Wallabies v All Blacks, Sat 27th October 4.45pm AEDT, Nissan Stadium, Japan

[KOB1987]

We need to get a first half lead, the ABs finishing backline will be stronger than the starting one.

 

[Slim 293]

Interest is definitely at an an all time low for a Bledisloe test.........

Two days before the match and we're still on the first page.

 

[KiwiM]

All Blacks team to play Australia at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, on Saturday, kick-off 7pm NZT is:

15. Damian McKenzie, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Ryan Crotty, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Kieran Read ©, 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Liam Squire, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Brodie Retallick, 20. Matt Todd, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. Richie Mo'unga, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

Except for Harris that bench looks good.

I don't rate that 10-12-13 combo.

 

[Slim 293]

Maybe I'm missing something, and feel free to school me on this...............

But why does SBW still have a starting gig?

 

[KiwiM]

Maybe I'm missing something, and feel free to school me on this.....

But why does SBW still have a starting gig?

With Goodhue out ill at the moment the ABs have been saved from making some tough calls in the midfield. They really rate ALB's ability to come off the bench. SBW needs time on the field - he's hardly played the whole calendar year.

 

[Sully]

We're FUBAR

 

[zer0]

Coles was anonymous against Auckland, but, unless he's playing Japan, he'll be going to the UK with bugger all match play minutes over the last year or whatever it's been. Doesn't seem like the ideal preparation for major test matches.

I wouldn't be surprised if ALB is on before half time as at least one of the midfielders will break down. Maybe even both. Then it'll be fun and games.

 

[Up the Guts]

With Goodhue out ill at the moment the ABs have been saved from making some tough calls in the midfield. They really rate ALB's ability to come off the bench. SBW needs time on the field - he's hardly played the whole calendar year.

I'd probably have Laumape over SBW.

 

[Braveheart81]

1. Scott Sio (51 Tests)
2. Folau Fainga'a (5 Tests)
3. Allan Ala'alatoa (29 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (13 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (90 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (17 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (87 Tests)
8. David Pocock (74 Tests)
9. Will Genia (96 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (64 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (17 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (80 Tests)
13. Israel Folau (69 Tests)
14. Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (27 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (9 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (99 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (8 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (18 Tests)
20. Jack Dempsey (6 Tests)
21. Pete Samu (7 Tests)
22. Nick Phipps (69 Tests)
23. Samu Kerevi (21 Tests)
24. Tom Banks (3 Tests)

 

[Braveheart81]

Coleman is out with a groin injury. One to be omitted.

Interesting that Maddocks hasn't been included.

 

[Dan54]

Except for Harris that bench looks good.

I don't rate that 10-12-13 combo.

Yep, but it is probably the best combo at moment, I know there a few SBW haters out there, but he seems not to bad, and regardless of how much some ( like me) are fans of RM, BB is the number 1 still at this stage. I like the look of the team, can't think of any changes I would make. Of most interest will be how ABs set up attacks in midfield with Izzy at 13 for Wallabies.

 

[Purce]

Correct me if I’m wrong but has Niavalu not played significantly more at 13 and performed better there? Folau is also probably the better roaming winger/fullback? Back 5 in the pack don’t have much impact. Could be in for another long night. I would have been tempted to start Dempsey/Kerevi and run them till they are cooked then bring on the fitter players to see out the match. Also not sure what Banks needs to do to get a start... perfect game for it really, no silverware on the line, much less pressure.

 

[Braveheart81]

Correct me if I’m wrong but has Niavalu not played significantly more at 13 and performed better there?

I wouldn't have thought so in recent years. Folau played half the 2017 Super Rugby season there and plays there in attack a lot for the Wallabies.

 

[Purce]

I wouldn't have thought so in recent years. Folau played half the 2017 Super Rugby season there and plays there in attack a lot for the Wallabies.

Did he (IZzy) play well at 13? I recall seeing some comments saying it was a failed experiment. Think I only caught one game and he didn't stand out. 13 isn’t an easy position to just pick up. Knowing Cheik they will probably swap positions in attack/Defense anyway as well as change up the attacking structure... so maybe it doesn’t really matter. I do however think having Izzy on the wing makes Defenses think more about the cross kick which creates opportunities elsewhere.

 

[Braveheart81]

Did he (IZzy) play well at 13? I recall seeing some comments saying it was a failed experiment.

Would the answer to that question regarding Naivalu be any different?

I can't imagine he's trained at 13 much at all this year. Folau was essentially the backup 13 right through the Rugby Championship.

When Hodge went down I think Folau was the only reasonable option there.

Kerevi isn't close to being match fit. It was a debacle when he was brought straight back from injury to 13 against the All Blacks two years ago.

 

[Up the Guts]

Looks like a backline you'd play in an exhibition match; plenty of natural athleticism, not a great deal of cohesion or well-roundedness.

I'm guessing Sefa is there, in part, to defend at 13. His cover defence is also pretty good (but Banks is also an excellent cover defender) and maybe they think he'll be able to shut down the Kiwis on counter.

 

[fatprop]

Except for Harris that bench looks good.

I don't rate that 10-12-13 combo.

I would have SBW running at Beale all night with Mckenzie trailing for the off load

 

[oztimmay]

Coleman is out with a groin injury. One to be omitted.

Interesting that Maddocks hasn't been included.

Mad Dog still recovering from his own injury. Probably wasn't ready for a call-up.

 

[Purce]

Would the answer to that question regarding Naivalu be any different?

I can't imagine he's trained at 13 much at all this year. Folau was essentially the backup 13 right through the Rugby Championship.

When Hodge went down I think Folau was the only reasonable option there.

Kerevi isn't close to being match fit. It was a debacle when he was brought straight back from injury to 13 against the All Blacks two years ago.

I’ve seen Sefa play 13 a couple of times and he played well hence my query... and given Izzy is probably a more accomplished winger/fullback I thought it an odd selection unless I had missed something.

Agree re: Kerevi hence I’d rather him start and run till stuffed than come on with 30 to go and run out of steam in the last 10 and become a liability. Personally wouldn’t have him in the squad. Maybe they’re planning on not using him or dropping him from the match day squad.

 

[RugbyReg]

I don't have a whole lot of hope in that team.

In fairness though, I'm not sure what team they could have picked to give me hope.