All Blacks squad for Lions I

[zer0]

Both should be back for the first test. But Squire and Luatua would be the immediate backups, I'd imagine. After that we're looking at shuffling players (Cane, S.Barrett), playing journeymen (Dixon) or debutantes (Shields).

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Who will captain the team if read's thumb doesn't recover in time? And with Kaino crocked as well are we likely to be a bit under in the loose forwards

I reckon Whitelock will be captain, Savea to play blindside? Akira Ioane to play 8? Todd or Cane at 7?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Who will captain the team if read's thumb doesn't recover in time? And with Kaino crocked as well are we likely to be a bit under in the loose forwards

I reckon Whitelock will be captain, Savea to play blindside? Akira Ioane to play 8? Todd or Cane at 7?

probably Whitelock to captain. Akira is too green. Both Cane and Ardie have played 8 this season so that's an option.

[cashead]

The immediate likely backup is Luatua, although he has had some workrate and fitness issues in the past. He put in an honest shift against the Brumbies last round.

There are also other probables like Liam Squire or Elliot Dixon. I'm not sure if we'll see many new caps during the Lions series, but I can see the Samoa warm-up being used as a trial run for some newbies like Brad Shields and potentially Vaea Fifita, whom the selectors seem interested in as a lock/loose forward option.

journeymen (Dixon)

Ah yes, noted journeyman Elliot Dixon, who has played for all of 1 province and 1 Super Rugby team.

[J Dory]

Akira Ioane looked decent versus the Brumbies.

[zer0]

Ah yes, noted journeyman Elliot Dixon, who has played for all of 1 province and 1 Super Rugby team.

I use the "journeyman" definition of a player who is capable without being excellent. It doesn't have a geographic element. Though it appears that's the American definition.

[Spy]

Agree with EW. Probably Whitelock to captain. Can't see Akira Ioane figuring in the squad to play the Lions. Inexperienced, and form that isn't demanding selection, promising though he is.

[dk4]

How did Read perform in the super 18 this year?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

How did Read perform in the super 18 this year?

Barely played.

[rowan]

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen says he is unlikely to continue in the role after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Hansen has been head coach since 2011, guiding New Zealand to victory at the 2015 World Cup, and was previously an assistant to Graham Henry from 2004 to the 2011 World Cup, which also won by the All Blacks.

In an interview Friday, Hansen said "without committing to it 100 percent, I can't see myself extending beyond the World Cup.

"I guess I am kind of arguing against myself but it will be eight years as head coach and eight years as assistant coach —16 years all up ... but top of the pyramid is my family and it will probably be time to give them more."

http://www.sobserver.ws/en/27_05_2017/r ... n-2019.htm


New Zealand Provincial Barbarians coach Clayton McMillan has today confirmed the final selection of his squad to open the DHL NZ Lions Series on 3 June at Toll Stadium in Whangarei.

Forwards:
Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty)
Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington)
Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago)
Andrew Makalio (Tasman)
Marcel Renata (Auckland)
Oliver Jager (Canterbury)
Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty)
Joshua Goodhue (Northland)
James Tucker (Waikato)
Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury)
Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)
Matthew Matich (Northland)
Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

Backs:
Jack Stratton (Canterbury)
Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty)
Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato)
Kaveinga Finau (Inga) (Canterbury)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke’s Bay)
Sevuloni Reece (Waikato)
Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau)
Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30833/pro ... -confirmed

[zer0]

So the All Blacks have got a "new" logo/badge.



http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all- ... o-revealed

Pretty naff. Will, hopefully, only be for the Lions series.

[Lizard]

I'm not a fan of adding more crap to the Black jersey. Mind you, the fern is probably the most tinkered with element.



The "crest" outline is reminiscent of the 1888-89 Natives logo, so is not totally without precedent.



I'm pretty sure I remember seeing an earlier All Blacks' alternate strip which was white, with a black crest featuring the silver fern.

[Lizard]

I'm pretty sure I remember seeing an earlier All Blacks' alternate strip which was white, with a black crest featuring the silver fern.

Maybe I'm thinking of this, actually (1981):

[Lizard]

Actually, now I've got it. I thought it was a much older jersey- like pre-WW2. Of course we only wore white at home until more recent times, and I assumed it would have been against Scotland however their first tour to NZ was only in 1975.

Then I remembered that the 1930 Great British team (not yet known as the Lions) controversially wore dark blue, forcing their gracious hosts to wear white:



So if you are feeling charitable, you could say the badge is a nod to the 1930 All Blacks (who won 3 tests to 1).

[cashead]

Meh.

[morepork]

I'm not a fan of adding more crap to the Black jersey. Mind you, the fern is probably the most tinkered with element.


The "crest" outline is reminiscent of the 1888-89 Natives logo, so is not totally without precedent.



I'm pretty sure I remember seeing an earlier All Blacks' alternate strip which was white, with a black crest featuring the silver fern.

The United Tribes flag...

[Lizard]

Indeed. That flag would have been the obvious choice at the time, too. It had been formally gazetted as the the flag of New Zealand in 1835 and remained in common use at least up to the 2nd Boer War (1899-1902). The current NZ flag was formally adopted only in 1902. There were various Blue Ensign based designs used as naval flags before then but these were not usually used on land.

[morepork]

Indeed. That flag would have been the obvious choice at the time, too. It had been formally gazetted as the the flag of New Zealand in 1835 and remained in common use at least up to the 2nd Boer War (1899-1902). The current NZ flag was formally adopted only in 1902. There were various Blue Ensign based designs used as naval flags before then but these were not usually used on land.

It was used as a shipping ensign before we were officially a British colony. Commercial entities could not register to sell goods in NSW without one...

[rowan]

Beware the cheating Kiwis!

Jonathan Kaplan has cautioned match officials to be vigilant of 'questionable' All Blacks tactics in the upcoming series against the British & Irish Lions.

The former South African referee, who holds the record for the most Tests officiated (70), has been in control of 18 matches involving the All Blacks, and said they were his toughest tasks.

'New Zealand are masters of the subtle nuances, which often determine the difference between winning and losing,' Kaplan wrote in the Telegraph. 'They often flood the breakdown with numbers when there appears to be a numerical mismatch, some of it not always legal.

'There are not many penalties given for this type of infringement now and the rewards supersede the downside by far. Turnovers are the name of this game, and this tactic provides dividends. If they get quality ball in this situation, they have the game breakers and steppers to kill off any team.

'One questionable tactic which one sees periodically is the killing of quality ball after a linebreak or close to the goal line. Referees often – but not always – pick up the infringement, but then fail to recognise that it is cynical and often designed not to allow the possible try.

'One of the more nefarious tactics used is the clearing of opponents who are not taking part in the ruck or post-tackle situation. It happens consistently every week down south – and with all southern hemisphere international sides, especially New Zealand – and it is a tactic referees are very poor at picking up.

'It appears that there is either a lack of will or lack of quality personnel to deal with these on-field indiscretions. It causes a huge amount of frustration for the non-offending team, who are trying to defend legally and often leads to retaliation as a result. Teams get away with it quite often and hence some big holes are opened up for the attack to exploit.

'There will be lots of pressure on the match officials. The whole country will basically come to a standstill. That is a beautiful thing, but it makes it ultra-intense.'

http://www.sarugbymag.co.za/blog/detail ... ghest-task

[Cameo]

Haha doesn't seem much in that. I'm sure the Irish players will be shocked at the idea that you might clear someone not involved in the ruck

[rowan]

Lions tour: New Zealand sport fans the 'most arrogant in the world', says 2005 Lion Ben Kay

Former Lions lock Ben Kay has labelled New Zealand sports fans as 'among the most arrogant in the world'.

Kay toured New Zealand with the Lions during the disastrous 2005 tour and played in two tests against the All Blacks.

The Englishman said New Zealand's reaction to the Lions' scratchy 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei on Saturday was predictable after the tourists were branded 'mediocre', 'incompetent' and a 'disgrace to the jersey'.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/inte ... on-ben-kay

[morepork]

This is from a touring party that had Alistair Campbell-end along as media liaison.

anyway. Fuck it. Looking forward to the games.

[rowan]

This is from a touring party that had Alistair Campbell-end along as media liaison.
.

Yes, forgot about that. Enjoyed listening to Tana & SBW telling the British press to shut up about 2005 as well!

[cashead]

Squad gets named tomorrow, along with the Maori All Blacks team.

[jared_7]

Ben Kay's side got lost by an average of 23 points a game over the 3 tests. I think he is having difficulty distinguishing "arrogance" from "realism".