AB's v Wales
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This is Wales’ best shot since 2004 but the changes don’t make us worse than last weak. I think fully fit Luke will be more effective than Crocked Read, I expect heaps of tackles from him and Cane with Squire able to play wider. You would also expect Sam Whitelock to have a lot more opportunities with the arm band in the future. If we can get through this we will just be that much deeper for next year.
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After Whitelock (L) was leaked only surprise Rieko. Seems shoulder not right but they're choosing to risk it. But one decent fall away from further injuring it and reconstruction time.
Odd that after replacing JK Akira is on outer -- or do ABs see him as 6 only? -
@pakman said in AB's v Wales:
After Whitelock (L) was leaked only surprise Rieko. Seems shoulder not right but they're choosing to risk it. But one decent fall away from further injuring it and reconstruction time.
Odd that after replacing JK Akira is on outer -- or do ABs see him as 6 only?I think with Squire being tasked with playing fairly wide, they want someone who is comfortable playing a tighter role. And that's certainly Whitelock.
So yeah, they see Ioane as more of a 6 option.
I've been impressed by Whitelock for the past couple of seasons so don't think he doesn't deserve to be there. Ioane's time will come.
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So do some posters still think that Akira Ioane is higher up the pecking order than Luke Whitelock? I'm very happy for Luke, he was gifted a test cap years before he was actually ready, and was perhaps deservedly ridiculed by some people because of this. However he has become a very reliable and accurate player for both Canterbury and the Highlanders and has thoroughly deserved this call-up. I hope he plays really well.
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@kiwimurph that too....haha
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@kiwimurph said in AB's v Wales:
@cantab79 As an 8 sure. Its quite clear ABs see Akira as a 6 at this stage.
Which means he’s going to have to work even harder because it seems right now Akira is 3rd or 4th blindside option
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@act-crusader I think he just needs to keep improving - he's the youngest of the bunch. He'll have plenty of opportunity in Super Rugby to push his claims. He certainly had a better 2017 than 2016 but still has a long way to develop further.
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my bet on Wales is looking better and better.
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@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:
my bet on Wales is looking better and better.
Good on you for trying not to sound so happy
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@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:
my bet on Wales is looking better and better.
Well, if not that then at least the 18.5 point start.
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@milk the margin betting is ridiculous
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@mariner4life did you get that on TAB or elsewhere?
what are other betting agencies odds? TAB are always skewed heavily when ABs play anyone.
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@taniwharugby Sportsbet. Wales out to $8 now. Line at 17.5
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@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:
@taniwharugby Sportsbet. Wales out to $8 now. Line at 17.5
The 18.5 points start is at the NZ tab. ($6 head to head)
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Luke Whitelock starting at 8 shows our lack of depth in that position. The coaches have to bear some responsibility there, they haven't developed anyone at all in that position. They seemed to try Ardie for a while but then canned that and haven't done anything since.
I hope Luke goes well, as others have noted he's not the player he was when he first made the team, so I'm confident he will make a good go of it.
