All Blacks vs Wales

Canes4life

When June roles around I would love to see this side run out to tackle the Welsh. Let the debate begin!!
 
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Rettalick
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Keiran Read (c)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Ben Smith (Cover 13)
15. Damian McKenzie (Goal Kicker)
Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Joe Moody
18. Charlie Faumauina
19. Blade Thomson (Covers 4, 5, 6, 8)
20. Ardie Savea
21. Brad Webber
22. Aaron Cruden
23. Israel Dagg

cgrant

Steven Luatua covers 4, 6 and 8. More physical than Thompson IMO.
Ngatai and Crotty in midfield if you want to deliver good munitions to the back three.
Moody instead of Crockett who reverses to the bench.
Crusaders fans would want to see Dagg rather than McKenzie at FB but I'll back the latter because it is a good occasion to test him at the highest level.

taniwharugby

I dont believe Cruden carries any value from the bench, similarly Sopoaga, so if they dont start, they dont make the 23...that being said, I think Cruden will start and BB will be the supersub on the bench, starting to look like he is in competition for that role with D-Mac, but with him on the bench, opens a space for Crotty (or Fekitoa depending on who ever you start)

gt12

Awful lot of fullback, and very little midfield cover in there C4L. 
Hard to argue with the starting pack. 
Cruden for Barrett. 
Dagg for Dmac. 
Crotty or Fekitoa to the bench with Barrett. 
Dmac in the squad. 
And TKB for Weber.

gt12

Actually, Moody to start over Crockett is a pretty likely scenario. 
Also, Luatua should be selected and if so, might be a better better than Thomson (although, I'd prefer the lock/loosies cover to be more lock than loosie). So would be looking at Tuipolotu, Big Barrett, Thomson or one of the young pups there. Suddenly a strong position for us. 
I'm picking Dagg to start with Cruden. Agree with TR, if he doesn't start he's not that useful (unless you play both Barrett & Dmac as C4L suggested). Can't see it. Barrett vs Dmac for the bench spot - still Barrett's for now.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="574696" data-time="1461570123">
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Steven Luatua covers 4, 6 and 8. More physical than Thompson IMO.
Ngatai and Crotty in midfield if you want to deliver good munitions to the back three.
Moody instead of Crockett who reverses to the bench.
Crusaders fans would want to see Dagg rather than McKenzie at FB but I'll back the latter because it is a good occasion to test him at the highest level.
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</blockquote>
 
McKenzie and Smith are in front of Dagg and Smith only moves to the right wing because Damian is too hard to ignore. Dagg has to prove himself against other NZ sides before I would consider him to be a starter. 
 
Luatua is more physical but Thomson has a higher skill set and is more mobile than Luatua. I believe he covers lock better a swell.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574699" data-time="1461570310">
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Awful lot of fullback, and very little midfield cover in there C4L. 
Hard to argue with the starting pack. 
Cruden for Barrett. 
Dagg for Dmac. 
Crotty or Fekitoa to the bench with Barrett. 
Dmac in the squad. 
And TKB for Weber.
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</blockquote>
 
B Smith can move to Centre. Fekitoa can move to 2nd five. That was my thinking behind those selections. Ryan Crotty just doesn't cut it for me, but I know he will be picked. He's just a journeyman type player in my view. I guess he will be the new Thrush of the All Blacks moving forward - a safe player who doesn't really set the world on fire by himself, however is solid enough to warrant international selection with his ability to contribute without doing much wrong.

taniwharugby

YOu are happy to move Ben Smith to 13, but describe Crotty as a journeyman....There is a reaosn they havent played Ben Smith at 13 since, what, 2013?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574709" data-time="1461571946">
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YOu are happy to move Ben Smith to 13, but describe Crotty as a journeyman....There is a reaosn they havent played Ben Smith at 13 since, what, 2013?
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That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. 
 
Crotty is a journeyman. You wouldn't even consider him if SBW was around. 
 
They also played Smith at 12 when they lost Nonu against the Safas in 2014. Hansen and co obviously respect his ability to be Mr fix it.

taniwharugby

just seems daft to not only move the best 15 in the game from 15 to 14, where he is also world class, but possibly to 13 where he is a journeyman, at the very best...when we dont really need to be squeezing so much in the backline and bench;
 
A Smith, Cruden, J Savea, Ngatai, Crotty, Smith, Dagg
TKB, Fekitoa, BB
 
Is where I'd go, Ngatai and Crotty are interchangable (both can play the other) Fekitoa can play 12 or wing if need be, BB is your back up 10/15, obviously Smith is back up 15 too.

Canes4life

Why is everyone so fixated with starting Dagg?? Really... He plays a couple good games for the Crusaders and everyone has him locked in at Fullback.
 
Questionable when McKenzie has simply been the best outside in NZ by far. He has been on fire for the Chiefs and he has the ability to kick goals aswell.
 
I guess its so hard to fit all these talented players into one match day squad..
 
Just goes to show the depth in New Zealand Rugby is as strong as ever.
 
 
 
 
.

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574726" data-time="1461574503">
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Why is everyone so fixated with starting Dagg?? Really... He plays a couple good games for the Crusaders and everyone has him locked in at Fullback.
 
Questionable when McKenzie has simply been the best outside in NZ by far. He has been on fire for the Chiefs and he has the ability to kick goals aswell.
 
 
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Class over many years at the highest level

taniwharugby

I think Daggs experience will win the day, already gonna be 4 other changes to the backline thst started the RWC final, not sure D-Mac will be rushed in...right now, I think he could push for the super-sub bench spot BB currently holds (in my team)

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="574727" data-time="1461574642">
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Class over many years at the highest level
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Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure.

MiketheSnow

Whichever way you cut it, it's going to be a really shit month for Wales :(

gt12

Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). 
Right now, I'd pick Bender on the wing with either Dmac or Dagg at the back. 
Interesting question will be whether all 6 get selected. Seems like 1 too many - how big is the squad? Who'll be unlucky?

Canes4life

30???
 
Outsides would have to be: Savea, Smith, McKenzie, Dagg (Ngatai and Barrett can also cover Fullback)
On the cusp: Lowe
Injured: Nahalo, NMS, Ranger
Sevens: R Ioane
Too Old: Jane

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
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Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
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Don't disagree at all but you asked.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
<div>
Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
So you're saying DMac is the Cullen to Daggs Glen Osborne ?

Cantab79

My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending;
 
 
15. Ben Smith
14. Waisake Naholo
13. Malakai Fekitoa
12. Ryan Crotty
11. Julian Savea
10. Aaron Cruden
9. Aaron Smith
 
8. Kieran Read (c)
7. Sam Cane
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Rettalick
3. Owen Franks
2. Dane Coles
1. Joe Moody
 
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Luke Romano
20. Ardie Savea
21. Brad Weber
22. Beaudan Barrett
23. Damian McKenzie
 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales