@Nepia Bridge is a country boy from Poverty Bay.

Pinched from Stuff.

Team announcements for Rugby World Cup quarter-finals (NZ time)
Thursday: England (3pm), Australia (9pm).

@taniwharugby said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

@Bovidae think Yealden had ALB/Goodhue, SBW on bench...

For me, just leaves us a bit green - Mounga, ALB, Goodhue, Bridge, Reece....less caps than BB??

I was thinking about exactly that earlier today. If JB is on the bench, as some have speculated, then this would be one of the greenest backlines the ABs have selected for a big RWC test in a long time. That's why I would put BFA on the bench to provide some experience if needed.

Although, having said that, for the ABs to win it is the forwards who need to dominate.

Knowler has Goodhue at centre and Coles starting in his team.

The flow-on effect from this is that Nike's new ZoomX Vaporfly shoes are now in the spotlight.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/116621409/do-nikes-controversial-vaporfly-shoes-give-athletes-an-unfair-advantage

So a Toomua-Kerevi-Petaia combo?

If this move is to counter the size and power of Tuilagi then why not Kuridrani?

@Bones I saw that article. Isaac isn't a Kiwi anyway. He's from the Pacific Island of Tokoroa.

Justin Marshall has assumed the role of Fitzy v2 by calling the Irish laborious (a big word for him) and predictable. He gives the Irish little chance of winning.

@Tim Frizell should get more opportunities to start with Squire and Whitelock leaving.

Do we know when the squads are announced? Last year it was at the end of October but maybe they wait until the RWC finishes.

@Crucial said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

It just cracks me up when other team’s fans carry on about breakdown ‘cheating’ as if their team is Lilly white.

And that's my point. Ireland wants a ref who allows plenty of leeway at the breakdown but have criticised the likes of Gardner who was stricter with players supporting their own bodyweight.