All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>It'll be very interesting to hear where the AB coaches see the center combinations.</p>
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<p>Tamanivalu specialist 13 (bloody lucky to be there - imo)</p>
<p>Crotty 12 or 13?</p>
<p>Ngatai 12 or 13?</p>
<p>Moala 12 or 13? (unlucky not to be selected)</p>
<p>Fekitoa 12 or 13?</p>
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<p>I'm confused.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="583908" data-time="1464564017"><p>I haven't seen them but apparently Hansen was quoted a while ago saying he doesn't see McKenzie as a wing. 15/10 only. Seems odd but fair enough.</p></blockquote>
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Yep, basically 2016's version of Ben Blair..... -
Barrett has also played some wing for the ABs as well.
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<p>Project Damian McKenzie has been launched. And no one's more excited about that than the man the All Blacks couldn't wait to get their hands on.</p>
<p>That sneaky smirk (from his goalkicking routine) had transformed into a permanent grin on McKenzie's dial as he came to terms with the "surreal" experience of joining the All Black fraternity well ahead of any sort of schedule he had envisaged in his wildest dreams.</p>
<p>From the announcement, to the outfitting (Christmas come early), to rubbing shoulders with his new national team-mates, to the first meetings with coaches, to the start of the training week with a Monday gym session, it has been an experience to treasure for McKenzie.</p>
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<p>At 21, and one of six new All Blacks, he's now officially the baby of Steve Hansen's 32-strong squad that will prepare for three tests against the Welsh through June. He's also one they very much have a long-term vision for, which might disappoint those hoping to see his jinking footwork and instinctive creativity let loose on the test arena sooner rather than later.</p>
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<p>In many ways the people had spoken in terms of their excitement over McKenzie's scintillating form through Super Rugby and,<strong> though Hansen agreed, it's fair to say he has a clear vision regarding the best way forward for the young man.</strong></p>
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<p>"He's been in form, he's exciting, and he's still got a lot of things in his game he needs to grow and work on. You'd expect that for a young guy, and it's an opportunity for us to look at not only the now but also the future in his selection," said the All Blacks coach.</p>
<p>National selector and former All Black great Grant Fox further spelt out the later rather than sooner nature of McKenzie's expected development at the highest level of the game.</p>
<p>"He's a young, talented athlete, and he makes things happen. When he's around the ball, he's a threat, so he's exciting and very explosive for a little guy. He's got good acceleration, he's good on his feet and he's brave, and got courage in the air," Fox said.</p>
<p>"But he's got a lot to learn. He's going to bring a natural skillset and there are some things this group here will help him with to grow his game. He's one of those guys it was pretty obvious it's not 'if' he's going to be an All Black, but 'when'. He's in pretty early and we've got an eye to the future with him."</p>
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<p>Clearly McKenzie is going to have to be patient in terms of opportunity. He's a first five-eighths by inclination, but in this his first season as a regular starter with the Chiefs he has played exclusively at fullback.</p>
<p>Among the 32 who have assembled in Auckland, Hansen has three quality No 10s and two world-class fullbacks on top of McKenzie. It's not hard to see a scenario where he's nurtured, rather than chucked into any deep ends over the next month.</p>
<p>That's all fine with McKenzie who was still "buzzing" about just being included in Hansen's thinking, long term or short.</p>
<p>"To be in this environment it's pretty surreal," he said. "It's a dream I've always had and it's come true now. I got the call on Saturday morning. Once the phone rang and it was a random number, the heart started pounding quite quick. Once I'd been told words can't describe how excited I was. I'm still trying to get my head around it now."</p>
<p>One thing is for sure. McKenzie will deal with it all with the same southern equanimity that's marked every step of his career thus far.</p>
<p>Raised on the family farm near Gore, then schooled at Christ's College in Christchurch, he's been on a rapid ascent for a while now. That gathered pace when he moved to the Waikato in 2014, starred for the New Zealand under-20s the same year and before long was making his provincial debut with the Mooloos.</p>
<p>Dave Rennie brought him into the Chiefs in 2015, and from then it's been pretty clear that the All Blacks was a destination on his journey.</p>
<p>"From the start of the season I was solely focusing on my performances with the Chiefs ... I didn't think it would come this quick in my career, so it's a massive bonus and I'm looking forward to getting alongside the boys in the team and trying to soak everything up.</p>
<p>"I've got Ben Smith and Izzy Dagg at fullback and to learn off guys like that will be awesome. It's up to me I guess to make the most of this opportunity."</p>
<p>McKenzie nominates his parents Brent and Mo, older brother Marty (a Crusader) and his coaches at the Chiefs as his biggest rugby influences thus far. Give him a month under Hansen, Ian Foster and co and he'll no doubt have some fresh names for that list.</p>
<p>- Stuff</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="583913" data-time="1464564800">
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<p>Absolutely no chance at the moment. I think he may get a cameo at Fullback rather than a cameo at fist 5</p>
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<p>How about a cameo at half back. He would have been pure in that position.</p> -
<p>On CGW FB Page (shared from <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/thegamesport/?fref=photo">The Game - Sport</a>)</p>
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<p>A very young Damian McKenzie posing with his idol Richie McCaw! Now he's wearing the black jersey himself!</p>
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<p><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-9/13315569_562245103956503_946345978451743889_n.jpg?oh=69d1636c8e1c6e8f914121aa9f455e34&oe=57D28777&gda=1472516433_d27c65b21968ae8e358d0361cd08b7c8" alt="13315569_562245103956503_946345978451743"></p> -
<p>He hasn't aged a bit.</p>
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<p>With the stand in the background and the clothing indicating a "balmy" Christchurch March evening, I deduce its a typical day-night ODI at Lancaster Park in the mid 2000s. Let me guess - Flem got a 50 but didn't convert, Cairns was trying to convince Vincent to match-fix and Bond was injured. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="583971" data-time="1464578714">
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<p>He hasn't aged a bit.</p>
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<p>did you comment on the image on FB?...someone said the same thing!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="583972" data-time="1464578757">
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<p>I didn't realise he was from Southland</p>
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<p>Born in Invers but is secretly a Goron.</p>
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<p>His father played fullback for Southland and was an AB triallist. </p>
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<p>Robbie Robinson is a cousin.</p> -
<p>I heard that Lydiate news from a workmate and Bovidae just confirmed it. So Wales' loose forward situation is looking pretty grim right? I'd be pleased to have any Taffs, and anyone up with the play, comment on this (or anyone with an ability to do internet research for that matter).</p>
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<p>The Telegraph website named these loose forwards as original selections for the tour:</p>
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<p>T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), J Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).</p>
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<p>Take out Lydiate, and considering Warburton is still an injury concern I believe, then Wales is struggling. Lydiate started the England friendly at 7 I think, captaining the team. Seems Tipuric is also injured out of the series.</p> -
The AB brothers would make a good quiz, if you don't have one already <br><br>
@ NZ Rigby Quizzes. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="583971" data-time="1464578714"><p>He hasn't aged a bit.</p></blockquote>
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Or grown an inch.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="583979" data-time="1464580196"><p>did you comment on the image on FB?...someone said the same thing!</p></blockquote>
Lol not me I don't go anywhere near FB! -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="584007" data-time="1464586771">
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<p>Ofa T would be the first All Black from Mangere College?</p>
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<p>F.E Bunce - <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71'>http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71</a></p>
