All Blacks vs Wales

hydro11

If there are only a couple of changes for the 2nd test, we won't see massive changes for the 3rd test either. There is no point giving Sopoaga a go with Perenara at 9 or something. If you want to see how players react, you need to basically pick your best team and then slot in a few players you want to test out.

Siam

The game reminded me of the old Auckland teams of the 80's in that the opposition were never supposed to win, played bloody well and had a lot of us thinking, "shit, this might be it", then the fitness and experience and accurate firepower kicked in in the last 20 minutes and, by the final 10 minutes, you pretty much forgot you were thinking "shit, this might be it"
 
Was a bit weird not having Richie there followed by the thought that he "wouldn't be back from injury next time"
 
It's time to reset expectations and game play assessments of the AB's sans the "greats" again - if only for a different way and a bit of fun to view our national team
 
Was shag keeping it simple and lots of variations up his sleeve? We only did spin it straight out or put up a league/AFL kick for the wingers
 
How many tries late in the game do we score from two men out like the one Read scored - was a feature of the WC also
 
Fuck off Barnes. Yes yes we know you're in charge. The clue is the whistle in your gob, the plum in your mouth and the carrot up your arse
 
Am I the only one who:
a- feels sympathy for Big Jules?
b- knows exactly why he's not performing to his level?
answers below
 
Well done Welshies. Seriously and sincerely. Great reminder that Wales can play bloody good rugby and have bloody good players. Took chances and tackled like demons. North beat about half a dozen All Blacks and Biggar is committed and skilled. Webb would make the AB bench and Faletau just goes about his business and doesn't give a fuck. Jenkins has been much maligned at times but should be close to being a welsh great IMO. However like teams that played Auckland in the 80's, fitness and applying pressure for a full eighty separates the best from the bloody goods
 
The writing off of the Welsh side pre match on here was shown to be an unnecessary and ugly piece of "australianism" (sorry NTA , Barbs etc but the Fox promo for the Cook Cup was tacky and even Eddie mentioned it to Mardo )
 
I think I'm influenced by that bloody hand on heart bollocks but I'm getting tired of saying (mentally) "well done TJ" when the little shit just gets the basics right
 
Dagg might play fullback but won't make those big breaks that Bender does - we score from those things
 
 
Was stoked to see Naholo fearlessly put his head down and charge to the line for a try from a tap - all commitment and being pissed off for errors was my summation. Think he was trying too hard but by christ lad don't ever hungus the ball in that opportunity at the other end again
 
Good skippers knock Reado. It's a different looking team without the older boys doing all the organising.
 
Have thought (this year) that Fekitoa is going to be another 2 year midfielder for the AB's. Just not enough in his game and something puzzles me about him (could be his weird gait or those freaky fuckin eyes!). Suggest his agent keeps a copy of any overseas offers. A view reinforced by watching Jordie Barrett too (gulp)
 
A wins a win. It's a new dawn. Better to win ugly (ish) than lose pretty. and any other cliche
 
The Bus
a- fuck he's trying his heart out but shit ain't working. His haka (always a portent) was full of hope and effort. His missed tackles (can't excuse them) were followed by dramatic admonishments but my sympathy/consideration for him comes from the FUCKING awesome stat of 39 test trys from 42 games - way to smash your AB winger KPI's !!
 
b- the silly little shit got married. Too young, and since then his game has suffered. :ireful: Why these bloody kids get hitched so young when they should be reaping (quietly mind) the benefits of AB stardom baffles me. And FFS if she is a keeper (unlikely but you never know), then the little baggage will wait till you sign the lucrative deal in fucking France, so keep the bloody minx at arm's length...rant mumble curse ...bloody kids and the fucking illusion of marriage.
 
rant over, but Shag (I know you read this forum because how else did Ardie get a game), give the bus one more ticket if only for 39/42.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587140" data-time="1465725566">
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During 2005 to 2009, Sivi played 43 tests and Rok 38.
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Well, you actually said the four wings time of Gear, Sivi, Howlett and Roks and that ended in 2007.

pakman

Looking towards next two tests, I think the plan will be for Sopoanga to start in Dunedin. So if Barrett is to get a start it would be in second. Assuming Sam fit I expect he'll be only change to starting eight. On forward bench could see Taylor get a run. Props and Ardie pick themselves. So only area of intrigue whether Dixon/Squire get a taste or Patrick T kept as supersizedsub. In backs hear Ngatai still out, and not sure how TKB's thumb is. But if Barrett got a start I imagine they'll stick with Crotty/Fekitoa, although I'd like to see them swap jerseys. Think Bus needs maintenance, so could see Dagg start and Naholo/Benda wings. Back bench would be TJP/TKB, Crudes and Tamanivalu or Moala, whom I'd like to see get a run at 12 against Roberts. The big problem with Barrett starting is that his dynamic impact is lost -- so balance to be struck -- might argue for Lima on bench.

rotated

Are you thinking Barrett gets a start at first-five pakman? Reading the tea leaves if he is going to start it will have to be at fullback. They just don't see him as an out-and-out option at 10 - especially with Cruden & Lima playing so well.
 
A potential option in the third test (assuming Savea continues to start which is far from certain) is a Barrett/Smith/Savea back three, with Naholo off the bench. Yes Naholo provides limited coverage on his own, but with Smith likely to play 80 you have coverage for every eventuality. I would also not be averse to a three fullback selection of Barrett/Smith/Dagg in the third test, just to give all a decent chunk of playing time.
 
Naholo's effectiveness off the bench is something to be looked at, because once NMS is back he could very well be not only out of the XV, but on the very fringes of the squad.

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="587154" data-time="1465728267">
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Duley caught Rupeni, Davis ran down Ralph.
 
My favourite was watching Mike Speight catch Joe Leota in a Waikato-Canterbury game. Leota was a former national sprint champ.
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I was playing at 10 in a junior high school level game vs. Piopio College and got slowly stepped by a hooker. Dane Coles he was not.
 
I'm just saying it happens to the fastest* of us.
 
* By the time I was in London I was a loosehead prop

kiwiinmelb

Listening to foxy on Sunday morning talk about Starters and finishers , and then describe Barrett as the best finisher in the world , I can't see them starting him anytime soon unless they have to .

Siam

Hansen doesn't actually mess around in press conferences with inferences, codes or subterfuge.
 
What he says about the future (team selections mostly) pretty much comes to pass. In April he mentioned Dixon, McKenzie, Ardie and Squire and lo and behold, come June it all pans out.
 
So on the herald website and the press conference video (<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11655265'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11655265</a>) he says "There might be one or two changes but I wouldn't think there'll be too many if any" 
 
So perhaps Whitelock to come in and maybe a front row bench change for rotation. Possibly the Bus gets thrown under one but at the end of the day the series win is at stake and he doesn't have a lot to "fix" more an opportunity for players to improve their timings, confidence and combinations. Well that's my take on it all anyway

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="587226" data-time="1465767047">
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Naholo's effectiveness off the bench is something to be looked at, because once NMS is back he could very well be not only out of the XV, but on the very fringes of the squad.
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Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="587285" data-time="1465775895">
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Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.
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I think a guy who has found his way to the line 39 times in 42 tests has more runs on the board than a guy who whilst electric in attack has a few basic work ons in terms of skills.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="587299" data-time="1465776843">
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I think a guy who has found his way to the line 39 times in 42 tests has more runs on the board than a guy who whilst electric in attack has a few basic work ons in terms of skills.
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The strength of these selectors is they know what they want in each position and look for it. Whatever Savea has done, if he isn't delivering what they want now, he's gooooooone. Likewise, if they think Naholo brings more of those attributes than Savea, then he's in.
 
They are process over results people. Not saying results aren't important, but they get results by looking at the sum of the parts.

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="586285" data-time="1465630591">
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How did we get 28 pages without decent mention that we've pulled the double whammy of Barnes and Ayoub tonight?
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Nostradamus post this one!

Marty

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="587099" data-time="1465720221">
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Big difference looking good coming on in the last 10 min against a team out on their feet. I'd hazard a guess that if the roles were reversed Cane would have made just as much impact coming off the bench as he has done in the past.
 
As expected rusty All Black team and exposed on defence a couple of times. Only real change I would make if Steve tracks me down for my opinion is drop J. Savea and bring in Dagg. I'm a big fan of having two fullbacks on the field. (Only as long as Dagg is told not to do the River Dance before trying to take on the line)
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Also in support of Cane, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. 
 
I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.
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The laser beam on his forehead was particularly effective, though

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
Also in support of Cane, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. 
I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</blockquote>
 
Chief's fan ...

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="587106" data-time="1465721584">
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How much time does the guy need? He has been a professional rugby player for a good while now. As usual he showed poor (shocking) distance and variable accuracy. I hope Sopoaga gets a shot this series, there is little to separate those 2 in my mind, Cruden obviously a lot more experienced.
 
 
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Cruden's kicking wasn't terrible - he kicked 6 from 9 which is the same outcome as Biggar's 4 from 6. Biggar is an outstanding goalkicker and no-one is rushing to criticise him. Cruden's misses included a wide angled conversion (of J. Savea's try) and his first kick, a long kick (45-48m) which hit the posts but was well above crossbar height.
 
As for your comment regarding "poor (shocking) distance" - Cruden was well short on one attempt (though not with another as stated above). He completely butchered that miss - the the second half penalty from a generous angle at about 45m tops - which is is unacceptable and a bit like a golfer getting under his drive. Fluffing a penalty attempt seems less acceptable than a conversion as no charge-down is allowed. In addition the game was tight at that time. I'm not sure why Cruden's technique seems to falter at times, but I though he struck 8 out of 9 kicks well.
 
I thought his general play and field kicking were effective.

No Quarter

If the only thing Sopoaga has over Cruden is goal kicking then that is not enough to get him the starting spot. We're not bloody England (no offense English posters), we want a first five that knows how to play attacking footy. There is none better then Cruden in that regard at the moment.
 
Don't get me wrong, Sopoaga is class, but he's a level below Cruden at the moment.

pukunui

Is he a level below Cruden as an attacking player though? Watching the highlanders and his one test i would say no. 
What Cruden has over him is experience. Not much else.

Hooroo

I don't really think that there is much between them but for me Cruden runs the backline better. Sopoaga is prolly a better attacker himself but I would rather have someone that is more profficient in marshalling his troops.

kiwiinmelb

I think if there is one area Cruden may have over him, is the ability to read what is in front of him with ball in hand , 
 
And it is not that Lima is bad in this area ,he is pretty good too, i just think Cruden is exceptionally good, 
 
But Lima has goalkicking , and a harder running game , splitting hairs really, 
 
I think we probably need to see more of Lima at test level to really judge him

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales