All Blacks vs Wales

sparky

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582693" data-time="1464177727">
Ive got a source close to Goodes and apparently the All Blacks coaches had a word with him about putting on a bit of beef in the off-season of this year. He has since done that going from 112kg last year to 116kg this year and it is doing wonders for him. So maybe he is higher up the pecking order now. Who knows. Hopefully his name will be read out on Sunday instead of Ofa.</blockquote> 
Is that a source or a sauce?

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="582696" data-time="1464181288">I hope that's what it is. You never can tell sometimes though.</blockquote>
To be honest, I actually wouldn't be surprised if Whitelock was selected. It most likely wouldn't be my pick but he's maturing as a player and has been there before. I don't think there's a heck of a lot between Thompson/Dixon/Barrett/Whitelock/Luatua. Myself I'd probably plump for Seu or Fatialofa if he can play blindside but I'd say Luatua is the frontrunner.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582682" data-time="1464173571">
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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.
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The reason I think they may look at Whitelock again sometime this year is that they identified him some time ago and he is finally (albeit one excellent performance) showing why.
I'm no fan of his based on what I have seen but I do accept the fact that these selectors identify plays based on specific skillsets and micro skills. Joe Moody is a good example. He looked to have jumped the queue when first selected but from things I have read, that was based on specific strength training numbers they had access to and the instinctive style they saw. Since then it has been a case of refining skill as they not only saw where the improvements were needed but how he had the ability to learn them as well. Some players don't seem to be able to improve but these wise men seem to be able to pick those that can. That is why they back themselves over players like Coles (who was nowhere near the world class player he is now) but shy away from guys like Elliott (who can do the job but isn't world class and doesn't have much improvement left in him).
Back to topic, I just have a feeling that if Whitelock puts in another big game against Vito, Shields and Savea (a good test) they will think that their original identification was good and it has finally come back to benefit them.
I don't expect to see him in a match 23, but he fits the bill of one of the guys already capped that they may want back in the fold for another look if the opportunity arises.

Frye

Yeah I think Dixon and Luatua are ahead of the rest for me. 
Luke Whitelock, Squires, Taufua and Blade Thompson tucked in a group behind. 
Taleni Seu is promising but raw. 
Akira Ioane is probably in the second group too but obviously not in the discussion right now.

Bovidae

It is still possible that some fringe players could play themselves in or out of the squad based on their performance this weekend. We have 2 AB trials for Hansen and co to finalise their selections.

SammyC

I also watched the breakdown, I don't think Luatua was mentioned once as an option.
 
Personally I'd have him as the second best 8 in the country (also plays the same wide running role that Read plays)
 
 
I've never seen Whitelock put in a dominant performance like last week, ever. Not even in club rugby, contrast that with Nasi Manu who looked like Jonah Lomu whenever he came back to play for Sydenham.
 
If he does it again this week, perhaps he's an option. But at this stage I'd be pretty annoyed if they picked him based on one game.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="582722" data-time="1464210781">
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I also watched the breakdown, I don't think Luatua was mentioned once as an option.
 
Personally I'd have him as the second best 8 in the country (also plays the same wide running role that Read plays)
 
 
I've never seen Whitelock put in a dominant performance like last week, ever. Not even in club rugby, contrast that with Nasi Manu who looked like Jonah Lomu whenever he came back to play for Sydenham.
 
If he does it again this week, perhaps he's an option. But at this stage I'd be pretty annoyed if they picked him based on one game.
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You seem to miss the point that the ABs have not been selected solely on form for a long time now. Form is only one factor in selection. Personal attributes, ability to play a certain type of game, ability to learn and absorb, particular skillsets, potential prospects and squad needs (such as whether a like for like or change up type backup is required) all come into it.
These attempts by fans such as us tend to be based almost solely on who we see playing well and there are many factors that we are in the dark about.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582770" data-time="1464219265">
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You seem to miss the point that the ABs have not been selected solely on form for a long time now. Form is only one factor in selection. Personal attributes, ability to play a certain type of game, ability to learn and absorb, particular skillsets, potential prospects and squad needs (such as whether a like for like or change up type backup is required) all come into it.
These attempts by fans such as us tend to be based almost solely on who we see playing well and there are many factors that we are in the dark about.
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I haven't missed the point, I'm well aware theres a chance they will take Whitelock
 
However..... in my opinion I don't think Whitelock has the ability to play the style of game the ABs want from their number 8. Just like Parsons is too slow for the hooker role.
 
 
He's obviously got the right personal attributes. All the Whitelocks probably do.

Nepia

At first I thought that Crucial was smoking something suggesting Whitelock on the basis of one good game, but then I remembered he was first picked off no good games. So anything is possible.
 
Although, from the moment Coles was picked as an AB he just went from strength to strength, and Whitelock kind of went the opposite.

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="582685" data-time="1464174425">
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I haven't seen anything from Ofa that makes me think he is close to AB standard. The big problem is that pickings at THP are extremely thin after Owen Franks and Faumuina. I'm not sure who else can be seriously considered other than Toomaga-Allen or Ofa?
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If Franks goes down, the best bet might be to go Rennie golden-oldies style??? (and be bloody angry about it)

Provincial Stalwart

No, Luatua wasn't mentioned in The Breakdown discussion - it was all Dixon, Taufua and Squire. Even Luatua's former coach SJK did not mention him. However, the graphic showing Goldie's team featured Luatua's name at the expense of Squire (and Luke Whitelock in if Kaino injured as Chris B mentioned).
 
I think Luatua is probably subjected by the ABs panel to a higher selection threshold than the other three mentioned above (plus any other uncapped player). Hansen et al have worked with him in 2013 and 2014 and have obviously identified his weakness(es) at test level during the time he was with them. Hansen et al have not worked with Dixon, Taufua, Squire at all, or to the same extent (Squire got a training camp in 2014 I think, and played those 40 min games vs Harbour and Northland?). These players may get into the squad (at Luatua's expense) so that the selectors can try them out and see whether the strengths shown and weaknesses exposed at SR level can be developed / ironed out. They're auditioning loose forwards for the test bench which is the way they tend to intoduce newbies in this era.
 
Hansen et al to my knowledge have not publicised Luatua's weaknesses other than fitness - but we know their nature is to give such players a list of things to work on. In the end, it may simply have been that the return of Kaino, and the gradual improvement in Vito (haivng been told to get more physical in 2013 and 2014) squeezed out Luatua by 2014 (Messam was a constant in 2013 and 2014). Or they may have identified that 8 is the position best suited to Luatua's skills and the ABs' needs.
 
In any case, we have seen numerous examples of players who were tried in the ABs, dropped, toiled away in the NPC level and come back to be excellent or very good test players. Kaino is a perfect example in that position, plus Messam and Vito.

mariner4life

I think Luatua deserves to be picked. However i am not sure i would be surprised if he missed out. I would however, be surprised if Taufua got called up.
 
Liam Squire is a player i have a lot of time for. He's quick, strong, runs good lines, and has a mean streak in him. I think he would be an asset if the national coaches could sand a few rough edges off him.

Crucial

Squire needs to get rid of that ugly mullet if he wants to wear black.

Provincial Stalwart

Jason Eaton should tell him a cautionary tale about All Blacks career longevity while packin' a mullet.

mariner4life

there is an image we need to uphold. Eaton was bad enough

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="582811" data-time="1464222062">
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there is an image we need to uphold. Eaton was bad enough
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A chick I worked with was on the receiving end of Eatons charms at a pub some years back, she obviously hadn't read the "hydro11s tips for dating in the 21st century" handbook though cos despite being extremely tall and big with intimidating facial hair she had the gall to actually turn him down.

hydro11

Can we keep this thread on topic please. It's a fucking test series.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="582827" data-time="1464223362">
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A chick I worked with was on the receiving end of Eatons charms at a pub some years back, she obviously hadn't read the "hydro11s tips for dating in the 21st century" handbook though cos despite being extremely tall and big with intimidating facial hair she had the gall to actually turn him down.
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She was tall with intimidating facial hair? Looks like Eaton dodged a potential chew the arm off situation there.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582834" data-time="1464223789">
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She was tall with intimidating facial hair? Looks like Eaton dodged a potential chew the arm off situation there.
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Yeah, should have explained in more detail. We called her Chewie.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="582810" data-time="1464222012">
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Jason Eaton should tell him a cautionary tale about All Blacks career longevity while packin' a mullet.
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He should take a leaf out of Sam Canes book. Cane has quite obviously modeled his do on the great god of the seven jersey and it is paying off.
Squire needs a sensible Kaino/Read haircut. See how well Luatua fared with his mop? Not good eh?

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales