Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3511171 14-Jul-2026 09:04

JPNZ:

Over the last 6 years with Hanson/Fozzy/Razor etc we have ALWAYS struggled to unlock rush defense. England & South Africa being the main ones that always seem to give us grief. We do seem to be trying to play a more attacking style of play. Ireland play that quick rush defense to, so this weekend will be very interesting to me on how our "new" attack deals with the rush.

I thought we had started to make decent progress under Foster actually (the last 18 months). It was hard to judge Robertson against it as we didn't really play against it as much, and to be honest had bigger more fundamental issues with our team than simply that, so we never really got to the point where I felt that was our biggest issue.

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#3511275 14-Jul-2026 16:10

I see more controvesy around Boks adjacent doping. U20's player called into the development squad has failed a test. Controvesy a few weeks ago as well.

It seems to be a fairly popular view that it's far more widespread than just the fringe or adjacent players.

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#3511887 16-Jul-2026 12:39

Just back from a week away, but I did manage to see the test on Saturday. Agree with most comments that it wasn't great. However, I put it in the context of giving nearly the whole squad a run in the first two games and also adapting to new structures on both attack and defence. So understandable for the first two weeks. However, IMO that bedding in period is now over and it's time to put it all together and deliver.

I expect that this week we'll see our first choice 15 and 23 (other than injury enforced changes). This is a dress rehearsal for the SA trip and Ireland are a great team to do that against. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Vaa'i at 6, at least for some of the game. Or maybe Parker at 6 - although I'd think less likely. IMO, we're going to need a bit more size against SA. Jeez it'll be good to have big Tamaiti back at some point.

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#3511893 16-Jul-2026 13:02

Ireland have named a strong side for the match.

Ireland:
1. Tom O’Toole
2. Dan Sheehan (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Sam Prendergast
11. Jimmy O’Brien
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Rob Baloucoune
15. Hugo Keenan

Reserves: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Thomas Clarkson, 19. Nick Timoney, 20. Sean Jansen, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Ciaran Frawley, 23. Bundee Aki.

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#3511935 16-Jul-2026 16:05

All Blacks team to play Ireland in Auckland on Saturday night:

15 Damian McKenzie

14 Will Jordan

13 Quinn Tupaea

12 Jordie Barrett

11 Josh Moorby

10 Ruben Love

9 Cam Roigard

8 Ardie Savea (captain)

7 Luke Jacobson

6 Tupou Vaa'i

5 Patrick Tuipulotu

4 Josh Lord

3 Tyrel Lomax

2 Codie Taylor

1 Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.

Unavailable due to injury: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter.

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OnceBitten

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#3511938 16-Jul-2026 16:31

JPNZ: All Blacks team to play Ireland in Auckland on Saturday night:
15 Damian McKenzie 14 Will Jordan 13 Quinn Tupaea 12 Jordie Barrett 11 Josh Moorby 10 Ruben Love 9 Cam Roigard 8 Ardie Savea (captain) 7 Luke Jacobson 6 Tupou Vaa'i 5 Patrick Tuipulotu 4 Josh Lord 3 Tyrel Lomax 2 Codie Taylor 1 Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke. Unavailable due to injury: Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter.

Very Surprised that B Barrett not in the run on team or even in the reserves... his experience is what will be needed against SA, so he really needs some game time....

hopefully we can keep the Eden Park record intact with this team

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#3511940 16-Jul-2026 17:02

I'm pretty happy with that and as I guessed, they've bulked up the loosies. People getting upset that Darry is being left out. However, I see that as a well-deserved rest, which also allows for a straight head-to-head trial between Tuipolotu and Lord for Darry's partner going forward.

I reckon it would've been a tight call at 11, but with Moorby they're rewarding form. I think ALB edges Proctor, based on Proctor's defence problems against Italy and previously. Lakai edges Sititi again on form and Sititi's struggles against Italy. It's a bit tough given he's coming back from quite a scary head knock, but there's no room for sentiment in a test vs Ireland.

Lomax ahead of Newell would have been a tight call, but they'll both get good game time. I agree with Taylor, but they're going to have to manage his workload, with an extremely demanding year. Hopefully the game allows them to get Aumua out there earlyish.

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#3511941 16-Jul-2026 17:02

Some raved about Moorby last week, I thought he was good not great. I hope he's up for a bigger challenge than last week. I think I would have been inclined to consider starting Clarke because of the additional experience, and he has been decent under the high ball (though still is horrible on defence, which could have counted against him).

Vai'i at 6 isn't a suprise as such, but Parker is just as tall at 6'6 and is a more natural 6 rather than a converted lock, but again, it could be experience.

Probably slightly surprised to see Ratima instead of Preston, Preston is a bigger attacking threat and kicks off both feet which I think could be useful.

Other than the obvious, it's probably the strongest we can field right now.

I was more worried about SA at Eden Park last year, and I think we did well against them, but this feels like a decent sized challenge this early with things clearly not quite gelled yet. I don't feel as confident as some that we are heading in the right direction, but the weekend may tell us some things.

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#3511999 17-Jul-2026 08:15

Ive got this tiny little bugbear in the back of my mind and an ill feeling about this weekend. Thats a very strong Irish team and an AB side still trying to figure out how to play the way it wants.

The TAB odds of NZ $1.25 v Ireland $3.80 are a bit off IMHO

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#3512006 17-Jul-2026 09:22

JPNZ:

Ive got this tiny little bugbear in the back of my mind and an ill feeling about this weekend. Thats a very strong Irish team and an AB side still trying to figure out how to play the way it wants.

The TAB odds of NZ $1.25 v Ireland $3.80 are a bit off IMHO

When odds are very first set, they are an opinion from within TAB. After that they're a voting machine and NZ punters tend to go with the ABs more than logic would often imply. I think people may be looking at the Ireland game last week, where Japan gave them a pretty good run for their money. However, IMO they're a different beast when they play against the ABs. They'll be well up for that.

Eden Park should be a cracker on Saturday. I'm getting along for it and can't wait.

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#3512035 17-Jul-2026 10:30

I'm still surprised they left B Barrett out of the team altogether... sooner or later they are going to need to play him at 10 or 15

and I'm not sure why they didn't pick a genuine no 6... but other than that, it looks a good team

One day the Eden Park record will have to fall.... but I hope it's not tomorrow!

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#3512042 17-Jul-2026 10:58

OnceBitten:

I'm still surprised they left B Barrett out of the team altogether... sooner or later they are going to need to play him at 10 or 15

Why?

OnceBitten

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#3512050 17-Jul-2026 11:14

Earbanean:

Why?

Experience... plain and simple

do you think it is wise for the AB's to start Love at 10 against SA? they will eat him for breakfast

Love is a good player and needs a few more AB games under his belt in my opinion.... he was just 'ok' against France and Italy

Barrett has the experience and can play at either 10 or 15 so he's versatile

just my 2c worth

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#3512052 17-Jul-2026 11:19

Earbanean:

Why?

So we can skip Dmac? To give him game time in case our 'first choice' 10 gets injured?

I can think of times where BB has majorly saved our bacon, it's much harder to recall a time where without DMac we would have been broken.

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#3512058 17-Jul-2026 11:49

OnceBitten:

do you think it is wise for the AB's to start Love at 10 against SA? they will eat him for breakfast

I'm not sure about that. How does a 10 get 'eaten for breakfast' anyway? I get dropping inexperienced tight forwards into the team against the Boks can have dire consequences, but I don't see it at 10. It's the back field players that will get peppered with the bombs and chasers, etc. Sure, there'll be a lot more pressure around decision making, options, etc, but what better way to get properly blooded for the World Cup next year?

I keep remembering when de Groot and Lomax got dropped in the deep end over in SA, in one of the toughest positions to face the Boks, and they both shone - and have never looked back.

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