TRC squad

gollum

Yeah, I'm not really pushing Smith at 13, its more I fully expect he will get time there this year.
 
I'd be perfectly happy with Crotty there, I just feel because he is seen as a bit "average" there will always be a call for him to replaced, and 99% of NZ centre options are great Super centres, but not test centres. Look at the way Rene Ranger was a Super centre, but for the ABs & in France he was seen as a wing as he lacked the 13 skillset. NZ Super centres are mostly like that.

KiwiMurph

Moala deserves a crack at 13. His defence since moving to 13 this season (Blues/one ABs test) has been excellent.

hydro11

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83056077/chiefs-midfielder-anton-lienertbrown-replaces-sonny-bill-williams-in-all-blacks'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83056077/chiefs-midfielder-anton-lienertbrown-replaces-sonny-bill-williams-in-all-blacks</a>
 
Obviously wanted cover at 12.

Tim

IIRC, Moala is the only player in the squad who has regularly played at 13 this year.

ACT Crusader

Fekitoa started the season at 13 and played a number of games there before being moved because of injury. 
Didn't Moala play in different positions this year as well? Plus were there games where he came off the bench?

KiwiMurph

Yep Moala started at 12, the midfield combo of him and Ranger/Sau did not work, after the Reds game he went to the bench, then Ranger got injured for the season and Moala shifted to 13 with Francis at 12 - this is when Moala really found form.

Nairobi

I think ALB will be a good long term AB. He and Ngatai can become the next AB midfield pair, and it helps that they are both in one SR team. 
hopefully he kicks on quickly so the team can do away with steady crotty

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="604984" data-time="1470893080">
<div>
I think ALB will be a good long term AB. He and Ngatai can become the next AB midfield pair, and it helps that they are both in one SR team. 
hopefully he kicks on quickly so the team can do away with steady crotty
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</blockquote>
 
off the top of my head I'd say those two have a combined All Black career of about 10 minutes.....and all of those belong to Ngatai.
 
That's pretty fucken rough on Crotty, Fekitoa, Moala, SBW and even Taminuvula. Are they all just keeping the jerseys warm ?

Wurzel

I've never known a player to have ownership of an All Black jersey quite like Ngatai. The way he's talked about 'round here he's the first name Hansen puts on the team sheet.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="605012" data-time="1470900908">
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I've never known a player to have ownership of an All Black jersey quite like Ngatai. The way he's talked about 'round here he's the first name Hansen puts on the team sheet.
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</blockquote>
 
Yeah apparently he's gonna walk into the team and put all the other pretenders into their rightful place and some guy I've never heard of will be joining him. Sweet.

pakman

Presume Todd has joined squad as cover? Has there been any publicity about players for game of three halves, other than Bus is only Hurricane playing?

Nairobi

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="605005" data-time="1470897727">
off the top of my head I'd say those two have a combined All Black career of about 10 minutes.....and all of those belong to Ngatai. 
That's pretty fucken rough on Crotty, Fekitoa, Moala, SBW and even Taminuvula. Are they all just keeping the jerseys warm ?</blockquote>
 
In my opinion ALB has the biggest upside out of all those names you have there. Ngatai was the real deal but has shit luck with injuries. 
SBW is off course the incumbent but age is not on his side. I don't rate the others much.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="604786" data-time="1470849167">
<div>
Moala deserves a crack at 13. His defence since moving to 13 this season (Blues/one ABs test) has been excellent.
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</blockquote>
 
As long as he passes the ball. Neither Fekitoa or Moala are great distributors, but I would prefer Moala on form.

gollum

I'm less worried re our 13's distribution, more with their organisation of the defensive line. The prospect of Folau or Bosch coming into the backline against a Fekitoa run backline D gives me the shits. 
 
Especially as the end result will be Dagg having to try & cover the mess, slipping of a miracle tackle on Folau & having the fern berate his shithouse defence. Or Savea stuck in no mans land covering 2 guys & the Fern asking why his D is so awful after being great just a year ago.

antipodean

I don't share the same overriding concern about Fekitoa's defensive alignment abilities. He's not the only one making calls out there. Whoever is at 13 is working with his wingers and fullback. Both Dagg and Ben are pretty vocal too. Also Fekitoa has made some excellent tackles . It's a strong part of his game and if he wasn't communicating I bet the coaches would know.

gollum

And they'd flag it by picking 3 other guys who can play 13 & giving them a run there...

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="605057" data-time="1470916672">
<div>
I'm less worried re our 13's distribution, more with their organisation of the defensive line. The prospect of Folau or Bosch coming into the backline against a Fekitoa run backline D gives me the shits. 
 
Especially as the end result will be Dagg having to try & cover the mess, slipping of a miracle tackle on Folau & having the fern berate his shithouse defence. Or Savea stuck in no mans land covering 2 guys & the Fern asking why his D is so awful after being great just a year ago.
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</blockquote>
 
They don't need to be "miracle" attempts for Dagg to miss 'em.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="605066" data-time="1470919499">
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They don't need to be "miracle" attempts for Dagg to miss 'em.

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</blockquote>
TBF, at least Dagg got a hand (fingertip) on him, May also made the two white Smith's look silly and stationary before even getting to Dagg and they're two of the Fern's greatest heroes.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="605073" data-time="1470922659">
TBF, at least Dagg got a hand (fingertip) on him, May also made the two white Smith's look silly and stationary before even getting to Dagg and they're two of the Fern's greatest heroes.</blockquote>
 
You're right, Conrad did make the initial error (not Ben though). Maybe you can go and discuss that on the Pau rugby forum and their upcoming selection debates. 
Cheers

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="605088" data-time="1470924922">
<div>
You're right, Conrad did make the initial error (not Ben though). Maybe you can go and discuss that on the Pau rugby forum and their upcoming selection debates. 
Cheers
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</blockquote>
 
Yip, that video proves the point - centre (and a great centrre at that) fucks up, Fern go to town on Dagg.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad