- All Blacks v Wallabies
- Argentina v South Africa
Big news ahead of Bledisloe 1 is that Beauden Barrett is out with illness which sees Jordan move to 15, Reece comes on at 14 with Harry Plumber being named on the reserve bench.
That suggests he’s leapt ahead of Havili as the utility player - and in a way it actually does make a lot of sense. Jordan, JB & McKenzie give 3 options at 15, Plumber gives cover at 10 & 12, and ALB gives 12 & 13 cover with the option of Ioane heading to the wing too. Very versatile backs.
Roja Direct has the Pumas match btw. And it’s worth a watch!
Well, coming out of that match, which the ABs were extremely lucky to win in the end they’re now carrying some injuries which will make the next match in the hoodoo city of Wellington interesting.
- Jordie Barrett went off at half time, and social media posts show a very restrictive brace on with rumours of him doing his MCL.
- Tupou Vaa’i went off halfway through the 2nd half with what looked like a shoulder injury.
- Wallace Sititi ended up heavily taped after what looked like a knee injury.
- Cortez Ratima took a knock too, but hopefully isn’t as bad as the other three.
5 games on the trot now that Razor’s ABs have been held scoreless in the final 20 minutes, given how average we know the Wallabies have been this year i’d say the ABs will be lucky to walk away with a 2/5 (Italy & Japan) on the end of year tour. Potentially heavy defeats awaiting in Ireland & France, and some revenge for England. Italy are playing the ABs last match of the tour, if there was ever a chance to pick up a first win, this would be it.
Just woke and checked the scores. As expected. Not sure I’d be sending the A team if I was in charge of the All Blacks. This is prime blood new players territory
The ABs have been ruthless punishing mistakes; so to a degree the Aussies have made some of those tries by dumb passes. They’re competing well in the 2nd quarter and have cut out a lot of their silly mistakes so when they’re not being dumb its a lot more even.