All Blacks v Ireland II
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@taniwharugby Him also but I thought PT as well. He certainly wasn't bowling people over like he was versus Italy.
Regardless of selection a good start for the ABs will be discipline - don't give the Irish cheap field position or numbers advantage (Moody)
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Whereas that line Scott Barrett ran was sublime. One thing which really impressed me was Irish defensive 'spacing'. Their line in general play and in kick chase was both straight and even -- the gaps early on for PT and Kaino were tight and probably required a conscious effort in taking the tackle to get to ground and accurately present the ball for ruck, rather than trying to power through.
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Really disappointed Kaino is out. This is the type of game where he goes lights out.
Fekitoa, if you're going to turn into that composed but explosive centre that we need, let it be this game.
Fucking exciting, but I'm going to be a nervous wreck at kick off. I can't handle hearing it from my Irish mates if they put two in a row on us.
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@African-Monkey said in Ireland II:
Not a good sign for PT as it seems that Scott Barrett and Squire are preferred options as cover off the bench now.
PT is only young so time on his side. But I've said for a while now that right now he doesn't have the motor that the AB selectors want from a lock. An impact player yes and a pretty good one.
S Barrett a different player is an endurance man. So if they need a lock or even a 6 to replace Squire to go the distance, Barrett could do that job.
I like this side and I reckon Squire is going to have a big one.
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@rotated said in Ireland II:
Shocked to see Barrett there. Scott Barrett that is. The rest as per program.
Am a bit over Fekitoa in the midfield and would prefer ALB at 13 but if we tighten in the right areas and everyone else is on their game - particularly in defence - it shouldn't be an issue.
Fekitoa will be fine. He's played well enough in black all year and he'll be particularly good with ALB creating. Defensively he's the best centre running around in New Zealand.
@akan004 said in Ireland II:
Prefer PT on the bench over Barrett. Other than that it's a good team and should be too strong for Ireland.
Ordinarily, I'd say that the coaches would agree, but it seems they're a bit gun shy after the injuries in Chicago and that both our locks are coming back from issues.
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@Hooroo said in Ireland II:
What time is Kick off?
I'm on a golf trip this weekend kicking off tomorrow. If it is the middle of the night I will miss it. (I've missed the last two game too)
630am
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With Whitelock back, this is a very predictable squad to me. Not surprised at all by SBarrett being preferred over PT after his two great performances. I found PT quite underwhelming in most of the games he played this season.
Kaino is definitely a big loss to the squad. Squire will have to show what he's made of. Depending on the seriousness of Kaino's injury, I wonder whether they will keep Tom Franklin in Europe, now that the Maori tour is over? As injury cover? (I wouldn't mind Shane Christie either, btw).
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@KiwiMurph said in Ireland II:
I'm actually more worried about Squire than S Barrett - having said that 2 proper locks will help Squire do his thing I reckon. It's a real chance for him to show he's up to the 6 jersey.
Squire's probably been a bit undercooked by the AB management. He wasn't released for any gametime for the Mako$, so going into the Chicago test he'd had one full game against Argentina and four appearances off the bench in about three months.
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I'm thinking him, Sam Cane and Aaron Smith should all be significantly better for having a bit of game time under their belts.
Lets hope Whitelock and Retallick are up-to-speed.
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@Donsteppa Same applies to every other forward who started that game. Very selective to focus on him.
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@Donsteppa now you've done it, you have upset the Canerbry of Auckland rugby!
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@Tim at least @Donsteppa isnt actually wrong for once though
Moody went missing the most though....
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Slightly nervous about Moody starting - if he has another game full of indiscipline, there will be Qs for Joe & Steve to answer.
Disappointed Kaino injured, but Squire is probably the best option. Squire has been a major mover this year, from Highlanders bench to core AB23 player.
No problem with the backs - I suppose I should follow the herd and criticise Savea and bemoan Naholo not starting...but I won't because I agree with the selection.
On the bench, I agree too. PT has been a major disappointment in his 2 recent games - didn't think he was that impressive against Italy either...he needs a big Super 18 season, and hoping the ABs continue with a lock on the bench.
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@Billy-Tell no coments thus far that Naholo should start over Savea?
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when Kaino is unavailable , it hits home how handy Messam was
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@KiwiMurph not since the team naming though??
all you said above was
Julian Savea needs a much better performance than the rubbish he served up in Chicago.
I was more pointintg to the comment by Willy
No problem with the backs - I suppose I should follow the herd and criticise Savea and bemoan Naholo not starting...but I won't because I agree with the selection.
I think Savea deserves most of the shit he has copped, but Naholo isnt doing enough to dsiplace him at the moment, which is saying somethign IMO.
