Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="568067" data-time="1459220463">
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<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>
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<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>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="568074" data-time="1459221544">
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<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>
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<p>Interesting use of the word literally...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568071" data-time="1459221427">
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<p>Which is why pairing the Chiefs 10 and 12 with the back-up 13 of the past 2 years makes perfect sense.</p>
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<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>
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<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">
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<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>
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<p>4 starts.</p>
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<p>Including Samoa, Scotland, USA.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568078" data-time="1459222023">
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<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>
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<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">
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<p>obvious troll is obvious</p>
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<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>
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<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">
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<p>Neither is the Blues backline for that matter. Guess that will count Moala out as well.</p>
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<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>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="568057" data-time="1459219366">
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<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>
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<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">
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<p>i remember like, one of those. and that one where he caught the ball and fell over the line v Ireland. </p>
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<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers
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<p>Never gets old. He with the other Franks were heavily involved at the ruck and also running the ball in that sequence.</p>
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<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
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<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">
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<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers :)</p>
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<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>
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<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
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<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>
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<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>
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<p>likewise Crotty and Ngatai , both in the squad, </p>
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<p>Moala maybe a bench spot </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="568123" data-time="1459233190">
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<p>We're talking about Crotty, right? Cause I'm not sure you're watching the same sequence I am.</p>
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<p>Just trolling.</p>
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<p>Crotty's input was extremely minor compared to that of the rest of the side.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568116" data-time="1459230823">
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<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers :)</p>
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<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>
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<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
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<p>How did a Franks, and just the 'other' Franks get into this conversation? Did you have a mention of the other Franks too and then delete it? Are you pre-white knighting on the off chance someone says something negative about the Franks?</p>
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<p>Crotty did one awful flop at one ruck but he ran well and took the chance well. I do enjoy re-watching that over and over again though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="568124" data-time="1459233329">
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<p>9.Smith, 10.Sopianga 11.Savea 12. Ngatai 13. Fekitoa 14. Naholo 15. Smith res TKB , Crotty , Barrett</p>
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<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>
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<p>Except that Cruden has played 37 tests and Sopoaga one test.</p>
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<p>It would be a bit concerning if Cruden doesn't resume the kicking duties a bit later in the season, but I'm pretty sure he will.</p>
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<p>Cruden is already the fifth highest points scorer of all time for the ABs and, despite him being injured, Sopoaga still didn't get the the RWC. Sopoaga will make the squad and his time as No.1 may come, but initially I can see this going only one way. </p>
