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He's already turned down Canterbury once. This is from 2018 https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/108822875/niko-jones-reveals-he-has-signed-for-auckland-on-a-twoyear-deal

I would very much like to see Foster make those changes ^^^ but I cannot see him doing it - unfortunately he will stick with his 10/15 axis. The only changes I think he will make in the backs is Beaudy to 15, ALB to 13 and maybe Clarke to 11. The only change I see him making in the forwards is...

Nope - Angus Gardner was on the near side in the second half - he was on the far side in the first half (missed Rieko's foot in touch). Ben O'Keeffe was the other touch judge - not to be confused with Ben Skeen (awful TMO from RWC).

He was instrumental too - counter-drove through the ruck to generate a very late turnover.

The problem with ditching Ioane (and in a vacuum I agree I'd replace him - he had his shot at 13 and he fluffed it) is that there's a lack of strike threats in that backline. If you go with a midfield of ALB and Goodhue you need some punch on the wings - the starting wings failed hard - Jordie...

Wallabies should keep the same team - they went well - let them build on their combinations. ABs should have a completely different backline - Beaudy should start, Clarke should start, Jordie should be fullback, ALB centre as well as starting Sotutu. Will they? I highly doubt it.

Sorry a bit late to this - haven't read the thread yet - congrats Wallabies fans - even though it was a draw it definitely felt like a Wallaby win. Best Wallaby performance in NZ since 2001 Dunedin? Wallabies look a far better coached outfit both than previous years and than the current ABs...

Sotutu.

Tuipulotu and Ofa will help with the collisions (they are now starting instead of bench) but I agree - underwhelming AB starting XV. That ABs backline is a complete mess - Goodhue has been underwhelming at 12, Jordie is the best fullback but shunted to the wing, Bridge has offered bugger all...

3 of them should be starting.

Clarke's comment about every SANZAAR party having to sacrifice something is telling. NZ will be sacrificing a share of the $ for this arrangement.

Chicago is called the Windy City cos of the bluster that their politicians used to deliver about how great their city was - not to do with the wind.

Son of Michael Jones on the bench for Auckland for a debut - he's been with the NZ 7s program. Also looking forward to seeing Vikena who is a highly rated young hooker.

It's the windiest city in the world. I am amazed that you were amazed to discover that it was windy.....

Friday

Lomax is a tighthead. The other loosehead option is Hodgman.

Yeah I wouldn't be putting too much stock in that team - they had 1.93 metre tall rookie Cullen Grace as the lock cover on the bench - yeah nah.

Dunshea has been called up to the squad.

I'm ok with Scrafton as a stop gap but i'm not sold on him as anything more. His discipline is terrible - he single handedly lost the Blues game v the Reds last year due to his discipline and his discipline in the North/South game was awful too.

He isn't in the squad. There's only 3 locks left in the Bledisloe squad (Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Vaai). Scrafton could be a contender - he's been named to start for Auckland tomorrow night.