Potential noobs?

[Lizard]

So is the 1st XV playing Bled III and then heading to Europe?

[zer0]

Dalton Papali'i is supposedly in line for selection. It's a good call. He was very good in his limited appearances for the Blues this year and has dominated the NPC, including Dillon Hunt earlier this very afternoon.

Auckland flanker Dalton Papali'i looks set to be a surprise call up to the All Blacks when the squad for the end of season tour to Japan and Europe is named on Monday.

Papali'i, who turned 21 last week, had another outstanding game for Auckland in their 45-29 win over North Harbour on Sunday at Eden Park.

While his Auckland coach, Alama Ieremia, didn't confirm Papali'i, was going to make the All Blacks, he did try to sidestep a question when asked if he's going to lose any players for Saturday's semifinal against Wellington because of All Blacks call ups.

"Let's just say I can't answer that for now, that's an awkward question," Ieremia said smiling in the post match press conference, with Papali'i sitting next to him.

But it is believed Dalton has been selected for the trip as the All Blacks selectors look for someone to fill in for Sam Cane, who'll be out for several months with a broken neck.

Names that have been thrown around as a replacement include Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes and Mitch Karpik.

Others might also get selected for the trip, but it appears Papali'i's seat on the plane is sorted.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/pro ... r-for-tour

Aside from that, the depth chart after Taylor at hooker is pretty uninspiring, to say the least. Might as well have a look at some other options such as Makalio and/or Riccitelli.

[Lizard]

1st XV:
Hookers: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor

Props: Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi

​Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock

​Loose forwards: Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papali'i*, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd

​Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga

​Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

2nd XV:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman

​Props: Tyrel Lomax*, Reuben O'Neill*, Tim Perry, Angus Ta'avao

Locks: Luke Romano

Loose forwards: Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans*, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock

Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond*, Bryn Hall*

First five-eighths: Brett Cameron*

Midfielders: Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor*

Outside backs: George Bridge*, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder


While I get the reasons for the dual-squad approach, I'm not entirely comfortable with it. I would be happier if the side playing Japan wasn't capped and played as a New Zealand XV, like when the All Blacks played in Argentina and Uruguay just after the tour to South Africa in 1976.

Mind you, it's not the first time. In 1949, separate squads played (and lost) concurrent test series in South Africa and against Aussie at home.


* Potential new All Blacks

[Mellsblue]

Please tell me the 2nd XV are going on the NH leg of the tour. No? ****.

[morepork]

They are all the rage in England.

[Mellsblue]

They are all the rage in England.

Southern Hemisphere flankers?

[morepork]

Shouldn't you be on the phone to Thomas Waldrom?

[Mellsblue]

He has an English grandmother whom he’s never met and didn’t even know about until he moved to Leicester. That not English enough for you?

[Puja]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

[zer0]

So Papali'i's call-up is about him being a 6.5, which we haven't had since Adam Thomson headed overseas.

He's shaping up to be a much better player than Thomson ever was. But he'll predominately play blindside, which is where he has been playing/dominating for Auckland, and where he'll line up next season with the Blues -- assuming Gibson can avoid his unfortunate habit of picking up long term injuries.

[Mellsblue]

assuming Gibson can avoid his unfortunate habit of picking up long term injuries.

Ooh. He sounds like an EQP. What’s he like?

[Mellsblue]

Was James Lowe ever seriously on the All Black radar?

[morepork]

There were calls for it but Hansen stuck with others. Is he about to become Irish?

[Mellsblue]

It wouldn’t be a surprise. He has been superb since he took the €€€€€

[Lizard]

He was very, very good at domestic level. Perhaps didn’t have that x-factor brilliance that demands an All Black cap. When he left, we were already struggling to fit Naholo, Ioane, Smith, Dagg, McKenzie and Savea into our back 3. He’s one of those players who you would not begrudge for 1 second taking a cap from another country because he is probably test quality but was never going to get a decent go for NZ through no fault of his own but poor timing of his birth.

[Stom]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

[Puja]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

[Lizard]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

[Puja]

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

Firstly, that christian name is utterly ridiculous and I refuse to take seriously anyone whose name sounds like the alter ego of a third rate superhero. Secondly, that's one of their Kiwi poaches, which of our discards have they got their beady little eyes on?

Puja

[Lizard]

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

Firstly, that christian name is utterly ridiculous and I refuse to take seriously anyone whose name sounds like the alter ego of a third rate superhero. Secondly, that's one of their Kiwi poaches, which of our discards have they got their beady little eyes on?

Puja

Sorry. SHMB fred so I didn’t look too closely at who “our” might refer to.

[Stom]

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

Firstly, that christian name is utterly ridiculous and I refuse to take seriously anyone whose name sounds like the alter ego of a third rate superhero. Secondly, that's one of their Kiwi poaches, which of our discards have they got their beady little eyes on?

Puja

Ignore me, I read the headline and not the article. Thought Gary Graham had been called up.

Oh well. They stole our 13th choice 10! James Lang.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

Firstly, that christian name is utterly ridiculous and I refuse to take seriously anyone whose name sounds like the alter ego of a third rate superhero. Secondly, that's one of their Kiwi poaches, which of our discards have they got their beady little eyes on?

Puja

Ignore me, I read the headline and not the article. Thought Gary Graham had been called up.

Oh well. They stole our 13th choice 10! James Lang.

At least they're being capped and utilised. Graham probably has no chance of an international cap due to his own naivety and Eddie's games - it's only someones career hey? Top set up you've got there lad.