22 October 2016 v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland

[Shaggy]

Confirmed that Aaron Smith won't be playing in this match

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...aron-smith-has-stood-down-from-wallabies-test

 

[Larksea]

going to be an interesting game.

no doubt the Aussies will be hell bent on winning this game. i expect some unusual tactic and a few rules to go out the window.

Discipline is going to be key for the All Blacks. Aussie will bring controlled aggression and attempt to disrupt, slow and just generally taunt the AB's draw yellow cards in the 2nd half.

I Still feel Australia are the one side we don't simply beat through conditioning. But we usually have a 15-20min period where we pile on points, its just not always the last 15-20.

We should target the Aussies lineout aggressively. Look to seriously disrupt them there. And by the strength of our scrums against SA & Argentina we could attack them there as well. But not draw them into prolonged scrum time battles.

Selection, with a record on the line and a week off in preparation I expect our strongest side. basically same as last game with Cane in or Savea if Cane isn't ready. naholo back again, i'd pick Moala & Tuipulotu to provide impact. But Squires Cameo last run could see him get another shot. I personally think Tuipulotu's performance in the previous game against Argentina was more impressive and also more significant.

 

[Catkins73]

wallabies to pick a back row based on players playing in their best positions.......
pocock available...........hooper on the bench or just drop him

they still won't win but at least give a crack Cheika

 

[The Jones Boy]

At Eden Park with a well drilled in form team and a huge home crowd advantage I can't see the AB's losing this but Aussie are still a dangerous side and the AB's will have to be at their best to snatch the record.

 

[Shaggy]

Augustine Pulu to replace Aaron Smith in the squad, but unlikely to play

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ron-smiths-replacement-for-bledisloe-cup-test

 

[The Jones Boy]

He's not even going to make the match day 23, but it's a chance to let him know the selectors are thinking about him.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Shows that the AB selectors don't rate Webber enough.

 

[Shaggy]

Shows that the AB selectors don't rate Webber enough.

It might be a form thing; Pulu's side (Counties) made the semifinals of the Mitre 10 cup premiership, and beat the top team (Canterbury) last week, where as Webber's Hawkes bay side has finished last in the Premiership, and will be relegated ... not saying that they are directly responsible, but it could be in the selector's minds

 

[Bada-Bing!]

All Blacks team: Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...changes-for-tilt-at-history-against-wallabies

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Would've rather seen Moala or Naholo on the bench over Fekitoa, as well as Sopoaga over Cruden, and Savea over Todd with Tuipulotu - 19 and Squire - 20. Other than than, a very good looking side.

 

[eidde]

Really sad not to see Naholo - the guy is phenomenal. I respect Hansen's choice, though, because the guy is beyond genius.

Elsewhere - Todd I agree with - need a fetching 7 to compete with Pooper, and he is a tenacious defender. Not sure why Cruden is getting game time. Fekitoa getting a right of reply, and Moala didn't do a lot last week.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

AB strength in depth is bloody ridiculous. 3 quality 7s and England can't even find 1.

 

[Immenso]

need a fetching 7 to compete with Pooper,

Why? You don't compete with a fetching 7 by trying to out-fetch him.

 

[nzlizard]

Would like to have seen Naholo get another run, but maybe more to it than we know.

Cruden gets a pick because he suits the AB's game plan more and you feel Hansen wants him to resign with the AB's, so game time is key to that decision.

Apart from that the team looks good.

Looking forward to the game.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Nigel Owens to ref this match and he loves the ABs, so pretty much in the bag for the MIB. Plus he doesn't seem to like Moore's style of captaincy.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Nigel Owens to ref this match and he loves the ABs, so pretty much in the bag for the MIB. Plus he doesn't seem to like Moore's style of captaincy.

Come on mate, EVERYONE loves the AB's, if you're not a Kiwi, then they are your guilty pleasure...

 

[RedruthRFC]

Without really knowing the rules, surely this warrants a ban...

Maybe try reporting the post rather than posting about it! I agree FWIW.

Edit: just checked out squirrel's previous post, it refers to an Argentinian player as "that diego". Quality poster!

 

[Larksea]

Good AB side of course, I thought Naholo and tuipulotu deserved selection Naholo just looks so much more dangerous than Savea, he performs every match and he gets around the park and huts for stuff. Where Savea is average most of the time and just pulls a big game out every now and then when the public start grumbling about his selection lol!

Tuipulotu was phenomenal against Argentina, strange to see him start that game and make a massive impact then not be seen in the 22 again. maybe his main role is to cover Kaino, seems silly because hes a lock but his game around the park is the closest we have to what Kaino does.

and I want to see McKenzie get another run but having Cruden & Mckenzie does make that part of the bench a bit light. I would have selected Moala over Fekitoa as well obviously

I think its only a matter of time till McKenzie is seen more as a 10 who can cover 15 like Barrett was for so long. Then he can own that first five bench slot. I think he has the skills to cover wing as well if there is an injury.

Probably Charlie Faumuinas last test match?

 

[InsaneAsylum]

No amount of Pocock's work outside of Rugby can sway Owens bias when he's dealing with Moore.

He loathes Moore for some reason, and I tend to agree that Moore is difficult to deal with as a captain, however Owens is a professional and needs to maintain his professionalism over a personal agenda.

 

[nzlizard]

No amount of Pocock's work outside of Rugby can sway Owens bias when he's dealing with Moore.

He loathes Moore for some reason, and I tend to agree that Moore is difficult to deal with as a captain, however Owens is a professional and needs to maintain his professionalism over a personal agenda.

Moore is a **** to be honest when it comes to how he interacts with the refs, no wonder refs put a wall up when he comes to them.