All Blacks vs Wales
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I can't see anything but a comfortable 3-0 series win for NZ.<br>
I'd love to see us give you guys a good run for your money but we're so predictable in attack I can't see it.<br>
We'll huff & puff and give 100% with heroic efforts in defence etc but that'll never be enough to make a dent in the NZ armour.<br>
Looking forward to it though, though I'll watch most of it with my head in my hands screaming at the TV !
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<p>I do enjoy the 3 test series, really adds a different dynamic having to front up against the same blokes 3 weeks in a row.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hope we get some cracking tests.</p> -
<p>No Halfpenny not selected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="578658" data-time="1462908381">
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<p>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).</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Sean?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>AWJ was the best lock on the planet last year, and one of the best overall.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="578677" data-time="1462924606"><p>
I can't see the team for some reason. Did the Toulon chap get selected? Is the owner holding back his pay?</p></blockquote>
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No Halfpenny left out.<br><br>
Hasn't played since the injury so probably fair call regardless of Toulon -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="578678" data-time="1462924886"><p>
No Halfpenny not selected.<br><br><br><br>
Sean?<br><br>
AWJ was the best lock on the planet last year, and one of the best overall.</p></blockquote>
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Really? Better than BBBR? And LdJ? -
Mike's post did have a graphic attached earlier ... seems to have gone.<br><br>
Here:<br><br>
WALES SQUAD<br><br>
Forwards: Rob Evans, Tomas Francis, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins, Rhodri Jones, Samson Lee, Scott Baldwin, Kristian Dacey, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, James King, Dan Lydiate, Ross Moriarty, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton (captain). <br><br>
Backs: Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, Scott Williams, Hallam Amos, Matthew Morgan, Tom James, George North, Eli Walker, Liam Williams<br><br>
From Stuff<br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/79847332/no-new-caps-or-leigh-halfpenny-in-wales-tour-squad-to-new-zealand">http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/79847332/no-new-caps-or-leigh-halfpenny-in-wales-tour-squad-to-new-zealand</a> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="578680" data-time="1462925058">
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<p>Really? Better than BBBR? And LdJ?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>In a word, yes. BBBR wasn't as good in 2015 as he was in 2014 in my opinion, and I'm not sold on LdJ.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>AWJ was nominated for IRB POTY too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Acronym Central (AC).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="578683" data-time="1462926723">
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<p>In a word, yes. BBBR wasn't as good in 2015 as he was in 2014 in my opinion, and I'm not sold on LdJ.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>AWJ was nominated for IRB POTY too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Acronym Central (AC).</p>
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<p>Sam Whitelock was better than both in 2015, IMO.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="578687" data-time="1462928332">
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<p>Sam Whitelock was better than both in 2015, IMO.</p>
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<p>I really doubt that you'll find anybody who lives above the equator who agrees with you. AWJ was absolutely immense last year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="578689" data-time="1462928623">
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<p>I really doubt that you'll find anybody who lives above the equator who agrees with you. AWJ was absolutely immense last year.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>By both I meant Retallick and LdJ. Can't remember anything much about AWJ last year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="578694" data-time="1462929905">
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<p>That Welsh midfield is pretty seasoned and experienced. They might look to target the ABs relative lack of miles on the clock in that department.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>That's why I would like Fekitoa there. He just smashes people on defense, always has.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="578689" data-time="1462928623">
<p>I really doubt that you'll find anybody who lives above the equator who agrees with you. AWJ was absolutely immense last year.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately for you that was last year (he did have a very good 2015, I agree). In 2016 (at least in the 6N) he was quiet - Kruis & Itoje were better.</p>
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<p>AWJ is a very good lock though, but I would not have him in the AB team ahead of our current locks: I thought our 2 main locks were unsung heroes at the RWC, especially Whitelock (Retallick was more of a sung hero...).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="578751" data-time="1462939309">
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<p>Unfortunately for you that was last year (he did have a very good 2015, I agree). In 2016 (at least in the 6N) he was quiet - Kruis & Itoje were better.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>AWJ is a very good lock though, but I would not have him in the AB team ahead of our current locks: I thought our 2 main locks were unsung heroes at the RWC, especially Whitelock (Retallick was more of a sung hero...).</p>
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<p>This is becoming a Fern myth, Whitelock is hardly unsung. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="578766" data-time="1462942382"><p>This is becoming a Fern myth, Whitelock is hardly unsung. :)</p></blockquote>
Oh he plays for the Crusaders eh?<br><br>
He is often immense and doesn't get close to the love Retallick or Kaino get. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="578751" data-time="1462939309"><p>Unfortunately for you that was last year (he did have a very good 2015, I agree). In 2016 (at least in the 6N) he was quiet - Kruis & Itoje were better.<br><br>
AWJ is a very good lock though, but I would not have him in the AB team ahead of our current locks: I thought our 2 main locks were unsung heroes at the RWC, especially Whitelock (Retallick was more of a sung hero...).</p></blockquote>
He was carrying a heel injury for the entire 6 Nations this season & shouldn't have been selected. He still performed well but not to the heights of 2015 I'd agree.<br>
There was a bit of fuss about this at the time with the Ospreys not particularly happy he'd been playing with an injury. He's not played since the tournament due to it.<br>
Gats does like to "flog" his favored players. -
<p>The interesting thing about a 3 test series is that it allows the coaches to give more players opportunities. I'm sure Hansen will rotate a few players in and out of the starting XV. For example, Cruden and Sopoaga might get at least one start each. Gatland is going to have to play half of his test 23 vs the Chiefs, which makes selection a little more tricky.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="578694" data-time="1462929905"><p>
That Welsh midfield is pretty seasoned and experienced. They might look to target the ABs relative lack of miles on the clock in that department.</p></blockquote>except that when Wales make a linebreak they get sudden onset agrophobia and don't know what to do. They look more comfortable running into people and falling over. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="578689" data-time="1462928623">
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<p>I really doubt that you'll find anybody who lives above the equator who agrees with you. AWJ was absolutely immense last year.</p>
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<p>
I <strong>live</strong> above the equator and agree with him :i_am_so_happy:</p>
