All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="584096" data-time="1464604133">
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<p>.....Given England started with Haskell at 7 i<strong>f we'd selected a "proper" openside </strong>we'd have enjoyed a regular supply of turn-over ball. To make it more annoying two of the best opensides in Wales this season have been Ellis Jenkins & James Davies - both overlooked by Gatland.</p>
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<p>That pretty much sums up England for the last ten years or so. You don't get any moaning rights on this issue unless you can show no selection of a 7 for at least five years.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="584099" data-time="1464604664"><p>That pretty much sums up England for the last ten years or so. You don't get any moaning rights on this issue unless you can show no selection of a 7 for at least five years.</p></blockquote>
Very true, luckily for you guys the emergence of guys like Clifford can end that era once & for all. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="584093" data-time="1464603121">
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<p>Hames ? He can't win a starting spot in the Chiefs XV and you see him as a FAB ? The Chiefs scrum started to suffer a lot against the Tahs when Graham and Yamashita were replaced. Maybe it was not entirely his fault but what did he show lately which could lead the selectors to pay attention to him ?</p>
<p>I think he is just not big enough for the job at the international level and his workate has nothing extraordinary. Edmunds and Goodes look more promising prospects IMO as they are strong scrummagers and offer much more in the loose. In a year or two, Hodgman could emerge as he has all the attributes to become a first class LHP.</p>
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<p>Not sure whether Hames will be a FAB, but he is only playing this season because the Chiefs had a big run of injuries in the front row. He left the Highlanders to take a year off rugby to recover from injury.</p>
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<p>Doubt he's playing at his best right now.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="583787" data-time="1464519468"><p>
In my defense I did say I can't think of many. I'm tired...</p></blockquote>
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Were the Whitlocks the only other recent brothers? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="584126" data-time="1464615131"><p>Owen and Ben Franks!</p></blockquote>
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Mentioned about 120 posts ago bro [emoji3] -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="584126" data-time="1464615131">
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<p>Owen and Ben Franks!</p>
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<p>I meant apart from them, as I was replying under that. As you were.</p>
<p>Actually I do have a question, and that is when/if SBW returns that might affect selection at 10 (i.e. Cruden having more of a chance)..than say if Fekitoa was selected at 12 that still doesn't (?) tip the chances any more towards Sopoaga.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="584111" data-time="1464608327">
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<p>Were the Whitlocks the only other recent brothers?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I'm late to this thread, but would it be Zinzan and Robin in the late 90's?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="584111" data-time="1464608327">
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<p>Were the Whitlocks the only other recent brothers?</p>
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<p>Laulalas and Gears, like the Whitelocks, did not play together and are the only ones that fall into the Hansen/Henry eta. The Maugers mentioned earlier were in the same 22 but Aaron didn't come off the bench.</p>
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<p>After that you are back to the Bookes, Bachops, Coopers etc.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="584152" data-time="1464636976">
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<p><strong>Laulalas</strong> and Gears, like the Whitelocks, did not play together and are the only ones that fall into the Hansen/Henry eta. The Maugers mentioned earlier were in the same 22 but Aaron didn't come off the bench.</p>
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<p>After that you are back to the Bookes, Bachops, Coopers etc.</p>
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<p>Wow, I never realized those two were brothers.........</p>
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<p>The mighty Scots had two sets of brothers in the same backline as recently as five or six years ago when the Lamonts and Evans's were tearing up all before them ( I may have exaggerated that last bit....)</p>
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<p>Interesting how few played together though, would be cool if Ardie and Julian managed this, looks a given within a couple of weeks. Rico was long gone by the time Hosea came on the scene if I recall correctly.</p> -
<p>well, this is all very sedate really isn't it? The first AB squad of a new era, a few newbies replacing all-time greats, and the level of discussion barely gets above "meh"</p>
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<p>Are we as AB supporters just more mature now? Have we become so sure of success we don't care who puts on the jersey? Or have the selectors and coaches built up such a level of goodwill we just trust that they are right? Or is it just that the selectors have done such a good job of bringing guys through we know that the first 23 are all proven test performers already?</p>
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<p>There are a couple of selections that in the past would have at least some people blowing up, but even provincial rivalries can't generate any spite. I think Luatua is extremely hard done by, but then i think Liam Squire could be moulded into a weapon as well. I think Taminavalu is a bit rubbish, but has Moala really been playing better? Who the fuck is Franklin?</p>
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<p>I think i miss selectorial shitfights. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="584193" data-time="1464650486">
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<p>well, this is all very sedate really isn't it? The first AB squad of a new era, a few newbies replacing all-time greats, and the level of discussion barely gets above "meh"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Are we as AB supporters just more mature now? Have we become so sure of success we don't care who puts on the jersey? Or have the selectors and coaches built up such a level of goodwill we just trust that they are right? Or is it just that the selectors have done such a good job of bringing guys through we know that the first 23 are all proven test performers already?</p>
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<p>There are a couple of selections that in the past would have at least some people blowing up, but even provincial rivalries can't generate any spite. I think Luatua is extremely hard done by,<strong> but then i think Liam Squire could be moulded into a weapon as well</strong>. I think Taminavalu is a bit rubbish, but has Moala really been playing better? Who the fuck is Franklin?</p>
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<p>I think i miss selectorial shitfights. </p>
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<p>What is it that he brings to the table ? I must confess to not watching a single Highlanders game this year.</p> -
<p>Strong, quick, aggressive, and runs good lines. Has many rough edges, but i like him. Was gutted the Chiefs lost him</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="584195" data-time="1464650749">
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<p>Strong, quick, aggressive, and runs good lines. Has many rough edges, but i like him. Was gutted the Chiefs lost him</p>
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<p>So basically the player that the hype machine would have us believe that Luke Whitelock is ?</p> -
He's a unit, and a tackle breaker who can offload. He's also quite fast. Early in the season he was going crazy, then got injured. Has been good since coming back but perhaps no as dynamic.<br><br>
I'd imagine that they see his size and skills and are wondering if he can bring that at the next level.<br><br>
Edit: snap M4L. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="584193" data-time="1464650486">
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<p>Are we as AB supporters just more mature now? Have we become so sure of success we don't care who puts on the jersey? Or have the selectors and coaches built up such a level of goodwill we just trust that they are right? Or is it just that the selectors have done such a good job of bringing guys through we know that the first 23 are all proven test performers already?</p>
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<p>More than anything the stakes are so low. They are back-to-back World Champions about to play a three test series against a struggling Wales and there are no World Cup implications being 4 years out.</p>
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<p>Lose a game and stare down the barrel of losing the Bledisloe or losing a home series to Wales and we will see how mature we have become.</p> -
<p>There's a perverse side of me that almost wants that to happen, just to kick it all off. </p>
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<p>I very much doubt the players will have any complacency, unlike like the media and some fans!</p>
