NZ XV v Japan

[Lizard]

No discredit to these guys, but there's no way this should be capped as a test by NZ.

15. Jordie Barrett
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Matt Proctor
12. Ngani Laumape
11. Waisake Naholo
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
8. Luke Whitelock ©
7. Dalton Papalii
6. Vaea Fifita
5. Jackson Hemopo
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
3. Angus Ta'avao
2. Dane Coles
1. Ofa Tuungafasi

Liam Coltman
Tim Perry
Tyrel Lomax
Dillon Hunt
Gareth Evans
Mitchell Drummond
Brett Cameron
George Bridge.

[cashead]

They're playing a team with a 100% record against the Springboks. That's way better than the All Blacks' record against them.

[Lizard]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

[Digby]

With no Raeburn Shield on the line I don't know if Japan will be as up for this!

Here's one for you Liz, if Ireland lose to Argentina or beat NZ is that leading to the longest period NZ have gone without holding said shield?

[cashead]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

Why? There isn't a single person there whom, one way or another, doesn't deserve their call-up.

[Puja]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

Why? There isn't a single person there whom, one way or another, doesn't deserve their call-up.

Plus you're denuding the Welsh and Scots of 4-5 of their 2022 teams, which is a reward in and of itself.

Puja

[Lizard]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

Why? There isn't a single person there whom, one way or another, doesn't deserve their call-up.

Because a test match should involve our best players. Our best players aren’t even in the same country. Same as the uncapped tour to Argentina in 1976.

[Lizard]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

Why? There isn't a single person there whom, one way or another, doesn't deserve their call-up.

Plus you're denuding the Welsh and Scots of 4-5 of their 2022 teams, which is a reward in and of itself.

Puja

If this team had been picked last year, Brad Shields would have been a strong contender. I doubt Te’o or Hartley would have ever made the grade.

[cashead]

I’m not saying Japan doesn’t deserve caps, I’m saying our 3rd XV doesn’t.

Why? There isn't a single person there whom, one way or another, doesn't deserve their call-up.

Because a test match should involve our best players. Our best players aren’t even in the same country. Same as the uncapped tour to Argentina in 1976.

Yeah, but in those days, the team only played 5 of 6 games.

Further, Japan has recently become a graveyard for several teams that have gone there taking them lightly, and are reliable to, at the very least, put a reasonable amount of pressure of such a side. It's easy to say "but 3rd XV," when this game is a valuable opportunity to

1. Get guys like Dane Coles, Vaea Fifita and Jordie Barrett back into the swing of things and;
2. Get players still starting out their test careers like Hemopo, Papali'i, Hunt, Tahuriorangi and opportunity to state their case and be exposed to a team that will be fielding some experienced players that have proven they can give most teams a bit of a tune-up.

How do you plan of building that depth if you just keep fielding the same guys over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over, in every game without giving the fringe guys a chance or two? Why do you think the 1998 ABs got their shit wrecked in the Tri Nations that year?

[Lizard]

I’m not saying those guys shouldn’t have played. I’m saying they should have played as an uncapped tour side, or an NZ “A” team.

Anyway, full credit to Japan for scoring more tries against us than most do. Also for sticking at it for the full 80.

Of the All Blacks, J Barrett probably did his career some damage. Mo’unga, Laumape and Bridge did well.

[cashead]

Yes, except I'm saying things have moved on a fair bit from the 1970s and 80s where that kind of thing was common, and you're going to have to get used to it. No amount of whining is going to turn back time.


Anyway, match observations

1. Japan were gifted two bullshit tries at the start - Barrett was clearly shoved on the way to a charge-down try, and there's no way in hell that ball was grounded.
2. Papali'i played alright, but Hunt was more effective at the breakdown in the second half.
3. It was interesting to see Barrett take some long-range kicks. Hopefully David Havili gets taken along to Europe to also develop his long-range kicking. It's something that the ABs have been missing for a while now.
4. Evans put in a solid shift off the bench. Not the best player, but a definite worker. Weird head though.
5. Jordie wouldn't have hurt his chances at all. Yeah, he made a couple of errors, but he's still young and there were far more positives. The charge-down was unfortunate, but it happens to everyone once in a while, and the try that followed was a bullshit call.