All Blacks vs Wales

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583645" data-time="1464476618">
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Who gets the bench loosie spot?
 
I suppose Savea, given that Kaino and Read can cover each other.
 
If you stick Dixon or Squire on the bench, there is really no 7 cover. And none of those loose forward options strike me as lock cover, so that should see the RWC option of 2 loose forwards scrapped.
 
Planning needs to start for Kaino though, he's not a spring chicken any more.
 
Elliott Dixon should patent his head tape.
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Dixon would be a great player to have on the bench but I imagine he would be competing with Pat T for that role.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583645" data-time="1464476618">
<div>
Who gets the bench loosie spot?
 
I suppose Savea, given that Kaino and Read can cover each other.
 
If you stick Dixon or Squire on the bench, there is really no 7 cover. And none of those loose forward options strike me as lock cover, so that should see the RWC option of 2 loose forwards scrapped.
 
Planning needs to start for Kaino though, he's not a spring chicken any more.
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It is interesting because presumably you pick these new guys to blood them. But with three loose spots you are also blooding Cane into the starting line-up full time and Read into the captaincy so may not be wanting to rotate those guys out too much either.
 
Perhaps one of them (Squire?) could just be one of those ones they bring into the enviornment to assess, and he gets 20 minutes in the 2nd or 3rd tests off the bench and is hopefully better off for the experience.
 
I don't know how you space out those minutes without resting Kaino a lot.

SammyC

You guys should have listened to the interviews, they explained the locks situation quite clearly. 
Essentially they like to play 1 power lock and 1 athletic lock 
Retallick is unique (he can play both) 
Romano and tuipoloto are the power locks 
Whitelock is athletic, franklin is there because he's athletic too. He defends well out wide apparently.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583646" data-time="1464476690">
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Sam Whitelock has done ok for a stringbean and some of Romanos bulk looks to have been of the wrong kind.
 
I suppose to go from Nepias point Tamanivula might get a test or two, get found out and be cast on the international scrap heap when he could have had a long successful stint with Fiji.
 
Damn shame Nadolo isn't eligible.
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I reserve the right to move the goalposts if Nadolo was available. ;)
 
Oz must be gutted they let him get away.

SammyC

Also Hansen said that Cane will start and savea will come off the bench. Made the comparison to starting with Nonu and smith, then having sbw come on for impact 
So I guess that answers the question about the bench loosie

Paekakboyz

Once he's up to fitness Tuipoloto could tick both boxes too. He's good around the park.

SammyC

They also said that Franklin has played 3 years of super rugby v Barrett who is in his first season. Made the comment that it's only a matter of time before the latter is chosen

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="583655" data-time="1464477171">
Once he's up to fitness Tuipoloto could tick both boxes too. He's good around the park.</blockquote>
 
Needs a bit of work on his lineout too, but agree he can get there

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583635" data-time="1464475575">
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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.
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I think I read Naholo played at 11 before Super level. I hope Savea is challenged too.

Nepia

I've been impressed with Franklin the last couple of years for the Highlanders and he's had a decent Maori tour as well.

SouthernMan

Bloody chuffed from Tfrank, Squire and Dicko.
 
While Tfrank isn't in the full squad, it shows that his work is well and truly being appreciated. I'm a big fan.

Frank

Part of the planning (I would guess) is that definitely Akira, and maybe Reiko, Ioane will be on the EOYT.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583654" data-time="1464477053">
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Also Hansen said that Cane will start and savea will come off the bench. Made the comparison to starting with Nonu and smith, then having sbw come on for impact 
So I guess that answers the question about the bench loosie
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That's got to be a wee bit crushing for Cane. Hansen has been talking about Cane is the model for how they have brought guys through ready to be full time contributors without missing a beat. Now he's basically been told before camp begins that all that's happened with Richie going is he is going to play the first 40 minutes instead of the last 30 (assuming that is the Smith/SBW model).
 
Cane has the motor and has earned the right to be playing Richie minutes.

Chris B.

Squire and Franklin the big surprises for me - I'd discounted Squire and thought they'd take Luatua or Taufua ahead of him. Franklin didn't really even register as a contender.
 
For those who didn't see the announcement and follow-up.
 
Hansen and Fox both said Matt Todd is the most unlucky. Hansen said they were comfortable with Ardie playing Sevens and would have been more than happy to have Todd in the squad. But once Ardie was available, it was team ahead of individual (as far as Todd was concerned) and he had to be picked.
 
They like one power lock (Romano/Tuipolotu) and one athletic lock (Whitelock/Franklin/Barrett). Retallick is unusual in that he's both. Barrett was on the radar, but they've gone with the more experienced Franklin as cover for Whitelock.
 
Moala is cover for Ngatai if he doesn't come right.
 
Tu'ungafasi is in the Ben Franks role of being able to play both sides - better at tighthead. They did consider two hookers and a prop who can play a bit of hooker (is that Goodes?). Harris' form got him the nod.
 
They are pretty clear that TKB is their second halfback and TJ knows their systems, so can come in at short notice for a domestic series. A touring squad would need three halfbacks. From Fox's interview I got the impression that maybe Brad Weber wasn't as close as the pundits thought.
 
Dagg was carrying an injury last year and put too much selection pressure on himself. Picking him for this squad was a no-brainer according to Hansen.
 
They will start with a very experienced 23 for the first test and then have plans for the series.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583662" data-time="1464477595">
That's got to be a wee bit crushing for Cane. Hansen has been talking about Cane is the model for how they have brought guys through ready to be full time contributors without missing a beat. Now he's basically been told before camp begins that all that's happened with Richie going is he is going to play the first 40 minutes instead of the last 30 (assuming that is the Smith/SBW model). 
Cane has the motor and has earned the right to be playing Richie minutes.</blockquote>
 
Maybe correct, but nobody can deny the form of Ardie. Her deserves the spot just as much 
Hansen isn't their mummy, he wants the best team playing

Nepia

Cheers for that Chris B. Very interesting comments.
 
I'm sure I told you that Squire would pick up higher honours one day (him and Lowe are my Ta$man favourites despite they're from Ta$man) - although TBF I didn't think he was close this year. I'll decide Lowe is off the radar at EOYT time and he might make the team too.

jegga

<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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 :mocking:

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583665" data-time="1464477904">
<div>I'm sure I told you that Squire would pick up higher honours one day (him and Lowe are my Ta$man favourites despite they're from Ta$man) - although TBF I didn't think he was close this year.</div>
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Squire said himself that he was very surrpised to get the phone call yesterday. He had a hunting trip planned for next week.
 
I will be more interested in the team to play the 1st test, particularly 10, 12 and 13. I think they'll start with Cruden, Crotty and Fekitoa.
 
Romano and Crockett must be in their last year for the ABs.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="583667" data-time="1464478469">
Squire said himself that he was very surrpised to get the phone call yesterday. He had a hunting trip planned for next week. 
I will be more interested in the team to play the 1st test, particularly 10, 12 and 13. I think they'll start with Cruden, Crotty and Fekitoa. 
Romano and Crockett must be in their last year for the ABs.</blockquote>
Not sure about Crockett, he's still the second best loosehead in the country by a considerable margin. 
And who's the next power lock in line? 
Fox pretty much said that Cruden will be starting the first test

Tim

Come back SBW. Weakest midfield in some time.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales