All Blacks vs Wales

Donsteppa

Pretty sure a lock who caught Rupeni was Chresten Davis. Though Duley may have managed it too...? 
Rupeni was another who could be sheer genius or sheer pie eater...

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sabalom Glitz" data-cid="587070" data-time="1465715961">
was the second test the one where DC played the perfect game?</blockquote>
 
Yeah he was awesome , Richie just seemed everywhere that night . So stoked to have been there to see it.

Gary

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="586958" data-time="1465696623">
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Savea vs Cane: 
Its not a question of if its more a question of when Ardie Savea takes Canes jersey. When Ardie gets comfortable on the test scene Hansen will run out of excuses to back up Cane and will be forced to give over the Jersey to the Welington wonder kid. (Dont get too offended Chiefs fans). 
Read was strong and it is a welcome site seeing him slowley getting back to his best form. 
Changes I would make for next game: Ngatai for Crotty, Whitelock for Romano, Savea for Cane.
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Big difference looking good coming on in the last 10 min against a team out on their feet. I'd hazard a guess that if the roles were reversed Cane would have made just as much impact coming off the bench as he has done in the past.
 
As expected rusty All Black team and exposed on defence a couple of times. Only real change I would make if Steve tracks me down for my opinion is drop J. Savea and bring in Dagg. I'm a big fan of having two fullbacks on the field. (Only as long as Dagg is told not to do the River Dance before trying to take on the line)

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587088" data-time="1465718532">
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So I guess we spend all week discussing who the "one or two" might be..... 
When is the team named? 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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One change will be Sam Whitelock in if the hammy holds up.
 
If there is a second change I suspect it might involve someone called Savea........... :fishing: :whistle:

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="586875" data-time="1465682550">
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Aaron Cruden looks comfortable at ten, needs time to work on goal-kicking. 

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How much time does the guy need? He has been a professional rugby player for a good while now. As usual he showed poor (shocking) distance and variable accuracy. I hope Sopoaga gets a shot this series, there is little to separate those 2 in my mind, Cruden obviously a lot more experienced.
 
The U20s & goalkicking in both games left me a bit depressed: world class attack, but diabolical props in the U20s, and average goalkicking all round (although Jordie Barrett had the excuse of the weather and some acute angles).
 
For Test 2
 
Forwards: Whitelock in/Romano bye-bye, might see Taylor on the bench
Backs: Dagg or Barrett to FB, Smith to the wing, Savea bye-bye. Ngatai to the bench ahead of Tamanivalu.
 
It takes time to make a midfield click, there is WAY too much expectation being placed on Crotty/Fekitoa. I do wonder about switching the numbers on the jerseys though.

Rancid Schnitzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="587105" data-time="1465721491">
One change will be Sam Whitelock in if the hammy holds up. 
If there is a second change I suspect it might involve someone called Savea........... :fishing: :whistle:</blockquote>
 
Yeah, there's really no point delaying the inevitable.

canefan

These games are a good chance for the brains trust to try new combinations. Our backline is in no way representative of our top post 2015 team. SBW and NMS will make us more stable on defence and potent on attack. The bomb defence is a weakness we will need to fix

crusadersfan

Dagg to FB, move Ben to the wing, leave BB on the bench and park the pie truck up till he gets an overhaul

Dice

On the Webb try, is Webb allowed to start running forward before Williams runs past him?
 
I remember there being controversy in the NRL when someone did it to score a try that won the game at the death. Everyone thought the try should've been disallowed.

Immenso Rapido

On the forward pass and flat supporting run subject. 
Fekitoa was in the better supporting position, but Cruden ignored him and skipped passed to TJP. 
Ironically also in the Naholo try from Ben Smith break, Smith ignored Fekitoa who again was running the best support line and threw a long forward pass to Cruden, but Barnes was 20m behind the play so wasn't reviewed as he had no hint of it. 
Fekitoa could have had a double.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="587122" data-time="1465723648">
On the Webb try, is Webb allowed to start running forward before Williams runs past him? 
I remember there being controversy in the NRL when someone did it to score a try that won the game at the death. Everyone thought the try should've been disallowed.</blockquote>
 
Sorry ... shiraz cab ... please explain I can't remember. ...

MiketheSnow

Well that was much, much better than I expected.
 
NZ got close to the 50pt average I was predicting across the three matches. Still time to achieve 150pts or more in the three tests.
 
Most entertaining Welsh performance in ages. We actually created space and put men in gaps through accurate passing.
 
The difference was 'speed of thought' as I anticipated. Or failure to score either side of half-time was the difference for a closer and more realistic losing margin.
 
Fair play to the ABs. Not double WC champs for nothing. Showed composure and class when needed.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="587091" data-time="1465718965">I don't think that's correct, I think Roks was the most played during that time.</blockquote>
 
During 2005 to 2009, Sivi played 43 tests and Rok 38.

kiwiinmelb

I remember Rok was first on the scene , 2003 WC , had that left wing spot to himself for a couple of years , Howlett had the right , 
 
Then Sivi appeared as Left wing competition and Rico as right wing competition , 
 
Then at some point they decided, when picking squads , to only select 3 wingers, Joe starting playing both sides , Sivi left , and one of Doug or Rico used to miss out

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="587095" data-time="1465719497">
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Pretty sure a lock who caught Rupeni was Chresten Davis. Though Duley may have managed it too...?
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Duley caught Rupeni, Davis ran down Ralph.
 
My favourite was watching Mike Speight catch Joe Leota in a Waikato-Canterbury game. Leota was a former national sprint champ.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="587022" data-time="1465707828">
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So based on that Caleb Ralph was an auto with a 1.3 engine ?
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Caleb Ralph was the nifty fifty of AB wingers

hydro11

If there are only a couple of changes for the 2nd test, we won't see massive changes for the 3rd test either. There is no point giving Sopoaga a go with Perenara at 9 or something. If you want to see how players react, you need to basically pick your best team and then slot in a few players you want to test out.

Siam

The game reminded me of the old Auckland teams of the 80's in that the opposition were never supposed to win, played bloody well and had a lot of us thinking, "shit, this might be it", then the fitness and experience and accurate firepower kicked in in the last 20 minutes and, by the final 10 minutes, you pretty much forgot you were thinking "shit, this might be it"
 
Was a bit weird not having Richie there followed by the thought that he "wouldn't be back from injury next time"
 
It's time to reset expectations and game play assessments of the AB's sans the "greats" again - if only for a different way and a bit of fun to view our national team
 
Was shag keeping it simple and lots of variations up his sleeve? We only did spin it straight out or put up a league/AFL kick for the wingers
 
How many tries late in the game do we score from two men out like the one Read scored - was a feature of the WC also
 
Fuck off Barnes. Yes yes we know you're in charge. The clue is the whistle in your gob, the plum in your mouth and the carrot up your arse
 
Am I the only one who:
a- feels sympathy for Big Jules?
b- knows exactly why he's not performing to his level?
answers below
 
Well done Welshies. Seriously and sincerely. Great reminder that Wales can play bloody good rugby and have bloody good players. Took chances and tackled like demons. North beat about half a dozen All Blacks and Biggar is committed and skilled. Webb would make the AB bench and Faletau just goes about his business and doesn't give a fuck. Jenkins has been much maligned at times but should be close to being a welsh great IMO. However like teams that played Auckland in the 80's, fitness and applying pressure for a full eighty separates the best from the bloody goods
 
The writing off of the Welsh side pre match on here was shown to be an unnecessary and ugly piece of "australianism" (sorry NTA , Barbs etc but the Fox promo for the Cook Cup was tacky and even Eddie mentioned it to Mardo )
 
I think I'm influenced by that bloody hand on heart bollocks but I'm getting tired of saying (mentally) "well done TJ" when the little shit just gets the basics right
 
Dagg might play fullback but won't make those big breaks that Bender does - we score from those things
 
 
Was stoked to see Naholo fearlessly put his head down and charge to the line for a try from a tap - all commitment and being pissed off for errors was my summation. Think he was trying too hard but by christ lad don't ever hungus the ball in that opportunity at the other end again
 
Good skippers knock Reado. It's a different looking team without the older boys doing all the organising.
 
Have thought (this year) that Fekitoa is going to be another 2 year midfielder for the AB's. Just not enough in his game and something puzzles me about him (could be his weird gait or those freaky fuckin eyes!). Suggest his agent keeps a copy of any overseas offers. A view reinforced by watching Jordie Barrett too (gulp)
 
A wins a win. It's a new dawn. Better to win ugly (ish) than lose pretty. and any other cliche
 
The Bus
a- fuck he's trying his heart out but shit ain't working. His haka (always a portent) was full of hope and effort. His missed tackles (can't excuse them) were followed by dramatic admonishments but my sympathy/consideration for him comes from the FUCKING awesome stat of 39 test trys from 42 games - way to smash your AB winger KPI's !!
 
b- the silly little shit got married. Too young, and since then his game has suffered. :ireful: Why these bloody kids get hitched so young when they should be reaping (quietly mind) the benefits of AB stardom baffles me. And FFS if she is a keeper (unlikely but you never know), then the little baggage will wait till you sign the lucrative deal in fucking France, so keep the bloody minx at arm's length...rant mumble curse ...bloody kids and the fucking illusion of marriage.
 
rant over, but Shag (I know you read this forum because how else did Ardie get a game), give the bus one more ticket if only for 39/42.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587140" data-time="1465725566">
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During 2005 to 2009, Sivi played 43 tests and Rok 38.
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Well, you actually said the four wings time of Gear, Sivi, Howlett and Roks and that ended in 2007.

pakman

Looking towards next two tests, I think the plan will be for Sopoanga to start in Dunedin. So if Barrett is to get a start it would be in second. Assuming Sam fit I expect he'll be only change to starting eight. On forward bench could see Taylor get a run. Props and Ardie pick themselves. So only area of intrigue whether Dixon/Squire get a taste or Patrick T kept as supersizedsub. In backs hear Ngatai still out, and not sure how TKB's thumb is. But if Barrett got a start I imagine they'll stick with Crotty/Fekitoa, although I'd like to see them swap jerseys. Think Bus needs maintenance, so could see Dagg start and Naholo/Benda wings. Back bench would be TJP/TKB, Crudes and Tamanivalu or Moala, whom I'd like to see get a run at 12 against Roberts. The big problem with Barrett starting is that his dynamic impact is lost -- so balance to be struck -- might argue for Lima on bench.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales