Bledisloe #2
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One thing is sure - you'd be paid big money if you'd bet on this being the team to play in a deciding Bledisloe match at the start of the year!
Looks to me that this is a bit of a "can't make an omelette without breaking eggs team" - that some of these guys (Bridge and Reece especially) were scheduled to play this game with the Bled supposed to be already safely locked in the cupboard.
Hansen sticking with his plan?
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I've learned not to doubt southermans tips.
I think Hansen's put everyone on notice and dropped some previous stalwarts to emphasize the point.
Admittedly he's picked quite an important match to prove said point, though
I guess he's just going to tell these guys to go out there, at home, and retain that cup we've had for so long.
This game gets more enticing each day.
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@Nepia said in Bledisloe #2:
Is that the actual team? A 3rd 7 still on the bench? Ioane dropped when he was playing himself back into form despite tutae ball? As already mentioned the giraffe back in? Reece?
I think I'm nearly ready to join the sky is falling in crowd.
@SouthernMann seems to have a good sauce
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Yep the starting wingers were definitely the issue
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This could be a fun watch unless you are prone to motion sickness.
Sky Sport has announced an alternative way of watching the Black Ferns and the All Blacks play this Saturday - a live dedicated Spidercam channel.
The Spidercam, a camera that Sky says offers a "gravity-defying" experience, will offer fans a new way of following this weekend's double header.
"Spidercam provides our viewers with some incredible footage so we've decided to make this camera feed available to Sky Sport rugby fans for these two test matches," said Sky's head of sport production Brian Hitchcock.
"For us, it's about innovating and providing the best possible viewing experience to our customers."
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@Chris said in Bledisloe #2:
2 things stand out they are determined to stick with the BB and RM starting combo
And the twin open sides in Ardie and Sam
Points to trying to play the game at extreme pace with Todd on the bench again 3 open sides in the 23.Based on first half rewatch RM was fine on Saturday, and BB mixture, so no problem with Beau'unga.
Laulala is good at scrumtime (only three in first half) and more mobile than Owen, so makes sense. Bigger issue is that Ofa on bench at LH will probably struggle bigtime with Tupou who is six inches shorter. Need Moli or Karl T in RWC squad.
Cane/Savea is predictable, given TWM's obstinence, but nether has the instincts of an enforcer to punish/discourage jaywalking around rucks/scrums/etc.. That concerns me. Also Todd on bench seems waste. SOS Squire?
Not sure what quite to make of Reece/Jordie. Rieko was fine on Saturday, even though Benda off pace. On balance, I imagine they felt need to test Reece at top level. Maybe between him and Jordie for 14 backup?
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Who would have picked a top XV with everyone fully fit that wouldn't include Smith or Jordie.
If they dump Ben Smith a month out from the RWC from the XV after preaching experience, experience, experience all cycle at the expense of having a full look at other options then they may as well give it away.
The only way it makes sense if Smith is carrying a niggle and they've made the judgement that Smith at 80% isn't good enough anymore - which is reasonable. But if that were the case I doubt they would have risked him last week with RWC looming.
Surely Smith is the type of player who doesn't need to be "sent a message".
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Also, there is nothing wrong with moving on from an old stalwart on the eve of a RWC, for some it can just be a bridge too far; a similar thing happened with Mils in 2011. If Hansen and co have made the judgement that Smith's 10 year career is in it's twilight and he isn't starting calibre anymore then I have to trust their judgement. They aren't going to play favourites and won't pick players on past glories when their form is waning.
Oh and welcome back SBW.
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Who would have picked a top XV with everyone fully fit that wouldn't include Smith or Jordie.
If they dump Ben Smith a month out from the RWC from the XV after preaching experience, experience, experience all cycle at the expense of having a full look at other options then they may as well give it away.
The only way it makes sense if Smith is carrying a niggle and they've made the judgement that Smith at 80% isn't good enough anymore - which is reasonable. But if that were the case I doubt they would have risked him last week with RWC looming.
Surely Smith is the type of player who doesn't need to be "sent a message".
Will be interesting to find out if injuries a factor -- Franks for example.
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Oh and welcome back SBW.
Yep. We def. need physicality, off-loading, ball skills, discipline, leadership,. ball retention and rugby nous in the midfield.
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SouthernMann had the good oil!
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Joe Moody (39)
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Dane Coles (63)
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Nepo Laulala (18)
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Patrick Tuipulotu (23)
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Samuel Whitelock (110)
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Ardie Savea (37)
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Sam Cane (62)
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Kieran Read - captain (120)
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Aaron Smith (85)
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Richie Mo’unga (11)
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George Bridge (3)
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Sonny Bill Williams (52)
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Anton Lienert-Brown (36)
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Sevu Reece (1)
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Beauden Barrett (76)
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Codie Taylor (43)
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Ofa Tuungafasi (28)
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Angus Ta’avao (6)
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Jackson Hemopo (4)
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Matt Todd (19)
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TJ Perenara (57)
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Ngani Laumape (12)
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Jordie Barrett (10)
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Here's the media release (incl video):
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34546/all-blacks-team-named-for-bledisloe-cup-decider
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@rotated said in Bledisloe #2:
Surely Smith is the type of player who doesn't need to be "sent a message".
I don’t know that they are sending a message. Certainly not to him; tho’ possibly a message to others. They already know what they have with him — a senior leader, one of the world’s most experienced rugby players. I suspect they’re resting him and bleeding a couple newbies before the WC, possibly to give them some pressure minutes in a black jersey, possibly to help the selectors. They’re unlikely to learn anything they don’t already know about Ben. They want to nurse his knee, and he hasn’t been sharp for a while. My take anyway.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down. -
@Snowy said in Bledisloe #2:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Bledisloe #2:
SouthernMann had the good oil!
Yes, but he keeps naming the team on a Wednesday FFS. All the rules have gone out the window.
I'm going for a lie down.Was going to complain about this, but @Snowy beat me to it. It upsets the natural order of things.
also, thanks @SouthernMann good consistent oil, cheers
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If they were experimenting you’d think they’d have Bender on the bench in case of emergency. That he’s out completely in such a crunch match surely suggests he’s still injured. But dropping Rieko as well is what’s really perplexing. We’re left with two starting wingers as green as the Eden Park turf and a backstop on the bench with the Hex Factor. It’s like they’re playing Russian Roulette with five bullets in the chamber.
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@MrDenmore they are either grasping at straws, or this is all part of some grand plan....
