The Rugby Championship - Round 2

[Gumboot]

Razor's named a largely unchanged team for the second test:

15. Beauden Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Damian McKenzie, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 7. Dalton Papali’i, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 5. Sam Darry, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Tamaiti Williams

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Mark Tele’a

Sevu Reece gone and Will Jordan back at 14.

Ethan de Groot gone. Don't know if he's injured or dropped, but happy to see Williams get a start.

Rieko back to centre, with ALB back to the bench. No great surprise that Clarke's starting ahead of Tele'a, but quite surprised to see TJ starting again.

Slammin' Sammy Cane on the bench. But where's Finau?

Update - Unavailable due to injury: Ethan de Groot (neck). Scott Barrett (finger surgery), Patrick Tuipulotu (calf), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Luke Jacobson (hamstring)

[Kiwias]

I admit to being surprised that Razor is using Jordan at 14 rather than 15 but I guess he is waiting before pulling the plug on BB. Ratima should be starting with Hotham on the bench.

[Gumboot]

I admit to being surprised that Razor is using Jordan at 14 rather than 15 but I guess he is waiting before pulling the plug on BB. Ratima should be starting with Hotham on the bench.

Agreed. Can't help feeling this backline will function a lot more effectively once Roigard's back, though.

I'm still not convinced this is our best loose forward combo....not by a long shot. Really wish they'd stuck with Finau. He didn't have a great time against England, but I still think he could've developed into a blindside beast with more consistent game time. And if the paucity of scrums becomes a trend, I'd like to see them utilise Tosi's mobility and ball-carrying ability more often. Would love to see a Williams/Taukei'aho/Tosi front row at some stage this year.

[Guy Smiley]

I feel underwhelmed by that team I have strong doubts over the backrow make up and the backline changes don't add up for me. I thought ALB was one of the better performers last week while BB staying at 15 and Jordan at 14 just feels wrong. TJ was terrible and cost us dearly, yet he starts again.

I dunno.

[OomStruisbaai]

Wallabies

1. Angus Bell (28 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

2. Josh Nasser (3 Tests) - Easts Tigers

3. Allan Alaalatoa (c) (71 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors

4. Angus Blyth (3 Tests) – Casuarina Beach Rugby Club

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (33 Tests) – Randwick

6. Rob Valetini (43 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

7. Carlo Tizzano (1 Test) - University of Western Australia

8. Harry Wilson (14 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Nic White (68 Tests) – Maitland Blacks

10. Noah Lolesio (20 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

11. Marika Koroibete (59 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji

12. Hunter Paisami (28 Tests) - Harlequin Junior Rugby Club

13. Len Ikitau (30 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings

14. Andrew Kellaway (30 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby

15. Tom Wright (29 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard (3 Tests) – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club

17. James Slipper (137 Tests) – Bond Pirates

18. Zane Nonggorr (7 Tests) – Gold Coast Eagles

19. Tom Hooper (9 Tests) – Bathurst Bulldogs

20. Seru Uru* - Wests Bulldogs

21. Tate McDermott (32 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club

22. Ben Donaldson (9 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

23. Max Jorgensen* - Balmain Wolves

[Chilli2]

Religious inclusion the next thing on agenda for SA rugby?

No

I know Moerat much better then you lot. He was captain material all his life. Moerat game is a bit like Fourie. He do the donkey work well. He is not that flashy type of lock. He is not big on lineouts. Rassie always look deeper then flash in players. Moerat is the example. He will be a great combination with Nortje, the aerial type.

So we have a lock that doesn't do lineouts?

Why not a prop that can't scrum, a hooker that can't throw in, a scrum half who can't pass and Manie Libbok kicking for posts.

Makes perfect sense.

[Sandstorm]

No

I know Moerat much better then you lot. He was captain material all his life. Moerat game is a bit like Fourie. He do the donkey work well. He is not that flashy type of lock. He is not big on lineouts. Rassie always look deeper then flash in players. Moerat is the example. He will be a great combination with Nortje, the aerial type.

So we have a lock that doesn't do lineouts?

Why not a prop that can't scrum, a hooker that can't throw in, a scrum half who can't pass and Manie Libbok kicking for posts.

Makes perfect sense.

It's Oom talking Boland Kak. Moerat takes lots of lineout ball for the Stomps, he'll do similar for the Boks.

[OomStruisbaai]

I know Moerat much better then you lot. He was captain material all his life. Moerat game is a bit like Fourie. He do the donkey work well. He is not that flashy type of lock. He is not big on lineouts. Rassie always look deeper then flash in players. Moerat is the example. He will be a great combination with Nortje, the aerial type.

So we have a lock that doesn't do lineouts?

Why not a prop that can't scrum, a hooker that can't throw in, a scrum half who can't pass and Manie Libbok kicking for posts.

Makes perfect sense.

It's Oom talking Boland Kak. Moerat takes lots of lineout ball for the Stomps, he'll do similar for the Boks.

We do have a prop that cant scrum to go with Moerat.

[Gumboot]

Wallabies...

[Sandstorm]

We do have a prop that cant scrum to go with Moerat.

I hear he's really good at taking-a-mark in the 22.

[OomStruisbaai]

We do have a prop that cant scrum to go with Moerat.

I hear he's really good at taking-a-mark in the 22.

Chilli wont mention him and Grobbies. Thats Bull shite!

[handyman]

Am at 12 is going to be interesting. I hope Louw kicks on, we're thin at 8.

[Kiwias]

I feel underwhelmed by that team I have strong doubts over the backrow make up and the backline changes don't add up for me. I thought ALB was one of the better performers last week while BB staying at 15 and Jordan at 14 just feels wrong. TJ was terrible and cost us dearly, yet he starts again.

I dunno.

I would not be surprised if in the next 3~4 games, we see ALB join JB (or Proctor) in the midField, with Ioane on the wing and WJ at 15, Ratima starting at 9 and Plummer at 10. As soon as Roigard is fit, he goes to 9 with Ratima on the bench.

[Grandpa]

I feel underwhelmed by that team I have strong doubts over the backrow make up and the backline changes don't add up for me. I thought ALB was one of the better performers last week while BB staying at 15 and Jordan at 14 just feels wrong. TJ was terrible and cost us dearly, yet he starts again.

I dunno.

I would not be surprised if in the next 3~4 games, we see ALB join JB (or Proctor) in the midField, with Ioane on the wing and WJ at 15, Ratima starting at 9 and Plummer at 10. As soon as Roigard is fit, he goes to 9 with Ratima on the bench.

I will be surprised... because that's what we all want... and we rarely get what we want...

[_Os_]

More confident than when the Bok team was announced. Bok backrow and backline looks really good to me, maybe not the combinations which does weaken it, but the player balance is good. Tight five a bit more of an unknown quantity, the locks are similar provincial level work rate type players, frontrow has more interesting prospects, but the Wallabies don't look great in the tight five so not much of a worry. A lot of firepower on the Bok bench if things go badly, 5/3 bench so all the risk is loaded into the starting XV.

Starting to think maybe Rassie is pushing SFM ahead of all the other 10s, including Pollard. Looks like they want to push Pollard to do more to keep the jersey, Brown said something about him being a more running player when he first appeared (which is true). Looks like Am is going to be used to push De Allende, for me he's the obvious best 13 way ahead of Kriel. Louw at eightman is the other interesting pick, a more standard Bok type backrow selection than Rassie usually goes with, definitely squad space for one backrow that is a top level eight now Duane has retired. Du Toit at prop also needs a big match, definitely room for a prop who can play both sides if he steps up.

One of the few Bok weaknesses in the Rassie era is they struggle mentally to get up for the next test after a big win. 2nd Ireland test this year, England in the RWC semi, ABs at Ellis Park 2022, 2nd Wales test in Bloem 2022. A lot of really strong wins are followed by flat performances in the next match. The amount of Boks in the XV fighting for squad positions may help prevent that, or not and it's another Wales in Bloem. If it is an unwanted loss, maybe the upside is some guys count themselves out.

[boere wors]

It is a C team, and the insurance is on the bench, who are we kidding?!

[_Os_]

It is a C team

Some C team, boerie roll!

14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 34 caps, 96 points (15t, 3c, 5p)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 72 caps, 80 points (16t)
12 – Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 36 caps, 35 pts (7t)
11 – Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 43 caps, 150 points (30t)
10 – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 25 points (11c, 1p)

8 – Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 0 points
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 80 caps, 45 points (9t)
6 – Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 21 caps, 0 pts

3 – Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 19 caps, 0 pts

[Gumboot]

Half an hour till kick off.

Feeling really nervous after last week. Can we defend our 30-year unbeaten Eden Park record?

[OomStruisbaai]

Look like we can expect a rainy test in Perth. That will suit SMZ .

[Gumboot]

Yep, it's very damp in Auckland, too.

[Gumboot]

Go, All Blacks!

[PCPhil]

As part of the global effort to speed up the game can we have a time limit on the haka?

[Enzedder]

As part of the global effort to speed up the game can we have a time limit on the haka?

And the anthems. FIFA have it right

[Enzedder]

This is full on defense from both sides so far. Great chip to break the line for the try though

[PCPhil]

As part of the global effort to speed up the game can we have a time limit on the haka?

And the anthems. FIFA have it right

No, just the haka.

I mischievous this morning

[Tichtheid]

I'd like to see players beaten with golf clubs if they celebrate being awarded a penalty like they've just won the World Cup.

[Kiwias]

AB scrum looking great. Tamaiti Williams is on fire

[Enzedder]

Shit, Ardie passed the ball for Clarke's try

[JM2K6]

I don't think there's a team in world rugby more likely to fall apart when things don't go well early on than Argentina. Some braindead panicky rugby today. ABs have made their own errors but they've just redoubled their efforts rather than shitting the bed.

[PCPhil]

Arg 9 with a beautiful pass off the back to set up that try.

[Kiwias]

I'd like to see players beaten with golf clubs if they celebrate being awarded a penalty like they've just won the World Cup.

Nah, a fence post with barbed wire wrapped around it would be far more persuasive

[Enzedder]

Vai'i is on form so far, so is Savea. The other loosies need to work harder.

Great try down the right set up by TJP

[Jethro]

AB shirt on ... freshly laundered and press and on repeat, my wife is loving it

[Kiwias]

I don't think there's a team in world rugby more likely to fall apart when things don't go well early on than Argentina. Some braindead panicky rugby today. ABs have made their own errors but they've just redoubled their efforts rather than shitting the bed.

Some credit to the ABs for the intense pressure they are exerting

[OomStruisbaai]

All Blacks back to best.

[Kiwias]

Damn, that was fine play from TJ.

[OomStruisbaai]

DMac on his best

[JM2K6]

I don't think there's a team in world rugby more likely to fall apart when things don't go well early on than Argentina. Some braindead panicky rugby today. ABs have made their own errors but they've just redoubled their efforts rather than shitting the bed.

Some credit to the ABs for the intense pressure they are exerting

Yes, but how you respond to that pressure is on you. You can either hunker down, simplify things, focus on the basics and weather it as well as possible, or you can panic and make things worse.

[Kiwias]

I don't think there's a team in world rugby more likely to fall apart when things don't go well early on than Argentina. Some braindead panicky rugby today. ABs have made their own errors but they've just redoubled their efforts rather than shitting the bed.

Some credit to the ABs for the intense pressure they are exerting

Yes, but how you respond to that pressure is on you. You can either hunker down, simplify things, focus on the basics and weather it as well as possible, or you can panic and make things worse.

They are definitely not making this easy for themselves

[OomStruisbaai]

Our URC ref is excellent. All Blacks forwards dominate