All Blacks vs Wales Test #2

Rembrandt

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="588679" data-time="1466052177">
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Hope Daggs brings more of this:

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Not one silly stupid jinky air-step in that whole clip. When did he decide to add that to his arsenal of moves? Has he worked out how ineffectual it is yet?

pooler fan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="588748" data-time="1466068653">Welsh team named Wales XV 
Rhys Patchell; Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb 
Gethin Jenkins, Ken Owens, Samson Lee; Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones; Ross Moriarty, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau Reps: 
Scott Baldwin, Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Ellis Jenkins 
Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams 
Rhys Patchell the surprise call up. 
Appears Anscombe was the preferred option at 15 when Liam Williams moved across to wing to cover the injured George North, but Anscombe is still struggling with a thigh injury. 
So pissed off. 
Patchell has been average at best for Cardiff Blues. Matthew Morgan was the only back to come away with any dignity against the Chiefs and is one of the few Welsh backs that attacks space at pace and creates space for others. He's worked on his defence too and is no more a liability than Liam Williams or Hallam Amos. 
It's obvious Gatland doesn't trust him / rate him at Test level. The poor bastard has signed for Cardiff Blues (to replace Patchell who's off to the Scarlets) to be a Wales based player and increase his chances of Welsh selection. He's come from Bristol who just returned to the English premiership. Might regret that move. 
Rhys Priestland should be nowhere near the 23 because he's offering us nothing. 
Scott Williams shouldn't be there either. Not because he's as crap as Priestland but because he's still not found fitness or form. 
I would have started with Jenkins and Warburton too. Warburton playing 6 and Jenkins playing 7 as they've done on a number of occasions for Cardiff Blues this season. 
That would leave Moriarty to come on as an impact player. 
Gatland obviously feels that his gameplan is sound and if we can cut down on turnovers and missed tackles then we can be competitive for 80 minutes this Saturday. 
I feel the Welsh pool is stagnant and wouldn't be surprised to see Wales concede 50 or more points this week :(</blockquote>
Valid point Mike, especially on Priestland. I can see the value in Patchell at 15 for Gatland though, he is a very good player. Perhaps more importantly fits "Gatlandball" style - big, powerful, quick, huge boot. Think he could become a very good test player for Wales. 
If you have him on the pitch at 15 though with Biggar at 10 having Priestland on the bench is pretty pointless as an option. Morgan would have least given some offensive potential. 
Moving Liam Williams to the wing after his performance last week seems strange too, he caused some problems with his running from deep. 
Safety first as usual with Wales team selection.

JayCee

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11657813'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11657813</a>
 
"Regular fullback Ben Smith will start in the No11 jersey, with Waisake Naholo retaining his right-wing spot"
 
Really? All team announcements (including the one on this thread) I've seen have Smith @ 14 - as you'd expect. Has this changed since?

gt12

They cleared it up later and said Naholo to 11.

rotated

Huge compliment to Ben Smith really. McCaw irregularly played 8/6 when required especially during these dinky June tests. Basically says you are so good and versatile it doesn't really matter what number is on your jersey. Big nod to him IMO.

SabalomG

Ben is the best full back and the best right winger in world rugby.

No Quarter

I find it hard to seperate Smith and Folau. I'd have both in my world 15.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="588902" data-time="1466131149">Huge compliment to Ben Smith really. McCaw irregularly played 8/6 when required especially during these dinky June tests. Basically says you are so good and versatile it doesn't really matter what number is on your jersey. Big nod to him IMO.</blockquote>
 
Bender is a class act. But it's hardly surprising given that's where he started his AB career as a bench player and then a starter. Add to that the fact he basically plays 20+ minutes per test on the wing when Barrett comes on.

pukunui

I'd say Ben Smith is the best player in the world now that Mccaw has retired. 
I'd probably pick Folau at 14 for the ABs.

mariner4life

I always thought Folau was a bit overrated. Yes he was good, but he wasn't some phenom. A lot of those early tries were catch and open run to the line types.
 
But I got over that, in flight he's a fucking weapon. He tore the poms up last week. He's excellent under the high ball, he's big, quick, and surprisingly elusive. He's not the finished article, his kicking is actually pretty ordinary for a guy who spent a couple of years playing AFL, but he's really fucking good. 
 
And yes, in an ANZAC team, he and Ben from Accounts at 14 and 15 would be quite handy.

KiwiMurph

Folau was definitely not close to 100% fit at the World Cup either - which is unfortunate - the Folau vs England last weekend was a different proposition.

hurricane

It doesn't hurt that he is frickin 6 foot 4 as well.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="588988" data-time="1466148624">
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Folau was definitely not close to 100% fit at the World Cup either - which is unfortunate - the Folau vs England last weekend was a different proposition.
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I thought it was quite nice actually.
 
I wouldn't wish it on him, of course, but against us, he can play at 50% anytime. 
 
Fuck the Poms though; he can tear them up all day.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="588979" data-time="1466147176">
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I always thought Folau was a bit overrated. Yes he was good, but he wasn't some phenom. A lot of those early tries were catch and open run to the line types.
 
But I got over that, in flight he's a fucking weapon. He tore the poms up last week. He's excellent under the high ball, he's big, quick, and surprisingly elusive. He's not the finished article, his kicking is actually pretty ordinary for a guy who spent a couple of years playing AFL, but he's really fucking good. 
 
And yes, in an ANZAC team, he and Ben from Accounts at 14 and 15 would be quite handy. 
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And the thing is , of the three I think Hayne and Inglis may have been better ( i think Inglis better days are behind him now though)

leytonandamanda

Is weather forecast ok for the game in Wellington? 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Higgins

Its ok at the moment. Looking south out my window in Hataitai it is mostly blue skies and just a very slight northerly zephyr wind movement. Not too bad temperature wise either, must be at least ten degrees. I'm off to watch a mates son play in the Under 12s shortly and I will be taking a jacket just in case, but won't be wearing it, a nice woolen jersey should do the trick.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington/wellington-city?gclid=CJS2h9D5r80CFQwnvQodc3IB9A'>http://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington/wellington-city?gclid=CJS2h9D5r80CFQwnvQodc3IB9A</a>

Milk

In <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://fantasyrugbydraft.com/'>Fantasy Rugby</a>, based purely on stats, no one is more consistent as Folau, year after year. The guy is a phenom in quietly clocking up metres and tackle busts, even when you don't notice it. If they were on the same team I'd probably move him to the wing and keep Ben Smith at fullback. But you'd have to make sure you play in a way that maximises Folau's highball ability.
 
A lot gets said about Dagg's monster boot, but it really is that good in my opinion. He can be frustrating to play against because he can really dominate you if it turns into a bit of a force back duel. It's not enough though. He'll need to show he can bring back his running game to the international stage if he's to keep his spot.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="589086" data-time="1466197313">
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 just a very slight northerly zephyr wind movement. 
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I grew up in Wellington y'all.

dingo

I couldn't make the Caketin tonight due to Wife being out and not allowed to leave children unbabysat (one more year!!). :(
 
Watching TV news at 6.41 PM that cut to a live interview with TKB at the 'tin, it seems (a) conditions aren't that bad considering the wind we've had and ( there are people sitting in the stands already - whats wrong with them? Why aren't they in pub/still getting there after feeding kids they are bringing at home.
 
PS - Like NZZP, I also grew up in the Wellingtown, so my view of wind being not that bad might be somewhat different to others.

canefan

Dagg at 15 Smith at 14 good

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales Test #2