Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="568061" data-time="1459219869">
<div>
<p>It's not unreasonable to point out the All Blacks haven't been shy in giving newbies an opportunity.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Sure, as individuals. I'd say the pattern is to surround debutants with experienced players</p> -
<p>Which is why pairing the Chiefs 10 and 12 with the back-up 13 of the past 2 years makes perfect sense.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why put in a Crusader with not all that much test experience when none of his provincial mates will be there? Unless we're planning him running off short balls from the props....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568048" data-time="1459217627">
<div>
<p>Moala played right wing against Samoa and went pretty well considering it was his first test and a bit of wacky test (first test of the year, a lot of regulars unavailable due to Super rugby final etc) - I think he'll be an option. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah I'm a fan of Moala. Even with the one specialist winger out (NMS) I think he's in with a real show to play out wide. And might be handy to be in the squad should the AB selectors want to experiment in the midfield.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="568067" data-time="1459220463">
<div>
<p>Yep, but Ngatai has been captaining the AB Maori team (and Taranaki?)<br><br>
Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ngatai start from the bench.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The only thing Crotty has in his favour is that he has been in the All Black environment longer. That's literally the only thing.</p> -
<p>leaving the tongue-in-cheek stuff aside for the moment, i think Moala at 14 is a distinct possibility for June. I would expect him to be in the squad anyway, and once our right wings come back, to be looking at an impact sub role (until SBW is back of course). </p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="568074" data-time="1459221544">
<div>
<p>The only thing Crotty has in his favour is that he has been in the All Black environment longer. That's literally the only thing.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Interesting use of the word literally...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568071" data-time="1459221427">
<div>
<p>Which is why pairing the Chiefs 10 and 12 with the back-up 13 of the past 2 years makes perfect sense.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why put in a Crusader with not all that much test experience when none of his provincial mates will be there? Unless we're planning him running off short balls from the props....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Eh? Crotty's played in 15 tests. That's 2 more than Fekitoa. The fact that he's paired up with Fekitoa a few times probably counts for something in this transition period too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568078" data-time="1459222023">
<div>
<p>Eh? Crotty's played in 15 tests. That's 2 more than Fekitoa. The fact that he's paired up with Fekitoa a few times probably counts for something in this transition period too.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>4 starts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Including Samoa, Scotland, USA.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568078" data-time="1459222023">
<div>
<p>Eh? Crotty's played in 15 tests. That's 2 more than Fekitoa. The fact that he's paired up with Fekitoa a few times probably counts for something in this transition period too.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>i remember like, one of those. and that one where he caught the ball and fell over the line v Ireland. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568041" data-time="1459217130">
<div>
<p>obvious troll is obvious</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This "Crotty has more leadership" is some fucking bullshit you racist fucks. It's pretty clear from watching the Chiefs Ngatai has a huge say in how their game plays, and is often the one settling it down when a few of our more excitable players take it too far. While i expect Crotty to also be in the, i don't see him taking in too much more collateral than Ngatai given their last 18 months of rugby. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>What's Crotty even led anyway? The Crusaders backline? Not really something to show off about.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="568096" data-time="1459227100">
<div>
<p>Neither is the Blues backline for that matter. Guess that will count Moala out as well.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>No-one's talking up Moala's leadership, so why would it matter?</p> -
<p>great thrêad ,when was the last time we could debate an allblack backline (apart from dagg vs smith)and selection time is still 3 months away </p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="568057" data-time="1459219366">
<div>
<p>Hopefully Tony pulu can get a run of games for Chiefs as I've always really rated him.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Always liked Toni Pulu's game, but he's ineligible for NZ as he's played 7s for Niue.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="568105" data-time="1459228049"><p>Always liked Toni Pulu's game, but he's ineligible for NZ as he's played 7s for Niue.</p></blockquote>
I did wonder that but could not find any info on him being ineligible -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568088" data-time="1459224023">
'></a></p>
<div>
<p>i remember like, one of those. and that one where he caught the ball and fell over the line v Ireland. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Never gets old. He with the other Franks were heavily involved at the ruck and also running the ball in that sequence.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href=' -
<p>Think Sopoaga has to start (while Cruds has run the Chiefs backline superbly during the last handful of games, shying away from kicking duties doesn't help his cause)</p>
<p>Ngatai good for 12, Fekitoa the inside track at centre, Moala and B Smith to the wings (while J Savea visits boot camp) and DMac to FB .</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568116" data-time="1459230823">
'></a></p>
<div>
<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Never gets old. <strong>He with the other Franks were heavily involved at the ruck and also running the ball in that sequence.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>We're talking about Crotty, right? Cause I'm not sure you're watching the same sequence I am.</p> -
<p>9.Smith, 10.Sopianga 11.Savea 12. Ngatai 13. Fekitoa 14. Naholo 15. Smith res TKB , Crotty , Barrett</p>
<p> </p>
<p>thats what im going with for now if naholo is available , not much between cruden and sopoaga , Can see it going the other way too,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>likewise Crotty and Ngatai , both in the squad, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moala maybe a bench spot </p>
