All Blacks vs Wales
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<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.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="585751" data-time="1465420906">
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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>
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<p>We've had this discussion before, go and troll someone else.</p>
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<p>Who would you pick ahead of Franks?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585754" data-time="1465421113">
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<p>We've had this discussion before, go and <strong>troll</strong> someone else.</p>
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<p>Who would you pick ahead of Franks?</p>
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<p>I'm not, genuine question, wiser front row experts on here have told us all more than once that Franks is the shit. I have no doubt scrummaging, lifting, mauling etc is very taxing but surely there's more he can do than simply fall over every time he gets the ball. I just find it odd that a guy touted as Superman doesn't have anywhere near the dynamism that Coles does.</p> -
<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>Experience!</p>
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<p>In fairness he's actually come back well this year, put in some strong performances for the Saders. He won't let us down, though once Sam of the Whitelocks returns he'll have a tough time keeping Patrick T out of the 23.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="585713" data-time="1465407232"><p>Let's be honest. We lose a bit of moral high ground playing taminavulu.<br><br>
Extremely predictable except for Harris I suppose. Probably offers more impact than Taylor.</p></blockquote>
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I'm not sure if you are trying to be funny, but that is a ridiculous post. <br><br>
Tamanivalu is eligible and in form. Seems like a no brainer considering the ABs are looking to build midfield depth. It's been a long time since the ABs entered a test match and not one of the 3 midfield backs that were selected in the last test are not in the team. <br><br>
Also if you are going to criticise his selection, you might want to spell his name right.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="585756" data-time="1465421363">
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<p>I'm not, genuine question, wiser front row experts on here have told us all more than once that Franks is the shit. I have no doubt scrummaging, lifting, mauling etc is very taxing but surely there's more he can do than simply fall over every time he gets the ball. I just find it odd that a guy touted as Superman doesn't have anywhere near the dynamism that Coles does.</p>
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<p>Different roles I guess, Franks hits harder in the tackle than any other prop in NZ. He's also a big force moving bodies at the breakdown.</p>
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<p>He's obviously not as fast as coles, and you can't coach natural speed (I definately know this from my own experience as a carthorse
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<p>Coles generally plays out in the wider channels waiting for an opportunity to run with the ball. </p>
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<p>A team with all tight forwards playing the same style of play as Coles would hardly see the ball.</p>
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<p>Are you John Mitchell? I seem to remember something about him telling his props to save their energy in the scrum so they can be more effective around the field ;)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585760" data-time="1465421691">
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<p>Different roles I guess, Franks hits harder in the tackle than any other prop in NZ. He's also a big force moving bodies at the breakdown.</p>
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<p>He's obviously not as fast as coles, and you can't coach natural speed (I definately know this from my own experience as a carthorse )</p>
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<p>Coles generally plays out in the wider channels waiting for an opportunity to run with the ball. </p>
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<p>A team with all tight forwards playing the same style of play as Coles would hardly see the ball.</p>
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<p>Are you John Mitchell? I seem to remember something about him telling his props to save their energy in the scrum so they can be more effective around the field ;)</p>
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<p>Well back in 6th form in 93 I do recall thinking Bill Cavubati should be in the ABs cos he ran with the ball much more than Olo Brown who I never saw do anything and was therefore shit.</p>
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<p>But in terms of forwards who can run and pass NZ are ahead of other countries, obviously Franks is brilliant at doing what you mention but despite that I feel he lets the team down just a bit in the open....</p> -
<p>I know we have an embarrassment of riches with talent, but we have to give Hansen and the coaching team big props here. We've lost 4 - 5 all time greats from the last time we played, and yet the naming of the team is basically as expected. That's insane. The way they have built depth in terms of players with test experience, while making sure we keep winning everything in sight shows some pretty awesome management - it's not something previous AB coaches have done well at all. He has to go down as our greatest ever coach IMO.</p>
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Franks passing is much improved. His hands are a lot quicker and he is now used as one of our 'pop' passers with the forward interplay.
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<p>Wales' best chance of win is if both Dane Coles and Aaron Smith get injured early in the game, Nathan Harris hiding out on the wing and TJ Perenera's dodgy pass don't exactly fill me with confidence.</p>
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<p>The rest of the team is strong. Great to have competition for places in so many positions.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="585762" data-time="1465422204">
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<p>I know we have an embarrassment of riches with talent, but we have to give Hansen and the coaching team <strong>big props here</strong>. We've lost 4 - 5 all time greats from the last time we played, and yet the naming of the team is basically as expected. That's insane. The way they have built depth in terms of players with test experience, while making sure we keep winning everything in sight shows some pretty awesome management - it's not something previous AB coaches have done well at all. He has to go down as our greatest ever coach IMO.</p>
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<p>Obviously ballast is very important but we don't want them ending up like that lardo who plays for France.</p>
