All Blacks vs Boks
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Unless Lima gets a start we won't be finding out much about 10-12 combo's. I agree that BB/Crotty works well, and SBW seemed to thrive outside Crudes, who had an extraordinary ability to navigate heavy traffic.
The issue with BB/Crotty is that neither at the highest level offers a direct physical threat. The AB wise guys see SBW and Laumape as having that. Moala, for me did too. The ability to have 12 straighten things keeps defences honest (can't drift) and opens up holes elsewhere. A 12 with a good step can also create havoc. Trouble is that none of the current crash ballers has much of a passing game, nor step from what I've seen.
Crotty is truly a second five eighth more than an inside centre. But he has a low error rate and excellent option taking so at 13 does seem the best bet outside BB/SBW. ALB is similar, but with much less experience. I see him as having potential to be another Conrad.
We really were spoiled by Nonu who developed from a crash baller with a step into a passing and kicking 12, one of the two best of the professional era.
Still keen to see Charlie N on EOYT. Almost a hybrid 2nd five/inside centre. Can run hard line, fast, experienced and passes well. Crudes/Charlie/ALB was a good combo for the Chiefs. I think he'd also BB look more rounded.
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The matchday 23 (with Test caps in brackets) is:
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Kane Hames (2)
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Dane Coles (51)
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Nepo Laulala (6)
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Brodie Retallick (67)
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Samuel Whitelock (90)
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Liam Squire (10)
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Sam Cane (47)
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Kieran Read (103) - Captain
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Aaron Smith (64)
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Beauden Barrett (56)
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Rieko Ioane (6)
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Sonny Bill Williams (39)
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Ryan Crotty (29)
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Nehe Milner-Skudder (9)
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Damian McKenzie (5)
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Codie Taylor (22)
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Wyatt Crockett (64)
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Ofa Tu'ungafasi (7)
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Scott Barrett (10)
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Ardie Savea (19)
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TJ Perenara (36)
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Lima Sopoaga (10)
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Anton Lienert-Brown (16)
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@pakman said in All Blacks vs Boks:
The matchday 23 (with Test caps in brackets) is:
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Kane Hames (2)
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Dane Coles (51)
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Nepo Laulala (6)
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Brodie Retallick (67)
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Samuel Whitelock (90)
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Liam Squire (10)
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Sam Cane (47)
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Kieran Read (103) - Captain
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Aaron Smith (64)
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Beauden Barrett (56)
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Rieko Ioane (6)
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Sonny Bill Williams (39)
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Ryan Crotty (29)
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Nehe Milner-Skudder (9)
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Damian McKenzie (5)
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Codie Taylor (22)
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Wyatt Crockett (64)
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Ofa Tu'ungafasi (7)
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Scott Barrett (10)
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Ardie Savea (19)
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TJ Perenara (36)
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Lima Sopoaga (10)
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Anton Lienert-Brown (16)
Pretty much the A team given availbilty IMO.
Surprised Hames over Crockett. Maybe that's a starter v best bench option option.
Difficult to quibble with the rest. It would really only be twraking around the edges to fit Fifita in. And BB at fullback really isn't a starting option.
Not that I'm advocating him (i like these eing options) but what's happened to Naholo?
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Hames didn't win much game time through a combination of form, injury and suspension - what was he suspended for?
Edit: ha, punching current team mate: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/66546721/highlanders-prop-kane-hames-suspended-for-five-weeks-for-punching-dominic-bird
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@Unco Hansen was saying on the news this morning his shoulder isn't right...
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@taniwharugby Ah, that'd make sense then. Pity, I would've liked to see what he can do against better opposition.
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Some of that Gregor Paul article isn't really correct. Hames came to Ta$man for the 2015 NPC season and, as I recall, pretty much smashed everyone he came up against. I thought he was a good shot to be called up to the ABs when they took Paulasi Manu to the RWC.
There was quite a bit of amazement on here (especially by me) when he didn't get a Super contract in 2016, but eventually it got clarified that he was re-habbing serious knee injuries and wasn't expected to play the 2016 Super season. Eventually he got called up late by the Chiefs and progressed to getting a Bledisloe test.
Be interesting to see how he goes. In another article Marc Hinton is saying he's not a renowned scrummager, which again I think is incorrect. He gets pinged a lot, but he's also pretty destructive - especially at NPC level - he's smashed most tightheads in the two seasons he's played for Ta$man - especially with Hammer's tactic of bringing him off the bench. Obviously not test rugby, but nonetheless. If he goes well he's got a chance to give big Wyatt's place in the pecking order a nudge.
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This AB team looks about the best that we can field, though I'm a bit surprised Hames is starting and Crockett is on the bench.
Missing about a third of our best starting XV though - with Franks, Moody, Kaino, and two of Dagg, Ben Smith and Jordie ahead of DMac and NMS in my opinion.
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Crockett has been a very good finisher and will be a good insurance blanket for Hansen if Hames is struggling.
Whilst I was hopeful Fifita would be fit, Hansen and co are investing plenty into Ardie. Hopefully he has a big one off the bench this weekend.
Just on the midfield, it's clear that Sonny Bill is a senior AB in this squad and unlikely to lose his starting spot unless for suspension or injury. What I'd like to see is some adjustment in the attack with SBW and Crotty interchanging a bit more at both set piece and phase play. Sonny is like an extra forward out there and you can see why the coaches love having him close to the ball. But he's pretty effective with a bit more space as well.
