Warm Up Match 5: Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Rotorua)

[munstermuffin]

When POM was named captain you could hear the Munster men fapping from England...

And long may it continue - That was only 2nds too after the Deysel

 

[GoTheNaki]

I was chatting to Waisake after the game on Tuesday and I asked him about the Chiefs move and his reply was "Nothing has been signed yet". Worrying signs there, especially with Osborne off too.

Probably cant do much till end of season and Cooper takes over.

 

[Ground We Won]

Bit of a bugger if he does leave.

We'll be fine though, we've learned to live without him during all his injuries. It will give Tevita Li more room to shine too.

 

[munstermuffin]

When POM was named captain you could hear the Munster men fapping from England...

And long may it continue - That was only 2nds too after the Deysel

 

[curtbob7]

Pretty close to the Test line-up. I would prefer Henshaw-Joseph though with Teo off the bench for impact.

Farrell has to be nailed on for 10.

An injury to either Murray or Web would be scary. The thought of Laidlaw playing the All Blacks frightens me.

 

[General Melchett]

Webb isn't even in the 23 which is surprising given he only played 50 mins against the Highlanders and seemed to be a shoe in for a spot on the test bench. I wonder if he's been dropped because of his sub standard performance against the Highlanders. I'm not Laidlaw's biggest fan but he actually did ok when he came on, especially in the phases leading up to Warburton's try.

 

[McTallshort]

Strong team. Happy that POM has proved me wrong and its good to see Warburton is rightly behind O'Brien in the pecking order but I have to question Halfpenny at fullback.

Is he really the best option?

 

[Umaga's Witness]

How good is this Maori squad? If you were to rate them alongside SR teams where would you put them?

below. they haven't played together much/recently and they have an average (for NZ sure rugby level) pack. there backline is full of attacking brilliance though so it would be no surprise if they won by 40, even though i don't expect them to win.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Will Leinster legend James Lowe be playing this game or for the Chiefs? Or both?

Considering he is leaving and has been a passionate, loyal servant for the Chiefs, I reckon he'll play both.

And juuust in case you didn't know, you guys have scored ******* big time with him! (though I'm sure you well and truly knew that lol)

 

[The Jones Boy]

I just love the whole concept of having a NZ Maori team.

I've always had a soft spot for the maori team. I've watched them for decades and they rarely fail to provide exciting entertaining matches with their passion and flair.
They are like an underdog but they can really play and they don't back off in the tackle.
Samoa, Tonga and Fiji all have their own sides, it would be a genuine shame if the Maori didn't have a platform and were swallowed up completely by the AB's and didn't see the light of day.
It showcases more NZ talent and they do really well for a team that dooesn't play together often.

 

[General Melchett]

Strong team. Happy that POM has proved me wrong and its good to see Warburton is rightly behind O'Brien in the pecking order but I have to question Halfpenny at fullback.

Is he really the best option?

He's Gatland's man. Personally I would have Watson as full back and two from North, Seymour, Daly or even Williams on the wings.

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Lions looked good belting the Crusaders, but is Farrell injured?
I sincerely hope not, he is really important for the tourists.
That would be a serious shame for the tour.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

IF this is similar to the 1st test lineup it shows how Gats always had an idea of who he was going to play, totally ignoring form, and ignoring other options.

The Lions will need to score tries to win the test series, and while I'm happy with the forwards (even tho I'd have Tips on the bench) I really think we need more dynamic players at 13/15 and maybe even 12. Why he hasn't deliberately picked Sexton Farrell together shows how blinkered Gats is :/

i don't know, i reckon he originally planned te'o as a sub because he was taking about his ability as an impact player. also, i think he might have changed his mind with sexton farrell and although they probably won't start the first test, they will probably finish it together.

who would you have put in there on form that isn't in there? i thought, for the most part, he has picked on form.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

He's Gatland's man. Personally I would have Watson as full back and two from North, Seymour, Daly or even Williams on the wings.

he's also the best goal kicker in international rugby, is he not?

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Whether I like it or not, with only a couple of exceptions, that's looking like a test team in all but name.

Be interesting to see how the scrums go. We've got 4 out of the Saracens front 5 that got mullered in both Premiership and European finals. Set piece is one area where we ought to have a small advantage over the ABs. Would hate to see us throw that away.

hey mate, interested to know who you think the tight five should be.

 

[ncurd]

he's also the best goal kicker in international rugby, is he not?

Yes but not to scale you really need to pick him over Sexton or Farrell.

 

[Ground We Won]

James Lowe reminds me of a better version of George North.

 

[General Melchett]

he's also the best goal kicker in international rugby, is he not?

Ncurd answered it for me.

Did you see him play against the Blues? While he's usually a safe pair of hands, he looked very static.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Considering he is leaving and has been a passionate, loyal servant for the Chiefs, I reckon he'll play both.

And juuust in case you didn't know, you guys have scored ******* big time with him! (though I'm sure you well and truly knew that lol)

will be interesting to find out how he goes up there. he is so integral to and embedded in the chiefs style that it's hard to imagine him outside of that. obviously his boot will be appreciated in any team though.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

I just love the whole concept of having a NZ Maori team.

I love the concept too, I tink it's important that we keep the Maori side alive.
Just as a bit of a hypothetical, I wonder what a NZ Pacific Islander team would look like, or even an NZ European... I imagine the 3 teams would actually be quite even.
The PI team might look something like...
1. N. Laulala
2. L. Apisai
3. C. Faumuiina
4. P. Tuipolotu
5. V. Fifita
6. J. Kaino
7. A. Savea
8. A. Ioane
9. A. Pulu
10. L. Sopoaga
11. J. Savea
12. SBW
13. M. Fekitoa
14. W. Naholo
15. M. Nanai
Bench: E. Faiva, P. Manu, A. Moli, M. Fatialofa, J. Taufua, L. Fukofuka, R. Mounga, R. Ioane

Crazy the depth to choose from in the midfield! SBW, Laumape, Fekitoa, Moala, Ioane, Tamanivalu, Aso...