All Blacks vs Wales

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="575203" data-time="1461739287">
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I'm anti-auckland grammar, but even i must admit i'm looking forward to the future of Reiko. The guy runs great lines and his best position is centre. Can't really compare him to Roks and Savea cos he isn't a winger. Hes a centre who is being blooded in (and quick enough) to play on the wing. I sure hope Tana will give him tips on playing in the midfield.. 
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Be easy on Auckland Grammar it's been a long time since they've produced anyone good like the Ioane's lol but yes I definitely look forward to seeing him develop. There's room for improvement on the defensive side of his game but that'll no doubt improve imo the more he plays at super rugby level.

mariner4life

Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="575203" data-time="1461739287">
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I'm anti-auckland grammar, but even i must admit i'm looking forward to the future of Reiko. The guy runs great lines and his best position is centre. Can't really compare him to Roks and Savea cos he isn't a winger. Hes a centre who is being blooded in (and quick enough) to play on the wing. I sure hope Tana will give him tips on playing in the midfield.. 
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He can give him tips on playing on the wing too, and then transitioning to the midfield. 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="575218" data-time="1461746047">
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Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles
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Agree with this at Super level, hugely hyped age grade, came into senior rugby and was a dud his first Super year and then took off after that.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="575127" data-time="1461711108">
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3-0 is probably what will happen but I'm just sensing a bit of the whole "Moff Tarkin not getting ready to evacuate in his moment of triumph" theme here.
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Ha ha. Not from me.
 
If we were playing you after WC 2011 then maybe we'd come away with a win, but this team isn't good enough / deep enough.

pooler fan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="575230" data-time="1461751502">Ha ha. Not from me. 
If we were playing you after WC 2011 then maybe we'd come away with a win, but this team isn't good enough / deep enough.</blockquote>
We're sterile, boring & lifeless at the moment. And that's on a good day ! 
Seriously though, any Welsh side coached by Gats will work & run hard but be pretty average going forward. We're too predictable to win the 6nations these days so NZ will find us easy pickings. (As usual)

Catogrande

Sadly I have to agree with you Pooler. Predictable going forwards - doesn't mean you can always stop them but they are somewhat one dimensional. Mind you NZ are in a transitional period (although they seem to handle transition better than most), so if you're going to do it this is probably your best chance for some years.

Cookie

Passion v aura. Welsh passion on the decline but aura is indestructible even in times of transition!

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="575260" data-time="1461770088">Passion v aura. Welsh passion on the decline but aura is indestructible even in times of transition!</blockquote>
 
Very true Cookie, although I have blocked out the transition from 1997 to 1998

taniwharugby

that was during Auras sabbatical

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="575217" data-time="1461746042">
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Savea was pretty shit until he all of a sudden transformed into the star he became. 
Kind of like Dane Coles
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Coles scored some pretty spectacular tries early in his career but Red Beard and Bart confirmed that his scrimmaging was sub par at the time.

kiwiinmelb

I think the main issue savea had early was catching the high ball , and it affected his overall confidence . 
Once he corrected that , everything else fell into place for him.

MiketheSnow

Welsh touring squad named for 5 match campaign
 
v England 29 May 16
v NZ 11 June 16
v Chiefs 14 June 16
v NZ 18 June 16
v NZ 25 June 16
 
<img src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1936221_10153728208168722_2339596449139065288_n.jpg?oh=6f5b7a1d0f864cca2c997aee003307ea&oe=57A203FA" alt="1936221_10153728208168722_23395964491390">
 
 
No excuses for losses to what is looking to be a second string England and provincial side the Chiefs.
 
No expectation to beat NZ.
 
Will be very happy if we come home with no long term injuries and < 15 point losses in all three tests.

ACT Crusader

Lots of familiar names in there Mike, but who are the up and coming players in the squad?

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="578641" data-time="1462885424">
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Lots of familiar names in there Mike, but who are the up and coming players in the squad?
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No new names.
 
If given game time Ross Moriarty, Tyler Morgan, Hallam Amos and Matthew Morgan could show something more expansive.
 
A number of players who've had good domestic seasons considered but not selected.
 
It seems that one of the biggest differences between the NH and the SH is the SH believe that 'if you're good enough, then you're old enough'.
 
Case in point Sam Davies, the Ospreys 10. Voted U20 World Player of the Year 2013 and still not capped.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/eight-unluckiest-players-missed-out-11311239'>http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/eight-unluckiest-players-missed-out-11311239</a>

Bones

Cuthbert dropped?

pooler fan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="578644" data-time="1462886670">Cuthbert dropped?</blockquote>
Injured along with Tipuric & Halfpenny.

leytonandamanda

What date isn't squad named ? 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wreck Diver

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="575295" data-time="1461801567">
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I think the main issue savea had early was catching the high ball , and it affected his overall confidence . 
Once he corrected that , everything else fell into place for him.
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Has he corrected it? Last year he was fine. This year he couldn't catch a cold.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="578649" data-time="1462892099">
What date isn't squad named ? 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</blockquote>
You mean the All Blacks? (I hope). (Probably a Thursday...) 
Otherwise check Mike the Snow's post. Might give you a clue.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="578639" data-time="1462884173">
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Welsh touring squad named for 5 match campaign
 
v England 29 May 16
v NZ 11 June 16
v Chiefs 14 June 16
v NZ 18 June 16
v NZ 25 June 16
 
 
 
 
No excuses for losses to what is looking to be a second string England and provincial side the Chiefs.
 
No expectation to beat NZ.
 
Will be very happy if we come home with no long term injuries and < 15 point losses in all three tests.
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The SXVIII to date has left me confident. Over a 3-test series, I can see at least 1 big victory. Your best chance is the 1st test...or the 2nd if NZ cruise the first and get complacent.
 
I honestly wouldn't have a single Welsh starting forward ahead of his NZ equivalents, even though some of your players are pretty good (AWJ, your loose forwards).
 
The Welsh backplay in the 6N does not have me shaking in my boots. You will need your halves to be on fire from the get-go to have any chance.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales