v All Blacks III: the Decider

[Timbo]

...but I don't know the Lions will manage to expose Laumape overly

Expose him overly *again*, you mean?

[Lizard]

I'm not sure that this is the right time to try yet another mid-field combination for the All Blacks.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

AB's by 18+

[Puja]

I'd still have had Lawes for AWJ, but I can understand going unchanged, especially when we've taken the first half of the week to rest and recuperate. Just pick up where we left off and hope the Kiwis are in the same head-smashing mood they were in the return against Ireland so we can enjoy a numerical advantage again.

Puja

[Digby]

...but I don't know the Lions will manage to expose Laumape overly

Expose him overly *again*, you mean?

I do not. In that I don't suppose NZ will play with 14 men again

[bruce]

Lions to run riot.

[skidger]

The Lions were playing quite well when 15 v 15. Also didn't they score one of the tries when equal numbers? I am fully aware that the Kiwis could win by 15-20 points but to say SBW idiocy cost them the game seems a bit much Imo. Warburton helps by slowing up the Kiwis most times by a second or two. Thought that and the bruising ways of the Lions made all the difference. Sadly they will be ready for it this Saturday.

[morepork]

Losing Billy certainly handed the advantage to the Lions, but whether they would won anyway is something only little baby jesus knows for sure.

[I R Geech]

Losing Billy certainly handed the advantage to the Lions, but whether they would won anyway is something only little baby jesus knows for sure.

He's a Scotland fan, so he's biased anyway.

[Timbo]

...but I don't know the Lions will manage to expose Laumape overly

Expose him overly *again*, you mean?

I do not. In that I don't suppose NZ will play with 14 men again

Playing with 14 had nothing to do with his 2 or 3 defensive misreads. Maybe he'll be more settled now he's not on debut.

[Digby]

Expose him overly *again*, you mean?

I do not. In that I don't suppose NZ will play with 14 men again

Playing with 14 had nothing to do with his 2 or 3 defensive misreads. Maybe he'll be more settled now he's not on debut.

More about the possession and territory. Best way to defend is to not have anything too troubling to defend in the first place rather than make strong plays in defence

[Lizard]

So to update the All Blacks mid-field roulette results, here are players used since Nonu/Smith retired, in match order, (subs in brackets):

2016 Wales tour to NZ
Crotty/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Moala (Naholo/Sopoaga)

2016 Championship/Bledisloe
Crotty/Fekitoa (Cruden)
ALB/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Fekitoa (ALB)
Crotty/Fekitoa (ALB)
Crotty/ALB (McKenzie)
Crotty/ALB (Moala)
Crotty/ALB (Fekitoa)

2016 NH tour
Crotty/Moala (Fekitoa)
Fekitoa/ALB (no sub used)
Fekitoa/ALB (no sub used)
Crotty/ALB (Ioane)


2017 Samoa/Lions
SBW/ALB (no sub used)
SBW/Crotty (ALB)
SBW/ALB (Laumape - replaced Kaino but played at 12 due to SBW red card)
Laumape/ALB (Fekitoa)?

This will be our 8th different starting combo in 18 tests. Only Crotty/ALB (4) and Crotty/Fekitoa (5) have started together more than twice. No starting/sub trio has been used more than twice.

[Lizard]

Just to get the excuses in early:
SBW banned
Ioane ill
Crotty injured
Naholo head knock
Ben Smith head knock

Smith & Crotty would be dead cert starters, SBW would probably be next in at 12 without Crotty. Naholo and Ioane have been preferred to Savea but are not as incumbent as the others.

[Hooky]

Bringing in halfpenny would be just stupid. He hasn't even reached the dizzy heights of mediocre this tour. It's a myth that he's an attacking dynamo held back by Gatland. He scores bugger all at club level either.

He scored plenty before he went to 10 man Toulon

[Hooky]

I'd still have had Lawes for AWJ, but I can understand going unchanged, especially when we've taken the first half of the week to rest and recuperate. Just pick up where we left off and hope the Kiwis are in the same head-smashing mood they were in the return against Ireland so we can enjoy a numerical advantage again.

Puja

I can see the argument for Lawes but AWJ had a very good game last time out. Lawes' impact is useful from bench

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Bringing in halfpenny would be just stupid. He hasn't even reached the dizzy heights of mediocre this tour. It's a myth that he's an attacking dynamo held back by Gatland. He scores bugger all at club level either.

He scored plenty before he went to 10 man Toulon

He was hardly prolific, and Toulon really aren't short of scoring tries out wide.

[Hooky]

Bringing in halfpenny would be just stupid. He hasn't even reached the dizzy heights of mediocre this tour. It's a myth that he's an attacking dynamo held back by Gatland. He scores bugger all at club level either.

He scored plenty before he went to 10 man Toulon

He was hardly prolific, and Toulon really aren't short of scoring tries out wide.

I don't remember saying he was prolific. Anyway, Halfpenny was one of two options at full back which I suggested. I also indicated I would be happy with no changes. It's a shame North isn't fit as I think this third test would've been perfect for him. I think we are lacking a powerful runner in the back 3. Perhaps Seymour should've got a bench spot.

[bitts]

So to update the All Blacks mid-field roulette results, here are players used since Nonu/Smith retired, in match order, (subs in brackets):

2016 Wales tour to NZ
Crotty/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Moala (Naholo/Sopoaga)

2016 Championship/Bledisloe
Crotty/Fekitoa (Cruden)
ALB/Fekitoa (Tamanivalu)
Crotty/Fekitoa (ALB)
Crotty/Fekitoa (ALB)
Crotty/ALB (McKenzie)
Crotty/ALB (Moala)
Crotty/ALB (Fekitoa)

2016 NH tour
Crotty/Moala (Fekitoa)
Fekitoa/ALB (no sub used)
Fekitoa/ALB (no sub used)
Crotty/ALB (Ioane)


2017 Samoa/Lions
SBW/ALB (no sub used)
SBW/Crotty (ALB)
SBW/ALB (Laumape - replaced Kaino but played at 12 due to SBW red card)
Laumape/ALB (Fekitoa)?

This will be our 8th different starting combo in 18 tests. Only Crotty/ALB (4) and Crotty/Fekitoa (5) have started together more than twice. No starting/sub trio has been used more than twice.

I'd feel for you, but I remember the last 13 year's where England were playing midfield roulette with mighty players like Barkley Erinle, Noon, Tomkins, 12T, Burrell, Barrett and Burgess. Resulting in the last two starting key WC group match.

So I'm struggling to shed a tear for you having to alternate between players like Fekitoa, Crotty, ALB and SBW.

[skidger]

Fair play to Gatland if the Lions do get the win. I am not sure any other national coach gets so much stick but if you are going to take the job and money then so be it. Even that agitated Scottish chav who posts like a teenager on a period may doff his cap if they win.

[Banquo]

I do not. In that I don't suppose NZ will play with 14 men again

Playing with 14 had nothing to do with his 2 or 3 defensive misreads. Maybe he'll be more settled now he's not on debut.

More about the possession and territory. Best way to defend is to not have anything too troubling to defend in the first place rather than make strong plays in defence

NZ had a shed load of possession last time out, and he still got exposed defensively.

[morepork]

Yeah, that midfield issue is getting a bit old. I've never really warmed to Fekitoa in black.

As for this head-smashing mood thing. I'm sure one of your scowling pantomime villain props will make sure everyone behaves. I'm just worried your shouting chavs (you have a couple) might dominate the referee exchanges.

Pricks.

[Banquo]

Yeah, that midfield issue is getting a bit old. I've never really warmed to Fekitoa in black.

As for this head-smashing mood thing. I'm sure one of your scowling pantomime villain props will make sure everyone behaves. I'm just worried your shouting chavs (you have a couple) might dominate the referee exchanges.

Pricks.

seems to be prevalent in most teams now, tbh. Doesn't mean our guys are any less prickish though- Faz is the one who really needs to button his lip.

[Timbo]

Can't look far past TJ Perenara for the 'horrible little chavvy twat face gobbing off at the ref' award.

[Mikey Brown]

Ha. Proper rugby talk here. No holds barred.

[morepork]

I like the way the Lions scream and scream at the top of their voices to throw the opposition off their line out. That's class that is.