NC: All Blacks v Ireland

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@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.

I think so. The 2 hookers are in better form than Taylor.

Taylor is 35 so we should be managing his minutes if we want to get him to the world cup.

Starting 3 games in a row is not managing his minutes.

We have to usher in Sami and Asafo at some stage.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Ioane has come into the squad as injury cover as the ABs continue to monitor injuries in the outside backs.

Fehi and Leroy won't be available this week according to the Breakdown.

I thought Fehi may have been a smokey for a start vs Ireland. He could’ve been useful as Irelands defence gets a little compressed leaving space for a winger with genuine speed.

If Clarke is fit I think they go with the same back 3 as France with Moorby on the bench.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@frugby said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Parker an interesting one. They clearly feel they need the archetype, but don't feel he is ready to go just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if he is again unused this week - but to me it makes it highly likely they want to get Frizell back involved.

The loose forwards remain the area I'm least sure about and they also seem to be the area the coaches are least sure about. What's the best combination? Are all the jobs being covered? Who plays where? How will a smaller trio fare against South Africa? And if Jacobson is out, we'll see yet another combination this weekend. That could give Parker an opportunity, either as a starter or off the bench.

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

Tuipulotu and Jacobson should be available. Might be some outside back injuries.

Likely team?

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

Hopefully Pledger makes a full and speedy recovery.

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

With 4 midweek games and 4 tests, they will take 4 halfbacks on tour, so someone else will get an opportunity. Hopefully Hotham who has some improvement but does offer a running game.

For this match I think they will go with Preston.

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

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

With 4 midweek games and 4 tests, they will take 4 halfbacks on tour, so someone else will get an opportunity. Hopefully Hotham who has some improvement but does offer a running game.

For this match I think they will go with Preston.

I think one of the bigger issues is Roigard is very much in the Dupont mold, he runs the show with his running game, tactical awareness and just overall rugby IQ. Ratima is more in the Smith mold where its about the speed of pass etc. I am just not sure you can have one of each in the side as the structure and style of play is different. I think the SA tour will be a great test of our depth for sure.

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

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

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

With 4 midweek games and 4 tests, they will take 4 halfbacks on tour, so someone else will get an opportunity. Hopefully Hotham who has some improvement but does offer a running game.

For this match I think they will go with Preston.

I think one of the bigger issues is Roigard is very much in the Dupont mold, he runs the show with his running game, tactical awareness and just overall rugby IQ. Ratima is more in the Smith mold where its about the speed of pass etc. I am just not sure you can have one of each in the side as the structure and style of play is different. I think the SA tour will be a great test of our depth for sure.

I think that will be tempered somewhat as Love gains in experience and confidence at Test level. As long as Cortez keeps a running threat to his game, sniping to keep ruck defences honest, Love will be good enough to thrive with the speed of delivery.

Ultimately, it's a moot point if we can't get dominance (or at least parity) at the gainline.

@Bovidae said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

I'd like to see the ABs to really attack the Irish scrum. Their lineout has misfired at times too so let's contest the Irish set piece.

I'd like to see one of those ding dong battles like the chiefs under Rennie Vs the crusaders (or was it blues)?.

Retallick, Messam, etc would niggle the fuck out of them and completely put them off their game.

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

After Italy he deserves a shot

@gt12

if we step it up from the first two games we'll be ok
if not . . . it's a perfect ambush game

We have no reason to feel comfortable in the build-up against Ireland. They are still a quality side and we have been far from convincing over the last two games, especially in the forwards where I assume they will try to target us

J Barrett and Ioane will have more inside knowledge of the Leinster Irish players now.

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

Assuming he's on the wing, with McKenzie or, God forbid, Barrett at fullback.

@canefan I'd take any mix of our tight five over Ireland's "famed" forwards.

Rieko against Ireland would be a good idea

@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.

Yeah, it looked like Lomax in particular was really trying to get his leg drive going through the tackle instead of going to ground too quickly, so although he wasn't hitting the line at a lot of pace he was difficult to bring down and made good metres as a result. Was great to see.

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

i would love this, some confidence in form and belief a 28 year old professional rugby player can lift to the occation

@Kiwiwomble said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

i would love this, some confidence in form and belief a 28 year old professional rugby player can lift to the occation

Come on man, he's been selected in the squad as a debutante, I think it's a given they are confident and have belief.

@Bones and im happy about it, just highlighting the potential difference between bench against italy and starting against Ireland and i would enjoy seeing his form rewarded like that

For me, this is a preference, not oil. I want to see ST start at hooker with Aumua on the bench.

Codie has had a massive year as it is and father time is clearly catching up to him. Give Numia and Tosi the spots on the bench. Have them come on and show us what they can add against a solid Irish side. Sititi drops out of the 23 for me with Lakai coming straight back in at 6 and Segner on the bench.

What I did hear earlier today that is oil, is Rennie is not all too enthused with the halfback options in the country at the moment. Expect to see Ratima get another crack off the bench this weekend.

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Sititi drops out of the 23 for me with Lakai coming straight back in at 6 and Segner on the bench.

I’d love if they were a little more daring and go with a Left/Right of LJ and Segner with Ardie at #8. Lakai on the bench.

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

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

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

With 4 midweek games and 4 tests, they will take 4 halfbacks on tour, so someone else will get an opportunity. Hopefully Hotham who has some improvement but does offer a running game.

For this match I think they will go with Preston.

I think one of the bigger issues is Roigard is very much in the Dupont mold, he runs the show with his running game, tactical awareness and just overall rugby IQ. Ratima is more in the Smith mold where its about the speed of pass etc. I am just not sure you can have one of each in the side as the structure and style of play is different. I think the SA tour will be a great test of our depth for sure.

Ratima isn't remotely comparable to Aaron Smith in any capacity.

@brodean said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

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

@chimoaus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@kidcalder said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Loose forwards and centre is the main points for me.
Weseem well stocked with form players elsewhere...maybe a little bare after roigard as well come to think about it

The lack of a backup 9 concerns me a lot. They have tried a number of people but we are no closer to knowing who the true backup is. I think Roigard is one of the fittest in the team so he can play a lot of minutes but ideally it would be great to have a 9 that can take some of the pressure off Cam.

With 4 midweek games and 4 tests, they will take 4 halfbacks on tour, so someone else will get an opportunity. Hopefully Hotham who has some improvement but does offer a running game.

For this match I think they will go with Preston.

I think one of the bigger issues is Roigard is very much in the Dupont mold, he runs the show with his running game, tactical awareness and just overall rugby IQ. Ratima is more in the Smith mold where its about the speed of pass etc. I am just not sure you can have one of each in the side as the structure and style of play is different. I think the SA tour will be a great test of our depth for sure.

Ratima isn't remotely comparable to Aaron Smith in any capacity.

Yep not even close, but we have traditionally referred to Smith and Marshall when talking about how different NZ 9s play. Nobody will ever be Smith but he represents the peak of that style and DuPont has shown another type of 9 which I think Roigard is closer to.

@No-Quarter said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rieko against Ireland would be a good idea

Even as waterboy with a couple of sideline quips...

@nostrildamus said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@No-Quarter said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rieko against Ireland would be a good idea

Even as waterboy with a couple of sideline quips...

Bugger off. BB has made that job his own.

@Landers92 said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Some early oil to start your week.

Moorby is starting.

Interesting back 3 if it’s Moorby , Dmac and Jordan,

You would expect then , that combination to be one that’s good under the highball given they all play a bit of fullback

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

@zinnyzinzin Didn't Segner say he was told he was in the 23 for Italy on Monday? Tuesday would be the first big training day so the starting XV would be training together from then.

@Bovidae said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

I'd like to see the ABs to really attack the Irish scrum. Their lineout has misfired at times too so let's contest the Irish set piece.

Sheehan isn't a good scrummager. Can be attacked by hooker and TH. Boks did it successfully, albeit their TH pushing up and in isn't actually legal. But once Ref thought they were on top he jumped to conclusion Ireland were cheating...

Ioane in camp. Brown signed for the future. Retain your IP.

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

I don’t believe anything about possible team lineup until one of the Ferner’s rocks up to a training session and then tells us who is running the cutter.

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

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

I don’t believe anything about possible team lineup until one of the Ferner’s rocks up to a training session and then tells us who is running the cutter.

Lander has been very consistent naming teams of late

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

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

I don’t believe anything about possible team lineup until one of the Ferner’s rocks up to a training session and then tells us who is running the cutter.

What if a Ferner overhears the team while at breakfast?

Think the team is normally named internally on a Tuesday morning. Some players might be alerted in advance (debutants, new captain etc.).

@voodoo said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

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

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

I don’t believe anything about possible team lineup until one of the Ferner’s rocks up to a training session and then tells us who is running the cutter.

What if a Ferner overhears the team while at breakfast?

Texas crude.

@canefan said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

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

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@zinnyzinzin said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Landers92 ..so when do the players get told who is starting ? Has the whole team been named behind closed doors already ?

Players don't find out until same time as we do and spend the next 3 days just playing touch in random positions

I don’t believe anything about possible team lineup until one of the Ferner’s rocks up to a training session and then tells us who is running the cutter.

Lander has been very consistent naming teams of late

Just the last 2 or so seasons without fault lol. @act-crusader ive never just posted anything for shits and giggles. Only ever post when I know it’s reliable.

This season, the squad have been finding out Monday evening. Will likely change for different test weeks etc but that’s how it’s being handled so far while they are in NZ and 3 test weeks in a row.