All Blacks vs Wales
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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>
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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 -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581711" data-time="1463943656"><p>
As to the leadership in that RWC game, yeah let's hold that over him and drop him from the leadership team</p></blockquote>
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Yes to be fair leading the team bonding bar crawl probably was a better test of leadership than that Namibian pool game.<br><br>
Certainly an oversight. I don't believe a single guy has been dropped from the leadership group without losing their spot in the team. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="581632" data-time="1463909885"><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></blockquote>
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I think Taufua could be a contender, as a starter only though for me. In the Collins/Kaino rib rattler role. For the bench they would want more height and versatility.<br><br>
But he wouldn't be a starter v Wales. But Kaino doesn't have long left.<br><br>
I would miss the awesome 4 lineout options though, but it's not that dissimilar to having Messam in starting lineup. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581711" data-time="1463943656"><p>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</p></blockquote>
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Perhaps it's a case of they change things up from time to time rather than being dropped per se. Cane is still pretty young so I wouldn't be surprised if he's not in it this time round, but could be in it in the future. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="581746" data-time="1463957831">
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<p>I think Taufua could be a contender, as a starter only though for me. In the Collins/Kaino rib rattler role. For the bench they would want more height and versatility.<br><br>
But he wouldn't be a starter v Wales. But Kaino doesn't have long left.<br><br>
I would miss the awesome 4 lineout options though, but it's not that dissimilar to having Messam in starting lineup.</p>
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<p>I wonder about Kaino , he does look a bit flat ( but its only super rugby ) , and there are contenders knocking on the door , </p>
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<p>He signed a while back to make himself available for the Lions tour , 33 now</p>
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<p> I guess we judge him how he goes in black , his last few games he went pretty well </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="581972" data-time="1464028767">
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<p>I wonder about Kaino , he does look a bit flat ( but its only super rugby ) , and there are contenders knocking on the door , </p>
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<p>He signed a while back to make himself available for the Lions tour , 33 now</p>
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<p> I guess we judge him how he goes in black , his last few games he went pretty well </p>
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<p>Kaino has a presence about him on the field. You notice it a lot and his involvements tend to be impactful. </p>
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<p>A couple of years ago Luatua was looking like the natural incumbent, to be fighting it out with Shields. </p>
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<p>At the moment, the only one who looks like is Elliott Dixon. Taufua is certainly a talent, but we tend to have a big, hard bastard at 6 and I'm just not sure he's that bloke. He looks more like a Messam, who in turn looked like a Masoe.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="582098" data-time="1464051240">
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<p>A couple of years ago Luatua was looking like the natural incumbent, to be fighting it out with Shields. </p>
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<p>At the moment, the only one who looks like is Elliott Dixon. </p>
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<p>I'd say that the selectors will take Luatua over Dixon. I reckon Luatua has the better test game for bench cover (miles ahead), as well as for a starting team.</p>
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<p>Happy to be proved wrong, but I'd be very surprised to see Dixon over Luatua.</p> -
<p>Wales have already been in camp for a couple of weeks and have a warm-up game against England this weekend. The All Blacks won't really get down to training until this time next week. Wales have lots of very good players and in Faletau, Biggar and North some who are world class. Gatland will regard this as his audition for the Lions gig. New Zealand needs to replace the retired legends and have other world class players injured or doubtful. The first test has banana skin written all over it. A massive chance for the Welsh to record their first win against the ABs in 63 years.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="582231" data-time="1464079246"><p>Wales have already been in camp for a couple of weeks and have a warm-up game against England this weekend. The All Blacks won't really get down to training until this time next week. Wales have lots of very good players and in Faletau, Biggar and North some who are world class. Gatland will regard this as his audition for the Lions gig. New Zealand needs to replace the retired legends and have other world class players injured or doubtful. The first test has banana skin written all over it. A massive chance for the Welsh to record their first win against the ABs in 63 years.</p></blockquote>
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ABs by 15 -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="582098" data-time="1464051240"><p>Kaino has a presence about him on the field. You notice it a lot and his involvements tend to be impactful. <br><br>
A couple of years ago Luatua was looking like the natural incumbent, to be fighting it out with Shields. <br><br>
At the moment, the only one who looks like is Elliott Dixon. Taufua is certainly a talent, but we tend to have a big, hard bastard at 6 and I'm just not sure he's that bloke. He looks more like a Messam, who in turn looked like a Masoe.</p></blockquote>
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I'd say Masoe and Messam were quite different players. The ABs didn't miss a beat IMO when Messam started at blindside while Kaino was away. I like Messam's game. To me he was more Rodders like, doing a lot of the little stuff to open up the play for McCaw and Read. -
North? Haha he's done fuck all since the Lions. Biggar? Really?<br><br>
AWJ is their best player in my opinion -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="582234" data-time="1464080873"><p>
I'd say Masoe and Messam were quite different players. The ABs didn't miss a beat IMO when Messam started at blindside while Kaino was away. I like Messam's game. To me he was more Rodders like, doing a lot of the little stuff to open up the play for McCaw and Read.</p></blockquote>
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I've always liked you -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="582233" data-time="1464080675">
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<p>ABs by 15</p>
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<p>Possibly, I think by ABs 5-10. The All Blacks have a superb squad of players to choose from but will they have enough time to gel before the First Test?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="582235" data-time="1464080887">
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<p>North? Haha he's done fuck all since the Lions. Biggar? Really?<br><br>
AWJ is their best player in my opinion</p>
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<p>AWJ is a very good player, but I wouldn't swap him for Retallick or Whitelock. Biggar was outstanding against England in RWC and has had a very good season.</p>
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<p>North was excellent for Wales in this year's 6 Nations, arguably the best back in a very dour tournament:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
