All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>I guess that as wing options go, if either of Naholo or Savea get injured the choices are plain.</p>
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<p>Bring back Dagg and move Ben from accounts back to the flank</p>
<p>Bring in McKenzie and move Ben from accounts back to the flank</p>
<p>Leave Ben where he is and bring in a newbie (Moala, Lowe, FABJM, Nanai, Li, Osbourne) probably in that order, although They had a semi for Osbourne a while back for some reason.</p>
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<p>I don't see DMac as a viable wing option apart from if he is selected in the squad giving him a few minutes off the bench</p> -
<p>NMS will come back in with his proven ability to play Fullback and Wing at a world class level. Such a shame he wasn't able to kick on from his stellar 2015 year.</p>
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<p>The end of year outside backs pick themselves really unless someone else makes a huge statement between now and then.</p>
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<p>1. Ben Smith</p>
<p>2. Julian Savea</p>
<p>3. Nehe Milner Skudder</p>
<p>4. Waisaki Nahalo</p>
<p>5. Damian McKenzie</p>
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<p>You could consider Reiko Ioane more of a centre who can cover wing. He could be a bolter for the end of the year tour, however SBW will most likely come back in so there may be no room for him at this stage of his career.</p> -
<p>I would say that in the early stages of any AB career that Reiko may have he will be on the wing. He has shown nothing at a high level that singles him out as a test quality centre.</p>
<p>As someone else mentioned, even Kahui was considered a non centre and he was well proven at Super level.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="582877" data-time="1464227299">
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<p>Meg, great player but useless commentator and analyst.<br><br>
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<p>Dunno, I think he is fine when he has time to think things through as I enjoy reading his articles and when he is on LiveSport just talking about the games, when not in the heat of the moment of a game....which is odd cos I don't recall him getting almost everything wrong as a rugby player.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582895" data-time="1464228363">
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<p>NMS will come back in with his proven ability to play Fullback and Wing at a world class level. Such a shame he wasn't able to kick on from his stellar 2015 year.</p>
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<p>Proven world class level at wing only, so far.....................</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="582877" data-time="1464227299">
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<p>Meg, great player but useless commentator and analyst.</p>
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<p>He's a decent enough analyst and can provide some interesting input when he's writing a column. But he can't call a live game to save himself. He's the ultimate foot-in-mouth commentator. Something happens, he blurts out his opinion without thinking. Probably realises what he just said was bullocks when he gives it 1 - 2 seconds thought but it's too late so just goes with it. He does that about 50 times a game.</p>
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<p>Commentators just need to call the game without trying to give their bullshit opinions all the time. That's why Nisbo has been successful - he's bland and just calls the plays 90% of the time, though in more recent times he's been a bit whingy and opinionated, perhaps some of his colleagues are wearing off on him.</p>
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<p>Sumo is my favourite - calls the plays with real passion and throws in a bit of comic relief from time to time as, in the end, it is just a game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="582918" data-time="1464230802">
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<p>Proven world class level at wing only, so far.....................</p>
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<p>Fuck I wouldn't put him at fullback in a test after seeing his work under the high ball.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="582926" data-time="1464231690">
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<p>Sumo is my favourite - calls the plays with real passion and throws in a bit of comic relief from time to time as, in the end, it is just a game.</p>
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<p>Sumo is the opposite to Marshall I reckon, good commentator but I can't stand his writing style. Every article is exactly the same.</p>
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<p>Mehrts is by far and away my favourite commentator</p> -
<p>I'm hoping Sumo gets Nisbo's gig before too much longer. I have never been a fan of Nisbo's calling, though he's pretty professional, sticks to his knitting and lets the "colour" analyst make a dick of himself (Mexted and Marshall come to mind). Mind you, I was always a huge Keith Quinn booster so when Nisbo took over (at the start of pro rugby) I could only think "Usurper".</p>
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<p>Merhts is really good, I agree. Hopefully he makes the test panel permanently. Is he still based in Sydney in the finance world? With that background he'll be running the Waratahs and then the ARU before long, so long as he can knife the faction led by the corporate lawyers.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="582932" data-time="1464233115">
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<p>I'm hoping Sumo gets Nisbo's gig before too much longer. I have never been a fan of Nisbo's calling, though he's pretty professional, sticks to his knitting and lets the "colour" analyst make a dick of himself (Mexted and Marshall come to mind). Mind you, I was always a huge Keith Quinn booster so when Nisbo took over (at the start of pro rugby) I could only think "Usurper".</p>
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<p>Merhts is really good, I agree. Hopefully he makes the test panel permanently. Is he still based in Sydney in the finance world? With that background he'll be running the Waratahs and then the ARU before long, so long as he can knife the faction led by the corporate lawyers.</p>
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<p>With Deans out and QC all over the show, we need a new mole.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="582929" data-time="1464231959">
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<p>Sumo is the opposite to Marshall I reckon, good commentator but I can't stand his writing style. Every article is exactly the same.</p>
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<p>Mehrts is by far and away my favourite commentator</p>
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<p>Agree on Mehrts, he is great value.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582886" data-time="1464227918"><p>It would be as about as exciting as Caleb Ralph being selected</p></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582886" data-time="1464227918">
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<p>It would be as about as exciting as Caleb Ralph being selected</p>
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<p>quite similar players now that you mention it.</p>
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<p>not that fast, big left boot.</p>
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<p>No wonder Nepia is such a fan :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="582955" data-time="1464238585">
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<p>quite similar players now that you mention it.</p>
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<p>not that fast, big left boot.</p>
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<p>No wonder Nepia is such a fan :)</p>
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<p>A couple of Cantabs and the gruff Hinuera man not liking Lowe is a plus for him in my book. You guys are just hiding your annoyance with Toddy for picking Zac and McNicholl over him by pretending you don't rate him. ;)</p>
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<p>That Caleb Ralph was quick and class ...back when he was a centre for the BoP and the Blues and was a NZ7s star .... Surely you blokes don't honestly believe that Lowe is carthorse speed, you need your eyes tested (yes, mine have been tested and I'm 20/20 with my milk bottles).</p>
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<p>Although clearly I need to rethink my rating of Lowe if Ratpoo is hyping him!</p> -
<p>Ralphs most memorable on field moments were being run down and tackled by notable non-speedsters Chresten Davis, Filipo Levi and Paul Tito ( actually I think Tito outran him to grab a loose ball ) but for a bloke who was actually quite a big well built guy in the flesh he couldn't bust a tackle to save his life. At least Rueben Thorne had the excuse that he was tired from doing lots of shit hard yards in the tight to explain his "fly hitting a windshield" impact on a defensive line with ball in hand..... </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="582961" data-time="1464240151">
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<p>A couple of Cantabs and the gruff Hinuera man not liking Lowe is a plus for him in my book. You guys are just hiding your annoyance with Toddy for picking Zac and McNicholl over him by pretending you don't rate him. ;)</p>
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<p>Lowe can play.</p>
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<p>He is big and fast and has some excellent skills. He probably tries a bit too much at times - that makes him an excellent weapon at ITM Cup-level - he gets caught out at times at Super level and that would be exacerbated at test level. So I'd say needs more work on his decision making. But without doubt he has the physical attributes to play test rugby.</p>
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<p>He actually reminds me a little bit of Bubbles Hamilton in the way he plays - shorter, stockier and probably faster - but tries some outrageous plays that come off more frequently as he gets older.</p>
