All Blacks vs Wales

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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</blockquote>
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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</blockquote>
 
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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</blockquote>
 
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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</blockquote>
 
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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</blockquote>
 
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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</blockquote>
 
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....

KiwiMurph

Interestingly, Naholo is still a couple of weeks away from playing I think and the Highlanders only have 4 games between now and the June break, as they have a bye coming up in May, so he may not have a heap of time.
 
As tempting as it is to throw DMac in at fullback from the start, i'd be tempted to ease him into things, with enough other change happening. If Naholo isn't fit/firing, I reckon they might think about chucking Moala on the right wing during the Welsh series with Ben Smith/Savea.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574865" data-time="1461631180">
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....</blockquote>
 
End of a hard tour after a long, hard season (which started with World Cup warm-ups). And you think they'll be primed for a win in the last test? 
If it isn't fatigue it will be injuries, and in all likelihood, both.

Siam

Yeah, Moala is a good point - he's played right wing before

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="574854" data-time="1461629310">
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.</blockquote>
 
I feel the same way to an extent, but without a genuine right wing putting their hand up then Dagg makes the most sense. 
Actually I'd have thrown Rieko Ioane the jersey if he was available.

Immenso Rapido

I'm not talking starting position, nor first test match if the season. But this year, with NMS out and Smith being the next best RW, it would be a good time to get minutes into a young FB. 
Because both Smith and Dagg are borderline for 2019.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales