All Blacks v Wales Test #3

pukunui

We don't need to poach Irish players surely.

Bovidae

All the Crusaders players to be in the 23, eh ACTC!! :)
 
I think Dixon will be the only newbie to start and it sounds like Barrett at 10 ahead of Sopoaga. TKB on the bench, and Taylor replaces Harris.

Gunner

Id like to see; 
Moody 
Taylor 
Franks 
Whitelock 
Tuipolutu 
Kaino 
Cane 
Read 
Smith 
Sopoaga 
Naholo 
Ngatai 
Tamanuvalu (sorry sp) 
Smith 
Dagg 
Coles 
Crockett 
Faumauina 
Dixon 
Squire 
TKB 
BB 
Moala 
To be fair, its bloody hard guessing who the selectors plan to rest and how/when they integrate the new players. A lot harder than trying to pick what their top team is that's for sure.

SabalomG

I'd like Sopoaga to start

pooler fan

From a Welsh perspective, I think we improved a little yesterday & I'd expect a little more next week. 
Personally I think they could do with taking a couple of risks squad wise. I'd seriously consider leaving Roberts out or at least removing him after 45/50 minutes. The guy looked in bits after 50 mins yesterday, was out on his feet. Scott Williams was poor against Waikato but offers far more offensively, especially when the game opens up. 
Also they have to put Matthew Morgan on the bench & give him 30mins. We've got nothing to lose at this point. If he gets mashed on defence a couple of times who cares, let's see if he can create something. 
Series has gone let's try to evolve our game & play more positive rugby.

Crash

Crotty defo isn't a 12.
He's not a "visionary" or a creator. He's a safe pair of hands, who may grow into the organisational role at 13.
Need a better read on the game at 12, a facilitator who can conjure something from nothing. I'd be interested to see what Ngatai and Moala can bring to the role. 
For the future, Rieko looks a good prospect and also interested in the development of Laumape.

sparky

Team I'd pick
 
Moody, Coles, Franks, Whitelock, Retallick, Dixon, Cane, Read, A Smith, Sopoaga, Naholo, Crotty, Tamanuvalu, Ben Smith, Dagg
 
Bench: Crocckett, Taylor, Fauminia, Tuipolutu, A Savea, TJP, Beauden Barrett, Moala

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="589795" data-time="1466333681">
<div>
Crotty defo isn't a 12.
He's not a "visionary" or a creator. He's a safe pair of hands, who may grow into the organisational role at 13.
Need a better read on the game at 12, a facilitator who can conjure something from nothing. I'd be interested to see what Ngatai and Moala can bring to the role. 
For the future, Rieko looks a good prospect and also interested in the development of Laumape.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I tend to agree with this, nothing against Crotty as a footballer , he may well be our 13, but dont see him as our long term solution at 12

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="589774" data-time="1466327529">
<div>
From a Welsh perspective, I think we improved a little yesterday & I'd expect a little more next week. 
Personally I think they could do with taking a couple of risks squad wise. I'd seriously consider leaving Roberts out or at least removing him after 45/50 minutes. The guy looked in bits after 50 mins yesterday, was out on his feet. Scott Williams was poor against Waikato but offers far more offensively, especially when the game opens up. 
Also they have to put Matthew Morgan on the bench & give him 30mins. We've got nothing to lose at this point. If he gets mashed on defence a couple of times who cares, let's see if he can create something. 
Series has gone let's try to evolve our game & play more positive rugby.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
+ 1,000,000

DMX

Another dead rubber test, I was much happier when we had two tests and a third against someone else.Thenwe could have looked forward to England or Ireland coming. The whole 3 test thing seemed like a copout, extra insurance in case one of the SH teams lose a test.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="589803" data-time="1466348575">
Team I'd pick 
Moody, Coles, Franks, Whitelock, Retallick, Dixon, Cane, Read, A Smith, Sopoaga, Naholo, Crotty, Tamanuvalu, Ben Smith, Dagg 
Bench: Crocckett, Taylor, Fauminia, Tuipolutu, A Savea, TJP, Beauden Barrett, Moala</blockquote>
 
I'd go for this team too (with the names spelled correctly. )

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="589774" data-time="1466327529">
<div>
From a Welsh perspective, I think we improved a little yesterday & I'd expect a little more next week. 
Personally I think they could do with taking a couple of risks squad wise. I'd seriously consider leaving Roberts out or at least removing him after 45/50 minutes. The guy looked in bits after 50 mins yesterday, was out on his feet. Scott Williams was poor against Waikato but offers far more offensively, especially when the game opens up. 
Also they have to put Matthew Morgan on the bench & give him 30mins. We've got nothing to lose at this point. If he gets mashed on defence a couple of times who cares, let's see if he can create something. 
Series has gone let's try to evolve our game & play more positive rugby.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I know Barrett is incredibly quick but he ran Roberts down with ease. I reckon that and the missed tackles may have been down to him playing on when he shouldn't have. He did the same early in his career after a collision with Stirling Mortlock. One would think a doctor should be a bit smarter about such things.

Milk

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="589817" data-time="1466366534">
<div>
Another dead rubber test, I was much happier when we had two tests and a third against someone else.Thenwe could have looked forward to England or Ireland coming. The whole 3 test thing seemed like a copout, extra insurance in case one of the SH teams lose a test.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I don't consider it a dead rubber. We still have a proud 60 year record to protect against Wales.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="589803" data-time="1466348575">Team I'd pick 
Moody, Coles, Franks, Whitelock, Retallick, Dixon, Cane, Read, A Smith, Sopoaga, Naholo, Crotty, Tamanuvalu, Ben Smith, Dagg 
Bench: Crocckett, Taylor, Fauminia, Tuipolutu, A Savea, TJP, Beauden Barrett, Moala</blockquote>
 
Almost exactly what I'd pick - I'd be tempted to give J Savea a run (for Naholo), put Squire on the bench (for Ardie), and the midfield/bench would depend on Fekitoa's fitness. 
I think they'll pick Sparky's team switching Barrett for Sopoaga, with midfield depending on fitness. You'd think they would want to give Squire time, but maybe not this test.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="589817" data-time="1466366534">
<div>
Another dead rubber test, I was much happier when we had two tests and a third against someone else.Thenwe could have looked forward to England or Ireland coming. The whole 3 test thing seemed like a copout, extra insurance in case one of the SH teams lose a test.
</div>
</blockquote>
I'm glad we get a third game between Ireland and South Africa and Australia and England.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="589843" data-time="1466377973">
<div>
I'm glad we get a third game between Ireland and South Africa and Australia and England.
</div>
</blockquote>
Any idea why the IRB have decided to bring the three test series back ? they're as rare as an Owen Franks clean break.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="589833" data-time="1466374690">
<div>
I don't consider it a dead rubber. We still have a proud 60 year record to protect against Wales.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Thats exactly my point, two tests is enough, a tied series would still have ended up being a victory for Wales anyway, would be far more interested in a one off test against one of the other nations. That we dont want to lose to Wales is the same as every test match. Out of the last 8 or so 3 test series in the southern hemisphere I think the only non-Lions series going to a decider is Ireland/SA and even that is just giving SA a chance to save face.

Hooroo

I just don't understand your train of thought. 3 tests series are the best. I love it that there is a third test. If it was 1 each I would be bitterly disappointed that there was no third test

booboo

I know there is talk of starting Barrett and moving him out to 14/15 later in the game. 
I just think his effectiveness at a weapon will be reduced if he's got some miles on the clock instead of hitting the field fresh. 
Can't see a way of getting Squire in. Would require leaving Ardie or Pat T off the bench reducing it's effectiveness. 
I don't think the margins are that big that we can take Wales at all lightly.

mariner4life

Wales finished the last test full of running. They are not a broken side by any stretch of the imagination, and i would imagine the selectors will be putting another full strength side out.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Wales Test #3