Bledisloe IV 2010 Hong Kong

[Searsy]

It's great to see Daniel Braid in the team. He had a great season for the Reds and with 'Come next f***ing Sunday' led the young pack from the front.

 

[Crow]

Braid's getting some well deserved recognition of his Super 14 efforts,
SBW isn't even on the bench. Wonder if he'll get a mid-week run.

 

[Searsy]

I think that is one huge difference between the Wallabies and All Blacks. The Darkness have the ability to gradually introduce these potential 'x-factor' players where as the WB's, looking to make up ground, will throw them in.

 

[en_force_er]

Good to see the ABs selecting a B team.

This will be a walk in the park surely!

Are you kidding? Probably... I want to presume you are kidding.

Reserves:
16. Hikawera Elliot (uncapped)
17. John Afoa (25)
18. Samuel Whitelock (08)
19. Daniel Braid (04)
20. Alby Mathewson (01)
21. Stephen Donald (19)
22. Isaia Toeava (26)

They went predictable and certainly went there best for the XV, as they should. The bench is a little more interesting.

No SBW, smart move. He has never been in an AB set-up and could use more time before he takes to the field. Elliot is obviously debuting but he has been in the set-up before so it's different.

Elliot is a great player and benching him is a good call but with ALL the effort to convert Afoa to a hooker/prop why not back him. Silly silly.

Naming a specialist opensider (Braid) on the bench is always questionable for me. I mean if you don't have a heap of depth like Australia at times then fair enough but the ABs do. I suppose Whitelock is also covering 6 and Kaino is covering 8.

The back reserves make sense, they went conservative with the tour squad and took Donald so you'd want to use him. Toeava hasn't played much footy for a while and I wouldn't feel very confident in I was a Kiwi and anyone from 12 up goes down early and he has to fill a gap. He always looks slow coming back from injury and I think we'll see the Aussie use the maneuverability that comes with a lack of size to get around him.

 

[RugbyReg]

Braid's getting some well deserved recognition of his Super 14 efforts,
SBW isn't even on the bench. Wonder if he'll get a mid-week run.

there aren't any:

Saturday 30 October, All Blacks v Australia, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
Saturday 6 November, All Blacks v England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 13 November, All Blacks v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday 20 November, All Blacks v Ireland, AVIVA Stadium, Dublin
Saturday 27 November, All Blacks v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

 

[Crow]

Righto, sucks to be him.

 

[en_force_er]

there aren't any:

Yeah the Kiwis tend to treat Scotland and Italy like midweek runs anyway. As I read somewhere else I think we'll see Sonny for 10 against England and maybe 60 the following week against Scotland.

Based on those games I think it will be decided if he gets regular minutes in future tests this year.

This is all speculation though.

 

[Jnor]

Righto, sucks to be him.

You sure about that? In relative terms he's played f all rugby, he'll get his time and soon enough.

 

[Crow]

You sure about that? In relative terms he's played f all rugby, he'll get his time and soon enough.

And if reports are correct, he earns a bucketload of money and has no problems with the women. I'd give my eye teeth to play at that level and tour with the darkness, let alone everything else. Perhaps I should have added a smiley

 

[Scotty]

All Blacks Telecom BackingBlack Tour

Saturday 30 October, All Blacks v Australia, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
Saturday 6 November, All Blacks v England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 13 November, All Blacks v Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday 20 November, All Blacks v Ireland, AVIVA Stadium, Dublin
Saturday 27 November, All Blacks v Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

I wonder if adding the 'g' is enough to stop ACDC from suing them?

 

[Scotty]

Is Braid's naming on the bench an indication that they are concerned about Pocock's influence, or just that they realise they need a back up to McCaw?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think it's a recognition that if McCaw gets injured, they are rooted.

 

[en_force_er]

Is Braid's naming on the bench an indication that they are concerned about Pocock's influence, or just that they realise they need a back up to McCaw?

I think they used the ABs as the bargaining chip to get him over there and they now have to deliver.

Perhaps it also has to do with the fact that they've been fluffing around for years with finding McCaw's back-up, I think deep down they know that if the mighty Richie goes down come WC time they are fucked.

 

[Ruggo]

Can we assume then that if we dont win the we will get the inverse of a "massive confidence boost" and then where does that leave us? Back to wishful thinking, prayers, justifying false dawns, speculating on whose fault it all is etc etc

That leaves us where we are now. No better no worse. I refuse to entertain the thought of my team losing before a game. I choose to be more positive than that.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Is Braid's naming on the bench an indication that they are concerned about Pocock's influence, or just that they realise they need a back up to McCaw?

Braid was the best 7 in the Super 14 this year bar none, if he'd been available for NZ at the start of the 3N he would have been a shoe in for the squad.

Although I agree with the NZRFU stance on not allowing NH players in the AB's, I think S15 players which ply their trade in any country should be allowed. But I guess that's another discussion for another day.

Team - happy with, rolled out the big guns so no excuses allowed if we drop it. Very disappointed I won't get to see SBW play this weekend, so from a personal view, quite pissed off. But from an AB fan point of view, clearly the right decison.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Although I agree with the NZRFU stance on not allowing NH players in the AB's, I think S15 players which ply their trade in any country should be allowed. But I guess that's another discussion for another day.

Without wanting to take the thread off-topic (again!), I agree with this. Perhaps we should start another thread

 

[Searsy]

Does anyone have any idea what the weather conditions are expected to be like in Honkers saturday night?

 

[Crow]

according to the HK observatory:
http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm
17-23 degrees C, Fine and dry. North to northeast force 4 to 5. (Moderate to fresh winds)

It's looking good for the game.

 

[farva]

Are you kidding? Probably... I want to presume you are kidding.

Nope. Deadly serious.

Unfortunately sarcasm doesnt come across well on a forum does it .
Im quite glad that the ABs are taking this game seriously. I hope Deans names a full strength side too.
If we can beat the ABs it will be a huge confidence boost and I would like to see the momentum created bring us an undefeated EOYT.

 

[farva]

Braid was the best 7 in the Super 14 this year bar none, if he'd been available for NZ at the start of the 3N he would have been a shoe in for the squad.

He was very good, but wasnt the best.
I have heard that his ITM Cup form has been pretty average. A lot of Kiwis are asking whether it was worth bringing him back.