Northern Tours 2021 - NZ, SA, etc
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Cane & an all-new front row are out there now.
USA get their second-ever try v AB.
USA get their second-ever try v AB.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
More AB subs on, only Lord left on the bench I think.
Edit: Lord subs in for his skipper.
Edit: Lord subs in for his skipper.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Highlights:
Jeffrey
Chris McKivat (8)
So that AB USA match was a bit of a wash.
Beyond the AB performance, I thought it's a good idea to keep pushing into markets like USA and even China. They have big markets which means big advertising and television money, which is good for World Rugby. But you gotta wonder if the ABs going over is a good advertisement. I'm not sure what an American fan or first-time viewer gets from a 100 point loss.
I'll skip any thoughts on the ABs performance. It's really hard to judge, because this game is completely different from the coming ones the ABs will face.
I just wanted to touch on Josh Lord. Yea, happy for the lad, looks like a real good bloke too.
And I understand this will be a hugely unpopular opinion.
But I just don't think he's ready for international rugby. He's barely played Super Rugby, and is not exactly a standout even at the NPC. In comparison, you also feel for others like Boshier, Shields previously, Ash Dixon, Craig Clarke and many others which I'm sure you can name. Years of hard grafting without ever a chance of even wearing that black jersey. You also have to wonder about the blokes who have been in and around the ABs - Quentin Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, or even the likes of Pari Pari Parkinson who has at least in bits, played well at Super Rugby level? Sam Cane for example (or even McCaw for that matter) also made the ABs with few or no Super Rugby experience, but they were very dominant at the levels they played at.
Of course, we root for anyone who dons the black jersey. But from a fairness perspective, in terms of both actual performance and future potential, I don't quite think it justifies his inclusion. It kinda makes the AB jersey a little cheaper for mine.
Beyond the AB performance, I thought it's a good idea to keep pushing into markets like USA and even China. They have big markets which means big advertising and television money, which is good for World Rugby. But you gotta wonder if the ABs going over is a good advertisement. I'm not sure what an American fan or first-time viewer gets from a 100 point loss.
I'll skip any thoughts on the ABs performance. It's really hard to judge, because this game is completely different from the coming ones the ABs will face.
I just wanted to touch on Josh Lord. Yea, happy for the lad, looks like a real good bloke too.
And I understand this will be a hugely unpopular opinion.
But I just don't think he's ready for international rugby. He's barely played Super Rugby, and is not exactly a standout even at the NPC. In comparison, you also feel for others like Boshier, Shields previously, Ash Dixon, Craig Clarke and many others which I'm sure you can name. Years of hard grafting without ever a chance of even wearing that black jersey. You also have to wonder about the blokes who have been in and around the ABs - Quentin Strange, Mitchell Dunshea, or even the likes of Pari Pari Parkinson who has at least in bits, played well at Super Rugby level? Sam Cane for example (or even McCaw for that matter) also made the ABs with few or no Super Rugby experience, but they were very dominant at the levels they played at.
Of course, we root for anyone who dons the black jersey. But from a fairness perspective, in terms of both actual performance and future potential, I don't quite think it justifies his inclusion. It kinda makes the AB jersey a little cheaper for mine.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
I think Lord, like Vai'i probably have the potential to having a higher ceiling in ability than Pari Pari etc have, I thought PPP was bees knees, but doesn't seem to of come on as I had thought. I like the look of young Sam Parry to. I think Lord could develop into a Lurch type lock and be as good. Though mate that only my opinion and yours is just as valid as mine.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Wales team: Johnny McNicholl; Owen Lane, Jonathan Davies, Johnny Williams, Josh Adams; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Ross Moriarty, Taine Basham, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Thomas.
New Zealand: 15. Jordie Barrett; 14. Will Jordan, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. David Havili, 11. Rieko Ioane; 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara; 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock (capt), 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Sevu Reece.
Beaugan's 100th but apparently only his 50th start.
Edit: 50th start at 5/8, also 14 at fullback & the rest from the bench.
Replacements: Kirby Myhill, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Seb Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Ben Thomas.
New Zealand: 15. Jordie Barrett; 14. Will Jordan, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. David Havili, 11. Rieko Ioane; 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara; 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock (capt), 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Ardie Savea.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Sevu Reece.
Beaugan's 100th but apparently only his 50th start.
Edit: 50th start at 5/8, also 14 at fullback & the rest from the bench.
Last edited:
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Well happy with team, obviously will upset one or two with BB ahead of RMo , but no probs, I can see RMo be pretty effective against a tiring defence ditto with Akira. Think possibly TJ a little lucky to get in ahaed of Weber, as I tend to think TJ's strenght is defence at end of games .
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ I don't think they were ever gunna have Beaugan coming off the bench for his 100th & still think RMo will start v Ireland & France. Agree wrt TJP v Weber.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Naa mate, stayed home for birth of child.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Could also be what Kirwan reckons, BB at 10 goes better with JB at 15 and RMo and Dmac?
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
That would surprise me a bit, Wales haven't got that many 1st choice players out.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ Wales are mostly missing backs, they're still putting out a 6N-winning tight-5 & four were in a Lions tight-5 that really should've beaten SA. I think it's gonna be a lot closer than many people think if Wales keep it tight & kick for the corners.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
AB closing in on record for most Test tries in a calendar year:
92: Argentina (2003)
82: All Blacks (2021)*
81: All Blacks (2003)
81: South Africa (2007)
80: Japan (2002)
80: All Blacks (2007)
80: All Blacks (2016)
78: All Blacks (2018)
Argentina's tally included 24 in a match v Paraguay but to be fair AB scored 16 v both Tonga & USA.
AB have been known to score 10 v Italy so 100 isn't totally out of the question.
92: Argentina (2003)
82: All Blacks (2021)*
81: All Blacks (2003)
81: South Africa (2007)
80: Japan (2002)
80: All Blacks (2007)
80: All Blacks (2016)
78: All Blacks (2018)
Argentina's tally included 24 in a match v Paraguay but to be fair AB scored 16 v both Tonga & USA.
AB have been known to score 10 v Italy so 100 isn't totally out of the question.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ time to re-bait your hook, mate, the stuff you're using just now has lost its scent....
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Surprised Wales didn't put their 205cm guy at the front of that lineout but then contested it. Do one or t'other I'd have thought.