New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dan54]

Or would that combo roger up the lineout?

Jacobsen is going great guns but my image of him in black is seeming too lightweight and not making enough of a physical impact

I must admit , my reason for liking Jacobson at 6 is his rock shoulders in defence, I like 6's like that. You could be right about is he going to carry like we need though?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Wayne Smith has been knighted.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Edit: Black Ferns Ruahei Demant & Kennedy Simon got made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) which I think is the equivalent of the old OBE.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Brad Weber's departure fir Stade Francais has been confirmed.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

According to stuff.co.nz the All Blacks XV will play a Japan XV & Japan in July with Leon MacDonald coaching, team to be named at the same time as the 36-man TRC squad. To be selected by Foster, Schmidt & Ryan but one assumes Rangi will have some input.

 

[Dan54]

Looking forward to that ABXV, chance to have a peek at the ones just outside AB squad. I would almost have Harmon as captain.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ surely Harmon makes the main 36?

 

[Dan54]

Doubt whether he will make the 36 somehow, he is probably a case of being better to push his case in XV team. They will only take Cane and Papalii as 7 specialists in ABs I think. If you got Jacobson that cover all loose forwatds if needed, will only be 2 specialists in each position?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Bryn Gatland has signed with Kobelco.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Wondered what would happen to Gatland, assumed he was not getting his contract renewed as Chiefs sent Trask to Japan for 1 year until there was a gap for him to get some play.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ he's 28 so may as well set himself up while he's still got a few years left in him.

Will be interesting to see if/ how much Trask has developed whilst in Japan. I'm not sure how much game time he's been getting & don't recall seeing his name on stuff, NZHurld etc so have no idea how he's been going over there.

 

[Dan54]

Me neither mate, but I readily admit I don't follow Japanese comp anyway. If Ioane still around next year Chiefs are still pretty well off with 10s anyway.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ yeah, the Tribe's warehousing of talent just goes on & on, dunnit

 

[Dctarget]

What's the starting backline? Does Beauden make the XV or even 23?

Assuming Mo'unga gets the keys first.

10 Mo'unga
12. J. Barrett
13. Ioane
11/14 Telea/Stevenson/Clarke
15. W. Jordan
22. McKenzie
23. Fainga’anuku

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ it's Foster so probs

10. RMo
22. DMac
23. Beaugan

Then pull some crazy shit to get all three on the park simultaneously (then look bewildered when it blows up in his face).

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Blackadder out for "several weeks" with a quad injury

 

[KiwiM]

What's the starting backline? Does Beauden make the XV or even 23?

Assuming Mo'unga gets the keys first.

10 Mo'unga
12. J. Barrett
13. Ioane
11/14 Telea/Stevenson/Clarke
15. W. Jordan
22. McKenzie
23. Fainga’anuku

Sure enough Jordan will pull out a classic performance tomorrow to kill my Blues but I don't think you can put him at 15. Stevenson would be the form 15 or DMac has looked better at 15 in Super (and has test experience). Jordan's test experience is almost entirely at 14 so I can't see him suddenly being fullback in a World Cup year.

 

[Dan54]

@KiwiM ,I not convinced he a test 15 yet either, communiction and abilty under high ball maybe problems!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Sure enough Jordan will pull out a classic performance tomorrow to kill my Blues but I don't think you can put him at 15. Stevenson would be the form 15 or DMac has looked better at 15 in Super (and has test experience). Jordan's test experience is almost entirely at 14 so I can't see him suddenly being fullback in a World Cup year.

I think Foster's "best players not best combination of players" obsession will come into play:

11. Caleb or Fainga'anuku
14. Telea

In which case it's 15. Jordan: I just don't think he'll be able to bring himself to leave more than one of those four out of the XV.

 

[zer0]

You're missing the obvious.

Jordan at centre.

As is tradition.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

That Clarke/ Fainga'anuku, Telea, Jordan back three would work very well against Wobs IMO as their kicking game isn't the best going around. But v SA, France etc I'd want 14. WJ or Stevenson.