All Blacks vs Wales

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="583615" data-time="1464474053">
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So unlucky players Todd, Weber, Luatua
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Todd would be a star for any of the Celtic Nations. He's off contract end of 2016 I think. May not stick around.
 
The single biggest interest for me now is Cruden vs Sopoaga for starting 10.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583618" data-time="1464474209">
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Naaaa I meant that bit, it's your first comment that had me scratching my head.
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I just don't think we need to include PI players who come here late for schooling - we already have Malakai, that's enough. We're not Ireland for fucks sake. ;)
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583619" data-time="1464474236">
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Moala on standbye for ngatai
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I was wondering whether he was still in the mix.

hydro11

Ofa T was very logical. Everyone should be able to see that he has a huge upside. He isn't ready now but he has been picked as a 5th prop. He will probably get one game off the bench or something.
 
Squire is a huge surprise to me. Hansen said he liked his physicality but I thought Luatua offered more of that.
 
Tamanivalu is in the Ofa T category I think. He's a good player to have for the future but I think Moala is better now.
 
Tom Franklin wasn't really on my radar. Hansen said something about him being physical and having a good workrate.

wildman

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583611" data-time="1464473844">
Why Tu'ungafasi? 
Why Franklin ahead of Barrett? 
Why TJP ahead of Brad Weber? 
How close was Luatua? 
Did Moala get considered? 
Delighted for Dagg, love a good comeback story.</blockquote>
I'll bet the farm that Barrett ends up with 10 times the test caps of Franklin. Real odd call that

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583621" data-time="1464474526">
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I just don't think we need to include PI players who come here late for schooling - we already have Malakai, that's enough. We're not Ireland for fucks sake. ;)
 
 
I was wondering whether he was still in the mix.
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But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?

Billy Tell

I'm not surprised Taufua wasn't chosen. He just isn't a lineout option.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
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But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?
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Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.
 
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?

ACT Crusader

Franklin has been superb. I like his game and I think SouthernMan posted a while back that he could be thereabouts. 
Good to see TKB in there. I'm not a fan of Weber's erratic style and TJP has gone backwards this season. 
I also think Luatua has improved, but I'm not surprised that he isn't in there. He is a fringe player and when you're in that category IMO you really have to stand out especially when others are playing well.

African Monkey

Tom Franklin makes Ofa's selection seem expected, and yes BT, Taufua should not be an All Black.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.
 
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?
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Surely Ben Smith covers wing?
 
I wouldn't have any of the 3 you listed near the wing. Dagg in particular is terrible on the wing.
 
Barrett will cover 10/15, and if a winger goes off, Smith goes to 14 (and if it's Savea, Naholo shifts to 11).

Dan54

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.
 
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?
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Ben Smith will cover wing too I imagine

KiwiMurph

Good point on Ben Smith to wing. Still feels a little light on wing cover.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5. 
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</blockquote>
 
It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit. 
Ben Smith also covers wing

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.
 
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?
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I'd imagine a Kahui type centre/wing cover would be the goal, since Barrett already owns the 10/15 spot on the bench. Though as Billy said, B Smith covers 14 anyway, so they can probably get away with just centre cover.
 
Squad looks good to me, stoked for all the newbies in there, especially Ngatai and Squire. McKenzie isn't too much of a surprise, even if he hasn't looked as flash in recent weeks, Wayne Smith is a big fan of the guy, so he would've wanted to bring him in. Still hope he's released for the Chiefs vs Wales game though, as I think it'll give him an opportunity to play at 10 vs some high level opposition. Very interesting to see they only went with 2 halfbacks and that the second one is TKB. Guess he might make it back for the second or third tests then, which is great news.
 
My only real point of contentions are Romano, who I think has been pretty mediocre in his AB chances more often than not, and Franklin. Personally I think Barrett has more upside than either of them, Bird too. Not a big deal though, with Whitelock and BBBR around, they're mostly just injury cover and bench warmers.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
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But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?
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McAlister was out of the country from an infant until mid-late high school too. Cross him out as well. Brad Thorn gone for sure, SBW deabteable.
 
Odd. I am against players coming with the promise of an AB jersey or AB jersey qualifying pathways (i.e. Ireland). But if guys want to come here at 16 on a 1 to 100 shot of making the ABs good on them.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
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It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit. 
Ben Smith also covers wing
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Hmmm. Probably back to the Dagg vs McKenzie thing again.
 
Personally, I would like to see Naholo learn to play 11. Savea has basically got in by default (although admittedly his international record is impressive) - his only remote challenger was Lowe.
 
If Naholo can't play 11, then it's always going to be Naholo vs NMS for right wing.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
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It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit. 
Ben Smith also covers wing
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Part of me hopes the would have given Savea a wake up call, although Hansen seemed very defensive of him with Veitch 4-6 weeks ago.
 
It's kind of an odd swing to go from the RWC squad that IMO had too much specialist wing coverage at the expense of having only 1 specialist fullback in the 31, to this squad which is almost light on genuine wingers - particularly those in great form.
 
As you guys point out plenty of guys who can switch over to either side, just unusual not to have an in-form, Super Rugby leading try scoring beast of a winger in the squad.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583634" data-time="1464475412">
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McAlister was out of the country from an infant until mid-late high school too. Cross him out as well. Brad Thorn gone for sure, SBW deabteable.
 
Odd. I am against players coming with the promise of an AB jersey or AB jersey qualifying pathways (i.e. Ireland). But if guys want to come here at 16 on a 1 to 100 shot of making the ABs good on them.
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For the odd, I didn't say it hasn't happened before, just that I don't like it, and I don't think we need them.
 
Those two guys you mention were NZers from birth. SBW went to Australia to play professional league, not sure why you're try and make out they were similar cases.

KiwiMurph

Naholo has played left wing before (if sparingly) - his debut for the Blues was on the left wing.
 
Agreed on Romano being underwhelming. I think both Barrett and Franklin could do with putting some bulk on then they'll go to another level.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583638" data-time="1464475799">
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Naholo has played left wing before (if sparingly) - his debut for the Blues was on the left wing.
 
Agreed on Romano being underwhelming. I think both Barrett and Franklin could do with putting some bulk on then they'll go to another level.
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I was really keen on Barrett. However, I must say Romano has stepped up in the last month, and I think he is worth his spot - for the moment... I'm also partial to players who turn down lucrative overseas contracts to represent us and our country at international rugby.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales