All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II
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@Chris First of all, I didn't say it's the same for all players. Second, distance will play a role. It's easier to drive up from Chch to Nelson. To go to rural Taranaki requires taking a plane and then a drive out of New Plymouth. It will also depend on their partner. If their partner has a job in the SR main centre and can't get a few days off, or a player has children that go to school there, then he'll probably stay there for that reason.
I know of plenty of Hawke's Bay players returning home from Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington during a bye week or when injured. It's harder from Dunedin, but know several of them will always consider Dunedin as their home away from home. I see the same with players from the Canes who return to Manawatū, Auckland or BOP.
Anyway, the initial comment/question was about Havili and Blackadder, and I know Ta$man is home for them.
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@Stargazer It's often different for All Blacks though, because they don't play NPC, so are living out of a suitcase half the time, living 7 months+ of the year at their Super home base, and then spending the rest (Dec-Early Jan) on holiday, which may be at home, or their original home, or somewhere totally different.
It slightly differs for the younger players who don't live with GFs/have kids, who often just flat together. Folau Fakatava is one like that I think, but as I say, I'd be stunned if Havili, who has played for the Crusaders for 10 years doesn't live in Christchurch.
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top quality input here
which South Island dump they call home is definitely a big factor
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@mariner4life Yes not quite sure how we jumped from the fact that Havili and Blackadder are injured to an in-depth argument around where the former lives 🤣
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my guess is hope that because they are at ABs training but "away from home" they are going to the World Cup
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@Chris said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Havilli will go to the WC
That's the assumption. But it is only that. Tupaea is the wildcard, and Ennor's form may have thrown a cat amongst the pigeons.
The other possibility is they take five midfielders and four outside backs rather than the other way around, which I wouldn't rule out.
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They haven’t bought Havilli,Moody and Blackadder into the squad to train for nothing they are in the selection frame.
McLeod hasn’t played yet more for the future, experience is always a selection consideration for WCs,maybe Ennor if they take 5 mid fielders will go as well if they see him as a wing cover.
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Revealed: Stevenson in line for debut as ABs expected to ring changes
The Chiefs fullback's expected to make his much-anticipated debut on the wing in Dunedin.
Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
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of all the All Black teams, that's certainly one of them
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This is certainly the week to roll out an experimental team.
Bledisloe secure, Wallabies will likely be down 2 tightheads, plus no Michael Hooper plus similar to ABs likely to give their wider squad a run.
I'd be tempted to run the Chiefs loose forward trio and give Ardie a bench spot.
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@Tim said in All Blacks v Australia - Bledisloe II:
Revealed: Stevenson in line for debut as ABs expected to ring changes
The Chiefs fullback's expected to make his much-anticipated debut on the wing in Dunedin.
Shaun Stevenson is in line to debut as one of three rookie All Blacks against the Wallabies in Dunedin.
With the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup secured in Melbourne last week, the All Blacks are expected to use their final test before revealing their World Cup squad to experiment. That approach could result in as many as 12 starting changes and one positional switch for the rematch with the Wallabies on Saturday afternoon.
While Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau, who is expected to start at blindside, and Crusaders second five-eighths Dallas McLeod’s debuts have been well-flagged, Stevenson’s likely injection on the right wing would spark widespread enthusiasm.
Emoni Narawa’s ongoing back issues may have opened the door for Stevenson’s inclusion this week. Starting Stevenson on the wing could pave the way for Will Jordan’s maiden start at fullback for the All Blacks in a back-three reshuffle that may feature Leicester Fainga’anuku’s first appearance of the test season on the left edge after recovering from his calf troubles.
Possible All Blacks team: Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Finlay Christie, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Dallas McLeod.
If this team selected it would seem Lord won’t be in RWC squad. Big opportunity for Finau.
