I don't think this is about replication, but even just about the initial test in the first place. In science we do often test obvious things. For example, I was a theoretical quantum physicist, and a lot of the time I knew that what I am working on will definitely work, since the maths checks out. In some sense that makes it kinda obvious, but we test it anyway.
The issue is that even that kinda obviousness is criticised here. People get mad at the idea of doing experiments when we already expect a result.
The issue is that even that kinda obviousness is criticised here. People get mad at the idea of doing experiments when we already expect a result.