All Blacks vs Wales

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="582253" data-time="1464086073">
Not sure there is much use having both Barrett and Dagg on the bench - if Ngatai can't go then someone like Moala would be useful (covers wing, midfield)</blockquote>Moala's strengths are his versatility and athleticism? But what about his composure and temperament? I'm not entirely sold on him based on what I've seen on the Blues backline this year. Does he have the goods to develop into a world class player? I'd love him to be the new Ma'a Nonu but he doesn't seem to have Nonu's passing skills, balance or work rate. 
The advantage of both Barrett and Dagg is that they are proven performers at the highest level: World Cup knock outs and Tests in South Africa. Both are seasoned internationals. To be honest, I see Moala as a project player at this stage, worth a spot in the wider squad but probably not in the first test line-up.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="582515" data-time="1464151401">
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Moala's strengths are his versatility and athleticism? But what about his composure and temperament? I'm not entirely sold on him based on what I've seen on the Blues backline this year. Does he have the goods to develop into a world class player? I'd love him to be the new Ma'a Nonu but he doesn't seem to have Nonu's balance or work rate. 
The advantage of both Barrett and Dagg is that they are proven performers at the highest level: World Cup knock outs and Tests in South Africa. Both are seasoned internationals. To be honest, I see Moala as a project player at this stage, worth a spot in the squad but probably not in the first test.
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I'm talking purely of the makeup of the bench in the team you named.
 
Having both Barrett and Dagg on the bench doesn't seem the right balance. Moala was just the first player that I could think of that would fit that the role of midfield covering wing. Someone like a Richard Buckman would fit that role as well (if he was fit and playing like he was last year).

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582487" data-time="1464148508">
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Chris, I have adjusted yours for my guess of what I think they will go with
 
Owen Franks 
Charlie Faumuina <strike>Jeff Toomaga-Allen</strike> 
Dane Coles 
Codie Taylor 
Nathan Harris 
Joe Moody 
Wyatt Crockett <strike>Kane Hames</strike> 
Sam Whitelock 
Brodie Retallick 
Patrick Tuipolotu 
Luke Romano
Dominic Bird 
Jerome Kaino 
Stephen Luatua <strike>Jordan Taufua</strike>
Matt Todd
Luke Whitelock 
Sam Cane 
Ardie Savea 
Kieran Read 
Aaron Smith 
Brad Weber 
TJ Perenara 
Aaron Cruden 
Lima Sopoaga 
Beauden Barrett 
Ryan Crotty 
Malakai Fekitoa 
Charlie Ngatai 
Julian Savea 
Waisake Naholo 
Ben Smith
Damian McKenzie <strike>Israel Dagg</strike>
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No chance that they are only taking 4 props.
 
I definitely think Moala is valuable as well. No one else in the squad can play midfield and wing.

Crucial

I reckon 5 props in the official squad and one or two others invited to training.

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="582515" data-time="1464151401">
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Moala's strengths are his versatility and athleticism? But what about his composure and temperament? I'm not entirely sold on him based on what I've seen on the Blues backline this year. Does he have the goods to develop into a world class player? I'd love him to be the new Ma'a Nonu but he doesn't seem to have Nonu's passing skills, balance or work rate....
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Neither did Nonu when he was first picked for NZ. If ever there was a player that dramatically changed my perception of their skills and worth it was Nonu.

mariner4life

It's apparently very easy for people to forget what Nonu was like 2003-2008. He certainly was not the best 12 i have ever seen, like he was over the past few years (that's right, I'm calling it, he was better than Horan by the end). 
 
Suspect hands, suspect temperament, suspect workrate, suspect vision, suspect passing. In addition to the best 12 i have seen, he may also be the player who most improved/evolved over his career i ever saw. 2003 Nonu and 2015 Nonu are worlds apart.

dogmeat

I'm not certain about best 12 but most improved given how mediocre he was for a while is a very good call

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="582565" data-time="1464157066">
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It's apparently very easy for people to forget what Nonu was like 2003-2008. He certainly was not the best 12 i have ever seen, like he was over the past few years (that's right, I'm calling it, he was better than Horan by the end). 
 
Suspect hands, suspect temperament, suspect workrate, suspect vision, suspect passing. In addition to the best 12 i have seen, he may also be the player who most improved/evolved over his career i ever saw. 2003 Nonu and 2015 Nonu are worlds apart. 
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So you're saying he's Kata like? ;)
 
The 2003 version of Nonu busted defences apart, but I think he dropped off the boil a bit not long after (maybe 2nd year blues?), but agree 100% that he's probably the player who improved the most over his career.
 
Not sure I agree he's better than Horan ... but maybe I have Stockholm Syndrome being a Sydney-ite now.

Bones

Is everyone too scared to say it? We need a 6/8 that covers lock? Welcome back lucky Luke.

cgrant

Both Canes props have improved greatly this year as far as scrum is concerned. I had big doubts about JTA's qualities as a scrummager but he has done surprisingly well during the last four rounds. As NZ THP stocks are thin, maybe he could get a call, at least in a wider squad for training. Goodes is the third best LHP in NZ. He could get a call as well.
I don't see Mitch Graham nor Hohneck in the mix while Ofa T chances have diminished dramatically since the game vs the Crusaders.

pukunui

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="582598" data-time="1464160185">
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Is everyone too scared to say it? We need a 6/8 that covers lock? Welcome back lucky Luke.
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I had noticed that in Crucial's team, along with Chris Bird, but my reply asking him if he was drunk didn't go through due to dodgy internet.
 
Surely not, It would all be based off the one game vs the Crusaders. I would have all of Dixon, Thompson, Luatua, Squire, Fifita and Seu before him for that role. I would probably even pick Jimmy Tupou or Shields before Whitelock.
 
Don't see any reason to pick Dom Bird either. Has never shown anything above ITM cup level IMO. Would hope Scott Barrett and Fatialofa would get a shot before him because they have actually shown some form.

mariner4life

Horan was better for longer, but Nonu was fucking unreal for the last 4 years

Crucial

The team I listed was a guess at who I think will be picked not who I would pick based on form past and present 
These selectors have been pretty good at identifying players and I think will give ones like Harris, Tuipolotu and Whitelock another go. 
As for props, Laulala will still be in their sights for next year so will cast the net out a bit this year without necessarily locking in a newbie.

Chris B.

Watched The Breakdown. Goldie picked Tu'ungafasi as someone who can play both sides - a reasonable concept in my view - provided he doesn't actually have to play. :)
 
Dixon and Taufua as the blindside forwards (Luatua not mentioned). Some mention that Kaino may not be fit and he'd penciled in Luke Whitelock as replacement!
 
Tamanivalu as 4th midfielder - fair enough.
 
I think he had McKenzie and not Dagg.
 
I think he might have had Scott Barrett and not Romano.
 
Various others mentioned in the discussions, similar to here.

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="582255" data-time="1464086710">
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No love for Roberts or Davies ? best midfield partnership in the game surely......
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There is a fair bit more to both their games that you will see under Gatlandball.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="582664" data-time="1464171306">
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Watched The Breakdown. Goldie picked Tu'ungafasi as someone who can play both sides - a reasonable concept in my view - provided he doesn't actually have to play. :)
 
Dixon and Taufua as the blindside forwards (Luatua not mentioned). Some mention that Kaino may not be fit and he'd penciled in Luke Whitelock as replacement!
 
Tamanivalu as 4th midfielder - fair enough.
 
I think he had McKenzie and not Dagg.
 
I think he might have had Scott Barrett and not Romano.
 
Various others mentioned in the discussions, similar to here.
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Tu'ungafasi would be good to have in the squad as a sixth prop. He is already a great prop aside from the fact he can't scrummage (which makes him a shit prop). Get his scrumming up to speed and he will be very handy to have.
 
Tamanivalu is a bit too raw for me but has been impressive. I reckon he will make the squad at some point.

Provincial Stalwart

Further to chris: Watching the breakdown too. John kirwan has surfaced as a pundit. He specifically mentioned he had a raging hard-on for liam squire. 
Goldie picked a squad on behalf of the panel I.e. picked who he wanted. Had tamanivalu and also picked Barrett over Romano. The panel seemed keen on picking two halfbacks and leaving TJP on the training paddock.

pukunui

Tu'ungafasi can't even start consistently for the blues. Is he really AB standard? I realise he has been in training camps etc. 
Am i the only one who thinks luke whitelock should be nowhere near an AB jersey?

Canes4life

Surely Goodes is the 6th best prop in NZ. He has not only been killing it this year for the Canes but he was also dominant last year aswell. I suppose being confined to loose-head doesn't work in his favour due to Moody and Crockett being the incumbents but he shits all over Tu'ungafasi in terms of work rate and scrummaging. 
 
To be quite honest the matches I've seen Tu'ungafasi play over the last few years he has been pretty average, definitely not upto All Black standards. I remember one of his team mates even yelled at him because he was busy sea-gulling outwide.

Canes4life

Even mentioning Luke Whitelock makes me cringe. He plays one good game against the Highlanders and all of a sudden he warrants selection. Please!! Guys like Dixon, Squire, Blade Thomson and Steven Luatua are consisitantly better than him. I am quietly happy the Highlanders have Whitelock starting ahead of Squire this week because the back of the scrum has rapidly gone from a point of strength to a point of weakness IMO.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales