NPR

1. George Bower (2)
2. Codie Taylor (57)
3. Nepo Laulala (30)
4. Scott Barrett (41)
5. Samuel Whitelock (124) - captain
6. Akira Ioane (3)
7. Ardie Savea (49)
8. Luke Jacobson (4)
9. Aaron Smith (98)
10. Richie Mo’unga (23)
11. Sevu Reece (9)
12. David Havili (4)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (49)
14. Will Jordan (4)
15. Damian McKenzie (29)


16. Dane Coles (76)
17. Ethan de Groot (1)
18. Angus Ta’avao (15)
19. Brodie Retallick (82)
20. Shannon Frizell
21. Brad Weber (8)
22. Beauden Barrett (90)
23. Rieko Ioane (35)

Still no sign of Tupou Vaa'i. Anyone know what sort of injury he has?

I would have preferred Blackadder over Frizzell on the bench and Vaa'i over Barrett at lock but am very pleased to see Ardie in his best position, Havili with ALB, and no JB in the 23.

Kiwias wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:53 pm I would have preferred Blackadder over Frizzell on the bench and Vaa'i over Barrett at lock but am very pleased to see Ardie in his best position, Havili with ALB, and no JB in the 23.

Yeah, it's a better balanced side than we've seen recently. Happy with the starting loosies, reckon Jacobson could nail down no.8 this year. Would've liked to have Tupaea on the bench but they can't pick everyone.

That looks like our A team starting.

Except a few in tight five (BBBR). Coles

I’d rather have JB on the bench than BB.

This appears to provide some semblance of a coherent team, with a few exceptions:
• Bower has been fine but the front row will look a lot better when Moody returns, although there's a real crisis at tighthead — Lauala's form has been poor all season and the other options have never shown any indication of being international class;
• Would have thought Retallick is badly in need of another run, but perhaps two physical matches in two weeks might be seen as too much of a good thing;
• A Ioane gets another chance to show his (lack of) soup form was an aberration — he must be on the last chance saloon so hope he takes the opportunity.
• There's not much that could be improved in the backline, although the back 3 has a real Sydney-or-the-bush look about it — lots of flair but precious little solidity.

Samisoni Taukeiaho set for his debut from the bench after Dane Coles pulls a muscle in training.

Flying Fijians Squad V All Blacks

1.Peni Ravai
2.Sam Matavesi
3.Mesake Doge
4.Temo Mayanavanua
5.Leone Nakarawa {c}
6.Johnny Dyer
7.Mesulame Kunavula
8.Peceli Yato
9.Frank Lomani
10.Ben Volavola
11.Nemani Nadolo
12.Eneriko Buliruarua
13.Waisea Nayacalevu
14.Setareki Tuicuvu
15.Kini Murimurivalu
Reserves

16.Mesulame Dolokoto
17.Eroni Mawi
18.Leeroy Atalifo
19.Albert Tuisue
20.Kitione Kamikamica
21.Moses Sorovi
22.Teti Tela
23.Manasa Mataele

A couple of injuries - Eroni Sau out, replaced by Tuicuvu on the wing, Botia, last week's captain, out and replaced in the centre by Bulirarua. Yato starts at 8, swapping his seat on the pine with Tuisue.

I hope Fiji comes with the physical onslaught again, NZ does not like that at all.

Weather is a bit shit - lots of scrums tonight

https://www.metservice.com/overlay/loca ... =real-time

What happened to comets btw?

He posted something a bit out there, conspiracy, is, Israel or something and copped a ban. Wasn’t a permanent ban was it?

Enzedder wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 8:09 pm Weather is a bit shit - lots of scrums tonight

https://www.metservice.com/overlay/loca ... =real-time

Bugger, hope it doesn't become too shambolic.

Also hope Taukei'aho has a great debut off the bench...and nails his lineout throws.

Ymx wrote: Fri Jul 16, 2021 9:36 pm What happened to comets btw?

He posted something a bit out there, conspiracy, is, Israel or something and copped a ban. Wasn’t a permanent ban was it?

He got the dcm in May (so has Green Light Echo) for being a constant twat. His banning period has expired and he has visited again, last one was about 2 weeks ago but no posts

Yep, got a bit snotty over the whole thing. Snarky little remark left on his link...

Getting close to kick off time.

Given the huge changes each week, Fozzie was asked if he knew his best team- he claimed he did …..




BB must have told him who it was

Dreadful anthems. Casio keyboard.

Hope the conditions allow for a decent game. Our pack needs to bar up big time tonight.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 7:02 am Hope the conditions allow for a decent game. Our pack needs to bar up big time tonight.

Was thinking we were (last week) exposed a bit in contact and ruck area. But tight five is far from best this week.

Here we go …

The pop concert begins, with a little bit of rugby thrown in.

Here the penalties go

Could be in trouble for knock down ??

Fiji firing out of the blocks

For those not with sky/rugby pass

https://www.vipbox.lc/new-zealand-vs-fiji-1-live

Lovely offload from Havili

Great crusader combo

Ymx wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 7:20 am Lovely offload from Havili

Great crusader combo

Too easy really

Ymx wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 7:20 am Lovely offload from Havili

Great crusader combo

Crusaders aren't playing tonight man.

Brilliant work by Scooter to take that line out

.

What happened there ?

Reversed pen?

Fiji miles offside. Shouldn’t have been reversed because scooter was subsequently offside.

Ymx wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 7:28 am What happened there ?

Reversed pen?

Fiji miles offside. Shouldn’t have been reversed because scooter was subsequently offside.

An odd decision indeed

Crusaders 22 - 16 Fiji

Mo looking very good and puts Reece in for his hat trick

Second consecutive week I've thought our front row has had a shit first half. Taylor missed his first lineout throw and struggled for the next 20 minutes - if not for Scooter's steals our lineout stats would be complete rubbish. Bower conceded a couple of penalties. Nepo...hmmm...

Has Jordan even touched the ball on attack yet?

Akira had a great first 40.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jul 17, 2021 7:45 am Mo looking very good and puts Reece in for his hat trick

He's looked very good at what he's done, but he's had very little ball to play with — penalties and conversions aside, that play in the 30th minute was just the 4th time he'd touched the ball. You'd expect most props to get their hands on the ball more often than that. Perhaps that's the game plan — put Havilli or Savea at first receiver often — but if so it's a strange one.

Blimey that was weak defence on that line out maul

Thought the issue with that was Fiji not releasing tackled player.

Though refs not bothered about that it would seem

Brilliant try saver by D-Mac there.