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

[Slim 293]

Yes.

Or Petaia.

The 18 year old thrown into a test debut against the All Blacks at outside centre?

Nothing could possibly go wrong.........

 

[KOB1987]

Was it last year's EOYT or the year before, when Speight and Naivalu were swapping the wing spot and both were defending at 13 in the games they played? Neither was up to the mark, and it led to quite a few critical comments about the players in the threads at the time. I think it was before most of us had been educated in the woeful defensive patterns and systems that Grey was introducing.

So, I don't see the 13 spot being covered at all well again tomorrow no matter who defends there.

Maybe, this is a different scenario though. It's a band aid solution to get us through the the first half or so, then we get Kerevi on and get some match fitness into him and revert to normal for the northern tour. It's not ideal but it's probably the best option we have under the circumstances.

 

[Derpus]

The team selection almost looks like Cheika has accepted the match is lost and there is no point exposing any new players to the demoralizing shit show that is the Bledisloe.

 

[gel]

The last time Kerevi was picked to start against the All Blacks after a long injury layoff it was an absolute disaster and he got dragged at half time.

I would have been tempted to fly Petaia over and slot him straight in. It would have been a huge ask for a young player on debut though. I think he should play 13 on the EOYT but it would be with a far better preparation than he would have got for this week.

Petaia would have got 2 training sessions plus the captain's run to prepare.

I think Folau is the right choice for this week. He has effectively been the backup 13 in the matchday squad throughout the Rugby Championship (although wasn't needed to switch there much at all).

Let's all remember the time that Cheika and Grey decided that Kerevi's best role was to defend in 5 positions simultaneously so that we can forever rag on the guy (because that is PRECISELY what happened in that match).

If Kerevi is fit enough to be in the team, then he is fit enough to be on the field.

Play a specialist centre in the 13 role and keep your best player in their best position (which isn't 13 btw).

Or we can keep doing what Australia seems to do - keep weakening multiple positions by shifting our best players out of position and putting sub-optimal players in as their fill ins. How's that been working out for us?

 

[ForceFan]

By Gregor Paul in Tokyo

"The All Blacks are facing the rare prospect of playing in front of a half-empty stadium this weekend with ticket sales for their Yokohama clash with the Wallabies said to be sluggish.

And by sluggish, Nissan Stadium, which holds 72,000, could have about 40,000 people in it come kick-off.

But it is not looming as a financial disaster for New Zealand Rugby as they are not in Japan to make money.

The test is being under-written by the Japanese Rugby Union which means the financial risks and rewards sit with them.

NZR has previously asked the All Blacks to play tests purely to bank the extra revenue. That was the case when they played a fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong in 2008 and 2010 and Tokyo in 2009 and also when they played England at Twickenham in 2012 and Ireland in Chicago in 2016.

But the test in Yokohama is actually a home game for the All Blacks that NZR has opted to play in Japan instead of New Zealand.

If they had wanted to make money, they would have played at Eden Park, but they were willing to sacrifice the income so the All Blacks could gain longer exposure to the conditions and venues where they will be playing at next year's World Cup."

A test against Japan on November 3 had long sat on the calendar so it was agreed that it made sense to shift the third Bledisloe to Yokohama, which also meant that the players could have an extra week's rest after returning from South Africa where the All Blacks were for their last Rugby Championship test.

The finer detail of the financial arrangements around this test haven't been fully divulged but NZR is understood to have set things up to ensure they wouldn't end up out of pocket if ticket sales weren't great.

The possibly significant number of empty seats will be more of a concern for the Japanese Rugby Union, who know that next year they will be hosting multiple games that will require strong neutral support.

If a test featuring two of the best teams in the world can't grab the public imagination then there will be some worried officials about what might happen next year when sides such as Romania and Namibia will be playing at the World Cup.

It is understood that some tickets are being given away to entice potential rugby converts into the ground this Saturday and that a late sales push could see more people than expected turn up.

 

[Braveheart81]

I don't think Kerevi would be in the team if we had other options. He's the only remaining player in this squad who covers 12 and 13.

The defensive system in that game did let Kerevi down but at the same time, he had a shocker and was neither match fit enough nor switched on enough to do his job. Kuridrani came on at half time and immediately fixed things up.

I think this is pretty much the best side we could pick with the players we have available this weekend. I think Folau is the best of several options to play 13 that all have downsides.

 

[Braveheart81]

And by sluggish, Nissan Stadium, which holds 72,000, could have about 40,000 people in it come kick-off.

But it is not looming as a financial disaster for New Zealand Rugby as they are not in Japan to make money.

This is a bizarre line.

By this logic the sell out 21,000 crowd at Nelson is a better financial result than a 40k crowd that only fills 55% of the stadium's capacity.

 

[Joe Blow]

Hopefully Petaia is given a lot of game time on the EOYT. If we are honest Kerevi has only been moderately successful against lesser opposition. He should not be our number 1 OC going into the RWC ideally.

I would try and develop Petaia quickly with TK, Kerevi and Folau as back up.
This week might be about damage control. Not an ideal way to start the tour.

 

[Joe Blow]

The EOYT squad next week will be interesting.

 

[wamberal]

Hopefully Petaia is given a lot of game time on the EOYT. If we are honest Kerevi has only been moderately successful against lesser opposition. He should not be our number 1 OC going into the RWC ideally.

I would try and develop Petaia quickly with TK, Kerevi and Folau as back up.
This week might be about damage control. Not an ideal way to start the tour.

Petaia certainly looks the goods.

 

[Derpus]

Hopefully Petaia is given a lot of game time on the EOYT. If we are honest Kerevi has only been moderately successful against lesser opposition. He should not be our number 1 OC going into the RWC ideally.

I would try and develop Petaia quickly with TK, Kerevi and Folau as back up.
This week might be about damage control. Not an ideal way to start the tour.

A fit TK is, defensively, world class. Hes our first choice.

 

[Warpath]

TK always had 90% overall tackling stats on super rugby since 2015, usually 2nd to Conrad Smith (till he left) and then it was some kiwi back (can't remember who) that hasn't changed.... Samu's utility value is why he is a good option on the bench but his offloading is also of a higher standard than other 13's including Tk, English, Rona, Folau and even young JP (who also doesn't pass much).

I can understand why Naivalu was given a run in this, he has been training with the team traveling to NZ and Australia since the June tests basically being Player 24 in many games so maybe Chieka thought he'd give him this last game..who knows, he may never be picked again and might take the Speight route to go play overseas in off-season.. Banks making the bench is good cause honestly, I do not rate Maddocks, if ppl claim Kerevi's or marika's defence is poor, they haven't seen him play..anyone can make one-on one easy tackles but its harder to make multiple at once or anticipate multiple at once (i.e 2 players rushing towards you with no one there to help you and you have to make sure you tackle the player with the ball before he passes) Marika usually has to go thru this stage a lot in a game thus why ppl criticize his tackling even though his tackles when made are good....Personally never enjoyed Folau at 15 or 13.. he lacks the important skills for both positions (kicking at 15, defence at 13)..he is undoubtedly the best attacking players in the wallabies team since....i really don't know.. Mortlock? Gerrard? Shepherd? Mitchell? Latham? hard to remember cause the wallabies have rarely beaten the top 5 teams by large margins..

Long run, JP at 13 (but TK has to be incumbent for now), wings are open but Marika can step up with the other wing going to either Banks or another player (maddocks is just not at international level yet).. Maddocks could be the next Mogg, great talent but just cannot hit it at international level. Rona was a huge disappointment really, shocked he hasn't chosen to return to league yet..might be the biggest disappointment for a convert since Will Chambers..

 

[Brumby Runner]

And allowed to play with some freedom rather than just be the hit it up man by McKellar late in the Super Rugby season showed that he has a lot more to offer in attack too. His line breaking and off loading was a pleasure to watch.

TK is the best option for the No 13 and Petaia will probably play more on the wing or at fullback until after the RWC.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This is a bizarre line.

By this logic the sell out 21,000 crowd at Nelson is a better financial result than a 40k crowd that only fills 55% of the stadium's capacity.

Two words:

Gregor & Paul. 'nuf said.

 

[Up the Guts]

Yes.

Or Petaia.

Just seems like a massive risk to send a guy born this millennium up against the ABs. Considering he will probably be in the Wallabies for the next 15 years maybe we could wait one more game.

 

[RoffsChoice]

I think Folau is the right choice for this week. He has effectively been the backup 13 in the matchday squad throughout the Rugby Championship (although wasn't needed to switch there much at all).

I get that, I'd just be picking a guy who fills the core responsibilities of a 13.

 

[Derpus]

There are numerous fine establishments located in the greater Otahuhu/Onehunga area that I would gladly bring to your purview.

​

"Good evening young Derpus, may I enquire as to what your tipple may
be on this fine evening?"

Whats the point in selling beeros in the Supermarket if you cant buy em without a passport? Who the fuck takes their passport to the Supermarket?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ it's no different to Straya: if you happen to look like you're 12 they'll ask for photo ID but if you look like a grown-up they won't.

 

[Derpus]

^^^^^^^ it's no different to Straya: if you happen to look like you're 12 they'll ask for photo ID but if you look like a grown-up they won't.

I meant they didnt accept my license.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^ I'd be extremely surprised if anyone didn't accept a Strayan licence as photo ID.