All Blacks vs Wales
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583819" data-time="1464550340">
<div>
<p>These series where both sides are convinced they have a magician at the helm who is turning things around are pretty rare. As a neutral I can't wait for this series because there are only three possible outcomes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1) The bloom comes off Jones.</p>
<p>2) The bloom comes off Cheika.</p>
<p>3) We have a phenomenal series with excellent rugby by both sides.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is kind of a warped version of the 2004 England vs NZ series, where England are 2004 NZ thinking that their previous futility is in the process of being solved by the new guard and Australia are 2003 England whose media and supporters rate themselves as the best team in the world (accounting for NZ's recent retirements - and if you doubt this wait until the Bledisloe hype regardless of the result of this series) with the greatest rugby mind coaching from the box. Not quite the stakes as Australia aren't world champs, England aren't the ABs in terms of lure but still...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is a lot on the line, the result will have fall out and I can't wait.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah, I agree totally. This has spicy series written all over it. Bust-ups between our dear friends from the Waratahs franchise and the likes of Hartley and Haskell. Two coaches who love the sound of their own voices. 2 sets of fawning media. Etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wales were fairly rubbish today. I hate jinxing things, but NZ could rack up a cricket score in one of the games.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583822" data-time="1464550917">
<div>
<p>Crockett and Woodcock are brothers ?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Recent sets of brothers players for the ABs? Na, there have been none that I can think of. However, I have always been a fan of white locks and one of my favourite dinner time condiments is Whitlock's chutney sauce.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583821" data-time="1464550664">
<div>
<p>Yeah, I agree totally. This has spicy series written all over it. Bust-ups between our dear friends from the Waratahs franchise and the likes of Hartley and Haskell. Two coaches who love the sound of their own voices. 2 sets of fawning media. Etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wales were fairly rubbish today. I hate jinxing things, but <strong>NZ could rack up a cricket score in one of the games</strong>.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Shag also pointed out that the ABs normally get only a week together transitioning from Super rugby to a June series, but this year have two weeks together (yesterday plus the next four days this week, plus the first test week). They have openly admitted to over-complicating things in that first week, and that was when you had the veterans running the team.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not saying we will gel automatically in this series because of an extra week together at the front end, but if we do it will get ugly for Wales.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You have to think the extra week will be gold for those units whose personnel from last year has been cleaned out - at midfield and at loose forward, and also the locks with Sam Whitelock out of contention for the first test.</p> -
<p>apparently 44 sets of brothers have played for the ABs, but only 9 have played together.</p>
-
<p>The game today had a real end of season feel. Would be a touch concerned as a Wales fan though, as they seemed to punch themselves out after the first half an hour when they were actually winning a most of the collisions. England were pretty loose, but still managed to cut through them fairly easily and it would have been worse without Ford's 6 missed kicks. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moriarty looked pretty energetic. Big names for them mostly didn't turn up though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="583833" data-time="1464556738">
<div>
<p>apparently 44 sets of brothers have played for the ABs, but only 9 have played together.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Maugers almost, named in the same match day 22 but I don't think Aaron made it off the bench for a tour game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583832" data-time="1464556704">
<div>
<p>Are Wales really that shit all of a sudden ? AWJ, Roberts, Davies, North, Faletau can all play can't they ?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>They are not shit but they are a fair way behind England.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583669" data-time="1464478639">
<div>
<p>Not sure about Crockett, he's still the second best loosehead in the country by a considerable margin.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Crockett is 33, and Moody is now firmly established as the no.1 LH prop. I'd be looking at Goodes, Hames and Manu from next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p>And who's the next power lock in line?</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Tuipulotu to back up Retallick. I assume the ABs coaches use of "power lock" is code for a traditional TH lock. Romano offers bulk in the scrum and can be a strong tackler, but his lack of "power" as a ball carrier has been mentioned by myself and others often enough here. Tuipulotu has some issues himself as a scrummager but his ability with ball in hand far exceeds Romano's.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Romano will get his chance in the 1st test but I've always thought of him as a place-holder in the ABs.</p> -
-
<p>I'm expecting the 23 for the First Test to be something like this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Joe Moody</p>
<p>2. Dane Coles</p>
<p>3. Owen Franks</p>
<p>4. Brodie Rettalick</p>
<p>5. Luke Romano</p>
<p>6. Jerome Kaino</p>
<p>7. Sam Cane</p>
<p>8. Keiran Read ©</p>
<p>9. Aaron Smith</p>
<p>10. Aaron Cruden</p>
<p>11. Julian Savea</p>
<p>12. Ryan Crotty</p>
<p>13. Malakai Fekitoa</p>
<p>14. Waisaki Nahalo</p>
<p>15. Ben Smith</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reserves:</p>
<p>16. Codie Taylor</p>
<p>17. Wyatt Crockett</p>
<p>18. Charlie Faumauina</p>
<p>19. Patrick Tuipolotu</p>
<p>20. Ardie Savea</p>
<p>21. TJ Perenara</p>
<p>22. Beauden Barrett</p>
<p>23. Seta Tamanivalu</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Israel Dagg and Eliott Dixon might get in somewhere as well.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="583851" data-time="1464559935">
<div>
<p>Crockett is 33, and Moody is now firmly established as the no.1 LH prop. I'd be looking at Goodes, Hames and Manu from next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tuipulotu to back up Retallick. I assume the ABs coaches use of "power lock" is code for a traditional TH lock. Romano offers bulk in the scrum and can be a strong tackler, but his lack of "power" as a ball carrier has been mentioned by myself and others often enough here. Tuipulotu has some issues himself as a scrummager but his ability with ball in hand far exceeds Romano's.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Romano will get his chance in the 1st test but I've always thought of him as a place-holder in the ABs.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The Lions tour is next year, I don't want to throw a rookie prop into that if Moody goes down</p>
<p> </p>
<p>any of those 3 props you mention will have to improve heaps if they want a shot at that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd be looking at them the year after</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583857" data-time="1464560619">
<div>
<p>The Lions tour is next year, I don't want to throw a rookie prop into that if Moody goes down</p>
<p> </p>
<p>any of those 3 props you mention will have to improve heaps if they want a shot at that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd be looking at them the year after</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I remember Romano bumping off one of the Irish props like he was nothing but that was some time ago and can't recall anything like that since.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think "loose" and "tight" are better terms than "athletic" and "power". It's a shame Boric had his issues cos he was another who could do either role pretty decently.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keith Robinson was a real "tight" lock in that he hit every single ruck possible but was hardly a "power" lock if that makes sense, certainly not like Brad Thorn was.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="583814" data-time="1464547700">
<div>
<p>My conclusion from watching highlights of the England-Wales came is that Wales don't have a clue how to defend pace. What is the fastest backline the All Blacks could put out from the squad that has been selected?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Fastest backline would have to be this:</p>
<p>9. Aaron Smith 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Julian Savea 12. Malakai Fekitoa 13. Charlie Ngatai 14. Waisaki Nahalo 15. Damian McKenzie</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="583862" data-time="1464560904">
<div>
<p>Fastest backline would have to be this:</p>
<p>9. Aaron Smith 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Julian Savea 12. Malakai Fekitoa 13. Charlie Ngatai 14. Waisaki Nahalo 15. Damian McKenzie</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Tamanivula would be quicker than Ngatai surely, he's Fijian.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583860" data-time="1464560881"><p>I remember Romano bumping off one of the Irish props like he was nothing but that was some time ago and can't recall anything like that since.<br><br>
I think "loose" and "tight" are better terms than "athletic" and "power". It's a shame Boric had his issues cos he was another who could do either role pretty decently.<br><br>
Keith Robinson was a real "tight" lock in that he hit every single ruck possible but was hardly a "power" lock if that makes sense, certainly not like Brad Thorn was.</p></blockquote>
Bro it's 2016! -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="583862" data-time="1464560904"><p>Fastest backline would have to be this:<br>
9. Aaron Smith 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Julian Savea 12. Malakai Fekitoa 13. Charlie Ngatai 14. Waisaki Nahalo 15. Damian McKenzie</p></blockquote>
Well if we're doing that you'd probably throw Smith at 13.
