All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>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) </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="574727" data-time="1461574642">
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<p>Class over many years at the highest level</p>
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<p>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. </p> -
<p>Whichever way you cut it, it's going to be a really shit month for Wales :(</p>
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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). <br><br>
Right now, I'd pick Bender on the wing with either Dmac or Dagg at the back.<br><br>
Interesting question will be whether all 6 get selected. Seems like 1 too many - how big is the squad? Who'll be unlucky? -
<p>30???</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Outsides would have to be: Savea, Smith, McKenzie, Dagg (Ngatai and Barrett can also cover Fullback)</p>
<p>On the cusp: Lowe</p>
<p>Injured: Nahalo, NMS, Ranger</p>
<p>Sevens: R Ioane</p>
<p>Too Old: Jane</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
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<p>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. </p>
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<p>Don't disagree at all but you asked.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
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<p>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. </p>
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<p> </p>
<p>So you're saying DMac is the Cullen to Daggs Glen Osborne ?</p> -
<p>My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending;</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>15. Ben Smith</p>
<p>14. Waisake Naholo</p>
<p>13. Malakai Fekitoa</p>
<p>12. Ryan Crotty</p>
<p>11. Julian Savea</p>
<p>10. Aaron Cruden</p>
<p>9. Aaron Smith</p>
<p> </p>
<p>8. Kieran Read (c)</p>
<p>7. Sam Cane</p>
<p>6. Jerome Kaino</p>
<p>5. Sam Whitelock</p>
<p>4. Brodie Rettalick</p>
<p>3. Owen Franks</p>
<p>2. Dane Coles</p>
<p>1. Joe Moody</p>
<p> </p>
<p>16. Codie Taylor</p>
<p>17. Wyatt Crockett</p>
<p>18. Charlie Faumuina</p>
<p>19. Luke Romano</p>
<p>20. Ardie Savea</p>
<p>21. Brad Weber</p>
<p>22. Beaudan Barrett</p>
<p>23. Damian McKenzie</p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p> -
<p>I'm quite interested to see people just accepting DMac is a 10. He's going great guns at 15, no doubt and of course he's played 10 in the past. But I can't even recall when that was, or if he put in a half decent performance? I'd be concerned going into a test match against any tier 1 with him as our 10 off the bench (at this stage).</p>
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As Steve is fond of pointing out; the class of players is how well they stand up at the business end of the competition.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574710" data-time="1461572127"><p>
That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. <br><br></p></blockquote>
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On what basis? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574744" data-time="1461576385"><p>
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). <br></p></blockquote>
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3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="574763" data-time="1461578546"><p>
My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending;<br><br><br>
15. Ben Smith<br>
14. Waisake Naholo<br>
13. Malakai Fekitoa<br>
12. Ryan Crotty<br>
11. Julian Savea<br>
10. Aaron Cruden<br>
9. Aaron Smith<br><br>
8. Kieran Read (c)<br>
7. Sam Cane<br>
6. Jerome Kaino<br>
5. Sam Whitelock<br>
4. Brodie Rettalick<br>
3. Owen Franks<br>
2. Dane Coles<br>- Joe Moody<br><br>
- Codie Taylor<br>
- Wyatt Crockett<br>
- Charlie Faumuina<br>
- Luke Romano<br>
- Ardie Savea<br>
- Brad Weber<br>
- Beaudan Barrett<br>
- Damian McKenzie<br><br>
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.</p></blockquote>
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Pretty close I reckon.<br><br>
Have doubts about Naholo and his fitness. I'm leaving righr wing open on that basis<br><br>
BB and DMac won't both mae the match day squad barring several injuries. BB for me.<br><br>
So bring in another midfielder to replace DMac. That's Ngatai. But he starts at 12. Fekitoa drops to the bench and covers wing. <br><br>
I think you're right with Romano, but wouldn't mind Tupolotu or Luatua.
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It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII?<br><br>
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development?<br><br>
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game?<br><br>
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon.<br><br>
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane.<br><br>
I am dead set against moving Ben Smith. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574776" data-time="1461580830"><p>3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well</p></blockquote>
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Like Bones, I wasn't counting Dmac as an out and out 10. <br><br>
So:<br><br>
Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga<br><br>
Bender, Dagg, Dmac -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574781" data-time="1461581641">
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<p>It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII?<br><br>
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development?<br><br>
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game?<br><br>
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon.<br><br>
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane.<br><br><strong>I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.</strong></p>
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<p>Me too but the rational part of my brain can see why they'd move him (as you alluded to in the line above), it just doesn't seem right tampering with something so obviously not broken - also his world cup campaign deserves a status as the incumbent </p>