Jump to content

Hansen surprises with NZ backline changes - General Hangout & Discussions - InviteHawk - Your Only Source for Free Torrent Invites

Buy, Sell, Trade or Find Free Torrent Invites for Private Torrent Trackers Such As redacted, blutopia, losslessclub, femdomcult, filelist, Chdbits, Uhdbits, empornium, iptorrents, hdbits, gazellegames, animebytes, privatehd, myspleen, torrentleech, morethantv, bibliotik, alpharatio, blady, passthepopcorn, brokenstones, pornbay, cgpeers, cinemageddon, broadcasthenet, learnbits, torrentseeds, beyondhd, cinemaz, u2.dmhy, Karagarga, PTerclub, Nyaa.si, Polishtracker etc.

Hansen surprises with NZ backline changes


Recommended Posts

 

Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape have won surprise inclusions for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia, creating an All Blacks record in the process.

Coach Steve Hansen was forced into naming the Hurricanes pair after injuries to Rieko Ioane (hamstring) and inside centre Ryan Crotty (concussion) during the 38-13 hammering of the Wallabies in Sydney.

Ioane was expected to make way for specialist winger Nehe Milner-Skudder but Hansen has restored the raw talent of 21-year-old Jordie Barrett at fullback, prompting a back three shuffle for the Auckland showdown.

Ben Smith, 32, shifts to the right wing, pushing in-form Highlanders teammate Waisake Naholo, 27, to the left, creating the oldest combined wing pairing in All Blacks Test history.

In contrast, the midfield is the least experienced - with just eight combined caps - since Isaia Toeava and Sam Tuitupou combined against Argentina 12 years ago.

Anton Lienert-Brown is unfortunate to remain on the bench, having impressed for 68 minutes alongside rookie outside centre Jack Goodhue when replacing Crotty in Sydney.

It is a change of fortune for powerhouse ball runner Laumape, who makes his second Test start.

The first was a starring role in the 15-15 third Test draw last year against the British and Irish Lions.

He has struggled to nail down a Test berth since and missed selection in the initial Rugby Championship squad.

Injuries to Sonny Bill Williams and Crotty have earned a reprieve for the former Warriors NRL back, whose power is unrivalled but whose on-field communication with teammates remained a work-on.

"I don't want him to be just talking about the weather. I want specifics," Hansen said.

"He's aware of it and he's been working on it.

"Ngani's probably a lot more comfortable starting and he'll provide us with something that we're looking for in the midfield."

It is the same pack which dominated the Wallabies, most glaringly in the set pieces.

Prop Owen Franks will become the ninth All Black to play 100 Tests and can mark the occasion by locking the Bledisloe Cup away for a 16th straight year.

Hansen expects both teams to be better at an Eden Park venue that has become a graveyard for the Wallabies since 1986.

"We know that there'll be a massive response from Australia following their performance last week," Hansen said.

"But we're asking 23 blokes to step up and respond to a performance that we aren't that happy about."

ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Customer Reviews

  • Similar Topics

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.