All Blacks vs Wales

Bones

I'm quite interested to see people just accepting DMac is a 10. He's going great guns at 15, no doubt and of course he's played 10 in the past. But I can't even recall when that was, or if he put in a half decent performance? I'd be concerned going into a test match against any tier 1 with him as our 10 off the bench (at this stage).

antipodean

As Steve is fond of pointing out; the class of players is how well they stand up at the business end of the competition.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574710" data-time="1461572127">
That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. </blockquote>
 
On what basis?

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574744" data-time="1461576385">
Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). </blockquote>
 
3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="574763" data-time="1461578546">
My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending; 
15. Ben Smith 
14. Waisake Naholo 
13. Malakai Fekitoa 
12. Ryan Crotty 
11. Julian Savea 
10. Aaron Cruden 
9. Aaron Smith 
8. Kieran Read (c) 
7. Sam Cane 
6. Jerome Kaino 
5. Sam Whitelock 
4. Brodie Rettalick 
3. Owen Franks 
2. Dane Coles

Joe Moody
Codie Taylor
Wyatt Crockett
Charlie Faumuina
Luke Romano
Ardie Savea
Brad Weber
Beaudan Barrett
Damian McKenzie 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.</blockquote>
 
Pretty close I reckon. 
Have doubts about Naholo and his fitness. I'm leaving righr wing open on that basis 
BB and DMac won't both mae the match day squad barring several injuries. BB for me. 
So bring in another midfielder to replace DMac. That's Ngatai. But he starts at 12. Fekitoa drops to the bench and covers wing. 
I think you're right with Romano, but wouldn't mind Tupolotu or Luatua.

booboo

It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII? 
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development? 
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game? 
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon. 
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane. 
I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574776" data-time="1461580830">3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well</blockquote>
 
Like Bones, I wasn't counting Dmac as an out and out 10. 
So: 
Cruden, Barrett, Sopoaga 
Bender, Dagg, Dmac

booboo

So when you said 2 of the 10s could play 15 as well you meant Dagg?

booboo

But yes. Follow your numbers now. Just looked at the 10s and read that as 2 of the 10s can play 15 without looking at how many 15s you'd nominated.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574794" data-time="1461583117">So when you said 2 of the 10s could play 15 as well you meant Dagg? :)</blockquote>
 
3 then

Siam

Todd to get in the first test 23 instead of Ardie as a not too subtle reminder not to fuck with the brotherhood - better people make better All Blacks
 
yes a little bit of :fishing: but wouldn't be hugely shocked

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="574781" data-time="1461581641">
<div>
It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII? 
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development? 
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game? 
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon. 
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane. I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Me too but the rational part of my brain can see why they'd move him (as you alluded to in the line above), it just doesn't seem right tampering with something so obviously not broken - also his world cup campaign deserves a status as the incumbent

pukunui

IMO Smith needs to move to 14 because the team is better off with him going there and having one of Barrett, Dagg or Dmac to 15. Otherwise you are looking at a long term injured Naholo, an ageing Jane or some total newby at 14.
 
I can't see how Dmac has overtaken Barrett as second choice 15. Dmac has been in awesome form but Barrett has been bloody good too, goal kicking aside which he wouldn't be doing with Cruden in the side at 10.
We saw it so often last year when NMS would go off, Barrett to 15 and Smith to 14. It worked well and I don't see why that wouldn't be the first option. Dmac can fill in the Barrett super sub role and Dagg will probably get a chance at some point but as far as im concerned Dmac needs to Show class at test level before leapfrogging Barrett. 
 
Have no idea what they will do in midfield. I think Ngatai needs to be there and probably leaning towards Crotty because I think fekitoa is a bit erratic. Don't know if the selector will agree though.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="574812" data-time="1461594668">
<div>
IMO Smith needs to move to 14 because the team is better off with him going there and having one of Barrett, Dagg or Dmac to 15. Otherwise you are looking at a long term injured Naholo, an ageing Jane or some total newby at 14.
 
I can't see how Dmac has overtaken Barrett as second choice 15. Dmac has been in awesome form but Barrett has been bloody good too, goal kicking aside which he wouldn't be doing with Cruden in the side at 10.
We saw it so often last year when NMS would go off, Barrett to 15 and Smith to 14. It worked well and I don't see why that wouldn't be the first option. Dmac can fill in the Barrett super sub role and Dagg will probably get a chance at some point but as far as im concerned Dmac needs to Show class at test level before leapfrogging Barrett. 
 
Have no idea what they will do in midfield. I think Ngatai needs to be there and probably leaning towards Crotty because I think fekitoa is a bit erratic. Don't know if the selector will agree though.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Hang on, it's one thing moving Smith to wing to fill that hole and putting a 45 odd test Fullback (Dagg) in there, but why move a premier world fullback to accomodate a fucken first five eighth?
 
Barrett carving up tired backlines is a bit different to starting a test at fullback when we've got a damn fine one already. I've no doubt the Welsh would rather see Barrett in 15 than Smith or Dagg - bombs away! 
 
Play fluffybunnys in their positions I say and don't get too clever - I'm sure we learnt that in 1999 and 2003 and 2007...
 
(Puku I'm only swearing for fun and drama )

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="574812" data-time="1461594668">
<div>
IMO Smith needs to move to 14 because the team is better off with him going there and having one of Barrett, Dagg or Dmac to 15. Otherwise you are looking at a long term injured Naholo, an ageing Jane or some total newby at 14.
 
I can't see how Dmac has overtaken Barrett as second choice 15. Dmac has been in awesome form but Barrett has been bloody good too, goal kicking aside which he wouldn't be doing with Cruden in the side at 10.
We saw it so often last year when NMS would go off, Barrett to 15 and Smith to 14. It worked well and I don't see why that wouldn't be the first option. Dmac can fill in the Barrett super sub role and Dagg will probably get a chance at some point but as far as im concerned Dmac needs to Show class at test level before leapfrogging Barrett. 
 
Have no idea what they will do in midfield. I think Ngatai needs to be there and probably leaning towards Crotty because I think fekitoa is a bit erratic. Don't know if the selector will agree though.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Problem is Barrett's kicking from hand is just as shit as his place kicking, so I'm not sure I'd trust him at fullback for a full game. He's an interesting case, just doesn't seem to work in the starting lineup as a 10 or 15, it's like he was born to be the perfect impact sub.
 
There's been a lot of talk about McKenzie but at this point, I wouldn't cap him. He's still super young, so I'd bring him into AB camps but let him play in the Chiefs/Wales game and even the NPC instead. Then take him on the EOYT.
 
I'm not sure it's been mentioned but I feel like the short turnaround between Round 14 and the first test (just two weeks) will work against anyone with little or no experience in the ABs systems. So even for Ngatai, who is probably the closest to pushing his way into a starting spot from outside the squad (and I'm a big fan of), the bench might be the only way in at first.
 
So for the first test I'm guessing:
1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Franks
4. BBBR
5. Whitelock
6. Kaino
7. Cane
8. Read
 
9. A Smith
10. Cruden
11. Savea
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Naholo
15. B Smith
 
16. Taylor
17. Crockett
18. Faumuina
19. Luatua
20. A Savea
21. TKB
22. Ngatai
23. Barrett
 
Cruden starts the first two tests, Sopoaga starts the third and Barrett on the bench for all three.
 
I'm not really sure about either of the wings, to be honest. I just figure since Naholo somehow managed to make the RWC squad last year and NMS is out, he'll get the nod. And while I'm still not sure about Savea's form because he was back to being anonymous against the Chiefs, I think he showed enough against the Jaguares and Rebels that Hansen will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Siam

It's changed a bit lately, but I still get the willies for our first test of a year so as much experience as possible is something I'd favour
 
That team that you've written Unco looks about right - lock reserve could be a specialist lock to make way for Todd who can play 6.... I'm gonna bang that drum till it's wrong (hoping for some of MN5's internet cred that he craves come June)

Billy Tell

Ah. Ye olde AB selection thread. Like a cup of Milo in front of an open fire on a cold day. Without further ado (32-man squad, 18 forwards, 14 backs).
 
1. Moody => 16. Crockett (also Goodes)
2. Coles => 17. Taylor (also ?Parsons, but I'd go with Elliot)
3. Franks => 18. Faumuina
4. Retallick => 19. Tuipolotou
5. Whitelock (also Barrett)
6. Kaino (also 1 of Luatua, Dixon or Thompson)
7. Cane => 20. Savea (also Todd)
8. Reid (capt.)
 
9. Smith => 21. Kerr-Barlow (also Weber)
10. Cruden => 22. Barrett (also Sopoaga)
11. Savea
12. Crotty => 23. Ngatai
13. Fekitoa (also Moala, but I have been impressed by Havili, who like the Baracuda covers multiple positions)
14. Smith
15. McKenzie (also Dagg)
 
Unlucky: Romano, 2 of Luatua/Dixon/Thompson, Squire, TJP (since he was an AB recently), James Lowe
 
Add in Naholo, NMS, and R. Ioane as potentials for the EOYT and the back 3 is going to be Ã¼ber-competitive.

sparky

Team I'd pick if they're all fit:
 
1. Joe Moody 2 Dane Coles 3. Owen Franks 4. Brodie Retallick 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Sam Cane 8. Kieron Read (c)
9. Aaron Smith 10. Aaron Cruden 11. Julian Savea 12. Charlie Ngatai 13. Malakai Fekitoa 14. Ben Smith 15. Beauden Barrett
 
Subs: 
16. Brendon Edmonds 17. Codie Taylor 18. Charlie Fauminia 19. Patrick Tuipolotou 20 Ardie Savea 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Ryan Crotty

kiwiinmelb

I think the make up of the back 3 will depend on Naholo getting back to form and fitness , 
 
First choice with everyone fit, Savea , Smith , Naholo 
 
Then Savea Dagg Smith 
 
Then Savea Barrett/Dmac Smith 
 
My gut feeling is we will see the second option for the first test
 
I also dont think we will actually see too many surprises early, got a feeling Shag will feel a loyalty to his world cup squad to begin with

taniwharugby

Funny though, cos this conversation the last few years would be about maybe 1 or 2 players.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales