Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="567879" data-time="1459148497">
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<p>It's a pretty boring viewpoint but here's how I say the first All Blacks squad...</p>
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<p>Halfback: One will miss out of TJP, TKB and Weber</p>
<p>First Five: All of Cruden, Barrett and Sopoaga will be in given BB's utility value in the 23</p>
<p>Midfield: One will miss out of Ngatai, Fekitoa, Moala and Crotty</p>
<p>Back Three: Anyone's guess given injuries but Smith and Savea are definites. Don't be surprised to see Moala and Lowe in the mix especially if Naholo and Dagg can't re-find their form.</p>
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<p>I suppose it depends a bit on how big of a squad they decide or are allowed to select. Given the need for a bit of backline rebuilding, I'd think a minimum of 14 backs - which would allow something like:</p>
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<p>Smith, TKB, TJP</p>
<p>Cruden, Sopoaga</p>
<p>Crotty, Moala, Fekitoa, Ngatai</p>
<p>Smith, Savea, Barrett, Naholo, McKenzie/Lowe/Osborne</p>
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<p>Bracketing a bit of a question as to whether they want McKenzie in the squad or whether they want to cover a slight shortage of specialist wings. So maybe they, instead, choose 15 backs. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="567980" data-time="1459206668">
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<p>Vigorous, volcanic force......who the fuck actually writes shit like that ?</p>
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<p><strong>Wynne is a fucken stupid name too.</strong></p>
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<p>I love the insightful analysis you provide on a regular basis MN5.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="567987" data-time="1459208834">
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<p>After seeing his attempt at catching a high ball in the last game i hope osborne is well down the list. People seem to have written ranger off but hopefully with a run of full games he can get himself in contention.</p>
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<p>As a Canterbury fan I've watched every single on of Osborne's provincial games, and TBH I don't think he's ever been All Black material. Credit to the Highlanders for getting the best out of him, but I don't think he has the skillset, work rate, defensive capability or consistency to be a serious option at test level.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="567987" data-time="1459208834">
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<p>After seeing his attempt at catching a high ball in the last game i hope osborne is well down the list. People seem to have written ranger off but hopefully with a run of full games he can get himself in contention.</p>
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<p>I haven't completely written him off, but I think he's unlikely.</p>
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<p>He's pushing 30, has had a couple of turns for the ABs without nailing it, has come back from a stint overseas which history tells us probably won't have made him better, and has been pretty anonymous in the couple of games I saw him play for the Bues. Needs to have some outstanding games.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="567997" data-time="1459210286">
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<p>As a Canterbury fan I've watched every single on of Osborne's provincial games, and TBH I don't think he's ever been All Black material. Credit to the Highlanders for getting the best out of him, but I don't think he has the skillset, work rate, defensive capability or consistency to be a serious option at test level.</p>
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<p>Nor me really, but pickings are a bit slim. As a Ta$man fan, James Lowe still seems a bit green for my liking - a bit suspect in his decision-making, though maybe playing for the Chiefs and Ta$man he's been encouraged to have a go. Who else? Proctor? FABJM? Sam McNicol? Tevita Li?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="567996" data-time="1459210134">
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<p>I love the insightful analysis you provide on a regular basis MN5.</p>
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<p>I haven't watched much Super Rugby <strike>this</strike> any year so can't offer a great deal. Standard.</p>
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<p>Is Ngatai a bit of a Kahui type player ie hard runner and tackler with a bit of a footballing brain to boot ? haven't seen much of him.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="568005" data-time="1459211272">
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<p>Is Ngatai a bit of a Kahui type player ie hard runner and tackler with a bit of a footballing brain to boot ? haven't seen much of him.</p>
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<p>Well, for what it's worth, Rennie on the radio this morning said he runs their attack.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="568004" data-time="1459211086">
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<p>Nor me really, but pickings are a bit slim. As a Ta$man fan, James Lowe still seems a bit green for my liking - a bit suspect in his decision-making, though maybe playing for the Chiefs and Ta$man he's been encouraged to have a go. Who else? Proctor? FABJM? Sam McNicol? Tevita Li?</p>
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Of those you mentioned, Li and Lowe would be my preference. Li is obviously an excitement machine with ball in hand, and Lowe has the best kicking game of any winger in NZ.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="568009" data-time="1459211618">
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<p>Of those you mentioned, Li and Lowe would be my preference. Li is obviously an excitement machine with ball in hand, and Lowe has the best kicking game of any winger in NZ.</p>
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<p>I think at present, Osborne is superior to both of those guys.</p>
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<p>Lowe has some good games, but also some shockers (Dunedin last year) </p>
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<p>As far as I can see, Li has only one positive attribute - Pace.</p> -
<p>hopefully this is Li's breakout year at big boy level...he has shown glimpses at ITM and Super rugby after being an age grade star.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="568011" data-time="1459212110">
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<p>I think at present, Osborne is superior to both of those guys.</p>
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<p>Lowe has some good games, but also some shockers (Dunedin last year) </p>
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<p>As far as I can see, Li has only one positive attribute - Pace.</p>
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<p>Agree with the last comment.</p>
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<p>He can develop further but he isn't offering an all round game at the moment.</p> -
<p>where's the cliche thread? Because one of my favourites has always been "you can't coach pace".</p>
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<p>Be nice to have some mad wheels in the team again. Have we had any since Joey Roks and Dougie were our boys?</p>
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<p>Just to be that guy, i don't think Barrett is a great starting fullback either. I like him as the impact player he has become, but i find his positional play and all-round fullback skills to be a bit south of what you expect from an AB 15. </p> -
<p>Nobody notice the link between Dagg and Savea's form <strike>dropping off</strike> turning to shit?</p>
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<p>Same happened when DC got injured all the time...</p>
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<p>Once again McCaw shows the way.....</p>
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<p>DON'T GET FUCKING MARRIED!!!! :mad1:</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568025" data-time="1459213585">
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<p>where's the cliche thread? Because one of my favourites has always been "you can't coach pace".</p>
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<p>Be nice to have some mad wheels in the team again. Have we had any since Joey Roks and Dougie were our boys?</p>
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<p>Just to be that guy, i don't think Barrett is a great starting fullback either. I like him as the impact player he has become, but i find his positional play and all-round fullback skills to be a bit south of what you expect from an AB 15. </p>
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<p>It's a dumb clichÃ
because pace can be coached, well, trained is a better word.</p>
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<p>But good point none of Savea, Kahui, Jane, Dagg, Smith etc strike me as having the kind of pace of those guys mentioned above. I think H Gear did in his brief career, Naholo probably does but is it racist for me to think that just because he is Fijian ?</p> -
<p>9. A. Smith</p>
<p>10. L. Sopoaga</p>
<p>11. G. Moala</p>
<p>12. M. Fekitoa</p>
<p>13. R. Crotty</p>
<p>14. B. Smith</p>
<p>15. B. Barrett</p>
<p> </p>
<p>21. T. Kerr-Barlow</p>
<p>22. A. Cruden</p>
<p>23. C. Ngatai</p> -
<p>sickening bias</p>
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<p>I think we are likely to see this..</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9. A. Smith<br>
10. A. Cruden<br>
11. J Savea<br>
12. C. Ngatai <br>
13. M. Fekitoa<br>
14. W. Naholo<br>
15. B. Smith<br><br>
21. T. Kerr-Barlow<br>
22. R. Crotty<br>
23. B. Barrett</p>
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<p>With extra squad members</p>
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<p>L. Sopoaga</p>
<p>D. McKenzie</p>
<p>G Moala</p>
<p>TJP</p> -
<p>So we're going to move the best Fullback in the world from the team pattern of the best team in the world because?</p>
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<p>Oh yeah because we don't have another winger in all of NZ</p>
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<p>strewth</p>
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<p>Should we just bring back Caleb Ralph then</p>
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<p>Rather an underdone wing than an underdone fullback</p>
