RWC 2023 - All Blacks pool matches

[Dismal Pillock]

Legendary flat track bully display from the Lol Blacks

Incredible how Havili, ALB and CC manage to play down to levels.

Surely Roigard has usurped Christie by now. The guy has got IT.

 

[Bullrush]

No real attempt to wrap so I'd say he's gone.

Taofifenua also made no real attempt to wrap. I think his is worse than de Groot but stayed a yellow.

It’s a joke.

 

[Bullrush]

Legendary flat track bully display from the Lol Blacks

Incredible how Havili, ALB and CC manage to play down to levels.

Surely Roigard has usurped Christie by now. The guy has got IT.

When even Blues tragics like ourselves are saying it….

It’s debatable the Christie is even ABs 3rd best halfback option.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Taofifenua also made no real attempt to wrap. I think his is worse than de Groot but stayed a yellow.

It’s a joke.

Having let the French guy off so lightly they'll probably make an example of de Groot, that seems to be how they roll.

 

[Bullrush]

Having let the French guy off so lightly they'll probably make an example of de Groot, that seems to be how they roll.

It wouldn’t surprise me

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

It’s debatable the Christie is even ABs 3rd best halfback option.

He's not, that would be Weber.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

"The All Blacks say they will contest any judiciary charge laid against loosehead prop Ethan de Groot for his 72nd-minute red-card hit on Namibia forward Adriaan Booysen in Saturday’s Pool A World Cup clash in Toulouse."

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Meanwhile Le Roux Malan will at least have something to hang on his wall while his ankle heals...

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Sully]

It would need to be an incredible defence to get him off.

 

[cyclopath]

It would need to be an incredible defence to get him off.

You'd think so, but this is WR (World Rugby) we're dealing with.
Lead with the shoulder, did not wrap, sure it might have hit shoulder first but clearly head contact.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Yeah, I don't see how the dislocated shoulder is relevant & by challenging they run the risk of the ban being say four weeks without the possibility of "tackle school" v two (three less one for doing the training) if they just cop to it. Not sure they can afford to do that. But, yes, it's WR (World Rugby) so anything's possible.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Encouraging news out of AB rehab group:

"There’s a good chance that Lomax, skipper Sam Cane (back), first-choice No 12 Jordie Barrett (knee) and top blindside flanker Shannon Frizell (hamstring) will all return for the Italy clash after sitting out the first two matches of this World Cup."

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Plus Blackadder has started training.

'Light at the end of the tunnel': Blackadder eyes return to action with All Blacks

The rugged loose forward has battled injury form most of the past two years, since his international debut.

www.newshub.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

As expected...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Injured players back, SamW benched & DMac promoted to bench:

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea (capt), Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi. Reserves: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

 

[Tomthumb]

Why has Taukei'aho fallen down the pecking order?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ probably the least-accurate lineout thrower of the three & depending on which "expert" you listen to isn't the best scrummager. I think he sits this one out on the basis that Italy have a solid scrum & we don't want too many 50/50 lineouts.

 

[Dan54]

Injured players back, SamW benched & DMac promoted to bench:

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea (capt), Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi. Reserves: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Pretty happy with that line up to be honest, I may possibly have had a couple of chnages , but only a small ones. That's a bloody good bench.

 

[Dan54]

^ probably the least-accurate lineout thrower of the three & depending on which "expert" you listen to isn't the best scrummager. I think he sits this one out on the basis that Italy have a solid scrum & we don't want too many 50/50 lineouts.

Also don't think Sami has done a lot in general play this year to make me think he should be ahead of the 2 named.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ Second Year Syndrome, perhaps?

 

[Tomthumb]

^ probably the least-accurate lineout thrower of the three

Statistically he’s one of the best in the world isn’t he?

He was huge for them last year and he’s the kind of difference maker with ball in hand they probably need vs the big boys

 

[Dan54]

^ Second Year Syndrome, perhaps?

I kind of think that.
Other one who I could see changing is Papali'i, and if Blackadder had a few games under belt would of started him at 7 if they want to ease Cane back in. I just not completely in raptures over his game, I not even sure I think he's Blues best option at 7. He plays well, but a little passive for my taste.