Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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If good old Charlie gets a run for the ABs will he be the first back for quite a while to wear headgear or am I forgetting someone obvious? My mind keeps going back to Mayerhofler (sp?) but surely there must have been someone since him.
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<p>Conrad wore some for a bit too didnt he?</p>
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<p>Has Ben Smith been promoted to All Blacks Vice Captain?</p>
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<p>Gregor Paul mentioned it at the end of this article: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11615523'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11615523</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="569075" data-time="1459547358">
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<p>Ryan Crotty Vs Charlie Ngatai for the 12 jersey is looking like one of those nice problems to have. Add SBW back in the mix from September and the ABs have strength in depth at second five.</p>
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<p>Not many challenges to Fekitoa at Centre so one of the above might shift across to the 13 jersey if there is an injury.</p>
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<p>I don't really know if Fekitoa has really grabbed his AB chances with both hands and he has had plenty of chances. I wouldn't be surprised if at the very least they consider the 13 jersey carefully as well.</p> -
<p>I think Fekitoa is odds on favourite for 13 at this stage, </p>
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<p>I would not be surprised, if they started either Ngatai or Crotty at 12 , with the one that misses out on the bench as midfield cover , and think they have enough wing cover with BSmith, Barrett and Fekotôa in that order</p> -
<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569497" data-time="1459633985">
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<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p>
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p> -
<p>yes thats the thing i hadnt taken a great deal of notice of until recently , is his long boot, </p>
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<p>We know about his attacking game but to have that back up long kick at 12 is a massive bonus </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569497" data-time="1459633985">
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<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p>
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<p>that is an interesting angle , </p>
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<p>maybe Ngatai 12, Crotty 13 is the perfectly balanced mix , and of the 3 Fekitoa is best suited as impact weapon </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="569482" data-time="1459626817">
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<p>After watching the highlanders, if Thompson keeps building he could be a smokey for backline utility I reckon, leapfrogging Moala.</p>
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<p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="569525" data-time="1459638936">
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<p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p>
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<p>Like Moala he started on the wing before gradually moving in.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="569525" data-time="1459638936"><p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p></blockquote>
Yeah what monkey said. With his style he looks like he'd be fairly comfortable at 13. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="569520" data-time="1459637964">
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p>
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<p>Well, I consider myself as a neutral and your comment is just as weird as anything weirdo Canterbury fans put out. Ngatai is looking good (and he is from my school!) but Crotty's game is proven at test level. His relatively mistake free game and good option taking translates well into test rugby. Hopefully when Ngatai gets his chance he will be just as good or better. Only time can tell. </p> -
<p>Definitely wouldn't be against a 12. Ngatai 13. Crotty (or vice versa). Two very solid players who can put other guys away and provide a threat themselves while keeping errors and brain farts low.</p>
<p>Ngatai'c combination with Cruden can only be a seen as a positive and both guys showed this weekend that they are a threat with ball in hand.</p>
<p>Happy with those two and Fekitoa as our top three with another possibly from Moala/Ranger/Thompson/Laumape/Lienert-brown? as a squad member to see if they have what it takes, super form pending obviously.</p>
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<p>Do we know what is happening with SBW? Will he be back after the Olympics for EOYT and 2017 or is that still up in the air? When is he contracted until?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="569520" data-time="1459637964">
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p>
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<p>Most people down here really rate Ngatai. He's an excellent player.</p>
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<p>The discussion was more about people writing off Crotty, despite the fact he's preformed excellent in Black when given an opportunity.</p>
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<p>Greg Martin mentioned in commentary that Ngatai doesn't have a left boot? Am I correct in assuming this is bullshit as Martin is an idiot.</p>
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<p>Moala I don;t think is ready to play 12 for the ABs. Devistating runner, but not much of a distribution or kicking game. And he's not the greatest defender at this stage of his career.</p>
