Bledisloe I: All Blacks vs Wallabies: MATCH THREAD: Oct 11

[stemoc]

my theory is JB will shift to 15 on defence cause dmac is too tiny for high balls..

[Carter's Choice]

All Blacks vs Wallabies: Beauden Barrett ruled out, Damian McKenzie to start
14:14, Oct 10 2020

All Blacks star Beauden Barrett has been ruled out of Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies with an minor achilles injury.

Damian McKenzie will now start at fullback.

Barrett was named at No15 on Friday by new All Blacks coach Ian Foster, with younger brother Jordie named to start as a winger despite starring this year in Super Rugby and the NPC as fullback.

But instead of moving Jordie Barrett to the custodian’s role, Foster and his selection group have opted to use Waikato’s McKenzie for the first test of 2020.

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[stemoc]

lol NPC, someone bring that newspaper to 2020

[Jb1981]

George Bridge is dragging the composure average up in that back three.

The reporting states a minor strain - was anything said about B Barrett’s chances to be fit next week?

[Carter's Choice]

People like to troll George Bridge, because he's ungainly, safe and white. But he has been excellent for the AB's and excellent for the Crusaders. He also has a great strike rate in terms of scoring tries.

[Flockwitt]

It's the sympathy slot for D Mac. Hope he makes the most of it. Will Jordan will get his chances, I just hope they're sooner rather than later.

[Not_Couch]

So... Apparently DMac is not good enough to make the bench, but good enough to make the first XV as injury replacement?

Foster Out!

[Carter's Choice]

So... Apparently DMac is not good enough to make the bench, but good enough to make the first XV as injury replacement?

Foster Out!

It makes sense given that the team has prepared for this test match with dual playmakers at 10 and 15.

It will be nice for Mo'unga not having to deal with BB trying to lead the team around from fullback.

[stemoc]

with BB now out, the wobblies now officially have the faster fullback, but you guys are in luck cause banks is the BIGGEST ball hogg since mogg..

[Carter's Choice]

I'm not that concerned about McKenzie playing at 15. He's got plenty of experience playing at fullback for the Chiefs. My BIG concern though is that he's our back-up 10. If Mo'unga gets injured early in this match the All Blacks are in real strife, and this should concern all AB fans. Damien McKenzie has not played at 10 regularly since 2018 for the Chiefs. And that season he was very poor at first five. It's unacceptable that Ian Foster has taken such a huge risk by selecting only two no.10's in his squad and now we are relying on good luck with injuries to avoid a genuine disaster.

[Auckman]

I reckon Jordie Barrett should go to fullback in place of his injured brother.

[Auckman]

George Bridge is dragging the composure average up in that back three.

The reporting states a minor strain - was anything said about B Barrett’s chances to be fit next week?

Yes, Foster thinks BB will be available for Eden Park. He seemed to suggest BB could've played tomorrow but didn't want to take the risk.

[Carter's Choice]

I reckon Jordie Barrett should go to fullback in place of his injured brother.

With BB injured, JB to fullback and Sevu Reece to 14 would seem the logical move. I guess we need to get used to Ian Foster shoe-horning undeserved Chiefs players into the All Blacks whenever he gets the opportunity?

[Jb1981]

So... Apparently DMac is not good enough to make the bench, but good enough to make the first XV as injury replacement?

Foster Out!

It makes sense given that the team has prepared for this test match with dual playmakers at 10 and 15.

It will be nice for Mo'unga not having to deal with BB trying to lead the team around from fullback.

Not wishing injury on anyone, but that was my first thought too. Every cloud has a silver lining.

[FujiKiwi]

Agree with AC about the ridiculous shortage of 10s in the squad. One of the million outside backs selected should have been omitted and Josh Ioane selected.

[Carter's Choice]

Agree with AC about the ridiculous shortage of 10s in the squad. One of the million outside backs selected should have been omitted and Josh Ioane selected.

It's very, very early in Foster's tenure, but I am deeply worried that he are seeing some of the selection folly that we saw in the last four years of Hansen's coaching stint, in particular that utility value is prioritised over form, ability and specialisation.

[Ymx]

Is Will Jordan injured or something?

[stemoc]

Is Will Jordan injured or something?

nah he is a crusader not a chief..logic would dictate JB to 15 when BB pulled out and reece to 14ut chief logic would dictate, DMac to 15 outside the 23..

[Kiwias]

Is Will Jordan injured or something?

No but he plays for the wrong SR team.

[Fonz]

Is Will Jordan injured or something?

No but he plays for the wrong SR team.

That's a shame, I was looking forward to seeing him. He was a favorite of mine during this last SR campaign. Definitely not undeserving of a spot.

[obelixtim]

Agree with AC about the ridiculous shortage of 10s in the squad. One of the million outside backs selected should have been omitted and Josh Ioane selected.

It's very, very early in Foster's tenure, but I am deeply worried that he are seeing some of the selection folly that we saw in the last four years of Hansen's coaching stint, in particular that utility value is prioritised over form, ability and specialisation.

I agree. ALB must be pissed off that Reiko is in the midfield. Specialist players should always be in specialist positions. If you are going to have utility players they should be on the bench.

Not happy at all with this selection. I hope Fozzie doesn't spend the season chopping and changing his team. I think you pick your very best team and only make changes due to injury or loss of form. I thought the lesson was shown last year.

This selection doesn't bode well for the ABs. Lose the Bled and the knives will be out. The Wobs have nothing to lose and will be hungry.

[FujiKiwi]

I’d like to see Jordan play too. Think he offers much more than Clarke.

But maybe Fozzie wants to keep a bit of experience in the team. Playing it somewhat safe for his first test in charge.

Hopefully we’ll see Jordan take the field in a test soon.

[Kiwias]

I’d like to see Jordan play too. Think he offers much more than Clarke.

But maybe Fozzie wants to keep a bit of experience in the team. Playing it somewhat safe for his first test in charge.

Hopefully we’ll see Jordan take the field in a test soon.

Me too.

[FujiKiwi]

I’d like to see Jordan play too. Think he offers much more than Clarke.

But maybe Fozzie wants to keep a bit of experience in the team. Playing it somewhat safe for his first test in charge.

Hopefully we’ll see Jordan take the field in a test soon.

Me too.

Sure, though some AB fans are suggesting you’re a bit old for a test debut.

[ASMO]

Allegedly can be watched here tomorrow

https://www.vipbox.lc/new-zealand-vs-australia-2-live

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

my theory is JB will shift to 15 on defence cause dmac is too tiny for high balls..

DMac played an outstanding game at fullback against England in the wet at Twickenham in 2018.

He will not worry about a few high balls from the Wallabies at the Cake Tin.

He is as solid as a rock at fullback. In fact, he is more solid, because England threw a boulder at him in desperation late in the game and on impact with McKenzie's cro-magnon smiling jaw, the boulder split in two.

[Ellafan]

Is there a separate thread for Wallaby supporters? Anyone have a link?

[Ymx]

Is there a separate thread for Wallaby supporters? Anyone have a link?

No. But you’d have thought so given the lack of contributions from that side of the ditch.

[Ymx]

Allegedly can be watched here tomorrow

https://www.vipbox.lc/new-zealand-vs-australia-2-live

Just bought a nowtv month pass for sky sport uk. So committed. So I feel I really now need to watch it live, despite the stupid time I need to get up for this.

[Steve]

Agree with AC about the ridiculous shortage of 10s in the squad. One of the million outside backs selected should have been omitted and Josh Ioane selected.

It's very, very early in Foster's tenure, but I am deeply worried that he are seeing some of the selection folly that we saw in the last four years of Hansen's coaching stint, in particular that utility value is prioritised over form, ability and specialisation.

I agree. ALB must be pissed off that Reiko is in the midfield. Specialist players should always be in specialist positions. If you are going to have utility players they should be on the bench.

Not happy at all with this selection. I hope Fozzie doesn't spend the season chopping and changing his team. I think you pick your very best team and only make changes due to injury or loss of form. I thought the lesson was shown last year.

This selection doesn't bode well for the ABs. Lose the Bled and the knives will be out. The Wobs have nothing to lose and will be hungry.

Hard to know what to make of the Rieko selection. 13 has been the "thinking mans" position at test level which isn't a trait id associate with Rieko from my barstool.

Conrad Smith , Brian O Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, ALB. Rieko doesn't fit that mould for me.


He certainly has the physical attributes to absolutely carve up. For what its worth I still think he has the potential to be the best left winger in NZ.

[Steve]

I’d like to see Jordan play too. Think he offers much more than Clarke.

But maybe Fozzie wants to keep a bit of experience in the team. Playing it somewhat safe for his first test in charge.

Hopefully we’ll see Jordan take the field in a test soon.

Will Jordan has 80+ caps written all over him.

[Tussock]

Hmmm not sure about DMac/Jordie combo in the back... both seem a bit prone to brain explosions... and Dmac to running across the paddock. Hope to be proven wrong.

Not sure about this persistence with dual playmaker and utilities... put specialists in their right positions.

Fingers crossed Mo'unga doesn't get injured (or any players).

Go the ABs!!

[Ted.]

Weirdly Stuff says McKenzie to start.

Hopefully its Jordie to fullback and Jordan to wing.

You'd think that would be the call, it's the common sense approach.

[Carter's Choice]

Match day mofos!

It seems like ages since I was excited to watch the All Blacks in a test. Last year's RWC semi final against England was probably the last test match that really meant something to me.

I'm intrigued to see what the Wallabies produce today. They have a new coach and stack of new players. Whilst the Cheika era ended badly for them, they were still generally competitive whenever they played the AB's. And last year's Perth result was obviously very good for Australia. Dave Rennie has excellent pedigree as a coach, and it will be very interesting to see how he brings this team together. There are a number of Wallaby players who I wouldn't recognise if I walked past them on the street - and that makes this test even more exciting because there is an 'unknown' factor about this Wallaby team.

For the All Blacks, I just want a win. An ugly win will suffice, any victory will do. I'd like Mo'unga to play well, just to silence the Beaudan reach-around brigade. And I'm very interested to see how Reiko Ioane fares at centre.

[Jb1981]

From an AB perspective I will be most interested in:

- Mo’unga: a big game from him and we go a long way to winning. I think he will do better having less disruption - it’s hard to steer a car when someone keeps reaching in from the back seat and grabbing the steering wheel.

- Ioane: is he a test Centre? Defensive reads and distribution will be key. Added bonus: will he take offence at being tackled?

- Sam Cane: first game as captain and if he listens to it, lots of outside pressure re. performance. He’s Foster’s man and (assuming Foster won’t discard him easily) we need him to step up for team balance.

- Foster: I really have no feeling for his team management. How will he cope if things aren’t going well and he can’t stick to what may be pre-defined sub management?

[Enzedder]

Could get lucky with the weather - the shit hits the fan after 7pm - allegedly

https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/r ... =real-time

[el camino]

Could get lucky with the weather - the shit hits the fan after 7pm - allegedly

https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/r ... =real-time

At midday the weather in Wellington is pretty shite but not looking like raining just yet. Very very gusty tho.

Also Nepo Laulala has just been scratched (for personal reasons) with Tyrel Lomax replacing him

[Carter's Choice]

Could get lucky with the weather - the shit hits the fan after 7pm - allegedly

https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/r ... =real-time

At midday the weather in Wellington is pretty shite but not looking like raining just yet. Very very gusty tho.

Also Nepo Laulala has just been scratched (for personal reasons) with Tyrel Lomax replacing him

I hope Nepo is okay. Not ideal losing two players in the 48 hours before a test match.

[Tussock]

Could get lucky with the weather - the shit hits the fan after 7pm - allegedly

https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/r ... =real-time

Also Nepo Laulala has just been scratched (for personal reasons) with Tyrel Lomax replacing him

Shame for Nepo, but I like the looks of Lomax... still learning the trade at this level though.

[Gumboot]

Also Nepo Laulala has just been scratched (for personal reasons) with Tyrel Lomax replacing him

Dang, that's not ideal.

Ah well, at least Lomax has been in career best form this year.