Wales v New Zealand - Saturday 30th October 2021 | KO – 17:15

[Certain Navigator]

1. J Moody
2. S Taukeiáho
3. A Taávao
4. B Retallick
5. S Whitelock (c)
6. A Ioane
7. A Savea
8. L Jacobson

9. B Weber
10. R Moánga
11. R Ioane
12. Q Tupaea
13. A Lienert-Brown
14. W Jordan
15. J Barrett

16. D Coles, 17. E de Groot, 18. N Laulala, 19. T Vaaí, 20. E Blackadder, 21. F Christie, 22. B Barrett, 23. D McKenzie

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

If only he had morphed into Thorne. The Boks of that era basically gave up any thought of blindside offense if Thorne was playing. Instead, Akira seems far more reminiscent of Andrew Blowers...

[Certain Navigator]

The matchday 23 is:

1. Joe Moody (54)

2. Codie Taylor (64)

3. Nepo Laulala (37)

4. Brodie Retallick (89)

5. Samuel Whitelock (128) – captain

6. Ethan Blackadder (7)

7. Dalton Papalii (10)

8. Ardie Savea (56)

9. TJ Perenara (76)

10. Beauden Barrett (99)

11. Rieko Ioane (44)

12. David Havili (11)

13. Anton Lienert-Brown (54)

14. Will Jordan (10)

15. Jordie Barrett (32)



16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (7)

17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (23)

18. Tyrel Lomax (11)

19. Tupou Vaa’i (8)

20. Akira Ioane (10)

21. Brad Weber (14)

22. Richie Mo’unga (28)

23. Sevu Reece (14)

9-10 is bizarre. The rest seems ok, although the makeup of the loose trio appears to be drawn out of a hat each week. And the bench, apart from the two props, looks capable of adding real impact (although if all the Welsh doomsayers are correct, that won't be necessary).

So if Foster et al are still groping around in the dark trying to find their best XV, while simultaneously looking to possibly tougher matches ahead, this team seems fine. But describing the selections of Perenara and B Barrett as form-based strains credibility.

[Ymx]

Savea is too small to be an 8.
Sotutu I’m starting to think is a show boater. Receiving a number of passes on the wing ffs. And this is after the SA match where our back row went missing.

We need some hard workers.

[Kiwias]

Savea is too small to be an 8.
Sotutu I’m starting to think is a show boater. Receiving a number of passes on the wing ffs. And this is after the SA match where our back row went missing.

We need some hard workers.

Akira has the build and physical attributes to be a world-class 8 but has yet to convince he is a genuine hard grafter.

[Gumboot]

Savea is too small to be an 8.
Sotutu I’m starting to think is a show boater. Receiving a number of passes on the wing ffs. And this is after the SA match where our back row went missing.

We need some hard workers.

Akira has the build and physical attributes to be a world-class 8 but has yet to convince he is a genuine hard grafter.

For all the talk about how interchangeable the loose forward spots are, it's clear that some loosies are far better in their specialist position than they are when deputising in others. Kaino was a world class six, but I can't remember any of his games at no.8, and I'd rather forget his only test start at lock. Akira looks like a natural 8. Jacobson's a far better blindside than 8. Ardie and Cane are far better opensides than anyone else in the squad. Not sure it needs to be any more complicated than that...

[Enzedder]

Akira dropped.... BB starting at 10... I damn well knew it!

At least Blackadder and Papalii are in... and Samisoni Taukei’aho

But Perenara at 9.... FFS!!!

Resting the big guns for the big games

[/mockers]

[Grandpa]

Savea is too small to be an 8.
Sotutu I’m starting to think is a show boater. Receiving a number of passes on the wing ffs. And this is after the SA match where our back row went missing.

We need some hard workers.

Akira has the build and physical attributes to be a world-class 8 but has yet to convince he is a genuine hard grafter.

For all the talk about how interchangeable the loose forward spots are, it's clear that some loosies are far better in their specialist position than they are when deputising in others. Kaino was a world class six, but I can't remember any of his games at no.8, and I'd rather forget his only test start at lock. Akira looks like a natural 8. Jacobson's a far better blindside than 8. Ardie and Cane are far better opensides than anyone else in the squad. Not sure it needs to be any more complicated than that...

Plumtree pretty much said during the week that they think number 8 suit Ardie's skillset better... so unless injuries force their hand, he is the number 8 they want going forward... but I agree with your sentiments, Akira is better suited at 8 a looser role than the 6 position.

I hope Blackadder has a blinder and makes the 6 position his own... his work rate makes everyone else's job so much easier.

[Grandpa]

1. J Moody
2. S Taukeiáho
3. A Taávao
4. B Retallick
5. S Whitelock (c)
6. A Ioane
7. A Savea
8. L Jacobson

9. B Weber
10. R Moánga
11. R Ioane
12. Q Tupaea
13. A Lienert-Brown
14. W Jordan
15. J Barrett

16. D Coles, 17. E de Groot, 18. N Laulala, 19. T Vaaí, 20. E Blackadder, 21. F Christie, 22. B Barrett, 23. D McKenzie

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

If only he had morphed into Thorne. The Boks of that era basically gave up any thought of blindside offense if Thorne was playing. Instead, Akira seems far more reminiscent of Andrew Blowers...

Andrew Blowers... there's a blast from the past. I thought he was going to be a star... but never happened...

[Grandpa]

Akira dropped.... BB starting at 10... I damn well knew it!

At least Blackadder and Papalii are in... and Samisoni Taukei’aho

But Perenara at 9.... FFS!!!

Resting the big guns for the big games

/mockers

You get the feeling Foster is going to mix and match right up until the next world cup...

[Enzedder]

I think I would. There are enough big games to work on the top combinations - use the others to build the reserves combinations where possible

[Kiwias]

Akira dropped.... BB starting at 10... I damn well knew it!

At least Blackadder and Papalii are in... and Samisoni Taukei’aho

But Perenara at 9.... FFS!!!

Resting the big guns for the big games

/mockers

You get the feeling Foster is going to mix and match right up until the next world cup...

I almost threw up reading that
.

[Kiwias]

I think I would. There are enough big games to work on the top combinations - use the others to build the reserves combinations where possible

Why not? It worked so well for Shag.

[Monkey Magic]

Think Ardie was the only forward who could keep his head high after the last boks game - he was a machine, at 7, so obviously we need to pick him at 8.

Hope Papalii kicks on after this year as he Lear s from being in that intensity.

Tight five need to step up after being early second best their last two games in the RC. Bearing in mind that despite the absentees, this is close to the 6n champs tight 5 going against them, the all blacks need to step up. Retallick might start looking like proper Retallick mode rather the poor imitation we've seen so far.

[Gumboot]

Righto, alarm clock set for 5am...

Not sure I'd bother for anyone other than Wales, tbh.

[Ymx]

All Ardie contributed was show boating from what I saw.

I’m struggling to find player match statistics to check his rucks hit, tackles made stats.

[FalseBayFC]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

[FalseBayFC]

I was a big fan of Akira... I thought he had come of age and was going to be the difference maker... the enforcer we have lacked since Kaino left the scene... but when the big test came.. twice against SA... he turned into Reuben Thorne. So I'm out...

If only he had morphed into Thorne. The Boks of that era basically gave up any thought of blindside offense if Thorne was playing. Instead, Akira seems far more reminiscent of Andrew Blowers...

Andrew Blowers... there's a blast from the past. I thought he was going to be a star... but never happened...

Blowers, Cribb, Isitola and Finau Maka. Loved watching those guys play. There was also a massive unit, Poly guy of that era who was just a bit unco and dropped the ball a lot. Forgot his name, played loose forward. When he caught the ball with a head of steam he'd absolutely wreck people. Might have played for North Harbour or Blues.

[Slick]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Perhaps the pertinent question is why they don't want to stay in SA?

[FalseBayFC]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Perhaps the pertinent question is why they don't want to stay in SA?

I'm very happy for them to leave. They'll earn good salaries and set themselves up for life. But all of them bar Pierre Schoeman are pretty average players. I suspect its a mix of the money and knowing they'll never really make it in SA.

[sockwithaticket]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Not England. Don't think we've had anyone 'South African' since Brad Barritt (who had at least one English parent).

[Grandpa]

If only he had morphed into Thorne. The Boks of that era basically gave up any thought of blindside offense if Thorne was playing. Instead, Akira seems far more reminiscent of Andrew Blowers...

Andrew Blowers... there's a blast from the past. I thought he was going to be a star... but never happened...

Blowers, Cribb, Isitola and Finau Maka. Loved watching those guys play. There was also a massive unit, Poly guy of that era who was just a bit unco and dropped the ball a lot. Forgot his name, played loose forward. When he caught the ball with a head of steam he'd absolutely wreck people. Might have played for North Harbour or Blues.

Sione Lauaki? Sadly he passed away in 2017.

[Grandpa]

Resting the big guns for the big games

/mockers

You get the feeling Foster is going to mix and match right up until the next world cup...

I almost threw up reading that
.

Has he played the same side twice in a row yet?

[FalseBayFC]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Not England. Don't think we've had anyone 'South African' since Brad Barritt (who had at least one English parent).

Only Don Armand who is Zim born but educated in Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town University. And he only has one cap maybe. The English cricket team on the other hand are shameless.

I

[sockwithaticket]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Not England. Don't think we've had anyone 'South African' since Brad Barritt (who had at least one English parent).

Only Don Armand who is Zim born but educated in Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town University. And he only has one cap maybe. The English cricket team on the other hand are shameless.

I

Oh yeah, completely forgot about Don. Turns out it was 2 caps and frankly, given the back row options we have, it's pretty surprising he even got that.

[Slick]

The Home Nations continue their unrelenting pillage of South African rugby talent. This time its Durban born, Michaelhouse educated hooker Bradley Roberts.

WP Nel
Ollie Kebble
Nathan McBeth
Pierre Schoeman
Robbie Herring
Bradley Roberts

Thats two full frontrows out of 6 teams. All adult poaches. Don't you guys have enough fatties?

Perhaps the pertinent question is why they don't want to stay in SA?

I'm very happy for them to leave. They'll earn good salaries and set themselves up for life. But all of them bar Pierre Schoeman are pretty average players. I suspect its a mix of the money and knowing they'll never really make it in SA.

Well why are you so bitter about it then? And WP, Kebble and Schoeman have become better players since coming here. Take out of that what you will.

[FalseBayFC]

Perhaps the pertinent question is why they don't want to stay in SA?

I'm very happy for them to leave. They'll earn good salaries and set themselves up for life. But all of them bar Pierre Schoeman are pretty average players. I suspect its a mix of the money and knowing they'll never really make it in SA.

Well why are you so bitter about it then? And WP, Kebble and Schoeman have become better players since coming here. Take out of that what you will.

I'm not bitter about it. If you have to poach to be competitive I guess you have to poach. I don't think its cool though if players play SA u20 and then emigrate though. Like Dylan Richardson. I would rather those places went to players who were committed to the Springbok pipeline of talent.

[Slick]

I'm very happy for them to leave. They'll earn good salaries and set themselves up for life. But all of them bar Pierre Schoeman are pretty average players. I suspect its a mix of the money and knowing they'll never really make it in SA.

Well why are you so bitter about it then? And WP, Kebble and Schoeman have become better players since coming here. Take out of that what you will.

I'm not bitter about it. If you have to poach to be competitive I guess you have to poach. I don't think its cool though if players play SA u20 and then emigrate though. Like Dylan Richardson. I would rather those places went to players who were committed to the Springbok pipeline of talent.

Scotland have 250 clubs and 38k players (even that is vastly inflated)

SA have 1500 clubs and over 650k players

(Taken from Wiki)

We play within the rules to remain competitive. If you would rather we have less competition in rugby then by all means keep moaning

[Line6 HXFX]

Wales are going to kick the leather off the ball (without very good kickers) try to keep it infield, rush up with à leaky defence and just try to get turnovers.

The All blacks apparently leave a gap between the person taking the ball in and the guy recycling or securing it, and if Wales had great jacklers on the pitch it might work.

On the rare occasion Wales get nto the allblacks 22 they will maybe, just maybe get some points.

Wales by 10.
Fuck you reality!!!

[FalseBayFC]

Well why are you so bitter about it then? And WP, Kebble and Schoeman have become better players since coming here. Take out of that what you will.

I'm not bitter about it. If you have to poach to be competitive I guess you have to poach. I don't think its cool though if players play SA u20 and then emigrate though. Like Dylan Richardson. I would rather those places went to players who were committed to the Springbok pipeline of talent.

Scotland have 250 clubs and 38k players (even that is vastly inflated)

SA have 1500 clubs and over 650k players

(Taken from Wiki)

We play within the rules to remain competitive. If you would rather we have less competition in rugby then by all means keep moaning

Fair enough, and I guess the 5 year qualification rule will make a difference. Its got to the point where our kids are approached at school when they are 17/18 though. France are especially mercenary in this regard.

[Madness]

This is going to be painful for Wales.

Normally rubbish in Autumn Internationals
Game is pure cash grab by WRU
No English based players
Loads of injuries
Last 4 games only win vs Canada, failed to beat Argentina at home

All Blacks by 31

[Slick]

I'm not bitter about it. If you have to poach to be competitive I guess you have to poach. I don't think its cool though if players play SA u20 and then emigrate though. Like Dylan Richardson. I would rather those places went to players who were committed to the Springbok pipeline of talent.

Scotland have 250 clubs and 38k players (even that is vastly inflated)

SA have 1500 clubs and over 650k players

(Taken from Wiki)

We play within the rules to remain competitive. If you would rather we have less competition in rugby then by all means keep moaning

Fair enough, and I guess the 5 year qualification rule will make a difference. Its got to the point where our kids are approached at school when they are 17/18 though. France are especially mercenary in this regard.

None of us like that shit either mate

[GogLais]

This is going to be painful for Wales.

Normally rubbish in Autumn Internationals
Game is pure cash grab by WRU
No English based players
Loads of injuries
Last 4 games only win vs Canada, failed to beat Argentina at home

All Blacks by 31

I’ll settle for that.

[Line6 HXFX]

This is going to be painful for Wales.

Normally rubbish in Autumn Internationals
Game is pure cash grab by WRU
No English based players
Loads of injuries
Last 4 games only win vs Canada, failed to beat Argentina at home

All Blacks by 31

Wales are a professional Rugby team that train constantly (it is their job) and have some of the best trainers, facilities, sports scientists, tacticians in the western world.
31 points would be a fucking profession ending disaster not just for the players, people involved but the profession of rugby itself.

I mean why the fuck bother if a pub team could do better?

[Gumboot]

But all of them bar Pierre Schoeman are pretty average players. I suspect its a mix of the money and knowing they'll never really make it in SA.

Yeah, I thought that Scottish Saffer wing who played for the Lions in SA was very average tbh.

[Gumboot]

Go, All Blacks!

[Gumboot]

WTF?

[ASMO]

Adam Beard has such a punchable face

[Chilli]

First time in years thst I watched the Haka.
It was a good one

[Chilli]

Game Over

[ASMO]

Well that was easy