USA vs NZ

[Puja]

The US aren't even trying to negotiate with European clubs for release and have instead named an entirely MLR-based XXIII.

1. Matt Harmon Prop NOLA Gold 4
2. Dylan Fawsitt Hooker Rugby United New York 19
3. Paul Mullen Prop Utah Warriors 24
4. Nate Brakeley Lock Rugby United New York 29
5. Nick Civetta Lock Rugby United New York 32
6. Benjamin Bonasso Flanker Rugby United New York 1
7. Hanco Germishuys Flanker Rugby United New York 26
8. Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 57
9. Nate Augspurger Scrumhalf San Diego Legion 30
10. Luke Carty Flyhalf LA Giltinis 5
11. Ryan Matyas Wing San Diego Legion 13
12. Bryce Campbell (C) Center Austin Gilgronis 38
13. Tavite Lopeti Center Seattle Seawolves 4
14. Ryan James Wing LA Giltinis Debut
15. Will Hooley Fullback San Diego Legion 17
16. Chad Gough Reserve Hooker Utah Warriors Debut
17. Faka’osi Pifeleti Reserve Prop San Diego Legion Debut
18. Dino Waldren Reserve Prop NOLA Gold 21
19. Siaosi Mahoni Reserve Lock San Diego Legion 4
20. Moni Tonga’uiha Reserve Flanker NOLA Gold 1
21. Andrew Guerra Reserve Flanker NOLA Gold 5
22. Michael Baska Reserve Scrumhalf Utah Warriors 2
23. Mike Dabulas Reserve Flyhalf Old Glory DC


This could get ugly, really quickly. Might not be a good look for a nation who've just launched a bid to host the RWC.

Puja

[Puja]

All Blacks: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Braydon Ennor, Quinn Tupaea, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock (captain), Angus Ta’avao, Asafo Aumua, Ethan de Groot: Reserves: Dane Coles, George Bower, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown.


While it's clearly not a first choice NZ side, the smart money's still on that lot to beat the spread of 60+ points. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a century. Hells, wouldn't be stunned if it was a world record. It's going to take a minor miracle to be anything less than embarrassing.

Puja

[morepork]

What a waste of time. Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room and a reasonable chance of importing a nice new strain of COVID while half the population of NZ are locked in.

[Spy]

What a waste of time. Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room and a reasonable chance of importing a nice new strain of COVID while half the population of NZ are locked in.

It's part of the NH tour. Wales next week, then Italy, Ireland & France.

https://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks/

[Puja]

What a waste of time. Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room and a reasonable chance of importing a nice new strain of COVID while half the population of NZ are locked in.

It's part of the NH tour. Wales next week, then Italy, Ireland & France.

https://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks/

TBH, I'm not sure the Welsh will be too much of a challenge either. Outside of the international window means no English-based players and injuries mean they're down to 4th choice at fly-half. Still, the ABs will be earning a fine chunk of change for gracing Washington and Cardiff outside of the test windows, so at least the accountants will be happy.

Puja

[morepork]

What a waste of time. Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room and a reasonable chance of importing a nice new strain of COVID while half the population of NZ are locked in.

It's part of the NH tour. Wales next week, then Italy, Ireland & France.

https://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks/

I knew that...

[Spy]

What a waste of time. Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room and a reasonable chance of importing a nice new strain of COVID while half the population of NZ are locked in.

It's part of the NH tour. Wales next week, then Italy, Ireland & France.

https://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks/

I knew that...

Well, a multiweek tour of the NH is not quite the same as "Quick rogering of the opposition Stateside, then off back home for 2 weeks in a hotel room", I wouldn't have thought. Just trying to be helpful...

[morepork]

Nah boss. By "I knew that..." I mean, "fuck. I didn't know that but everyone is looking..."

[Puja]

Look on the bright side - it's so much worse than you thought! They'll be able to import two or three novel variants of COVID to NZ by the end of the tour.

Puja

[Spy]

Nah boss. By "I knew that..." I mean, "fuck. I didn't know that but everyone is looking..."

Sorry. Reading comprehension fail.

[Puja]

7-73 after only 48 minutes. Not a good look at all.

Puja

[morepork]

They rack up a ton.

[Puja]

7-73 after only 48 minutes. Not a good look at all.

I mean, from this point, 14-104 seems like a decent recovery. I was a little concerned that NZ might've gone for the world record.

Puja

[Puja]

A bit of context on the USA XV: https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2021/ ... sentee-xv/

Stupid to organise a test when you know your best players will be unavailable.

Puja