax appear to be more explosive with their carries and their post contact metres are higher than what they normally bring. Noticed this with Darry too.

Barnes did say that he wanted our forwards to carry more effectively, and I think that's happening.

DeG also did it in test 1, Newell as well although he has been obc working in that a year or two.