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Bledisloe #1 New Zealand vs Australia, August 7 2021

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test presented by Steinlager at Eden Park on Saturday 7 August (kick-off 7.05PM).

The matchday 23 is (Test caps in brackets)

1. George Bower (3)
2. Codie Taylor (58)
3. Nepo Laulala (31)
4. Brodie Retallick (83)
5. Samuel Whitelock (125) - captain
6. Akira Ioane (4)
7. Dalton Papalii (5)
8. Ardie Savea (50)
9. Aaron Smith (99)
10. Richie Mo’unga (24)
11. Rieko Ioane (37)
12. David Havili (5)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (50)
14. Sevu Reece (10)
15. Damian McKenzie (30)


16. Dane Coles (76)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (18)
18. Angus Ta’avao (16)
19. Scott Barrett (42)
20. Luke Jacobson (5)
21. Brad Weber (9)
22. Beauden Barrett (91)

23. Jordie Barrett (25)
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
Just posted same thing KiwiM, no real surprises, maybe Jordan not getting spot on bench, and Papali'i getting start, but pleased for him, I find him fairly similar to Cane in that he pretty good in tight/loose.
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
Love that backrow.

I suspect it shows what they thinking for next while BR, Papali'i will probably make way for Cane when he comes back, but looks like Akira has chance to cement his spot, and seems Ardie has 8 spot.
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Love that backrow.
Never rated Ardie at test level but Akira and Dalton are going to do some serious damage.

That backline is also going to mince us. When did Foster get his head screwed on right? no Jordie Barrett on the wing? Ioane back to 11? fuck.
 

Dismal Pillock

Simon Poidevin (60)
1. George Bower (3) coaches must see something..... Karl T the "impact" option?
2. Codie Taylor (58)
3. Nepo Laulala (31) ffs this guy just keeps getting rewarded for being a waddly fathead baby
4. Brodie Retallick (83)
5. Samuel Whitelock (125) - captain
6. Akira Ioane (4)
7. Dalton Papalii (5)
8. Ardie Savea (50) wft, is this some sort of contractual obligation? Company Man Fozzie mindset of "done his time, senior player" regardless of form/ability.
9. Aaron Smith (99)
10. Richie Mo’unga (24)
11. Rieko Ioane (37) Boom chacka lacka! Zer0 will be pleased. All his letters to the Herald have paid off.
12. David Havili (5)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (50)
14. Sevu Reece (10)
15. Damian McKenzie (30) LOL if Jordie's usurped I'm happy. All 3 Barretts plummeting out of the rotation. BB's arsehat media campaign of "I'm the 1st 5 not the fullback" seems to have blown up in his face. "Don't want to play fullback for the All Blacks? Fine then son, go try your fucken luck riding the pine....."
 

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
Just posted same thing KiwiM, no real surprises, maybe Jordan not getting spot on bench, and Papali'i getting start, but pleased for him, I find him fairly similar to Cane in that he pretty good in tight/loose.

Agreed. I'd actually prefer Jacobson at 8 and Ardie at 7 purely because Jacobson is the better 8 and Ardie must start. Ardie needs to be starting given the lack of experience in other test loosies. On form though Papali'i has certainly earned his start - it's a nice quartet of loosies.

The wingers look much better than last year Bledisloe 1 (Bridge 11, Jordie 14).

However fullback is still an issue. There's a lot of options but no one has cemented that spot. I'll be keeping an eye on Zarn at fullback for Auckland on Sunday.
 

Wilson

David Codey (61)
What's the tinking on George Bower starting/Tu’inukuafe on the bench? Just as a potential counter to Tupou late in the game or do they really rate Bower that highly?
 

Rugby Head

Watty Friend (18)
What's the tinking on George Bower starting/Tu’inukuafe on the bench? Just as a potential counter to Tupou late in the game or do they really rate Bower that highly?

Definitely to cover Tongan Thor coming on, Karl will contain him better.
 

rodha

Dave Cowper (27)
This is honestly the most exciting & dynamic All Black line-up I've seen named in years..

So much attacking flair, if the Wallabies approach anywhere close to the amount of unforced errors as they did during the French series.. they are going to get repeatedly scorched by the All Blacks on counterattack.

This could very realistically blowout to a 50-point shellacking if Australia aren't careful..
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
This is honestly the most exciting & dynamic All Black line-up I've seen named in years..

So much attacking flair, if the Wallabies approach anywhere close to the amount of unforced errors as they did during the French series.. they are going to get repeatedly scorched by the All Blacks on counterattack.

This could very realistically blowout to a 50-point shellacking if Australia aren't careful..

That's every game against the ABs post 2003.
 

KiwiM

Trevor Allan (34)
Attacking flair is great, and pleased to see it after some average selections last year. But ABs will need more than that.

ABs had plenty of attacking flair from 98 - 02. Didn't do them much good.
 

Dan54

Tim Horan (67)
My ranking for #8 would currently be:

1 Akira Ioane
2 Luke Jacobson
3 Hoskins Sotutu
4 W.Aiopehuoldboy
5 Ardie Savea

And that proves you kidding, WOB would be ahead of Akira who would be behind a couple of other's at 8;)
But genuinely do think Sotutu seems to of slipped in rankings, perhaps his defense is issue? I definitely think Akira's place is 6 if he going to play at this level though.
 
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