NPR

Lots of pressure on both teams. The Wallabies will want to bounce back after a heavy loss in Sydney. And the AB's will want to build on the pleasing form they showed yesterday. Both teams will want to improve on the messy 2nd half which was characterised by dropped ball and errors.

Be interesting to see what foster does, will he throw the likes of Jordan in or keep the team the same as much as possible.

Any word on if Cane actually got an hia and what result was? He looked like he was telling the physio not to bother because he wasn't going to go back on.

Fir wallabies sake hope they get some of their experienced guys back but still enough if the young ones get another crack

Hopefully Savea and Moody come straight back into the starting XV. Karl was OK last night, but I'm keen to see more of Hodgman and hope he makes the bench again. Scott Barrett or Vaa'i on the bench is a toss up for mine. Would like to see Jordan on the bench as well.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:31 am Hopefully Savea and Moody come straight back into the starting XV. Karl was OK last night, but I'm keen to see more of Hodgman and hope he makes the bench again. Scott Barrett or Vaa'i on the bench is a toss up for mine. Would like to see Jordan on the bench as well.

Agree.

I was kind of expecting Hoskins to carry on his meteoric rise with an explosive performance. It didn't happen. He was serviceable.

As for Karl, he's just not back to his best. I think he still needs more fitness. He gets puffed and makes a big handling error every game.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:35 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:31 am Hopefully Savea and Moody come straight back into the starting XV. Karl was OK last night, but I'm keen to see more of Hodgman and hope he makes the bench again. Scott Barrett or Vaa'i on the bench is a toss up for mine. Would like to see Jordan on the bench as well.

Agree.

I was kind of expecting Hoskins to carry on his meteoric rise with an explosive performance. It didn't happen. He was serviceable.

As for Karl, he's just not back to his best. I think he still needs more fitness. He gets puffed and makes a big handling error every game.

His try was also the most selfish act I've seen on a Rugby field in 2020 that didn't involve Rieko Ioane.

Yeah, you could say it was a daring display of chutzpa, but is that really what we want from a prop with a four man overlap in the opening minutes of a test?

can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:35 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:31 am Hopefully Savea and Moody come straight back into the starting XV. Karl was OK last night, but I'm keen to see more of Hodgman and hope he makes the bench again. Scott Barrett or Vaa'i on the bench is a toss up for mine. Would like to see Jordan on the bench as well.

Agree.

I was kind of expecting Hoskins to carry on his meteoric rise with an explosive performance. It didn't happen. He was serviceable.

As for Karl, he's just not back to his best. I think he still needs more fitness. He gets puffed and makes a big handling error every game.

I think it takes some time for Hoskins, it usually takes loose forwards a bit of time to get used to test footy. Even though that Australian number 8 plays like he’s been in the side for years.

Regarding Big Karl, love the man but he just doesn’t seem to know how to play rugby apart from scrums. He fails at a lot of the basic stuff and is usually completely out of position.

Hope to see more of Laumape and Dalton, I thought both of them had a good impact of the bench. Also will Scooter start this week?

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:01 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

A shame. His insights on the match will be sorely missed.

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

Well you will have more time to spare than us on Saturday night then!

Dan54 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:56 pm

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

Well you will have more time to spare than us on Saturday night then!

Enjoy watching those two European teams duking it out in the mud, comets.

No changes unless they're players returning IMO. The Bled may be locked up, but the Tri Nations is still to be won. I'm of the opinion that changes should be minimal even against Argentina - with so few tests this year we need to make up for lost time and bed in combinations - but we'll cross that hurdle later.

The 23 I'd like to see, assuming everyone is available:

1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Laulala
4. Barrett
5. Whitelock
6. Frizell
7. Cane (c)
8. Savea
9. Smith
10. Mo'unga
11. Clarke
12. Goodhue
13. ALB
14. J Barrett
15. B Barrett

16. Coles
17. Hodgman
18. Tu'ungafaasi
19. Tuipolotu
20. Sotutu
21. TJP
22. Laumape
23. Ioane

I believe Laulala and Barrett are better starting, and Tu'ungafaasi and Tuipolotu are more suited to the bench at test level. Otherwise it's more of the same.

I like the idea of Scooter Barrett starting.

At lock.

I like the idea of Scooter starting at lock.

I'm going to be a bit controversial here, especially as a Crusaders fan, but I think Patrick Tuipulotu has a bigger upside than Scott Barrett. I think if both players are at their best, PT offers more. He's a bigger body and his running game is something Barrett lacks. Don't get me wrong, I think Scott Barrett has proven himself at test level, but I wouldn't be worried if Foster retained PT as a starting lock and kept Barrett as the bench lock, a role where he has excelled in the past for the AB's.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 6:47 am I'm going to be a bit controversial here, especially as a Crusaders fan, but I think Patrick Tuipulotu has a bigger upside than Scott Barrett. I think if both players are at their best, PT offers more. He's a bigger body and his running game is something Barrett lacks. Don't get me wrong, I think Scott Barrett has proven himself at test level, but I wouldn't be worried if Foster retained PT as a starting lock and kept Barrett as the bench lock, a role where he has excelled in the past for the AB's.

Looking at PT’s performances this year, both SR and tests, I too would prefer to see him starting. All other things being equal, he has greater potential than SB. Bring this big lump on with 20 to go and let him smash some bodies around.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 6:47 am I'm going to be a bit controversial here, especially as a Crusaders fan, but I think Patrick Tuipulotu has a bigger upside than Scott Barrett. I think if both players are at their best, PT offers more. He's a bigger body and his running game is something Barrett lacks. Don't get me wrong, I think Scott Barrett has proven himself at test level, but I wouldn't be worried if Foster retained PT as a starting lock and kept Barrett as the bench lock, a role where he has excelled in the past for the AB's.

I agree to an extent, but at what point do we move from Tuipolotu's upside to his actual output? He's 27 now with 30+ tests and has been in the setup for 5+ years - well past the leeway most players get for potential or upside. I just don't think he's ever fully translated his Super Rugby form to the highest level.

Don't get me wrong, I think Tuipolotu is a perfectly good lock and has performed well this year, but I just don't think we've ever really seen the best of him at test level, and I wonder how long we'll have to wait for that? Judging purely on test performances, Barrett's best is better than Tuipolotu's I think. IMO Tuipolotu's best role at this level is ~25 minutes of throwing his body around and smashing guys.

I don’t think either Scott Barrett or Patrick Tuipolotu have ever been that great.

Along with the halfback position, this area is the next one for Fozzie to start bedding in some new players.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:01 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

NZ yeah, wallabies no..South Africa had the right idea, they got tired playing the same 2 countries for over 2 decades

stemoc wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:26 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:01 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

NZ yeah, wallabies no..South Africa had the right idea, they got tired playing the same 2 countries for over 2 decades

This comment is so dumb that I can't even be bothered replying to it.

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:28 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:26 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:01 am

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

NZ yeah, wallabies no..South Africa had the right idea, they got tired playing the same 2 countries for over 2 decades

This comment is so dumb that I can't even be bothered replying to it.

u just did.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:20 am I don’t think either Scott Barrett or Patrick Tuipolotu have ever been that great.

Along with the halfback position, this area is the next one for Fozzie to start bedding in some new players.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts for second row too.

PT, Scooter
v
BBBR , Sam Whitelock

Not sure we have a problem with our locks. Much more concerned about the props.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:50 am Not sure we have a problem with our locks. Much more concerned about the props.

Yes, but you can see some developments happening in that area. Trying Lomax, introducing Hodgman, etc.

Whereas with the locks (and halfbacks) it looks a bit same old, same old.

To be fair to Fozzie, it’s a smart move to build up one set of positions at a time.

Looking forward to more depth being created around lock in the not too distant future.

Curious whether Fozzie is going to give Aumua a run. If he learns to translate his power to test level, he can have a good impact of the bench.

I think they ARE developing the locking stocks. Va'ai has been impressive in his minutes; Selby-Rickitt has been excellent for Southland; Strange was unlucky with his injury, but has an upside; Parkinson could be the next Brodie; and the forgotten man is probably Josh Dickson from Otago, who was dynamic till injured in Super Rugby, but is now back, and playing down the house. Rankings would possibly see Brodie, Sam, Scooter, Paddy, Va'ai, Parkinson, Strange, Dickson, and Dunshea, all in the wider mix. Add in Darry among the rising stars and we are looking a lot less fragile than post RWC.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:56 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:50 am Not sure we have a problem with our locks. Much more concerned about the props.

Yes, but you can see some developments happening in that area. Trying Lomax, introducing Hodgman, etc.

Whereas with the locks (and halfbacks) it looks a bit same old, same old.

To be fair to Fozzie, it’s a smart move to build up one set of positions at a time.

Looking forward to more depth being created around lock in the not too distant future.

... and to expand on these two areas Fakatava has been excellent in Mitre Ten, along with Roe (Z-ro), and there is still TTT who hasn't gone from being good to poor overnight.
while among the props, for me Longman is the success story of the Bled season, Lomax has made strides, Isi T has looked strong in M10, so I think we are getting there.

Turbster wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:44 pm I think they ARE developing the locking stocks. Va'ai has been impressive in his minutes; Selby-Rickitt has been excellent for Southland; Strange was unlucky with his injury, but has an upside; Parkinson could be the next Brodie; and the forgotten man is probably Josh Dickson from Otago, who was dynamic till injured in Super Rugby, but is now back, and playing down the house. Rankings would possibly see Brodie, Sam, Scooter, Paddy, Va'ai, Parkinson, Strange, Dickson, and Dunshea, all in the wider mix. Add in Darry among the rising stars and we are looking a lot less fragile than post RWC.

Yep, Darry could develop into something special. Also impressed with the NPC form of Josh Lord and Jacob Pierce.

Turbster wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:44 pm I think they ARE developing the locking stocks. Va'ai has been impressive in his minutes; Selby-Rickitt has been excellent for Southland; Strange was unlucky with his injury, but has an upside; Parkinson could be the next Brodie; and the forgotten man is probably Josh Dickson from Otago, who was dynamic till injured in Super Rugby, but is now back, and playing down the house. Rankings would possibly see Brodie, Sam, Scooter, Paddy, Va'ai, Parkinson, Strange, Dickson, and Dunshea, all in the wider mix. Add in Darry among the rising stars and we are looking a lot less fragile than post RWC.

Who do you mean by "they"? NZ Rugby?

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 6:47 am I'm going to be a bit controversial here, especially as a Crusaders fan, but I think Patrick Tuipulotu has a bigger upside than Scott Barrett. I think if both players are at their best, PT offers more. He's a bigger body and his running game is something Barrett lacks. Don't get me wrong, I think Scott Barrett has proven himself at test level, but I wouldn't be worried if Foster retained PT as a starting lock and kept Barrett as the bench lock, a role where he has excelled in the past for the AB's.

Don't think that controversial at all, I couldn't agree more, we can do with size ib starting pack and as you say Scott Barrett is perfect bench cover at lock covering 6.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:48 pm

Turbster wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 3:44 pm I think they ARE developing the locking stocks. Va'ai has been impressive in his minutes; Selby-Rickitt has been excellent for Southland; Strange was unlucky with his injury, but has an upside; Parkinson could be the next Brodie; and the forgotten man is probably Josh Dickson from Otago, who was dynamic till injured in Super Rugby, but is now back, and playing down the house. Rankings would possibly see Brodie, Sam, Scooter, Paddy, Va'ai, Parkinson, Strange, Dickson, and Dunshea, all in the wider mix. Add in Darry among the rising stars and we are looking a lot less fragile than post RWC.

Yep, Darry could develop into something special. Also impressed with the NPC form of Josh Lord and Jacob Pierce.

Geez I like the look of Lord too, he pretty good for a kid, and Parkinson I think I almost forgot but he would be my 4th lock when he fit. Although we hear at times NZ is light on locks I don't think we are.

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:21 am Be interesting to see what foster does, will he throw the likes of Jordan in or keep the team the same as much as possible.

Any word on if Cane actually got an hia and what result was? He looked like he was telling the physio not to bother because he wasn't going to go back on.

Fir wallabies sake hope they get some of their experienced guys back but still enough if the young ones get another crack

I think Foster will be 'steady as she goes' with Savea and perhaps Moody coming back in.

Mind you, I really like the look of Hodgeman, but is he up to starting? I also think Lomax should also get more time on the park, but not as a starter.

Ted. wrote: ↑Tue Nov 03, 2020 9:04 pm

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 8:21 am Be interesting to see what foster does, will he throw the likes of Jordan in or keep the team the same as much as possible.

Any word on if Cane actually got an hia and what result was? He looked like he was telling the physio not to bother because he wasn't going to go back on.

Fir wallabies sake hope they get some of their experienced guys back but still enough if the young ones get another crack

I think Foster will be 'steady as she goes' with Savea and perhaps Moody coming back in.

Mind you, I really like the look of Hodgeman, but is he up to starting? I also think Lomax should also get more time on the park, but not as a starter.

Agree about both props Ted, I hope they keep giving Lomax time off the bench, still reckon he going to be a top prop, mind you I a sucker for any prop that has such s traight back when in a scrum . (and he is a Canes man)

stemoc wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 7:26 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:01 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 9:55 am can't watch this 2 shit teams play for a 4th week...

The Wallabies and AB's may be many things. But "shit teams"? If you like Rugby as a sport then these are two of the finest teams you'll find anywhere on the planet right now.

NZ yeah, wallabies no..South Africa had the right idea, they got tired playing the same 2 countries for over 2 decades

And yet the Saffers have signed up to stay in the comp until 2030. I guess they know more than Comets.

ABs team has just been named:

1. Karl Tu'inukuafe (15)
2. Codie Taylor (53)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (38)
4. Scott Barrett (38)
5. Samuel Whitelock (119)
6. Akira Ioane *
7. Sam Cane (71) - captain
8. Ardie Savea (46)

9. TJ Perenara (67)
10. Beauden Barrett (85)
11. Rieko Ioane (31)
12. Ngani Laumape (14)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (46)
14. Sevu Reece (7)
15. Jordie Barrett (20)

16. Asafo Aumua *
17. Alex Hodgman (2)
18. Tyrel Lomax (3)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (33)
20. Cullen Grace *
21. Brad Weber (5)
22. Damian McKenzie (25)
23. Will Jordan *

Gumboot wrote: ↑Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:34 am ABs team has just been named:

1. Karl Tu'inukuafe (15)
2. Codie Taylor (53)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (38)
4. Scott Barrett (38)
5. Samuel Whitelock (119)
6. Akira Ioane *
7. Sam Cane (71) - captain
8. Ardie Savea (46)

9. TJ Perenara (67)
10. Beauden Barrett (85)
11. Rieko Ioane (31)
12. Ngani Laumape (14)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (46)
14. Sevu Reece (7)
15. Jordie Barrett (20)

16. Asafo Aumua *
17. Alex Hodgman (2)
18. Tyrel Lomax (3)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (33)
20. Cullen Grace *
21. Brad Weber (5)
22. Damian McKenzie (25)
23. Will Jordan *

Looks way more balanced to me.

Correct personnel ? Arguably no. and Probably no.

But more people playing in their right position.

Re-uniting the Canes' 9/10/12 combo from last year.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Thu Nov 05, 2020 12:34 am ABs team has just been named:

1. Karl Tu'inukuafe (15)
2. Codie Taylor (53)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (38)
4. Scott Barrett (38)
5. Samuel Whitelock (119)
6. Akira Ioane *
7. Sam Cane (71) - captain
8. Ardie Savea (46)

9. TJ Perenara (67)
10. Beauden Barrett (85)
11. Rieko Ioane (31)
12. Ngani Laumape (14)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (46)
14. Sevu Reece (7)
15. Jordie Barrett (20)

16. Asafo Aumua *
17. Alex Hodgman (2)
18. Tyrel Lomax (3)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (33)
20. Cullen Grace *
21. Brad Weber (5)
22. Damian McKenzie (25)
23. Will Jordan *

I don't understand why these changes are being made now. The ABs haven't won at Suncorp since 2014 & even that was only by 2 points.

I mean this is the only 'must-win' game for us left in the Rugby Championship - NZ have an extremely patchy record at Suncorp (only won 1 of their last 4 games there) but certainly aren't going to lose to Argentina next week. This game is a potential banana skin for us being in Brisbane - why couldn't these changes been saved until the Argies?