RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool B)
-
Luke Jacobson out of World Cup - Shannon Frizell in
Luke Jacobson to miss Rugby World Cup 2019
All Blacks loose forward Luke Jacobson is to miss the Rugby World Cup in Japan, after suffering a delayed onset of concussion, it was announced today.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said the 22-year-old had not presented with any signs of concussion after the Test against Tonga last week but developed symptoms after the first training session this week.
"After discussing this latest episode with Luke, as well as our medical team, the decision has been made to, sadly, withdraw him from the Tournament.
"We all felt that the best thing for him to do is to take a break from rugby until he is symptom-free and ready to return to rugby.
"While it was a tough conversation to have, ultimately it was a very simple decision. We have a duty of care to look after our players and Luke's health is the most important thing above anything else."
Hansen added: "Luke's a young man with a hugely promising career ahead of him and I'm sure he'll get the chance to play at other Rugby World Cups in the future."
Luke Jacobson said: "I'm gutted to be missing the Rugby World Cup. However, I completely understand that this decision has been made with my health and best interests at heart. Whilst I'm feeling 98 percent okay, I know I'm still not quite right and by taking a break now, I'll give myself the opportunity to continue my career in the future. I wish the team all the very best and will be with them all the way."
Hansen said the team were all feeling for Luke and were supporting him. He will stay with the group until he is symptom-free and ready to fly home.
Ta$man loose forward Shannon Frizell has been called in and will arrive in Japan on Saturday. Hansen said loose forwards Vaea Fifita and Dalton Papalii weren't considered for selection because they are currently injured.
-
oh wow, how gutting for him!!
Was such a meteoric rise, to have this happen!! Gotta feel for him!
-
@Bones said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Number-10 that is stink as.
Odds on Frizell absolutely tearing it up at RWC now? I reckon a duo of him and Savea running off each other could be quite damaging...
Shiit. That's pretty unlucky to not even make it to the first game.
Odds on Frizell tearing it up at RWC - lower than the odds that he would have torn it up in the M10 Cup.
I'm pretty doubtful that we'll see much of him outside the minnow matches - barring injuries.
-
@Chris-B said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bones said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Number-10 that is stink as.
Odds on Frizell absolutely tearing it up at RWC now? I reckon a duo of him and Savea running off each other could be quite damaging...
Shiit. That's pretty unlucky to not even make it to the first game.
Odds on Frizell tearing it up at RWC - lower than the odds that he would have torn it up in the M10 Cup.
I'm pretty doubtful that we'll see much of him outside the minnow matches - barring injuries.
So Todd is your bench man for the big games?
-
@Chris-B said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Bones Yep - certainly looks that way.
Todd and Barrett.
So much meh right there
-
Forecast for Yokohama for next Saturday evening is heavy rain.
Team I'd pick to take on the Boks:
Moody, Coles, Laulala, Whitelock, Tuitupolou, Savea, Cane, Read, A.Smith, B.Barrett, Ioane, Crotty, ALB, Bridge, B.Smith.
Bench: Taylor, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, S Barrett, Todd, TJP, Mo'unga, GoodhueAgainst the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
-
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Against the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
As opposed to other sides, where we need not worry about those things? That's some top level analysis you have going there!
I reckon it's even simpler than "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". In my experience putting points on the board is the key.
-
Forwards pretty obvious. Think they'll want Coles to be there for 50.
Could make a case for Smith/Mo'unga/SBW/Goodhue OR TJP/BB/Crotty/Goodhue, depending on emphasis, and injuries.
Bender to start at 15 or warm bench. Expect to see Rieko back, probably with Bridge on other wing. ALB logical midfield cover on bench.
-
@sparky I'd say if Crotty is 12, Goodhue is 13, if ALB starts, Goodhue wont be in the 23 unless ALB is 12.
I think you have starting combos of SBW/ALB, SBW/Goodhue, SBW/Crotty, Crotty/Goodhue or the less likely combo, ALB/Goodhue....but any starting combo without Goodhue, Goodhue sits the match out completely.
-
@Chester-Draws said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Against the Boks, it's all going to be about physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities.
As opposed to other sides, where we need not worry about those things? That's some top level analysis you have going there!
I reckon it's even simpler than "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". In my experience putting points on the board is the key.
I don't think it's about "physicality, discipline, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities" but rather "discipline, physicality, composure and ruthlessly taking opportunities". However, my mate reckons it's about "physicality, ruthlessly taking opportunities, composure and discipline" and I was talking to my Dad the other day and he reckons it's about "ruthlessly taking opportunities, physicality, composure and discipline."
-
@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip my posts.
-
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip
my poststhe Fern. -
@sparky said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip my posts.
Never a truer post...
-
@No-Quarter said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:
Given we are highly unlikely to run teams off their feet in the first half, I prefer Smith at 15 and Beauden at 10 to start the test, then putting the dual playmaker role into action to finish the game.
I also have big concerns about Mo'unga starting when the heat is really on. He hasn't done well when our pack is on the back foot thus far in his career; think he is better utilised from the bench.
You probably dislike that two pivot formation as much as I dislike playing two opensides.
In all honesty, we probably need both of those things to be masterstrokes if we're going to win this RWC, because we don't have too many points of difference outside them.