All Blacks vs England, Game 1 at the Lunchbox - The Razor Era Begins

[cashead]

All Blacks team to be named in about an hour, England team has already been named.

First test of the Razor Era, what can we expect in the Lunchbox?

All Blacks
1. Ethan de Groot
2. Codie Taylor
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Scott Barrett (C)
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Dalton Papali'i
8. Ardie Savea
9. TJ Perenara
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Mark Tele'a
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Sevu Reece
15. Stephen Perofeta

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Va'ai
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Finlay Christie
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett


England
1. Joe Marler
2. Jamie George (C)
3. Will Stuart
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Martin
6. Chandler Cunningham-South
7. Sam Underhill
8. Ben Earl
9. Alex Mitchell
10. Marcus Smith
11. Tommy Freeman
12. Ollie Lawrence
13. Henry Slade
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
15. George Furbank

16. Theo Dan
17. Fin Baxter
18. Dan Cole
19. Alex Coles
20. Tom Curry
21. Ben Spencer
22. Fin Smith
23. Ollie Sleightholme

[Puja]

1. Ethan de Groot

2. Codie Taylor

3. Tyrel Lomax

4. Scott Barrett (captain)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Dalton Papali'i

8. Ardie Savea

9. TJ Perenara

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Mark Tele'a

12. Jordie Barrett

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Sevu Reece

15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves:
16. Asafo Aumua

17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi

18. Fletcher Newell

19. Tupou Vaa'i

20. Luke Jacobsen

21. Finlay Christie

22. Anton Lienert-Brown

23. Beauden Barrett

[cashead]

It'll be interesting to see how the squad will play. In all likelihood, it won't be a huge deal different from Razor's Crusaders. Jason Ryan and Scott Hansen were both his assistants directly out of the Crusaders. Meanwhile, Jason Holland and Leon MacDonald have notable and reasonably successful tenures at the Hurricanes and Blues, respectively, not to mention the likely influence of part-time coaching staff member Wayne Smith.


Squidge also uploaded this recently.

[you-tube][/you-tube]

[morepork]

Wayne Smith is a huge addition. Bet he charges some hefty coin.

[cashead]

He works as a part-time consultant for both the All Blacks and the Black Ferns. Probably the ideal role for him at this point in his career.

Razor and his gang also spend time with the U20s, assisting Jono Gibbes and so far, it looks like it's paying off.

[J Dory]

Not bad for a first hit out, impressed by the composure, Razor effect? Beaudy added something when he came on and should start for me, be it 15 or 10. Forwards were awesome, backs struggled with the rush defense. Early days, good base to build on. I'll take it.

[cashead]

England seemed a bit aimless on attack, and relied exclusively on scraps they could get from their defensive pressure.

Thought Ben Earl was a bit mouthy for someone so ineffectual for much of the game.

The All Blacks looked a tad disjointed - new coaching regime, new systems and structures, but they'll probably get better as the international season progresses.

This was probably England's best chance at a win, and I'm guessing we'll get a far more comfortable result at Eden Park.