All Blacks vs Wales

Catogrande

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="585694" data-time="1465387481">
<div>
Sounds somewhat overblown. But I'm not going to justify anything Gallagher has written by clicking on it. 
He has rather exaggerated the point about the strength of the teams but he kind of has a point about the fact that they were all 1st Division teams. 
Back in the day mid-week games were generally 2nd and 3rd Div teams (and if you were touring Straya you'd tend to play Victoria or NSW Country or Qld Country in the outback). I suppose that's where the term dirt trackers came from, as they'd play on dirt tracks. I recall the 83 Lions were ambushed a bit by having to play Auckland and Canterbury mid week. Caused a bit of a stir.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I think that is more about the changing nature of tours. Previously a tour to NZ or SA would have been a very long affair with plenty of time to take in Saturday games against the stronger provinces and then the tests interwoven with that. 1983 tour to NZ was (from memory) somewhat foreshortened from previous tours and it was a case of having to try and fit a quart into a pint pot. And now we have arrived at where we are now, where it is all wham, bang, thank you ma'am and before you know it the tour is over.

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="585705" data-time="1465398460">I think that is more about the changing nature of tours. Previously a tour to NZ or SA would have been a very long affair with plenty of time to take in Saturday games against the stronger provinces and then the tests interwoven with that. 1983 tour to NZ was (from memory) somewhat foreshortened from previous tours and it was a case of having to try and fit a quart into a pint pot. And now we have arrived at where we are now, where it is all wham, bang, thank you ma'am and before you know it the tour is over.</blockquote> Agreed. I'd go further and say that 'tour' is a misnomer at this stage.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="585707" data-time="1465403600">
<div>
Agreed. I'd go further and say that 'tour' is a misnomer at this stage.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
This is a 3-match Test tour with a homecoming match for Gats ;)

Frye

1. Joe Moody (11) 2. Dane Coles (36) 3. Owen Franks (78) 4. Luke Romano (22) 5. Brodie Retallick (47) 6. Jerome Kaino (67) 7. Sam Cane (31) 8. Kieran Read â€“ captain (84) 9. Aaron Smith (47) 10. Aaron Cruden (37) 11. Julian Savea (41) 12. Ryan Crotty (15) 13. Malakai Fekitoa (13) 14. Waisake Naholo (3) 15. Ben Smith (48) Reserves 16. Nathan Harris (2) 17. Wyatt Crockett (45) 18. Charlie Faumuina (33) 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (7) 20. Ardie Savea 21. TJ Perenara (17) 22. Beauden Barrett (36) 23. Seta Tamanivalu

Frye

Harris the only real surprise.
 
I guess depth at hooker certainly needs to be developed. Might be an indication that Taylor might start one of the tests.

Bones

Yeah bit odd to my thinking. Taylor has been going great, they obviously see something in Harris they want to bring in. Bloody solid for a depleted team...

Billy Tell

Let's be honest. We lose a bit of moral high ground playing taminavulu. 
Extremely predictable except for Harris I suppose. Probably offers more impact than Taylor.

pakman

Imagine selection of Moody to start is in response to expectation that Wales front row will be full on. Crockett and Charlie come in once leekmuncher legs are tired. Has Taminavulu played wing at high level? If not, then straight cover for midfield.

sparky

Go Ardie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
So pleased for him. I think he going to have an awesome All Blacks career ahead.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="585714" data-time="1465408257">
<div>
Has Taminavulu played wing at high level? If not, then straight cover for midfield.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Well they haven't been shy to use Crotty on the wing previously, plus you have Smith, so probably plenty of cover there.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="585715" data-time="1465409263">
<div>
Go Ardie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
So pleased for him. I think he going to have an awesome All Blacks career ahead.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yes , I posted a year or so ago , by the next WC he may have gone past Cane , 
 
and got ridiculed a bit for suggesting it , I still think its a possibility ,

kiwiinmelb

I guess the only concern in a tight test, question mark on the goalkicking ,
 
but its funny, I dont remember it being much of a talking point during the period when Dan was unavailable , 
 
Going to be interesting to see what happens with the 10 jersey, is it Cruden every test , or does Lima get a shot to show what he can do ?

pooler fan

I think our record against the Blacks shows we have a mental block against you guys. We (for the most part) recently seem to compete favourably against Aus & SA with tight closely fought games followed by heroic failure in the end. 
But against you guys we never even get too close. Usually get well & truly stuffed to be honest. 
The masochistic side of me is looking forward to the 4 matches but I'll have my hands over my face for the most part !

taniwharugby

Cheesy marketing line, but the legacy you face is more intimidating than any opposition....

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="585719" data-time="1465411665">
<div>
I think our record against the Blacks shows we have a mental block against you guys. We (for the most part) recently seem to compete favourably against Aus & SA with tight closely fought games followed by heroic failure in the end. 
But against you guys we never even get too close. Usually get well & truly stuffed to be honest. 
The masochistic side of me is looking forward to the 4 matches but I'll have my hands over my face for the most part !
</div>
</blockquote>
 
And giving credit where it is due which probably doesnt make you guys happy,
 
England probably doesnt have that same block , or not as much, not a lot of wins , but seems to be a pattern of one a decade

taniwharugby

Or 30 years in NZ...1973, 2003....

scribe

So who leads the haka? Smith A or Cruden would be my guesses given the amount of time they've been in the set up and both being in the leadership group.

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="scribe" data-cid="585726" data-time="1465413778">So who leads the haka? Smith A or Cruden would be my guesses given the amount of time they've been in the set up and both being in the leadership group.</blockquote>
Dane Coles I would expect 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hooroo

Well I think Hansen has shown a complete disregard towards rugby forums! How predictable and dull was that AB naming?
 
Give us something to moan and argue about PLEASE!!!

Crucial

Should have had Dixon as loose forward cover and Ardie as backs reserve.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales