All Blacks vs Wales

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="574812" data-time="1461594668">
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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.
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Hang on, it's one thing moving Smith to wing to fill that hole and putting a 45 odd test Fullback (Dagg) in there, but why move a premier world fullback to accomodate a fucken first five eighth?
 
Barrett carving up tired backlines is a bit different to starting a test at fullback when we've got a damn fine one already. I've no doubt the Welsh would rather see Barrett in 15 than Smith or Dagg - bombs away! 
 
Play fluffybunnys in their positions I say and don't get too clever - I'm sure we learnt that in 1999 and 2003 and 2007...
 
(Puku I'm only swearing for fun and drama )

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="574812" data-time="1461594668">
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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.
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Problem is Barrett's kicking from hand is just as shit as his place kicking, so I'm not sure I'd trust him at fullback for a full game. He's an interesting case, just doesn't seem to work in the starting lineup as a 10 or 15, it's like he was born to be the perfect impact sub.
 
There's been a lot of talk about McKenzie but at this point, I wouldn't cap him. He's still super young, so I'd bring him into AB camps but let him play in the Chiefs/Wales game and even the NPC instead. Then take him on the EOYT.
 
I'm not sure it's been mentioned but I feel like the short turnaround between Round 14 and the first test (just two weeks) will work against anyone with little or no experience in the ABs systems. So even for Ngatai, who is probably the closest to pushing his way into a starting spot from outside the squad (and I'm a big fan of), the bench might be the only way in at first.
 
So for the first test I'm guessing:
1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Franks
4. BBBR
5. Whitelock
6. Kaino
7. Cane
8. Read
 
9. A Smith
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Naholo
15. B Smith
 
16. Taylor
17. Crockett
18. Faumuina
19. Luatua
20. A Savea
21. TKB
22. Ngatai
23. Barrett
 
Cruden starts the first two tests, Sopoaga starts the third and Barrett on the bench for all three.
 
I'm not really sure about either of the wings, to be honest. I just figure since Naholo somehow managed to make the RWC squad last year and NMS is out, he'll get the nod. And while I'm still not sure about Savea's form because he was back to being anonymous against the Chiefs, I think he showed enough against the Jaguares and Rebels that Hansen will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Siam

It's changed a bit lately, but I still get the willies for our first test of a year so as much experience as possible is something I'd favour
 
That team that you've written Unco looks about right - lock reserve could be a specialist lock to make way for Todd who can play 6.... I'm gonna bang that drum till it's wrong (hoping for some of MN5's internet cred that he craves come June)

Billy Tell

Ah. Ye olde AB selection thread. Like a cup of Milo in front of an open fire on a cold day. Without further ado (32-man squad, 18 forwards, 14 backs).
 
1. Moody => 16. Crockett (also Goodes)
2. Coles => 17. Taylor (also ?Parsons, but I'd go with Elliot)
3. Franks => 18. Faumuina
4. Retallick => 19. Tuipolotou
5. Whitelock (also Barrett)
6. Kaino (also 1 of Luatua, Dixon or Thompson)
7. Cane => 20. Savea (also Todd)
8. Reid (capt.)
 
9. Smith => 21. Kerr-Barlow (also Weber)
10. Cruden => 22. Barrett (also Sopoaga)
11. Savea
12. Crotty => 23. Ngatai
13. Fekitoa (also Moala, but I have been impressed by Havili, who like the Baracuda covers multiple positions)
14. Smith
15. McKenzie (also Dagg)
 
Unlucky: Romano, 2 of Luatua/Dixon/Thompson, Squire, TJP (since he was an AB recently), James Lowe
 
Add in Naholo, NMS, and R. Ioane as potentials for the EOYT and the back 3 is going to be Ã¼ber-competitive.

sparky

Team I'd pick if they're all fit:
 
1. Joe Moody 2 Dane Coles 3. Owen Franks 4. Brodie Retallick 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Sam Cane 8. Kieron Read (c)
9. Aaron Smith 10. Aaron Cruden 11. Julian Savea 12. Charlie Ngatai 13. Malakai Fekitoa 14. Ben Smith 15. Beauden Barrett
 
Subs: 
16. Brendon Edmonds 17. Codie Taylor 18. Charlie Fauminia 19. Patrick Tuipolotou 20 Ardie Savea 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Ryan Crotty

kiwiinmelb

I think the make up of the back 3 will depend on Naholo getting back to form and fitness , 
 
First choice with everyone fit, Savea , Smith , Naholo 
 
Then Savea Dagg Smith 
 
Then Savea Barrett/Dmac Smith 
 
My gut feeling is we will see the second option for the first test
 
I also dont think we will actually see too many surprises early, got a feeling Shag will feel a loyalty to his world cup squad to begin with

taniwharugby

Funny though, cos this conversation the last few years would be about maybe 1 or 2 players.

MN5

Anyone else worried that Wales have a genuine chance to do what they haven't managed in 63 years ?
 
Three tests, a few AB newbies......it's gotta be playing on the boyos minds. It is Wales after all, not China-Taipei

Crucial

TBH I can't see much in the way of surprises at all. Only real question marks are around the composition of the back three and bench.
 
Shag has said that they aren't talking about rebuilds or anything like that it is now about pushing the legacy left from the McCaw/Carter days even further. That is why a captain was declared early. There is no clean sheet and start again mentality.
 
Crockett
Coles
Franks
Retallick
Whitelock
Kaino
Cane
Read
 
Smith
Cruden
Crotty
Fekitoa
Savea
 
Then the 14/15 combo from Smith (certainty), Dagg, DMac, Naholo depending on whether they want to resurrect Dagg, blood DMac or try Naholo again.
 
Bench won't have many surprises but expect it may be used to see new players such as Ardie Savea, DMac, Ngatai. Thinking that Luatua will come back as well.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="574803" data-time="1461586780">
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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
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When has Ardie "fucked with the brotherhood"?
 
Where did this post come from? Have I missed something in the news?

ABman

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574752" data-time="1461577216">
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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
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Forget Rene, he's gone. Has lost a shit load of pace..... the selectors will be looking to the future.

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574827" data-time="1461610256">
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Funny though, cos this conversation the last few years would be about maybe 1 or 2 players.
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It's amazing how settled our team is still even with the departure of 4 all time greats. Hansen has done an amazing job at building depth in the test arena. Cane and Cruden are already well proven at test level so there is little concern they will get the job done. Fekitoa and Crotty have both performed in black as well so I'd expect them to go well.

Frank

Dagg get selected after playing well for two games - after being shit at Super level for 2 years - straight back in - charmed life.
 
I'd like to see a longer string of good games before he is selected. If he does, then I think his boot and (hopefully) greatly improved running game will be great assets.
Then the old Bender moves to 14 with Savea - back to the future.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574837" data-time="1461617792">
Anyone else worried that Wales have a genuine chance to do what they haven't managed in 63 years ? 
Three tests, a few AB newbies......it's gotta be playing on the boyos minds. It is Wales after all, not China-Taipei</blockquote>
 
Nah, Wales were pretty mundane in the 6N.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="574846" data-time="1461624613">
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When has Ardie "fucked with the brotherhood"?
 
Where did this post come from? Have I missed something in the news?
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I think he is talking about Ardie blindsiding Titch.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="574846" data-time="1461624613">
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When has Ardie "fucked with the brotherhood"?
 
Where did this post come from? Have I missed something in the news?
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A huge dollop of hyperbole in my comment Nepia
 
I was interested in what Sorenson said in this article: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79269956/new-zealand-rugby-disappointed-with-ardie-savea'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79269956/new-zealand-rugby-disappointed-with-ardie-savea</a>
 
"Ardie Savea is a really good person, highly rated both on and off the field. But we are really disappointed that he's pulled the pin so late. We respect that, but we're not happy about it."
 
However mostly Sorenson explained why it wasn't the end of the world and the NZRU position in more detail which wasn't derogatory, but I reckon in the halls of the NZRU there were a couple of mutterings
 
 
Not a great thing to renege on a deal with the NZRU that you made a long time ago and broke with only 4 days of 7's comp left before an event that the NZRU definitely want to win to bolster branding and coffers.
 
But no you didn't miss anything, I should have put a :fishing: smiley on my post ;)
 
ALTHOUGH dickhead wankstain Reason reckons Ardie did the right thing so....
 
but noo biggie

ACT Crusader

Also a fan of the backline that Unco put out. The only possible change could be if Naholo is not ready and B. Smith goes to wing and Dagg comes into fullback.
 
I'm a little surprised by the Luatua to cover lock calls when we have other specialist locks available and playing well. It was done previously I think because of injuries. My thoughts are that Cane will cover 6 if they want Todd or Savea on the bench.

Chris B.

Contentious positions:
 
I think Moody has likely surpassed Crockett and will start - certainly the way it's looking at the Crusaders.
 
Barring injury I fully expect Cruden will start at first five. To be honest, I think there's a significant gap back to Barrett and Sopoaga.
 
Midfield - if Liam Napier is reporting Shag correctly then Crotty/Fekitoa will get first go.
 
Back three - if Naholo is fit and firing, then Savea/Naholo/Smith.
 
Bench for the backs - TKB, Ngatai, Barrett.
 
Where it becomes interesting is if Naholo isn't fit. I think Shag may have said they're viewing McKenzie as a fullback/first five - but, what we really need is a right wing. Now you could shift Ben Smith to solve a problem, but that's a temporary fix and in the longer run leaves no real place for McKenzie. I reckon chuck him on the wing in the same way they've done with Jane and NMS (and, to a lesser extent at times, Fekitoa, Dagg, Kahui, Slade).

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="574862" data-time="1461630401">
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Contentious positions:
 
 
 
Where it becomes interesting is if Naholo isn't fit. I think Shag may have said they're viewing McKenzie as a fullback/first five - but, what we really need is a right wing. Now you could shift Ben Smith to solve a problem, but that's a temporary fix and in the longer run leaves no real place for McKenzie. I reckon chuck him on the wing in the same way they've done with Jane and NMS (and, to a lesser extent at times, Fekitoa, Dagg, Kahui, Slade). 
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Yeah, take a punt (no pun intended) and get the blonde kid to work with Smith at the back thus negating any kicking that Wales will want to do. His size should be ok in defence given that he won't really be facing Roberts or Davies crashing, and his positional play should be ok. Kick chase receipts might be a nice surprise with a run up and a good leap over Cuthbert and North etc

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="574855" data-time="1461629386">
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Nah, Wales were pretty mundane in the 6N.
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Well yeah I know but.....they're a proud rugby nation, even 2-0 down in the series when fatguts ( always preferred that name over Shag ) decides he might "blood" a few new players it could potentially be a perfect time to strike. 3-0 in the series is probable but far from fucken definite....

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales