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FORUM / RUGBY /  All Blacks name squad for Argentina; NZ by Patrick McKendry; Herald

All Blacks name squad for Argentina; NZ by Patrick McKendry; Herald

Started by Just_win6 REPLIES179 VIEWS· 19 Sept 2016, 08:02
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JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
19 Sept 2016, 08:02
#1
19 Sept 2016, 08:02#1

Jerome Kaino's shoulder injury has ruled him out of the All Blacks' return test against Argentina a week on Sunday.

The loose forward, who suffered a painful AC joint injury in the 41-13 victory over the Springboks in Christchurch at the weekend, will not be on his team's flight to Buenos Aires on Friday for the test against the Pumas on October 2. However, he will be available for the test against the Boks a week later, and will travel directly to Durban after having a week at home.

With Sam Cane (hamstring) not available for either of the All Blacks' next two tests, the loose forward trio will have a very different look at Estadio Jose Amalfitani. After learning plenty in the physical battle against the Boks at AMI Stadium, Ardie Savea is likely to start again in the No7 jersey alongside skipper Kieran Read, with either Liam Squire or Elliot Dixon set to play on the blindside flank.

First-five Aaron Cruden's groin problem has ruled him out of the travelling squad, but Chiefs teammate Damian McKenzie, who has had a recent issue with concussion, has been included as one of the specialist No10s alongside the in-form Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga.

Midfielder George Moala, a late withdrawal for his Auckland team at the weekend as he failed to get through a training session on his knee problem, has also been included in the squad.

Wing Waisake Naholo, who tore his hamstring in the act of scoring a try in the big win over the Wallabies in Sydney, has also made it.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has already indicated that changes are possible as he attempts to freshen up a team who have won the Rugby Championship with two matches to spare. Hooker Dane Coles, prop Owen Franks, locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, and fullback Ben Smith are all candidates for a rest in Buenos Aires.

However, Hansen is likely to tweak the starting team rather than make wholesale changes, particularly where the two Smiths are concerned. The two Highlanders, Aaron and Ben, are integral parts of his team's high-tempo approach, and Hansen is likely to start with at least one of them.

The Pumas impressed in the first half of their defeat to the All Blacks in Hamilton, but failed to back it up in Perth against the Wallabies at the weekend, rallying after a poor start to lose 36-20.

The travelling squad is as follows:

Hookers: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Codie Taylor.
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Joe Moody and Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Locks: Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock.
Loose forwards: Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino (South Africa only), Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire and Matt Todd.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara and Aaron Smith.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Lima Sopoaga.
Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Anton Lienert-Brown and George Moala.
Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea and Ben Smith.

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
19 Sept 2016, 08:07
#2
19 Sept 2016, 08:07#2
 Some exciting changes in the travelling squad. McKenzie may get some time if he recovers from concussion but at least he will be exposed to the ABs on tour, al la Ardie in EOYT last time. TJ may get more time which is good as we had a bit of a critical dependency on A. Smith. Hope to see more of Squire and Dixon plus Tuipulotu. 
ABs growing depth and developing the young.
AB
ABasquefanPro2,549 posts
19 Sept 2016, 11:51
#3
19 Sept 2016, 11:51#3
 yeah, JW, time to prove the depth of the squad,....... once the Rugby Championship title is in the bag again, seems that the main concern of the coaching staff is the fatigue caused by the travel schedule from now on.

The AB' next 8 matches are going to be played in 8 different countries and from now to the beginning of November they are going to almost complete 2 rounds around the globe,..... too much travel,....... and it's from the west to the east which, according to the experts, causes deeper jet-lag

as the article says, Dane Coles, prop Owen Franks, locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, and fullback Ben Smith are those with more gametime on their legs and main candidates to rest. I would add Read and Barret but I don't think they are going to be rested at least untill the 3rd bledisloe.

we'll probably see, as the article also says, one Smith resting in each of the next 2 RC games (I would say Ben rsting in Argentina and Aaron in SA). Same with both locks and as I read in another article probably Romano and Tuipulotu starting one each.
Dane Coles needs also some resting after playing under an injury cloud for a long time,.... and O. Franks will probably be benched (which just means that he plays 35 min instead of 45) or even sidelined playing Faumuina and Tu'ungafasi on the tighthead


JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
19 Sept 2016, 11:57
#4
19 Sept 2016, 11:57#4
 Sounds right ABF. I want to see more of Tu'ungafasi & Tuipulotu. 
Glad they are resting Retallick as he got warn down and injured a couple of seasons ago & no one can take the punishment the long season dishes out. Giving other players a chance & hope is a good thing also.
CL
CleanCutPro9,905 posts
19 Sept 2016, 11:59
#5
19 Sept 2016, 11:59#5
 We on the other hand will continue with proven failures at 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15.
We may even recall a few more from retirement. I see John Smit has trimmed down a bit. I wonder what he's doing next week Saturday?
 

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
19 Sept 2016, 12:06
#6
19 Sept 2016, 12:06#6
CC, if the Boks can at least play their players in position and get their systems and execution right they will make progress. It can't keep going down hill. Reducing the error rate and getting a better kicking game would also help. I guess there are a few "workons" Right now too much is unclear with the Boks, they haven't even settled on their style of play.
CL
CleanCutPro9,905 posts
19 Sept 2016, 12:13
#7
19 Sept 2016, 12:13#7
 Yeah I agree ... a little progress is better than none. 
Selecting each player in a position he actually understands is a huge step forward. 
He may even contribute to the team as whole. 
Wouldn't that be a kick in the head?!!
— END OF THREAD —

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