All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>I guess the only concern in a tight test, question mark on the goalkicking ,</p>
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<p>but its funny, I dont remember it being much of a talking point during the period when Dan was unavailable , </p>
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<p>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 ? </p> -
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.<br>
But against you guys we never even get too close. Usually get well & truly stuffed to be honest.<br>
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 ! -
Cheesy marketing line, but the legacy you face is more intimidating than any opposition....
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="585719" data-time="1465411665">
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<p>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.<br>
But against you guys we never even get too close. Usually get well & truly stuffed to be honest.<br>
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 !</p>
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<p>And giving credit where it is due which probably doesnt make you guys happy,</p>
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<p>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 </p> -
Or 30 years in NZ...1973, 2003....
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="scribe" data-cid="585726" data-time="1465413778"><p>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.</p></blockquote>
Dane Coles I would expect<br><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pooler fan" data-cid="585719" data-time="1465411665">
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<p>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.<br>
But against you guys we never even get too close. Usually get well & truly stuffed to be honest.</p>
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<p>Wales have had some very good first halves against the ABs I think the athleticism and depth has been a killer for the Welsh over the past 15 years.</p>
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<p>That said it definitely did seem like in the post-Hansen era the WRU and then Gatland specifically in his first little bit very much had a complex when it came to the ABs. The dressing room haka, the haka stand off, Gatland would sound off in the media. I think he is a little more level headed these days.</p>
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<p>We have seen them once in the past 4.5 years and again the first half was a dour 3-3 affair before the ABs blew them out. So Wales to me very much have the benefit of the doubt when it comes to that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="585609" data-time="1465354192">
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<p>About 1988:<br><br>
Well this is wrong. Waikato were only 1 year up from Division 2, wellington were actiually the second best team from the previous NPC (but about to implode that year), Otago were on the way up, and probably were the second best provincial team in NZ in 1988. But the strongest team in NZ from 1987 to 1993 was Auckland, second stongest was Auckand B, third strongest was Ponsonby :-), then Auckland Marist .... etc. Waikato beating Wales was such a shock (at the time, but only for about 3 days until we realised how abysmal they were still in the next match).</p>
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<p>A couple of points here. No doubt Auckland was the dominant province at that time. They won the 1987 and 1988 NPC without losing a game (the same in 1989 and 1990). Wellington were 2nd in both years and Otago 3rd. Waikato finished 6th and 8th in those seasons. However, it was a brutual start to the tour and Waikato's win over Wales set the tone for the tour. Wales only won 2 of their 6 provincial games. Apart from losing to Waikato and Wellington in the first 2 games Wales also lost to North Auckland and drew with Taranaki. Hawke's Bay was the only Div 2 team they played and they got promoted in 1988.</p>
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<p>I wouldn't have said Waikato's win over Wales was a shock, more a surprise as over half of the Welsh test team played in that match. For a mid-table NPC province, Waikato did have an excellent record against international teams and always played a midweek game, often the tour opener. Waikato had drawn with the 1986 Wallabies and thrashed Argentina in 1989. The Waikato forward pack vs Wales contained 6 current or future ABs and that was where the game was won - Loe scored 2 tries.</p> -
<p>Here's the Welsh team:</p>
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<p>Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).</p>
<p><strong>Replacements:</strong> Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).</p>
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<p>5 changes from the team that played England. Warburton fit and Jenkins and Owens start in the front row. A possible game for Anscombe on his "home" ground.</p> -
Welsh team named:<br><br>
15. Liam Williams<br>
14. George North<br>
13. Jon Davies<br>
12. Jamie Roberts<br>
11. Hallam Amos<br>
10. Dan Biggar<br>
9. Rhys Webb<br><br>- Gethin Jenkins<br>
- Ken Owens<br>
- Samson Lee<br>
- Bradley Davies<br>
- A-W Jones<br>
- Ross Moriarty<br>
- Sam Warburton (c)<br>
- Taulupe Faletau<br><br>
Reps<br>
Rob Evans<br>
Scott Baldwin<br>
Tomas Francis<br>
Jake Ball<br>
Ellis Jenkins<br>
Gareth Davies<br>
Gareth Anscombe<br>
Scott Williams
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="585729" data-time="1465414433">
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<p>Well I think Hansen has shown a complete disregard towards rugby forums! How predictable and dull was that AB naming?</p>
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<p>Give us something to moan and argue about PLEASE!!!</p>
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<p>Yup, nothing to see here. Bring on Saturday.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="585729" data-time="1465414433"><p>
Well I think Hansen has shown a complete disregard towards rugby forums! How predictable and dull was that AB naming?<br><br>
Give us something to moan and argue about PLEASE!!!</p></blockquote> <br><br>
I guarantee if you go to a rugby Facebook page , there will be those saying he got it wrong , for example , DMac , Ardie should be starting , I stopped following those pages , couldn't take it anymore . -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585742" data-time="1465419623">
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<p>Jeez how does Romano get a start??</p>
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<p>According to the majority on here, he's a journeyman at best :)</p>
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<p>According to you he's very strong</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585749" data-time="1465420667">
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<p>Best scrummaging lock in NZ according to Ben and Owens dad</p>
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<p>Maybe they need to focus on a bit of "round the field dynamism" in the gym then cos the difference between Coles and Franks getting the ball in hand is rather stark.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="585744" data-time="1465419891"><p>According to you he's very strong</p></blockquote>
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Plus he plays for the Crusaders, and we all know that once you're handed a red n black jersey the black one just magically follows....
