USA vs All Blacks - 01/11

[ratsapprentice]

Would've liked to see Kaino, Retallick and Fekitoa... but as GN10 says - I think most international teams would be very happy with a team like that!

 

[dasNdanger]

That backline tho'.

Any other team around the world would be happy with that.

Could get ugly.

Almost makes you wonder if New Zealand wants to stimulate interest in the game here in the US, or crush us (players AND fans) so badly that we all go home crying like little girlies...


das

 

[thechosenfamily]

Almost makes you wonder if New Zealand wants to stimulate interest in the game here in the US, or crush us (players AND fans) so badly that we all go home crying like little girlies...


das

I would say that the reality is they just want to

1. Win (they are All Blacks)

2. With the RWC next year they need to be looking at the players\partnerships they want or think they want to be playing and they can't do that with butts warming benches

It is unfortunately against sides like the USA that these exercises need to be done.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Forwards: Eric Fry, Phil Thiel, Ollie Kilifi, Samu Manoa, Hayden Smith, Todd Clever, Scott LaValla, Danny Barrett

Backs: Adam Siddall, Mike Petri, Brett Thompson, Andrew Suniula, Seamus Kelly, Blaine Scully, Chris Wyles

Bench: Tom Coolican, Nick Wallace, Mate Moeakiola, Tai Tuisamoa, Lou Stanfill, Ben Tarr, Folau Niua, Troy Hall

Let's hope Clever has been told to not be a dick.

 

[goodNumber10]

Let's hope Clever has been told to not be a dick.

wasted breath!

 

[nickdnz]

Am I missing something? Why is Todd Clever a dick?

 

[Pockets]

Am I missing something? Why is Todd Clever a dick?

he's got a habit of talking back at the ref.

 

[ratsapprentice]

^Yep.

Dude's a lairy, lairy mother****er with refs.
Terrible manner - someone else would have been a better choice as captain.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Passionate is Clever. Cannot wait to see him in action again.

 

[dasNdanger]

I would say that the reality is they just want to

1. Win (they are All Blacks)

2. With the RWC next year they need to be looking at the players\partnerships they want or think they want to be playing and they can't do that with butts warming benches

It is unfortunately against sides like the USA that these exercises need to be done.

I suppose the USA could always pull off a shocker...I mean, looking at the line-up I see barely an 'American' name in there.


das

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Passionate is Clever. Cannot wait to see him in action again.

What's with the yoda talk.

 

[Darwin]

No the most exciting ABs side, but largely as predicted. It will be great to see Moody get another start - hopefully we get to see his ball carrying again this match (as I was very impressed with this on his starting debut). I agree with others regarding the need to start Vito at 8, but I suppose they need to give Read another go at captaining the side.

It will be interesting to see how 'rusty' SBW is. I wish there was anyonr other than Dagg starting at fullback - I'm sure he will have a solid match, which the ABs selectors can use to justify he selection for the next 25 years....

 

[welshglory]

I wonder why Dolan isn't even on the bench

Ok so from checking on thisisamericanrugby i've found that Dolan has a knee injury. None of mainstream sites have even bothered to mention this.

 

[Big Ewis]

was lookin at those NZ caps. Man, to think DC got 100 despite all the tours he couldn't go to, WC's he had to stay in...

 

[Kapa O Pango]

The All Blacks team to play USA Rugby has been revealed.

The side is:
1. Joe Moody (5)
2. Nathan Harris (1)
3. Charlie Faumuina (23)
4. Jeremy Thrush (9)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (4)
6. Victor Vito (24)
7. Sam Cane (20)
8. Kieran Read - captain (69)
9. TJ Perenara (7)
10. Aaron Cruden (35)
11. Charles Piutau (11)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (19)
13. Ryan Crotty (9)
14. Cory Jane (52)
15. Israel Dagg (44)

Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu (120)
17. Wyatt Crockett (33)
18. Ben Franks (38)
19. Brodie Retallick (33)
20. Liam Messam (36)
21. Augustine Pulu *
22. Daniel Carter (100)
23. Julian Savea (29)

Awkward moment when the bench has more caps than the starting XV haha.

 

[dasNdanger]

I hate to say it but I know zilch about the American team. Anyone know what our boot's like?


das

 

[timmyj51]

Rugby will NEVER be big with Americans. It's basically football without the forward pass or blocking, the two
things that most excite Americans about football. This Chicago gig will generate some buzz but only because of its
novelty. Besides, this is basically a NZ "B" team. Americans don't like to be condescended to. Nonetheless, like to
see events like this. If NFL is going to muscle in on overseas sports markets they better expect to see overseas
sports muscling in on their market in the USA.

 

[Pockets]

Rugby will NEVER be big with Americans. It's basically football without the forward pass or blocking, the two
things that most excite Americans about football. This Chicago gig will generate some buzz but only because of its
novelty. Besides, this is basically a NZ "B" team. Americans don't like to be condescended to. Nonetheless, like to
see events like this. If NFL is going to muscle in on overseas sports markets they better expect to see overseas
sports muscling in on their market in the USA.

That's what they said about soccer 15 years ago, but it's grown hugely and MLS is going from strength to strength.

They don't need to get NFL sized, if they get to where MLS is today, they'd be the biggest in the world. As long as they focus on the NFL off season I don't see why that's an unrealistic goal for the long term.

 

[Bean]

Americans don't like to be condescended to.

Well they must be getting sick of it for sure...

 

[timmyj51]

That's what they said about soccer 15 years ago, but it's grown hugely and MLS is going from strength to strength.

They don't need to get NFL sized, if they get to where MLS is today, they'd be the biggest in the world. As long as they focus on the NFL off season I don't see why that's an unrealistic goal for the long term.

Rugby's not soccer. Doesn't appeal to the same type of people . And soccer, for its self-hype, is still a second tier sport in the USA, far, far, below
baseball, basketball and football...and I doubt it will ever be anything but second tier. For all that, keep at it. Certainly like to see some competition for the NFL.