All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="580864" data-time="1463698680"><p>
I'm more "worried" about NMS missing (he was probably due 2nd year blues anyway) and Savea not looking in any way effective.</p></blockquote>
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Yeah Skudder was a revelation last year. After dominant Super rugby form, he carried his try scoring and line breaking ability straight into test footy. So it was no surprise that Hansen and co appeared to be directing more of the footy down his way than Savea's. <br><br>
So hopefully Naholo can stay fit and he can step it up this year. <br><br>
The fall back I guess is moving Bender back to wing and playing one of Dagg/McKenzie/Barrett at fullback. <br><br>
I wonder if the AB coaches will want have a closer look at Faddes pace, given the reports of him being the quickest in the Landers squad. -
Is this faddes really that quick? I though fonotia was a carthorse.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="581108" data-time="1463742255"><p>Is this faddes really that quick? I though fonotia was a carthorse.</p></blockquote>
I recall someone saying he's the quickest in the squad<br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580979" data-time="1463728212"><p>Settle. Don't get all fucken race relations on us. I'm not making anything up, the All Blacks have lost McCaw, DC and Nonu.......huge holes to fill. All I'm saying is I wonder if Smiths role is as irreplaceable as those three.</p></blockquote>
Having played most of my not as stellar career in the same position I can tell you it is. -
<p>Ben Smith named as Vice Captain. Full team named next Sunday.</p>
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<p> <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581582" data-time="1463894775">
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<p>Ben Smith named as Vice Captain. Full team named next Sunday.</p>
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<p> <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season</a></p>
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<p>Great news, I like Ben Smith's attitude and focus.</p>
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<p>Hinton reports the new leadership group will be:</p>
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<p>Kieron Read, Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett.</p> -
I have no problem with a leadership group provided it is no guarantee of match day selection.
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<p>Apparently Sopoaga is the most accurate goal-kicker in NZ this year (no data on where the shots are from though)</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=11639840'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=11639840</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="581594" data-time="1463896663">
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<p>Great news, I like Ben Smith's attitude and focus.</p>
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<p>Hinton reports the new leadership group will be:</p>
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<p>Kieron Read, Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett.</p>
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<p>That's going to excite the Ardie and Todd supporters as Cane was part of the previous leadership group ....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="581605" data-time="1463899826">
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<p>That's going to excite the Ardie and Todd supporters as Cane was part of the previous leadership group ....</p>
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<p>Is a big leadership group when you thnk all of them are likely in a match day squad, and owuld be odd for them to remove Cane from it now given he has been part of it for a few years now? Maybe an oversight by Hinton?</p> -
Exciting to think the all black back line us about to be given over to the smiths plus whoever they start at ten. Ben and Aaron Smith have both been superb at leading a super rugby back line the last few years and I'm confident they'll do the same in black.<br><br>
Sent from my VF-895N using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581610" data-time="1463901939">
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<p>Is a big leadership group when you thnk all of them are likely in a match day squad, and owuld be odd for them to remove Cane from it now given he has been part of it for a few years now? Maybe an oversight by Hinton?</p>
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<p>I think so. Cane captained the ABs at the RWC, and was chosen ahead of more experienced players. I doubt they've removed him from the leadership group now. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="581621" data-time="1463904580">
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<p>I think so. Cane captained the ABs at the RWC, and was chosen ahead of more experienced players. I doubt they've removed him from the leadership group now. </p>
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<p>Or maybe they figured that with McCaw retired he has much more on his plate now and he needs less distractions so he can focus solely on his own performance?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="581627" data-time="1463907967">
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<p>I see Knowler reports the drums are also starting to beat for Jordan Taufua. Surely he'd be in a queue headed by Luatua possibly Seu and Fatialofa? Given there is also Tuipolotu and Romano to consider for the bench. </p>
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<p>I'd have thought that if Taufua is in a queue, it would be a different queue to those players seeing there is no way he can play the 6/lock dual role. He could be used as a 6/7, combining with a specialist lock on the bench.</p> -
<p>Yeah - my point being (probably didn't make clear) was that there are similar types of players around (forgot to add Blade Thomson in the mix as well) - and Taufua would need to offer something markedly different from those on the fringe of selection. Think he's too short for a lock/6?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="581627" data-time="1463907967">
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<p>I see Knowler reports the drums are also starting to beat for Jordan Taufua. Surely he'd be in a queue headed by Luatua possibly <strong>Seu</strong> and Fatialofa? Given there is also Tuipolotu and Romano to consider for the bench. </p>
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<p>As in Taleni Seu? Seems to be a defensive liability imo.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="581108" data-time="1463742255"><p>Is this faddes really that quick? I though fonotia was a carthorse.</p></blockquote>
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Tony Brown said he was the quickest in the squad -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="581621" data-time="1463904580"><p>I think so. Cane captained the ABs at the RWC, and was chosen ahead of more experienced players. I doubt they've removed him from the leadership group now.<br></p></blockquote>
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Sam Cane's leadership in that Namibia game was very disappointing. Jacques Burger outplayed him, had a running conversation going with the ref and really slowed the game now.<br><br>
As someone else said, with the GOAT gone and Ardie Savea & Matt Todd competing for the 7 jersey, it make sense for Sam Cane to focus on being the best possible Openside Flanker he can be. -
If they think he can't handle being a 'starter' and being in this huge leadership team then I don't think they think much of him...be very surprised if he has been 'dropped' from it, and I doubt he'd ask to be removed from it.<br><br>
As to the leadership in that RWC game, yeah let's hold that over him and drop him from the leadership team
