Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="568387" data-time="1459305010">
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<p>If you are Sopoaga you are thinking "tackle that bloody knee"</p>
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<p>Or just make the tackle! :)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568427" data-time="1459309565">
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<p>So are Tony and Augustine not related? I've always assumed they were brothers but their birth dates would suggest not.</p>
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<p>So Tony was eligible for NZ, USA, Tonga and Niue? And he chose Niue? :think:</p>
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<p>Poached from the USA eh? So I assume his parents are Tongan and Nuiean?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568427" data-time="1459309565">
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<p>So are Tony and Augustine not related? I've always assumed they were brothers but their birth dates would suggest not.</p>
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<p>So Tony was eligible for NZ, USA, Tonga and Niue? And he chose Niue? :think:</p>
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<p>Yeah. Was a late bloomer. Played one (or two) games for Niue at the Gold Coast 7s in 2012 before even getting a game at counties well into his 20s</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="569044" data-time="1459534208">
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<p>That 12 for the Crusaders looks handy. Could be worth consideration for the All Blacks midfield.</p>
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<p>Ryan Crotty Vs Charlie Ngatai for the 12 jersey is looking like one of those nice problems to have. Add SBW back in the mix from September and the ABs have strength in depth at second five.</p>
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<p>Not many challenges to Fekitoa at Centre so one of the above might shift across to the 13 jersey if there is an injury.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="569076" data-time="1459548266">
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<p>It's a full gone conclusion: Ngatai playing 12 is a formality. Crotty is a bit-part, stop-gap black mark on New Zealand rugby. And anyone who considers him for the All Blacks needs their head read.</p>
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<p>I don't think there are many people here who wouldn't have Crotty in their squad.</p> -
<p>According to some enlightened soul on page 5 "t<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he only thing Crotty has in his favour is that he has been in the All Black environment longer."</span></p>
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<p><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He's an international quality midfielder (not world class by any stretch of the imagination); as will Ngatai be with 10 more tests under his belt. Great position to be in for New Zealand rugby as our best ever centre partnership fades into memory.</span></p> -
Could you be any needier?
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If good old Charlie gets a run for the ABs will he be the first back for quite a while to wear headgear or am I forgetting someone obvious? My mind keeps going back to Mayerhofler (sp?) but surely there must have been someone since him.
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<p>Conrad wore some for a bit too didnt he?</p>
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<p>Has Ben Smith been promoted to All Blacks Vice Captain?</p>
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<p>Gregor Paul mentioned it at the end of this article: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11615523'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11615523</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="569075" data-time="1459547358">
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<p>Ryan Crotty Vs Charlie Ngatai for the 12 jersey is looking like one of those nice problems to have. Add SBW back in the mix from September and the ABs have strength in depth at second five.</p>
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<p>Not many challenges to Fekitoa at Centre so one of the above might shift across to the 13 jersey if there is an injury.</p>
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<p>I don't really know if Fekitoa has really grabbed his AB chances with both hands and he has had plenty of chances. I wouldn't be surprised if at the very least they consider the 13 jersey carefully as well.</p> -
<p>I think Fekitoa is odds on favourite for 13 at this stage, </p>
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<p>I would not be surprised, if they started either Ngatai or Crotty at 12 , with the one that misses out on the bench as midfield cover , and think they have enough wing cover with BSmith, Barrett and Fekotôa in that order</p> -
<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569497" data-time="1459633985">
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<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p>
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p>
