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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Who Should Replace Messam and Whitelock in ABs? 2 views
07 September 2014 by The Swede Eaters
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Who should replace Liam Messam and Sam Whitelock in the All Blacks?
Both Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam were injured last night in the All Blacks win over Argentina, but who should replace them in The Rugby Championship squad?
There are several options available in both cases for the All Blacks team to play the Springboks in Wellington next week.
Lock
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are both world class locks and so it will be interesting to see who joins Retallick in the middle row. Jeremy Thrush seems to have overtaken young Patrick Tuipulotu in the pecking order. Thrush's experience will be important against the experienced Springboks pack, especially Victor Matfield. I am not sure when Luke Romano returns, but watch for Thrush to start with Tuipulotu on the bench if he is passed fit. Other options include Dominic Bird or Steven Luatua who could both fill a void from the bench. I like the form of Taranaki's James Broadhurst.
Blindside Flanker
With both Jerome Kaino and Liam Messam injured, the All Blacks can either go for a straight replacement in Steven Luatua or move captain Richie McCaw to the other side of the scrum and start either Sam Cane or Matt Todd on the openside. It all depends what the game plan is for the game against the Springboks. If the All Blacks want some bulk and muscle then Luatua is your man, or if they will look to play a more expansive game then starting McCaw at Number Six and either Cane or Todd at openside in a team more suited to spreading the ball. I like the option of starting with Luatua and putting either Todd or Cane on the bench. Who would you start for the All Blacks to replace Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2014/09/who-should-replace-sam-whitelock-and.html
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