Just like last week, there was a big penalty count against us in the 1st half, but we somehow still came out of the half with the lead, then in the 2nd half, we adapt a bit and really start taking control of the game.

Patty and the backrow were very good tonight. Akira will get another start next week after that performance.

Setpiece is functioning really well this season, and we still have Karl T to come back into the team.

The defense in tight was a bit iffy at first, but it just got better as the game went on. Was nice to keep them tryless.

Nice of the team to dedicate the win to Blues fan, Constable Michael Hunt.

I'm OK....

@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:

@rotated said in AB EOYT 2018:

Doesn't feel like a Bledisloe test week. Could be because it's a dead rubber? Maybe because it is in Japan? Maybe because it's already Wednesday and Hansen hasn't baited Cheika yet.

Don't expect the last one to happen this week as the most rancid bait will be saved Eddie no doubt.

Plus the team hasn’t been named yet.
When is that by the way?

木曜日

We didn't boo Lomu when he left the Blues. Cane fans are just horrible human beings.

Now that Beauden can't even make the starting line-up, he must be regretting not signing with the Blues...

Every team should play without a 10.

I'm not saying this because I'm a Blues fan...

@kev I like the idea of red cards being 20 minutes and the player who got the red card isn't allowed to come back on after that 20 minutes is up, it has to be another player.

NMS without a lethal step is just Michael Collins.

Just did a simulation of tonight's game and here's the result.

It's never wrong.

I think Nanai-Seturo is a much better fullback than wing. He looks class at fullback for Counties, but he'll find it hard to get game time at FB for the Chiefs with DMac around.

Colin Cooper did say that they were just putting him on the wing to start his career, and then they were looking to eventually move him to fullback, but Cooper's gone now.

@mikedogz Seems quite a few names from last year aren't in there.

I had a go at a starting XV.

1 - Ezekiel Lindenmuth
2 - Donald Maka
3 - Nepo Laulala
4 - Matiaha Martin
5 - Lyndon Dunshea
6 - Samuel Slade
7 - Dalton Papali'i
8 - Alamanda Motuga
9 - Jonathan Taumateine
10 - Baden Kerr
11 - Sione Molia/Tevita Nabura
12 - Orbyn Leger
13 - Nikolai Foliaki
14 - Kirisi Kuridrani
15 - Etene Nanai

Not sure if Molia can play centre, but if he can, I'd move him there.

@Tim said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300065707/all-blacks-reportedly-set-to-kick-off-test-season-against-combined-pacific-xv-in-auckland

My go at a best of the rest PI team.

1 - Alex Hodgman
2 - Andrew Makalio
3 - Nepo Laulala/Angus Ta'avao(can see one of them missing the ABs this year)
4 - Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5 - Isaia Walker-Leawere
6 - Akira Ioane(possible AB)
7 - Du'Plessis Kirifi
8 - Marino Mikaele-Tu'u(possible AB)
9 - Folau Fakatava
10 - Josh Ioane
11 - Leicester Fainga'anuku
12 - TJ Faiane
13 - Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 - Mark Telea
15 - David Havili(possible AB)

16 - Samisoni Takei'aho
17 - George Bower
18 - Michael Alaalatoa
19 - Vaea Fifita/Kane Leaupepe/Naitoa Ah Kuoi
20 - Pita Sowakula
21 - Ere Enari
22 - Stephen Perofeta
23 - Vince Aso

Not that bad a team IMO.

Didn't include Karl T, Aumua, Papali'i, Clarke or Laumape because I think they have a high chance of making the ABs, but I can see one or two of them missing out.

We have 4 locks on the field now.

Seagulls in the stadium?

@Tim Should've brought in Riedlinger-Kapa instead of Carroll.

Jacob Pierce comes onto the bench for Josh Goodhue.

The Sky guys talking up Michael Collins' elite communicating ability.

DMac and Webber don't belong in the ABs this year.

We needed an NRL ref just for that one play.