All Blacks vs Wales Test #2

booboo

When contemplating changes I reckon the selectors will consider where we need to build depth, and how can we build experience without compromising current combinations. 
On that basis I think they may tweak the bench... but who? How? 
I expect Coles and the props start again, but they look to get more experience from their bench hooker so Taylor for Harris. 
On that basis reserve props stay the same. 
If we win in Welly I wouldn't be surprised to see Coles on the bench with Tu'ungafasi in Dunners. 
As noted Romano has plenty of test minutes so if Sam W is fit then he starts, Pat T on the bench. 
Maaaaybe Dixon to 6? They tend not to debut newbies as starters but I like Savea and Pat on the bench. Nothing against JK just blooding the new guy. 
Halves and midfield remain. The latter to give the combination time to build. Would like to see Moala get the bench spot but that is unlikely given he came in only through injury. So a longer run for Tamanivalu off the bench. 
I'm sticking with the wings and fullback too. Naholo needs minutes. Savea wasn't as bad as perceived (apart from tackling) and he's not going to improve sitting in the stands. So backs unchanged for me. 
Hmmmm ... long winded way of saying I'd only change the reserve hooker and maybe start Dixon ... 
But I suspect we'll see a couple more changes in Dunners. A back up hooker to start. Tu'ungafasi to bench. Maybe Squire to bench - with Read covering lock. Sopoaga to start with Smith on home ground. Sticking with the midfield again. Maybe look at bringing Dagg in for Jules in that one. Naholo needing minutes and a start on home ground. Backs bench same same again. 
My theory. Complete conjecture. Will await Shag's invitation onto the selection panel.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587393" data-time="1465787769">
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Faumuina, Tuipoluto and Barrett are three key finishers for us. If Kerr-Barlow can get himself fit and stay fit, I think the selectors see him in that same category. 
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</blockquote>
 
Going forward , I think you can throw Ardie into that mix too.

taniwharugby

Ardie has one major drawback, Twattue wants him to start over Cane...

Toddy

I would definitely go for Tuipolotu on the bench if Whitelock is fit. What an impact he had on game 1 when he got on the field.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="587433" data-time="1465800194">Going forward , I think you can throw Ardie into that mix too.</blockquote>
 
Let's see how he goes if he's selected this week. Who knows what plan they have for him. I'm not getting to carried away just yet. He's played 20 minutes of test rugby in the final quarter where a number of our guys lifted as part of our 2nd wind. 
The other 4 have been used quite a bit off the bench in their AB careers.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="587440" data-time="1465801974">
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Ardie has one major drawback, Twattue wants him to start over Cane...
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.....how does a guy who claims never to read his bullshit know this ?

pukunui

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="587384" data-time="1465785943">
I won't be hell of a suprised if J Savea is chopped for this match. 
You kind of have to ask why he was subbed after 42 mins if not injured. Game wasn't in the bag and they were obviously trying to secure the game at that stage and didn't think he was up to it. 
Or was he subbed because of injury? 
What has Hansen said about it?</blockquote>
 
One thing to note is that last year NMS was subbed off for Barrett fairly early in plenty of games. Some were injury related but not all iirc. So it could have been more about getting Barrett on and they thought Naholo was playing better/needed more minutes.

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587495" data-time="1465809805">
<div>
Let's see how he goes if he's selected this week. Who knows what plan they have for him. I'm not getting to carried away just yet. He's played 20 minutes of test rugby in the final quarter where a number of our guys lifted as part of our 2nd wind. 
The other 4 have been used quite a bit off the bench in their AB careers.
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</blockquote>
 
I think it'd be staggeringly unlikely they'll drop Cane. He does exactly what the selectors want from the starting 7, and he captained the team in a a WC pool game. Ardie shapes up as a turbo charged Vito, and does what Vito did for us in the WC, our bench is all impact - Charlie, Barrett, Tui, and now Ardie. Its a very different game starting - ie everyone adores Barrtt off the bench, no one is realistically calling for him to start.

kiwiinmelb

Yeah I think that will be Ardies role this year , get out there with 20 minutes to go and create havoc

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="587522" data-time="1465813731">I think it'd be staggeringly unlikely they'll drop Cane. He does exactly what the selectors want from the starting 7, and he captained the team in a a WC pool game. Ardie shapes up as a turbo charged Vito, and does what Vito did for us in the WC, our bench is all impact - Charlie, Barrett, Tui, and now Ardie. Its a very different game starting - ie everyone adores Barrtt off the bench, no one is realistically calling for him to start.</blockquote>
 
Funny thing is that I wouldn't mind Barrett starting at 10. I don't think he's as bad as some have made out. But the coaches prefer Cruden and I'm okay with that as well. 
It certainly isn't of Mertz v Spencer proportions for me [emoji3] 
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booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="587504" data-time="1465811130">
One thing to note is that last year NMS was subbed off for Barrett fairly early in plenty of games. Some were injury related but not all iirc. So it could have been more about getting Barrett on and they thought Naholo was playing better/needed more minutes.</blockquote>
 
Hmmm. Some people have already said as much ... 
Heard Mex say pretty much the same thing on RS.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="587430" data-time="1465799641">
When contemplating changes I reckon the selectors will consider where we need to build depth, and how can we build experience without compromising current combinations. 
On that basis I think they may tweak the bench... but who? How? 
I expect Coles and the props start again, but they look to get more experience from their bench hooker so Taylor for Harris. 
On that basis reserve props stay the same. 
If we win in Welly I wouldn't be surprised to see Coles on the bench with Tu'ungafasi in Dunners. 
As noted Romano has plenty of test minutes so if Sam W is fit then he starts, Pat T on the bench. 
Maaaaybe Dixon to 6? They tend not to debut newbies as starters but I like Savea and Pat on the bench. Nothing against JK just blooding the new guy. 
Halves and midfield remain. The latter to give the combination time to build. Would like to see Moala get the bench spot but that is unlikely given he came in only through injury. So a longer run for Tamanivalu off the bench. 
I'm sticking with the wings and fullback too. Naholo needs minutes. Savea wasn't as bad as perceived (apart from tackling) and he's not going to improve sitting in the stands. So backs unchanged for me. 
Hmmmm ... long winded way of saying I'd only change the reserve hooker and maybe start Dixon ... 
But I suspect we'll see a couple more changes in Dunners. A back up hooker to start. Tu'ungafasi to bench. Maybe Squire to bench - with Read covering lock. Sopoaga to start with Smith on home ground. Sticking with the midfield again. Maybe look at bringing Dagg in for Jules in that one. Naholo needing minutes and a start on home ground. Backs bench same same again. 
My theory. Complete conjecture. Will await Shag's invitation onto the selection panel. :)</blockquote>
 
Oh yeah. 
Might consider DMac in for Barrett in the 3rd test all going well in Welly

Siam

Given Shag has publicly said "one or two changes, if any"
 
My take on that is Whitelock for Romano and TKB for TJ

ACT Crusader

Naturally I think Hansen should go with the following team. He has 1 July to take into account.... 
Tu'ungafasi 
2. Coles 
3. Faumuina 
4. Retallick 
5. Tuipoluto 
6. Kaino 
7. Cane 
8. Squire 
9. A. Smith 
10. Cruden 
11. Naholo 
12. Tamanivalu 
13. Fekitoa 
14. B. Smith (c) 
15. Barrett 
16. Harris 
17. Crockett 
18. Franks 
19. Dixon 
20. A. Savea 
21. Kerr-Barlow 
22. Sopoaga 
23. McKenzie 
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leytonandamanda

Has taminevalu ever played 12 then? And tuungafasi is a awful loosehead but a decent tight head. 
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KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="587550" data-time="1465819776">
Has taminevalu ever played 12 then? And tuungafasi is a awful loosehead but a decent tight head. 
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ACT Crusader is just continuing on his joke from the first test thread about Crusaders being rested ready for the business end of the Super season. 
It is interesting what the supposed one or two changes might be - Taylor for Harris maybe and Whitelock to start fitness pending.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587549" data-time="1465819508">Naturally I think Hansen should go with the following team. He has 1 July to take into account.... 
Tu'ungafasi 
2. Coles 
3. Faumuina 
4. Retallick 
5. Tuipoluto 
6. Kaino 
7. Cane 
8. Squire 
9. A. Smith 
10. Cruden 
11. Naholo 
12. Tamanivalu 
13. Fekitoa 
14. B. Smith (c) 
15. Barrett 
16. Harris 
17. Crockett 
18. Franks 
19. Dixon 
20. A. Savea 
21. Kerr-Barlow 
22. Sopoaga 
23. McKenzie 
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It's only Wales.

rotated

Rewatched the second half just to see if I missed anything with Savea, as the plaudits have been pretty glowing from some.
 
He looked excellent on debut, and a natural test player. But still I didn't see anything above Thomson/Vito play. Lots of energy, very good with ball in hand and solid in the tackle. I wasn't overwhelmed by his workrate, especially given his fresh legs - which has been the calling card for Read/McCaw/Kaino for years and Rodders/Collins/McCaw before that.
 
He is going to be handy off the bench, and already back him to more than replace Vito, Messam will be of no threat on his return - but I certainly don't see him necessarily translating to the starting team just yet. He may well do in the future (similar trajectory to Kaino or Collins' 03->05 growth) The Cane breakdown numbers are McCaw-level absurd.
 
If he continues to develop I would like to see a Read, Cane, Savea starting loose trio on the EOYT. In fact, I'd prefer Kaino is the one getting the hook after halftime now, to put even greater responsibility on the young guys and to stretch Cane's motor out.
 
Really impressed with Tuipolotu off the bench too on second viewing - you really can never have too many test-level locks given their injury prone nature.

Billy Tell

I don't want Tu'ungafasi anywhere near the ABs at present. He's a break glass in case of injuries to all the other props selection. He couldn't scrum very well at U20 level, he hasn't really impressed at the Blues at the set-piece, and I'm still traumatised after the U20s game in the weekend. I don't want to see him getting bent in half by the Welsh.
 
I am genuinely intrigued as to why anyone would want him starting an AB test match?!

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="587571" data-time="1465841502">
I don't want Tu'ungafasi anywhere near the ABs at present. He's a break glass in case of injuries to all the other props selection. He couldn't scrum very well at U20 level, he hasn't really impressed at the Blues at the set-piece, and I'm still traumatised after the U20s game in the weekend. I don't want to see him getting bent in half by the Welsh. 
I am genuinely intrigued as to why anyone would want him starting an AB test match?!</blockquote>
Try asking Shag Fozzie Fox et al. 
He's there, judged by those whose job it is, to be good enough. If he's there he's got to have the opportunity sometime. 
My plan, which I'm sure the Zoo have taken on board, is to give Ofa a bench spot in Dunedin.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales Test #2