Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)

hydro11

I would go with Crotty/Fekitoa. If we want to put Ben Smith at 13, there are far better times for it.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="605767" data-time="1471320556">
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Smith to 13, Barrett to 15, Naholo at 14 and Dagg to 11. Would rather have capable hands in Dagg and Smith somewhat out of position that roll back the Crotty/Fekitoa experiment.
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Dagg is really a FB and I don't see him as anywhere near an international wing cover. Cory Jane could cover FB and wing much better no? Lets develop a 13 and leave Smith at 15 or 11.

kiwiinmelb

I think rather than throw too many experimental players out there , they will settle on Crotty Fekitoa to start in midfield , 
 
While it may not be every ones cup of tea , there is a heap of experience there

Gunner

Would be a hell of a surprise if it's not a Crotty/Fekitoa combo now. 
ALB looking good for a debut off the bench now, unless they use B Smith as midfield cover. 
As for calls for Ben to play centre. Wash your mouths out, he is ok covering midfield in case of injury during the game, but he stays at 14 or 15 for mine.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unite" data-cid="605753" data-time="1471316179">
Isn't every team now named on Thursday AM for Saturday Tests?</blockquote>
 
No, there's never been any sort of discernable pattern to the team announcement .

sparky

There is still the option of Barrett at 13.ðŸ˜‰

KiwiMurph

That really sucks for Moala - horrible timing - hopefully he can perhaps be back later in TRC but more likely EOYT.
 
I was really looking forward to see his strong running game in midfield.
 
Time for Fekitoa and perhaps even ALB to step up.

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="605780" data-time="1471329405">
That really sucks for Moala - horrible timing - hopefully he can perhaps be back later in TRC but more likely EOYT. 
I was really looking forward to see his strong running game in midfield. 
Time for Fekitoa and perhaps even ALB to step up.</blockquote>
Really sucks for Moala and for us. He was in excellent form and looked set to have a major impact in TRC. 
We are without our first three choice midfielders. Crotty is okay but hardly world class. Fekitoa's form is poor and he drops the ball too much. ALB looks like a project player with potential. Midfield is looking like an area of weakness for the ABs.

antipodean

Wallabies must be walk up favourites now with the All Blacks decimated by injury.
 
This is how the ARU are advertising - email in my inbox:
 
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/ZJstbAhl.png" alt="ZJstbAhl.png">

mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="605779" data-time="1471329100">
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There is still the option of Barrett at 13.
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i was thinking of BB at 12.. ala DC..

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="605782" data-time="1471329916">
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Really sucks for Moala and for us. He was in excellent form and looked set to have a major impact in TRC. We are without our first three choice midfielders. Crotty is okay but hardly world class. Fekitoa's form is poor and he drops the ball too much. ALB looks like a project player with potential. Midfield is looking like an area of weakness for the ABs.
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Some Ferners may not see Crotty as a first choice midfielder, but I'm reasonably convinced that he is for the selectors. Hansen said that he sees Crotty as a Conrad Smith type of player; a good communicator, solid on defence and making good decisions. The selectors don't expect Crotty to do the flashy stuff, unlike some of Ferners seem to expect from BOTH midfielders. I think we have only lost our first choice players for one of the midfield positions and, possibly, the midfield cover on the bench.

kiwiinmelb

I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though 
 
Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith

Unite

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="605801" data-time="1471338662">I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though 
Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith</blockquote>
 
Well they would be mad if they didn't!

antipodean

Crotty + Fekitoa midfield isn't going to lose us the Test.

gollum

I'd still prefer Crotty 13, Fekitoa 12, Fekitoa rushing out of the line is bad at 12, its terrible at 13.
 
Its worth bearing in mind before panicing that most of us at the start of the year were OK with that pairing till SBW came back. Its entirely possible that was the starting pair the selectors were leaning towards for big games in the RC. And the guys we are pining for are Ngatai who hasn't done shit in a black jersey & Moala who's had one solid game.
 
Add in the poms bitch slapped Aussie 3-0 with Joseph & Farrell as their centre unit. You can beat Aussie without destroying them in the centres.

pakman

On assumption Coles and Moody are rested the forward 13 likely to comprise Crockett/Taylor/Franks/Sam/BBBR/Cane/Kaino/Read/Hames/Harris/CharlieF/Savea and one of Squire/PatrickT. Ofa not ready to sub at LH. 
I expect they'll go with Smith/Cruden/Crotty/Fekitoa/Savea/Smith/Dagg to start with TKB/BB/Naholo bench. 
Harsh on TJP but he's really competing with Nugget to start. 
If it were me I'd like to give Sopoaga/Fekitoa/Crotty combo a try but recognise this is unlikely to be the game for that. 
Bus lucky but with GOTJ out too early to blood ALB.

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="605827" data-time="1471349030">
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On assumption Coles and Moody are rested the forward 13 likely to comprise Crockett/Taylor/Franks/Sam/BBBR/Cane/Kaino/Read/Hames/Harris/CharlieF/Savea and one of Squire/PatrickT. Ofa not ready to sub at LH. 
I expect they'll go with Smith/Cruden/Crotty/Fekitoa/Savea/Smith/Dagg to start with TKB/BB/Naholo bench. 
Harsh on TJP but he's really competing with Nugget to start. 
If it were me I'd like to give Sopoaga/Fekitoa/Crotty combo a try but recognise this is unlikely to be the game for that. 
Bus lucky but with GOTJ out too early to blood ALB.
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Why play Savea at 11 when he couldn't get a start for the Canes. Put Naholo at 11 (who also covers 14) Savea shouldn't make the matchday 23 - imo
 
Pat T has been great off the bench. Why think he might not even get a guaranteed spot on the reserves bench? He is a KEY impact player.
 
Hames adds far less off the bench than Ofa.
 
Barrett has probably been the best player in Super 16? Why not reward form? It is not as though he is inexperienced. He can always move to 15 later in the game. 
 
TJP has been better than TKB and is equal defensively.

pakman

If Moala had been fit I think Bus would have missed out. But Naholo/Smith/Dagg no Bus leaves ALB on bench which IMO is too early.
 
Pat T is massive, but my suspicion is that Squire might appeal owing to his greater mobility. The traditional weakness of Oz tighties would argue for Pat. 
 
If we wanted to start with our best scrum I'd go for Hames/Harris/Franks. Ofa is great in loose, but if Crockett were to cop an early injury Ofa on bench runs too much risk of AB scrum getting muntered for a long period. Check out Blues/Tahs, and that was Ofa on his favoured TH side!
 
I said I expect the above backs. Selectors have consistently indicated they are looking for the best overall performance -- and it appears they believe Cruden/BB is better than BB/Cruden or BB/Sopoaga. In some ways great problem to have?
 
At his best TJP is world class. But not sure I'd agree his D matches TKB, who can almost be like a fourth loosie. Again a case of the luxury of choice!

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="605828" data-time="1471350825">
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Hames adds far less off the bench than Ofa.
 
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Really? You must have forgotten the awful two penalty tries conceded when Tu'ungafasi was probably the most guilty part of the Blues scrum that was completely and utterly massacred by the Waratahs earlier this year.

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="605838" data-time="1471352043">
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1. If Moala had been fit I think Bus would have missed out. But Naholo/Smith/Dagg no Bus leaves ALB on bench which IMO is too early.
 
 
2. I said I expect the above backs. Selectors have consistently indicated they are looking for the best overall performance -- and it appears they believe Cruden/BB is better than BB/Cruden or BB/Sopoaga. In some ways great problem to have?
 
 
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Some good points, and you might be right about Ofa. I think starting Hames with Crockett as impact is better.
 
Per the above
1. Why not leave Bus on the bench and start Naholo at 11 rather than start Savea and put Naholo on the bench?
2. It appears they believe Cruden-BB is better BEFORE Barrett has had this breakout season. I hope Super form counts for something and that belief has changed.
Barrett is our best first-five. Why have him on for 20 minutes at the end and perhaps even at fullback. Why not start him at 10 and then move him to 15 if need be?

The Silver Fern

Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)