Clear winner in fans' choice for the unluckiest All Black squad member
Based on the team that defeated the Springboks in the opening match of their Rugby World Cup campaign, there are not too many surprises to the All Blacks squad that face Ireland this Saturday in Tokyo in the quarter-final.
There are some minor tweaks to the starting XV, however, which sees Codie Taylor start and Brodie Retallick play after recovering from his shoulder injury. Another decision by Steve Hansen was to drop Ryan Crotty completely for a midfield reshuffle.
Anton Lienert-Brown, who started at outside centre against the Springboks, moves to 12, while Jack Goodhue moves to 13. Sonny Bill Williams and Jordie Barrett are both on the bench, as no flyhalf is needed with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga in the squad.
Many fans on Twitter feel that Crotty is very unlucky to miss out on a place in the squad, as even if he were to be dropped from the starting XV, there may have still been a place on the bench for him.
However, some have also noted that it is an impressive midfield nonetheless, particularly with the inform Lienert-Brown. While it may have been a toss-up between Goodhue and Crotty, Hansen may want to try Lienert-Brown at 12, which probably leaves Goodhue as the better option at 13.
Similarly, Williams perhaps poses more of a threat from the bench over Crotty, so the 45-cap international has just been shaded by his teammates.
This is what has been said:
This is a good position for Hansen to be in, as all four of his centres are worthy of starting in the biggest matches, and will all be vying for a place should they get through Ireland. Even Williams himself can be deemed unlucky not to start, particularly after his showing against Canada earlier in the tournament.
Having beaten the All Blacks twice in the last three matches that they have played, Hansen is not taking Ireland lightly, and this is starting to look like his first-choice squad.
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It is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
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