All Blacks vs Wales

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574699" data-time="1461570310">
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Awful lot of fullback, and very little midfield cover in there C4L. 
Hard to argue with the starting pack. 
Cruden for Barrett. 
Dagg for Dmac. 
Crotty or Fekitoa to the bench with Barrett. 
Dmac in the squad. 
And TKB for Weber.
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B Smith can move to Centre. Fekitoa can move to 2nd five. That was my thinking behind those selections. Ryan Crotty just doesn't cut it for me, but I know he will be picked. He's just a journeyman type player in my view. I guess he will be the new Thrush of the All Blacks moving forward - a safe player who doesn't really set the world on fire by himself, however is solid enough to warrant international selection with his ability to contribute without doing much wrong.

taniwharugby

YOu are happy to move Ben Smith to 13, but describe Crotty as a journeyman....There is a reaosn they havent played Ben Smith at 13 since, what, 2013?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574709" data-time="1461571946">
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YOu are happy to move Ben Smith to 13, but describe Crotty as a journeyman....There is a reaosn they havent played Ben Smith at 13 since, what, 2013?
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That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. 
 
Crotty is a journeyman. You wouldn't even consider him if SBW was around. 
 
They also played Smith at 12 when they lost Nonu against the Safas in 2014. Hansen and co obviously respect his ability to be Mr fix it.

taniwharugby

just seems daft to not only move the best 15 in the game from 15 to 14, where he is also world class, but possibly to 13 where he is a journeyman, at the very best...when we dont really need to be squeezing so much in the backline and bench;
 
A Smith, Cruden, J Savea, Ngatai, Crotty, Smith, Dagg
TKB, Fekitoa, BB
 
Is where I'd go, Ngatai and Crotty are interchangable (both can play the other) Fekitoa can play 12 or wing if need be, BB is your back up 10/15, obviously Smith is back up 15 too.

Canes4life

Why is everyone so fixated with starting Dagg?? Really... He plays a couple good games for the Crusaders and everyone has him locked in at Fullback.
 
Questionable when McKenzie has simply been the best outside in NZ by far. He has been on fire for the Chiefs and he has the ability to kick goals aswell.
 
I guess its so hard to fit all these talented players into one match day squad..
 
Just goes to show the depth in New Zealand Rugby is as strong as ever.
 
 
 
 
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Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574726" data-time="1461574503">
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Why is everyone so fixated with starting Dagg?? Really... He plays a couple good games for the Crusaders and everyone has him locked in at Fullback.
 
Questionable when McKenzie has simply been the best outside in NZ by far. He has been on fire for the Chiefs and he has the ability to kick goals aswell.
 
 
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Class over many years at the highest level

taniwharugby

I think Daggs experience will win the day, already gonna be 4 other changes to the backline thst started the RWC final, not sure D-Mac will be rushed in...right now, I think he could push for the super-sub bench spot BB currently holds (in my team)

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="574727" data-time="1461574642">
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Class over many years at the highest level
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Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure.

MiketheSnow

Whichever way you cut it, it's going to be a really shit month for Wales :(

gt12

Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). 
Right now, I'd pick Bender on the wing with either Dmac or Dagg at the back. 
Interesting question will be whether all 6 get selected. Seems like 1 too many - how big is the squad? Who'll be unlucky?

Canes4life

30???
 
Outsides would have to be: Savea, Smith, McKenzie, Dagg (Ngatai and Barrett can also cover Fullback)
On the cusp: Lowe
Injured: Nahalo, NMS, Ranger
Sevens: R Ioane
Too Old: Jane

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
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Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
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Don't disagree at all but you asked.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574741" data-time="1461576102">
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Don't get me wrong I think Dagg is a class player and I hope he can get back to the top of the International scene but I just really love what I'm seeing from Damian. Maybe its just me wanting too much too soon but I watched this kid at Westpac on Saturday and he just oozed class for such a young kid. He wouldn't look out of place starting for the All Blacks, that's for sure. 
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So you're saying DMac is the Cullen to Daggs Glen Osborne ?

Cantab79

My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending;
 
 
15. Ben Smith
14. Waisake Naholo
13. Malakai Fekitoa
12. Ryan Crotty
11. Julian Savea
10. Aaron Cruden
9. Aaron Smith
 
8. Kieran Read (c)
7. Sam Cane
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Brodie Rettalick
3. Owen Franks
2. Dane Coles
1. Joe Moody
 
16. Codie Taylor
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Luke Romano
20. Ardie Savea
21. Brad Weber
22. Beaudan Barrett
23. Damian McKenzie
 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.

Bones

I'm quite interested to see people just accepting DMac is a 10. He's going great guns at 15, no doubt and of course he's played 10 in the past. But I can't even recall when that was, or if he put in a half decent performance? I'd be concerned going into a test match against any tier 1 with him as our 10 off the bench (at this stage).

antipodean

As Steve is fond of pointing out; the class of players is how well they stand up at the business end of the competition.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574710" data-time="1461572127">
That's because I rate Smith a better centre than Crotty and believe he will do a better job covering that position. </blockquote>
 
On what basis?

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="574744" data-time="1461576385">
Dmac definitely has the class and the form. There are 3 10s and 3 15s who are easily AB class, and 2 of them can play both 10/15 (i.e., the super-Sub bench spot). </blockquote>
 
3 x 10s? Add in Lima as well

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="574763" data-time="1461578546">
My predicted team for the first test against Wales, form and fitness pending; 
15. Ben Smith 
14. Waisake Naholo 
13. Malakai Fekitoa 
12. Ryan Crotty 
11. Julian Savea 
10. Aaron Cruden 
9. Aaron Smith 
8. Kieran Read (c) 
7. Sam Cane 
6. Jerome Kaino 
5. Sam Whitelock 
4. Brodie Rettalick 
3. Owen Franks 
2. Dane Coles

Joe Moody
Codie Taylor
Wyatt Crockett
Charlie Faumuina
Luke Romano
Ardie Savea
Brad Weber
Beaudan Barrett
Damian McKenzie 
Very similar to the OP, but some key differences as well. I think Hansen will be keen to give players like McKenzie, Savea and Weber plenty of minutes, but off the bench. No point in stuffing up a young players confidence by throwing them to the wolves too early on. I also can't see the point of playing a utility player at no.19, when you've got lots of coverage already. Just stick with three specialist locks, especially against a tall Welsh lineout. Sadly no room for Dagg in my 23 at this stage, I may need to hand in my Cantab card. He's looking good, but if he's not starting at fullback he's not in the team IMO, given his relative lack of utility value. He'll be in the squad though, and if anything happens to Ben Smith he's our starting fullback.</blockquote>
 
Pretty close I reckon. 
Have doubts about Naholo and his fitness. I'm leaving righr wing open on that basis 
BB and DMac won't both mae the match day squad barring several injuries. BB for me. 
So bring in another midfielder to replace DMac. That's Ngatai. But he starts at 12. Fekitoa drops to the bench and covers wing. 
I think you're right with Romano, but wouldn't mind Tupolotu or Luatua.

booboo

It does beg the question: are we picking a full on 1st XV/XXIII? 
Do we think they want to make a statement first up? Or will there be elements of squad development? 
Certainly will be tweaks throughout the series, but will they include any in the first game? 
There are plenty of guys in and around the fringes who will get a chance on rotation i reckon. 
Surprisingly I'm a little perplexed about where all the wingers are given Naholo and NMS aren't a hundy. In a non-Olympic year I'd have a close look at Ioane. 
I am dead set against moving Ben Smith.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales