All Blacks vs Wales

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.

Canes4life

<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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Haha good joke mate!! Savea shits on Todd.

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574884" data-time="1461634674">
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Haha good joke mate!! Savea shits on Todd. 
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I disagree. Todd brings a different game to the table. Some may say what he brings is more suited to test rugby.
 
And I'm a big fan of Savea.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574884" data-time="1461634674">
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Haha good joke mate!! Savea shits on Todd. 
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Too much information.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="574860" data-time="1461630341">
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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.
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 I think if a specialist lock is selected on the bench , he will need to be a high impact type ,which is why the hybrid types seem to fit the bill , 
 
With Shag seeming to put a lot of emphasis on using the bench as a weapon to lift the tempo of the game

Bones

R Ioane seems to get rated really highly for a fella who's had a couple of handy super games.

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="574893" data-time="1461637523">
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Too much information.
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I don't think Savea literally takes shits on Todd in real life. It's just another one of C4L's Savea-related fantasies.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="574928" data-time="1461645055">
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R Ioane seems to get rated really highly for a fella who's had a couple of handy super games.
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I think part of the reason is there aren't a heap of 14s around putting their hand up.
 
But you have to remember he's only just turned 19, only played a handful of ITM Cup games last year and within the space of 4 Super Rugby games he's already become a danger man for opposition. The growth in his game even from ITM Cup last year is quite something. 
 
He has caught the eye of Hansen too.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
"Ngatai is playing really well (and) Rieko Ioane's best position is probably going to be centre. He's going to be involved with the sevens but will be free later in the year," Hansen added.
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MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574884" data-time="1461634674">
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Haha good joke mate!! Savea shits on Todd. 
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......just not from as great a height as you think
 
#Saveaisntsixfoottwo

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="574882" data-time="1461634293">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.</blockquote>
 
My opinion only, but I don't think they are worrying about 2019 options at this early stage. Perhaps next year, but now is the time for establishing combinations post the McCaw-Carter-Nonu-Smith-Mealamu era. Some of those questions have been answered in some part but others not.

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="574990" data-time="1461653790">
My opinion only, but I don't think they are worrying about 2019 options at this early stage. Perhaps next year, but now is the time for establishing combinations post the McCaw-Carter-Nonu-Smith-Mealamu era. Some of those questions have been answered in some part but others not.</blockquote>
Yeah, I'd agree, not likely., will be attempting a smooth transition. 
I actually thought I was posting in the bolters thread. Proposing a reason for promoting a bolter. 
But still, with NMS out and all the other RWs being meh or on 7s it would be a good opportunity. Rather than waiting a year and having to sacrafice Smith and NMS minutes.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574865" data-time="1461631180">
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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....
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Catching NZ cold in the 1st test is our only chance.
 
And that's with our best 23 fit and on the team sheet and playing to their best ability.
 
So, three defeats it is then :(

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="575086" data-time="1461676754">
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Catching NZ cold in the 1st test is our only chance.
 
And that's with our best 23 fit and on the team sheet and playing to their best ability.
 
So, three defeats it is then :(
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3-0 is probably what will happen but I'm just sensing a bit of the whole "Moff Tarkin not getting ready to evacuate in his moment of triumph" theme here.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="574928" data-time="1461645055">
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R Ioane seems to get rated really highly for a fella who's had a couple of handy super games.
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I think he's the real deal to be honest.
 
Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575164" data-time="1461727042">I think he's the real deal to be honest. 
Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.</blockquote>
 
Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575164" data-time="1461727042">
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I think he's the real deal to be honest.
 
Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.
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Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.
 
Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.
 
Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.
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Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
<div>
Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. 
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.
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Not so sure on Savea IMO, but agree on Rok.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
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Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.
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Didn't Rok only score 4 tries for the Blues that year? I remember he was hardly banging down the door to be selected for the All Blacks and to many he was a surprise when he was.
 
However once he was given the 11 jersey for the All Blacks he was dynamite.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
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Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.
 
Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.
 
Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.
 
 
Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.
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Shit those were the days, Super Rugby was just awesome to watch then and fuck a duck that backline was incredible. Was Tuitupou at 2nd five most of the time ? I remember Mils being centre and Howlett playing at the back and the two Fijians ripping everyone to shreds ( but Rok was definitely the lesser of the two ). Carlos Spencer playing "World class without brain explosions" ( copyright Canes4life ) was a thing of beauty too.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales