All Blacks vs Wales
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583621" data-time="1464474526">
<div>
<p>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. ;)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was wondering whether he was still in the mix.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p> -
<p>I'm not surprised Taufua wasn't chosen. He just isn't a lineout option.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
<div>
<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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?</p> -
Franklin has been superb. I like his game and I think SouthernMan posted a while back that he could be thereabouts. <br><br>
Good to see TKB in there. I'm not a fan of Weber's erratic style and TJP has gone backwards this season. <br><br>
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. -
<p>Tom Franklin makes Ofa's selection seem expected, and yes BT, Taufua should not be an All Black.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
<div>
<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Surely Ben Smith covers wing?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wouldn't have any of the 3 you listed near the wing. Dagg in particular is terrible on the wing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barrett will cover 10/15, and if a winger goes off, Smith goes to 14 (and if it's Savea, Naholo shifts to 11).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
<div>
<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Ben Smith will cover wing too I imagine</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030"><p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.<br><br>
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?</p></blockquote>
<br>
It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit. <br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
<div>
<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
<div>
<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
<div>
<p>It would've been interesting to see who missed out if <strong>Skudder was fit</strong>.<br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Hmmm. Probably back to the Dagg vs McKenzie thing again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Naholo can't play 11, then it's always going to be Naholo vs NMS for right wing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
<div>
<p>It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit.<br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583634" data-time="1464475412">
<div>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<p>Naholo has played left wing before (if sparingly) - his debut for the Blues was on the left wing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583638" data-time="1464475799">
<div>
<p>Naholo has played left wing before (if sparingly) - his debut for the Blues was on the left wing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583637" data-time="1464475704">
<div>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>All three were born in NZ. It was more pointing to the vagaries of international qualifications. I certainly have less problem with guys who have lived at least part of their adult lives in NZ without playing professional football than those who haven't and those that appear to want to stay in NZ indefinitely regardless of their rugby career (unlike say Thorn who is back in Brisbane where we all knew he would end up).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My general point was if we are applying a purity standard to NZ qualifications there are some players not from the islands who also fall short depending on what your criteria is (playing football in NZ before high school seems to be a big one for you - Thorn, SBW and McAlister all didn't to varying degrees).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I cry few tears over this and we are still a fair way from getting repaid for the 25-40 very useful caps Isa Nacewa would have given us after Evans and before Cruden.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
<div>
<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm not having a dig at the player, I like Tamanivalu (except for when he carries the ball in one hand all the bloody time).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As mentioned Roks was here as a kid, I can't remember my thoughts exactly on Sivi when he was first selector, I wasn't around here then, and I think I expressed similar thoughts with Naholo last year too.</p> -
