[2014 TRC] New Zealand v Argentina in Napier (06/09/2014)

[Darwin]

Does Bin Smith really have that many caps? That was fast!

Obviously a slightly more experimental team. Thrush isn't usually the bench lock is he? Dagg's been playing okay in the ITM so maybe it makes sense for him to come back but I would have thought Smith would have stayed at 15 and another winger get brought in instead if Jane.

I'm a bit Sam Cane fan so good to see him involved.

Ben Smith gets awarded 2 caps every time he plays because he is so good

He accumulated 10 caps in 2012 (mainly from the bench), and has started every All Blacks match since the start of 2013 (I think). It probably says a lot about the number of tests the AB's play these days...

Anyways..... Disappointing to see Cruden out with injury - he was starting to really take ownership of that AB's 10 jersey - but it is good to see Barrett finally get a chance. I think the weather conditions will necessarily suit his attacking style though, so it will be a good challenge for him.

I'm disappointed to see Dagg back at 15. I'm not surprised to see him back there - the AB's selectors love time - but surely they would have noticed how much better the AB's attack functioned with Smith at fullback? Obviously Dagg's punting ability will be handy in the wet conditions, but even if he is very quiet (or has a shocker) the AB's selectors are bound to keep him there even if there are dry conditions forecast for the next match.

Interesting to see Moody on the bench ahead of Faumuina. I'm not sure about Thrush ahead of Luatua on the bench either. Sure he is a specialist lock, but he hasn't exactly been in great form for Wellington.....

 

[Big Ewis]

Does Bin Smith really have that many caps? That was fast!

Obviously a slightly more experimental team. Thrush isn't usually the bench lock is he? Dagg's been playing okay in the ITM so maybe it makes sense for him to come back but I would have thought Smith would have stayed at 15 and another winger get brought in instead if Jane.

I'm a 16-bit Sam Cane fan so good to see him involved.

totally see what you're saying. I'd have guessed...maybe 18. I think Darwin's right there ! It's ridiculous, but it feels like some nations have their players pile up caps easier than others, like France, it feels like our guys have to work like HELL to get caps :lol: it's ridiculous but I dunno how there's that feeling, like can you BELIEVE Thierry motherfuccking Dusautoir has 67 caps, where Kieran Read has 64 caps just three less ?!...
We've absolutely got to find out how those kiwis get caps so fast...

P.S.: Patchey, just wtf dude...what's up with that last bit in your post ? the hell is that supposed to mean; you tryin to be funny ?? coz it's just not man, okay.

 

[Patchey]

Ben Smith gets awarded 2 caps every time he plays because he is so good

He accumulated 10 caps in 2012 (mainly from the bench), and has started every All Blacks match since the start of 2013 (I think). It probably says a lot about the number of tests the AB's play these days...

Anyways..... Disappointing to see Cruden out with injury - he was starting to really take ownership of that AB's 10 jersey - but it is good to see Barrett finally get a chance. I think the weather conditions will necessarily suit his attacking style though, so it will be a good challenge for him.

I'm disappointed to see Dagg back at 15. I'm not surprised to see him back there - the AB's selectors love time - but surely they would have noticed how much better the AB's attack functioned with Smith at fullback? Obviously Dagg's punting ability will be handy in the wet conditions, but even if he is very quiet (or has a shocker) the AB's selectors are bound to keep him there even if there are dry conditions forecast for the next match.

Interesting to see Moody on the bench ahead of Faumuina. I'm not sure about Thrush ahead of Luatua on the bench either. Sure he is a specialist lock, but he hasn't exactly been in great form for Wellington.....

Yeah, thats what I thought/ I was just shocked he's got that many from two years of rugby. Then again, some of the young Welsh guys are hitting fifty caps already. The amount of test rugby these days boggles the mind.

 

[Darwin]

Argentina side named:

15-Joaquin Tuculet, 14-Horacio Agulla, 13-Marcelo Bosch, 12-Juan Martin Hernandez, 11- Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 10-Nicolas Sanchez, 9-Martin Landajo, 8-Leonardo Senatore, 7-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6-Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 4-Mariano Galarza, 3-Ramiro Herrera, 2-Agustin Creevy (captain), 1-Marcos Ayerza.

Replacements: 16-Matias Cortese, 17-Lucas Noguera Paz, 18-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 19-Matias Alemanno, 20-Rodrigo Baez, 21- Tomas Cubelli, 22-Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, 23-Juan Imhoff.

So Senatore in for the injured Matera and Agulla in for Montero (I think they are only changes?). Imhoff back on the bench too (I assume he has been injured?). I'm clearly displaying my vast knowledge of Argentine rugby at the moment....

 

[smartcooky]

This may also be seen as a big chance for Dagg.

Hansen hasn't said than, but I'm picking that with the weather predicted to be not that good, they will want Dagg's prodigious boot for field position.

 

[jessta]

The all blacks always try and blood players heading into the World Cup but, in reality with Dan Carter at 10 SBW at 12 and Cruden on the bench, Barrett will be lucky to play any big games for NZ. So to put him in there as a 'trial' would be ludicrous. Fekitoa has more potential than nonu and hopefully a little time in the team and a small part of super rugby next year may see him rise beyond nonu to cover SBW

Gonna make some speculations early, carter will be third choice to cruden starting and barrett on bench. And selectors will be loyal to nonu and start him with Sbw on the bench... pure speculation however some are to quick to assume sbw will walk into the starting 12 and barrett is cemented purley as third choice.

 

[nickdnz]

Appears Faumuina was dropped because of poor form and fitness.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was blunt in explaining why the 130kg Auckland frontrower had been dropped in favour of Joe Moody.

"I don't think he's fit enough for a start. I don't think he's scrummaging well enough - that's enough," he said.

https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/24894659/faumuina-axed-over-form-fitness/

Can't say I disagree. He's a liability in the scrums to be honest.

 

[austingtir]

I think that the Kiwis are very very nervous. If the Pumas can push the All Blacks off the park and run the Wobbly scrum off the planet, the All Blacks and Springboks will decide who wins the RC. Pumas or Pumas. Of course this will all require fair refereeing. ie no South African, Angryish or Celtic officials.
The Argentineans are one of my favourite teams. along with Samoa, the All Blacks and anyone who plays the Slave Trading Opium Pushers.

I think Franks Crockett and Mealamu are a bit nervous.... other than that I doubt anybody else is that concerned. In all honestly though Im sure the AB's forward pack probably knows they are in for probably equal toughest test of the year in line with SA.

 

[Big Ewis]

Is Ben Smith on the wing worth it for the AB ?...not sure.
Don't know Joe Moody much, but hopefully for NZ he can really scrummage. Owen Franks sure ain't in for a laugher...we'll see what the AB scrum is worth during these two tests against the Pumas, and they'll be tested there once again.

Not too happy to see winger Montero leave the group there, but I suppose his inexperience at the highest level cost him his spot.

 

[Larksea]

I dont see Dagg's inclusion being for his punt, Check out some of the kicks Ben Smith has come up with. He's every bit as good and finding long open spaces but probably runs more often then Dagg does.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Appears Faumuina was dropped because of poor form and fitness.



https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/24894659/faumuina-axed-over-form-fitness/

Can't say I disagree. He's a liability in the scrums to be honest.

Do you know what happened to Ben Afeaki? I read he had some concussion problems. Is he near to recovering from those problems?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Do you know what happened to Ben Afeaki? I read he had some concussion problems. Is he near to recovering from those problems?

He was first concussed against the Crusaders in the first round of Super Rugby and he hasn't played a match since
It is likely that he'll be out for the rest of the year and it is possible that he will not play rugby again.

 

[Darwin]

Is Ben Smith on the wing worth it for the AB ?...not sure.
Don't know Joe Moody much, but hopefully for NZ he can really scrummage. Owen Franks sure ain't in for a laugher...we'll see what the AB scrum is worth during these two tests against the Pumas, and they'll be tested there once again.

Not too happy to see winger Montero leave the group there, but I suppose his inexperience at the highest level cost him his spot.

No-one knows much about Joe Moody

He has played a couple of solid seasons of NPC rugby, but has barely featured at Super Rugby level. He is stuck behind Wyatt Crockett at the Crusaders, and has only had 2 starts at Super Rugby level (+ almost 20 matches from the bench). He hasn't really stood out at Super Rugby (or NPC level), with the AB's selectors picking him on potential (+ the fact we have no depth at LH prop). The AB's selectors are very excited about his scrummaging - it is the main reason he has been picked - but he is sure to be tested by the Argentine scrum if he gets on the field...

Do you know what happened to Ben Afeaki? I read he had some concussion problems. Is he near to recovering from those problems?

Afeaki is still out with concussion symptoms - I don't expect to see him back this season. The last I heard about him is an article in late June (here), where he is still suffering from the concussion symptoms and mentions there is a chance he may never play rugby again (which could be the sensible choice....). It is unfortunate as I'm a massive fan of his. He has a huge work rate for such a big guy, and his scrummaging has improved a lot these last few years. If he gets back playing (after fully recovering from his concussion symptoms - if that is even possible) he is certainly someone who could push for AB's selection over the next few seasons.

EDIT: Bloody Mr Fish beat me too it again....

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Slave Trading Opium Pushers

Second time you've mentioned this and I'm not sure who you are referring to. can you enlighten me please?

 

[goodNumber10]

Second time you've mentioned this and I'm not sure who you are referring to. can you enlighten me please?

He's talking about England i think.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

He's talking about England i think.

That's a new one then, I still use "soap dodger" when i'm called a convict :lol:

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think that the Kiwis are very very nervous. If the Pumas can push the All Blacks off the park and run the Wobbly scrum off the planet, the All Blacks and Springboks will decide who wins the RC. Pumas or Pumas. Of course this will all require fair refereeing. ie no South African, Angryish or Celtic officials.
The Argentineans are one of my favourite teams. along with Samoa, the All Blacks and anyone who plays the Slave Trading Opium Pushers.

What, wot et wat?

 

[austingtir]

What, wot et wat?

Its o.k I dont think anybody else could make any sense of that post either. ^_^

 

[Icemn]

6 canes in the back-line... if Jane started over Ben it would have been 7

if it rains heavily the ARG's have a chance to win if they play SA style forward stampkar rugby... smoor and grind out a win...

 

[Darwin]

Is there anyone in/near Napier that could let us know what the weather is doing at the moment?

I'm looking forward to seeing Barrett starting in the 10 jersey for the 1st time. He hasn't played much rugby in the last few months, so hopefully he is not too rusty. As I've mentioned I'm disappointed that Dagg is back starting - hopefully he doesn't have another shocker (as he has in 2/3 of his last tests)..

Messam needs a big game after a poor performance in the last match. I think he needs to play a lot tighter, as he largely did for most of last season for the AB's. Coles and Read seem to have a license to roam a bit wider - when Messam does this too we are left a bit short of forwards in the centre on the park!

The AB's scrum will obviously be tested. I'm still a bit unconvinced by Crockett - if can perform against Argentina I will be very happy....