All Blacks v Wales Test #3

rotated

I reckon the reason for Barrett over Lima is 20% respect/morale/reward for BB. The other 80% is the midfield is such a mess and is priority number one to fix maintaining stability in and around it is vital. Better to select the safest pair of hands and the one who knows the system the best. Hansen backs Barrett to do that - and fair enough too.
 
We just don't have the leadership in the backline to break in a rookie first-five and a new midfield combination that resembles a tinder date gone wrong.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="589883" data-time="1466385528">
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Have the coaches said anything about Harris being selected ahead of Taylor for the first 2 tests?
 
Because unless they have, I think everyone's assumption that Taylor is ahead in the pecking order is a bit premature.
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When the squad was announced Hansen was asked that. His response was Harris was picked because you don't lose your place due to injury. Hardly a ringing endorsement.

Baron Silas Greenback

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="590131" data-time="1466458439">
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When the squad was announced Hansen was asked that. His response was Harris was picked because you don't lose your place due to injury. Hardly a ringing endorsement.
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I agree it is very much not a ringing endorsement of Taylor.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="590126" data-time="1466457076">
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Suspect the wise men will have Dixon on bench, BB starting and Moala lucky to be in 23, with Crotty starting.
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Yep - Moala wasn't selected in the initial squad, so I reckon he'll only make the bench if Fekitoa is injured.
 
I think any deficiencies in the midfield are being a bit over-egged. On Saturday Fekitoa injured himself after 26 seconds - left the field for a dozen minutes. Came back for 25 minutes and got subbed at halftime. I didn't really see him indulging in much that could be described as "headless chookery". He got penalized for the shepherd - on the other hand he did what was required to allow Dagg to score. Mostly he wasn't very involved and was probably struggling with injuries.
 
I'm not sure I've really seen us try to use the midfield directly from the set piece. The first test we seemed largely intent on kicking for the wings to counter the rush defense. Other standard plays are bringing the wings into first/second receiver and using them to bust the line or set a target.

reprobate

it's not the midfield wales have been busting through, and while it's not like we've looked creative or dangerous there, our guys haven't really made too many glaring errors up against roberts and davies who are both pretty good players and a well established combination.
combinations take time and we've been pretty spoilt for a long time now - you can't expect a new pairing to immediately have anything approaching the nonu-smith welly/canes/ABs combo. i'd be happy to give them a pass mark so far, though i still do think crotty is a better 13 than 12.

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="590027" data-time="1466417121">
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If they start Barrett that seems likley, they'll sub on Lima & take off Dagg, moving Barrett to 15
 
I still think its even money we'll see Ben Smith wearing 13 again by the end of the year.
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I can't see why that would happen. You have Crotty, Fekitoa currently starting, Tamanivalu on the bench (and has been seeing game time), SBW to return from sevens & Ngatai to return from injury. 
 
The midfield stocks are looking stronger than the outside backs at the moment.

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="590176" data-time="1466470091">
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it's not the midfield wales have been busting through, and while it's not like we've looked creative or dangerous there, our guys haven't really made too many glaring errors up against roberts and davies who are both pretty good players and a well established combination.
combinations take time and we've been pretty spoilt for a long time now - you can't expect a new pairing to immediately have anything approaching the nonu-smith welly/canes/ABs combo. i'd be happy to give them a pass mark so far, though i still do think crotty is a better 13 than 12.
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I'm probably the biggest Jamie Roberts fan on this forum. But he hasn't been anywhere near the heights he's able to reach on this tour.

taniwharugby

according to radio sport, both Cruden and BB took part in training this morning, Fekitoa did not train.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="590181" data-time="1466470580">
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I can't see why that would happen. You have Crotty, Fekitoa currently starting, Tamanivalu on the bench (and has been seeing game time), SBW to return from sevens & Ngatai to return from injury. 
 
The midfield stocks are looking stronger than the outside backs at the moment.
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Agree with this. On top of those you mentioned you also have ALB and Rieko Ioane as youngsters pushing their case for spots.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="590111" data-time="1466449436">
Agree to disagree , I would far rather see how we match up against England for example. 3 tests against same team too much unless it's the Lions for me.</blockquote>
 
You youngsters. No attention span.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="589883" data-time="1466385528">
Have the coaches said anything about Harris being selected ahead of Taylor for the first 2 tests? 
Because unless they have, I think everyone's assumption that Taylor is ahead in the pecking order is a bit premature.</blockquote>
Not my assumption. My assumption is Harris is number 2. But I'd pick Taylor somewhere this week. Either starting with Coles bench. Or in place of Harris on the benching. Just as minor squad rotation, depth investment. But Shag never listens to me.

taniwharugby

so are you (DMX) suggesting we have these 2 v Wales and then a one off v England, or say a 2 test series v England and 1 off v Wales?
 
What if England was still sucking and was 2-0 down in their series, would you still be keen for that match?

No Quarter

The three match series is brilliant, long may it continue. Gives teams like Wales and Ireland a chance of beating us. I'd love to see the same in the NH tours.

kiwiinmelb

I like them because it feels traditional , thats how it was as a kid growing up , 
 
All we need now is a few more midweekers and a game against the maoris

nzzp

I like the three match series. The thing with a series is that you have time to respond to tactics and strategy. Tests coaches and players no end - they have to change up their game plans, modify their style and win against people who start to anticipate what you do.
 
Must be bloody hard for touring sides to come here though...

mooshld

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="590234" data-time="1466491354">
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The three match series is brilliant, long may it continue. Gives teams like Wales and Ireland a chance of beating us. I'd love to see the same in the NH tours.
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As would I but I fear with the national stadium system they use in the NH it would get a bit repetitive.

pakman

I agree that midfield hasn't been that bad. And although Roberts looks shagged, pays to remember he and Davies are the Lions incumbents. 
 
That said, Crotty and Fekitoa haven't gelled. Not sure how fast Crotty is, but Fekitoa looks best to me when outside someone with a bit of toe.
 
For me our backline works most effectively when we have at 12 a unit who can straighten attack and will pull opposition 13 in a bit and so create space for outsides. Moala has brought that very well to the table for Blues. SBW will tick that box later in year.
 
Interesting Crotty hasn't been given a run at 13, which like others I think is his best long term AB position. 
 
Was really looking forward to seeing Ngatai in ABs. Has been sublime for Chiefs. A fair size, but with kicking game, and Mauger-like decision making. And can shift a bit. 
 
Is sounding in press like a Crotty/Tamanivatu combo to start Saturday.

SabalomG

The series are good fun. You really appreciate seeing the other teams now, knowing that they won't be back 2 years later. Would really love it if they could somehow agree to a Springbok tour (or ABs in the Republic). Maybe they could do it when the Lions are in Australia, and the Argies can play France

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="590181" data-time="1466470580">
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I can't see why that would happen. You have Crotty, Fekitoa currently starting, Tamanivalu on the bench (and has been seeing game time), SBW to return from sevens & Ngatai to return from injury. 
 
The midfield stocks are looking stronger than the outside backs at the moment.
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NMS, Dagg, Savea, Naholo & maybe Dmac are all genuine test quality in terms of what the AB's want from back 3.
 
In contrast only SBW is out & out AB quality in the centres. Crotty is solid but will never be a 9/10 player. Ngatai might be, but at the moment he's just a guy that looks good in a Super team. And the others are smashers not thinkers - Fekitoa & Tamanivalu - and Fekitoa looks increasingly bad. So there's "in theory" depth in the centres, but its the same way we had depth in 1998 with Gibson, Mayerfhofler, Clarke & Berryman. And we have a bad track record playing 2 big physical centres.
 
I don't really want Ben Smith anywhere bar 15, but I can see we can play a AB quality back 3 without Smith, I look in the centres & I'm sort of betting the house on Ngatai converting his Super class to AB level & partnering SBW. - ie a guy who barely ever sticks around & a guy who hasn't actually done dick. So I think the selectors will revisit Smith in 13 - even just 30 minutes, at some stage. Hopefully just in backup to the new Smith & Nonu that Ngatai & SBW will be right thru to the next WC...

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="590181" data-time="1466470580">
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The midfield stocks are looking stronger than the outside backs at the moment.
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</blockquote>
 
With all fit and available we have two world class talents in Smith and NMS and two players who were world class in the past with reasons they can do it again in Dagg & Savea. Plus Barrett who is the best in the world at what he does - primarily operating out of fullback. Plus whatever Naholo is.
 
In the centres we have no world class players who can lay claim to a jersey, and the only one close is SBW who is yet to prove he can dominate without coming off the bench - which he will now have to do.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks v Wales Test #3