All Blacks v Namibia: Pick a Barrett, any Barrett

[Lizard]

So Shag and Co. have gone from three Barretts and two 1st 5/8s to just the one - picking Jordie at 10 with absolutely no specialist cover whatsoever. The official line is that TJ Perenara is covering 10, being named alongside Brad Weber on the bench with Aaron Smith starting.

Elsewhere, the front row looks solid with Moli being rested as expected after an 80-minute shift v Canada. Coles could cause some real havoc with fresh legs off the bench. Whitelock is captain in the absence of Read, giving Ardie a gallop at 8, while the rebuilt Brodie Retallick is also back on deck. I expect he'll be off around the HT mark for Tuipulotu.
The A-team mid-field and wings are back, while some chancer called Smith has the unenviable task of filling in for the best fullback in World Rugby.

1. Joe Moody (42)
2. Codie Taylor (47)
3. Nepo Laulala (22)
4. Brodie Retallick (77)
5. Samuel Whitelock - captain (114)
6. Shannon Frizell (7)
7. Sam Cane (64)
8. Ardie Savea (41)
9. Aaron Smith (88)
10. Jordie Barrett (13)
11. George Bridge (6)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (39)
13. Jack Goodhue (10)
14. Sevu Reece (4)
15. Ben Smith (82)

16. Dane Coles (65)
17. Ofa Tuungafasi (32)
18. Angus Ta'avao (10)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (27)
20. Matt Todd (22)
21. Brad Weber (3)
22. T J Perenara (61)
23. Rieko Ioane (27)

[Mikey Brown]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

[Mellsblue]

Wing, fly half and fullback. If I were the NZ PM I’d pass a law to force Mr and Mrs Barrett to reproduce until no longer able. I’d then setup some wired dystopian laboratory where Barrett’s would be produced as an when the national team required them. MP will be able to furnish you with the scientific minutiae if you wish.

[paddy no 11]

Bizzarely I have only 1 all black player in my time for this trouncing Bon chance Mr. Bridge

[Lizard]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

[Lizard]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

Of course - Colin Slade! 5 starts at FH, 1 each at FB and W, plus 14 runs off the bench all across the backline.

It might be going slightly too far to say Colin Slade is the model for J Barrett, though.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

Do you mean wing, fullback and flyhalf??? AKA the Devil’s Triangle

[Stom]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

Do you mean wing, fullback and flyhalf??? AKA the Devil’s Triangle

Did Healey ever play FH for England? As he played SH, wing and FB.

[Puja]

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

Do you mean wing, fullback and flyhalf??? AKA the Devil’s Triangle

Did Healey ever play FH for England? As he played SH, wing and FB.

He did on a couple of occasions. Even played centre for England once. I don't think he ever played full-back though?

If we're going for the lowest score on Pointless, I would note that Lewsey also played fly-half, wing, and fullback for England, as did Catt although the latter was only a wing off the bench. Wilkinson as well played wing and fly-half.

Puja

[Stom]

Do you mean wing, fullback and flyhalf??? AKA the Devil’s Triangle

Did Healey ever play FH for England? As he played SH, wing and FB.

He did on a couple of occasions. Even played centre for England once. I don't think he ever played full-back though?

If we're going for the lowest score on Pointless, I would note that Lewsey also played fly-half, wing, and fullback for England, as did Catt although the latter was only a wing off the bench. Wilkinson as well played wing and fly-half.

Puja

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 889746.stm

[Puja]

Did Healey ever play FH for England? As he played SH, wing and FB.

He did on a couple of occasions. Even played centre for England once. I don't think he ever played full-back though?

If we're going for the lowest score on Pointless, I would note that Lewsey also played fly-half, wing, and fullback for England, as did Catt although the latter was only a wing off the bench. Wilkinson as well played wing and fly-half.

Puja

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 889746.stm

Good knowledge. I clearly wiped that game from my memory. And here he is at 10: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/rugby_union/795285.stm

Puja

[Cameo]

I'm deeply, deeply suspicious of anybody who plays both wing and fly-half. Fly-half and fullback? Sure. Wing and fullback? Why not. Wing and fly-half? No thank you.

I’m trying to think of another player who has started tests at both W and FB.

Chris Patterson must have had at least ten starts in each I would think

[Spy]

Namibia looking pretty tidy so far.

[Spy]

Got to be so careful with tackle technique. Could decide this WC.

[Digby]

Good win for NZ, made like hard for themselves by refusing to kick (and not really having any tactical kicking at 9, 10 or 15), but easy enough in the end bar some swinging arms. Whitelock remains class

[Lizard]

There’s a bit of concern here about it taking so long for us to assert control, but I don’t think many people realised how much the AB’s limited themselves in the first half. Not much kicking, v low numbers into the tackle and ruck, not much off-loading, as well as a rookie 10.

[Digby]

There’s a bit of concern here about it taking so long for us to assert control, but I don’t think many people realised how much the AB’s limited themselves in the first half. Not much kicking, v low numbers into the tackle and ruck, not much off-loading, as well as a rookie 10.

You could basically apply the same comment to the semi-final, bar you did make a few offloads. NZ tried to show they'd adapted to take on England by picking a lock at 6, and we feel your pain on that selection, but the actual tactics on Saturday were to go out and play, play and play and don't deviate from the plan even when it's not working. I think they'll also be cross that BB was a problem at 10 when he didn't make the passes when they were on under pressure from the Lions, so they come up with a dual 10 system and end up with Tuilagi being so influential shutting down the passing options into wider midfield, the talk was Mo'unga was the man who would make the pass even if under pressure.