All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>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 <em>if </em>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="587154" data-time="1465728267">
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<p>Duley caught Rupeni, Davis ran down Ralph.</p>
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<p>My favourite was watching Mike Speight catch Joe Leota in a Waikato-Canterbury game. Leota was a former national sprint champ.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>I'm just saying it happens to the fastest* of us.</p>
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<p>* By the time I was in London I was a loosehead prop</p> -
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 .
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<p>Hansen doesn't actually mess around in press conferences with inferences, codes or subterfuge.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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" </p>
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<p>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</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="587226" data-time="1465767047">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="587285" data-time="1465775895">
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<p>Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="587299" data-time="1465776843">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>They are process over results people. Not saying results aren't important, but they get results by looking at the sum of the parts. </p> -
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<p>How did we get 28 pages without decent mention that we've pulled the double whammy of Barnes and Ayoub tonight?</p>
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<p>Nostradamus post this one!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="587099" data-time="1465720221">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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)</p>
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<p>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. </p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>The laser beam on his forehead was particularly effective, though</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514"><p>
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. <br><br>
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.</p></blockquote>
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Chief's fan ... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="587106" data-time="1465721584">
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<p>How much time does the guy need? He has been a professional rugby player for a good while now. <strong>As usual he showed poor (shocking) distance and variable accuracy.</strong> I hope Sopoaga gets a shot this series, there is little to separate those 2 in my mind, Cruden obviously a lot more experienced.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>I thought his general play and field kicking were effective.</p> -
<p>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.</p>
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<p>Don't get me wrong, Sopoaga is class, but he's a level below Cruden at the moment.</p> -
<p>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 , </p>
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<p>And it is not that Lima is bad in this area ,he is pretty good too, i just think Cruden is exceptionally good, </p>
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<p>But Lima has goalkicking , and a harder running game , splitting hairs really, </p>
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<p>I think we probably need to see more of Lima at test level to really judge him </p> -
That break Cruden made that lead to Barnes having a brain snap was classic Cruden. Holding the ball up while the defense hung off, then ghosting through the gap. Just like the situation at 7 its great to have some depth (with experience) to fill in the massive hole left by two "goats".<br>
Would be nice if we could say the same about midfield. However once SBW comes back that might not be such an issue.
