All Blacks v Wales Test #3

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="590576" data-time="1466599652">
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Don't get your point I know what SBW is capable off. Ngatai off course is about AB potential but as far as I am aware it was the same with every single great AB ever selected.
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Indeed, but no one was saying that there were up to it till they had proven they were up to it. Ngatai is not the solution, he's an option. Who may be good enough. Or who may be Toeava, Mayerhofler, Stensness, Ranger, Gibson, Clarke, Fekitoa, Laulala, King, Lowden etc 
 
Re SBW, issue would be he looked good enough (briefly) in 2012 (4 years ago) after being a reserve wing the year before. Last year he started a TN game & our backline was pigshit. And then he played a series of excellent 20 of 30 minute cameo's off the bench - Victor Vito literally delivered the same last year. So I get the idea that SBW is not quite the locked on solution that some think he is.
 
Tho' I honestly think he's a shoe in at 12 & will be very good there. Especially with Cruden running the show next to him. Where I'm not sure is him staying long term...

Tordah

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Elliot Dixon, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Luke Romano, Liam Squire, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Waisake Naholo.
 
decent team. Interesting to see Moala at 13 and not Tamanivalu

JayCee

Exciting team. I've liked Moala during super rugby, I think he can add the go forward we've been missing in the backs for the previous two tests.
 
Glad Savea had done the right things to get called back into the starting squad, they must be confident his head is in the right space now, so I'm expecting him to go beast mode. 
 
Disappointed that there is no Tuipulotu in the 23 though - been my favourite player of the series.

Billy Tell

Why not moala 12 crotty 13? 
Also Romano ahead of tuipolotou :( 
Otherwise no complaints.

DMX

Does that mean Ben Smith covering midfield?

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="590584" data-time="1466618393">Does that mean Ben Smith covering midfield?</blockquote>
Must do yeah ! 
No ardie savea so be concerned if cane gets injured 
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MiketheSnow

Thanks for taking it easy on us Shag :whistle:

African Monkey

Great to see Moala get an opportunity.

Bones

Dixon can cover 7. Barrett covering midfield...

kiwiinmelb

I bet no one saw that exact 23 coming , 
 
Are there any others in the squad apart from Dmac that have missed all selections ?

leytonandamanda

Only Franklin but he was only covering for whitelock anyway 
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dejo

Got to be a fantastic opportunity to get the monkey off the back for the Welsh lads. Expect them to feel the hunger and turn it on big time. Could be a mouthwatering test match.

Stargazer

I'm not a fan of Squire and Tu'ungafasi, but apart from their selection on the bench, I'm quite happy with this team. Finally, Codie Taylor in the 23.
 
I think Barrett covers 12 and Ben Smith covers 13.
 
Edit: or Barrett covers 12, and Crotty covers 13.

taniwharugby

Moala will cover 12 before BBnsurely?

Gunner

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="590592" data-time="1466620514">
I'm not a fan of Squire and Tu'ungafasi, but apart from their selection on the bench, I'm quite happy with this team. Finally, Codie Taylor in the 23. 
I think Barrett covers 12 and Ben Smith covers 13. 
Edit: or Barrett covers 12, and Crotty covers 13.</blockquote>If a midfielder goes down during the game, I'd say Smith is the cover for both. If its Moala who goes down it's a straight swap, if Crotty goes down, Moala moves in a spot.

sparky

Pleased for Dixon and Moala. Two fantastic athletes who at their best play superb Rugby. Looks like an attacking back line to me.

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="590594" data-time="1466622364">If a midfielder goes down during the game, I'd say Smith is the cover for both. If its Moala who goes down it's a straight swap, if Crotty goes down, Moala moves in a spot.</blockquote>
 
Ben Smith played 12 against Scotland 2012 if I remember correctly.

leytonandamanda

Wales team named 
Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues); Liam Williams (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). 
Reps: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Scott Williams (Scarlets). 
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pooler fan

Nice to see Gatland has mixed his selection up to keep the squad on their toes. I despair at times I really do.

Provincial Stalwart

Double bluff from the selectors. Nah, we'll just tinker. When in reality this is more like a Henry rotation policy team from 2005-06: 5 changes to the starting team, and they've decimated the bench.
 
I'm a bit surprised at the extent of the changes but hey, this team is gold for the forums.
 
I agree with Billy Tell and anyone else who said 12. Moala and 13. Crotty seems more logical.
 
To me, the changes to the starting lineup are less profound - Cruden and Fekitoa are (essentially) injury enforced. The ABs seem to have a policy whereby players who are not fit to train on the Tuesday (after which the team is actually selected) they don't get picked - we don't seem to "wait on the fitness" of a player unless its a crucial game. Barrett and Faumuina step up to the starting team from the bench. I'm thrilled at Dixon's selection. Savea for Naholo is not what I'd have done but is fair enough. Not particularly happy at Moala's selection but we are thin on midfield options and Tamanivalu may not have provided a great deal more than Moala will.
 
The forwards bench is a bit weakened but mostly due to Romano over Tuipolutu. Otherwise, Crockett and Taylor will add plenty from the bench and both Squire and Ofa have the potential to add plenty around the park.
 
Curious having Naholo on the bench but can only assume it is to place pressure directly on Julian Savea to perform or be dragged.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Wales Test #3