All Blacks vs Wales

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="574727" data-time="1461574642">
<div>
Class over many years at the highest level
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure.

MiketheSnow

Whichever way you cut it, it's going to be a really shit month for Wales :(

gt12

Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). 
Right now, I'd pick Bender on the wing with either Dmac or Dagg at the back. 
Interesting question will be whether all 6 get selected. Seems like 1 too many - how big is the squad? Who'll be unlucky?

Canes4life

30???
 
Outsides would have to be: Savea, Smith, McKenzie, Dagg (Ngatai and Barrett can also cover Fullback)
On the cusp: Lowe
Injured: Nahalo, NMS, Ranger
Sevens: R Ioane
Too Old: Jane

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
<div>
Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
</div>
</blockquote>
Don't disagree at all but you asked.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
<div>
Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
So you're saying DMac is the Cullen to Daggs Glen Osborne ?

Cantab79

My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending;
 
 
15. Ben Smith
14. Waisake Naholo
13. Malakai Fekitoa
12. Ryan Crotty
11. Julian Savea
10. Aaron Cruden
9. Aaron Smith
 
8. Kieran Read (c)
7. Sam Cane
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Rettalick
3. Owen Franks
2. Dane Coles
1. Joe Moody
 
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Luke Romano
20. Ardie Savea
21. Brad Weber
22. Beaudan Barrett
23. Damian McKenzie
 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.

Bones

I'm quite interested to see people just accepting DMac is a 10. He's going great guns at 15, no doubt and of course he's played 10 in the past. But I can't even recall when that was, or if he put in a half decent performance? I'd be concerned going into a test match against any tier 1 with him as our 10 off the bench (at this stage).

antipodean

As Steve is fond of pointing out; the class of players is how well they stand up at the business end of the competition.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574710" data-time="1461572127">
That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. </blockquote>
 
On what basis?

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574744" data-time="1461576385">
Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). </blockquote>
 
3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="574763" data-time="1461578546">
My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending; 
15. Ben Smith 
14. Waisake Naholo 
13. Malakai Fekitoa 
12. Ryan Crotty 
11. Julian Savea 
10. Aaron Cruden 
9. Aaron Smith 
8. Kieran Read (c) 
7. Sam Cane 
6. Jerome Kaino 
5. Sam Whitelock 
4. Brodie Rettalick 
3. Owen Franks 
2. Dane Coles

Joe Moody
Codie Taylor
Wyatt Crockett
Charlie Faumuina
Luke Romano
Ardie Savea
Brad Weber
Beaudan Barrett
Damian McKenzie 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.</blockquote>
 
Pretty close I reckon. 
Have doubts about Naholo and his fitness. I'm leaving righr wing open on that basis 
BB and DMac won't both mae the match day squad barring several injuries. BB for me. 
So bring in another midfielder to replace DMac. That's Ngatai. But he starts at 12. Fekitoa drops to the bench and covers wing. 
I think you're right with Romano, but wouldn't mind Tupolotu or Luatua.

booboo

It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII? 
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development? 
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game? 
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon. 
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane. 
I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574776" data-time="1461580830">3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well</blockquote>
 
Like Bones, I wasn't counting Dmac as an out and out 10. 
So: 
Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Bender, Dagg, Dmac

booboo

So when you said 2 of the 10s could play 15 as well you meant Dagg?

booboo

But yes. Follow your numbers now. Just looked at the 10s and read that as 2 of the 10s can play 15 without looking at how many 15s you'd nominated.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574794" data-time="1461583117">So when you said 2 of the 10s could play 15 as well you meant Dagg? :)</blockquote>
 
3 then

Siam

Todd to get in the first test 23 instead of Ardie as a not too subtle reminder not to fuck with the brotherhood - better people make better All Blacks
 
yes a little bit of :fishing: but wouldn't be hugely shocked

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574781" data-time="1461581641">
<div>
It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII? 
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development? 
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game? 
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon. 
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane. I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Me too but the rational part of my brain can see why they'd move him (as you alluded to in the line above), it just doesn't seem right tampering with something so obviously not broken - also his world cup campaign deserves a status as the incumbent

pukunui

IMO Smith needs to move to 14 because the team is better off with him going there and having one of Barrett, Dagg or Dmac to 15. Otherwise you are looking at a long term injured Naholo, an ageing Jane or some total newby at 14.
 
I can't see how Dmac has overtaken Barrett as second choice 15. Dmac has been in awesome form but Barrett has been bloody good too, goal kicking aside which he wouldn't be doing with Cruden in the side at 10.
We saw it so often last year when NMS would go off, Barrett to 15 and Smith to 14. It worked well and I don't see why that wouldn't be the first option. Dmac can fill in the Barrett super sub role and Dagg will probably get a chance at some point but as far as im concerned Dmac needs to Show class at test level before leapfrogging Barrett. 
 
Have no idea what they will do in midfield. I think Ngatai needs to be there and probably leaning towards Crotty because I think fekitoa is a bit erratic. Don't know if the selector will agree though.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales