All Blacks vs Wales
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He'll probably have a field day at the breakdown without a genuine openside playing for Wales.<br>
He's looked impressive for Northampton. -
<p>According to Liam Napier at Stuff this is going to be the AB's squad to play Wales:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80495144/all-blacks-to-balance-form-and-experience-for-squad-to-face-wales-in-june'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80495144/all-blacks-to-balance-form-and-experience-for-squad-to-face-wales-in-june</a></p>
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<p>Charlie Faumuina, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Kieran Read, Elliot Dixon, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber/Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Lima Sopoaga, Charlie Ngatai, Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Damian McKenzie, Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo </p>
<p><strong> - Sunday Star Times</strong></p> -
<p>5 loose forwards only allowing them to avoid the McKenzie vs Dagg choice.</p>
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<p>My only reservation with that squad would be Tu'ungafasi...but the selection panel have credit ++ in the bank.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="583574" data-time="1464459828">
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<p>According to Liam Napier at Stuff this is going to be the AB's squad to play Wales:</p>
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<p>Is he saying that? It seems to be just his crack at it. I know in the past he has been able to nail some EOYT and TRC squads - but the June one has rarely been broken ahead of time.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583553" data-time="1464434743">
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<p>Seriously, how did Luke of the Whitelocks get to the fringe from one good game in ... I'm thinking of the years, maybe a Cantab fan can tell me when he had a good game at NPC sometime?</p>
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<p>He's been good this season. It's more than one good game but not good enough for the All Blacks.</p>
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<p>I actually really like Sparky's squad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583583" data-time="1464462872">
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<p>Is he saying that? It seems to be just his crack at it. I know in the past he has been able to nail some EOYT and TRC squads - but the June one has rarely been broken ahead of time.</p>
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<p>Speaking of which. What time is the announcement?</p> -
<p>If that Herald squad is correct (it also matches another leak of new names I saw), then Luatua is pretty hard done by.</p>
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<p>He looks to be really knuckling down and purposely putting away the flashy stuff. He is playing Test style rugby at Super level rather than looking for the highlights reel.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="583589" data-time="1464466401">
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<p>Speaking of which. What time is the announcement?</p>
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<p>10 am I think.</p>
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<p>Who is the fucker who gives these leaks to the media? AB squad announcement should be as tightly guarded secret as the Reserve Bank OCR.</p>
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<p>Napier's squad looks "right" to me - if he's saying this is it then it doubtless is.</p> -
Forwards<br>Hookers<br>Dane Coles (Wellington, 36 Tests)<br>Codie Taylor (Canterbury, four Tests)<br>Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty, two Tests)<br>Props<br>Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 45 Tests)<br>Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 33 Tests)<br>Owen Franks (Canterbury, 78 Tests)<br>Joe Moody (Canterbury, 11 Tests)<br>Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland, new cap)<br>Locks<br>Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay, 47 Tests)<br>Luke Romano (Canterbury, 22 Tests)<br>Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, seven Tests)<br>Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 73 Tests)<br>Loose Forwards<br>Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 31 Tests)<br>Elliot Dixon (Southland, new cap)<br>Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 67 Tests)<br>Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 84 Tests)<br>Ardie Savea (Wellington, new cap)<br>Liam Squire ( Ta$man, new cap)<br><br>Backs<br><br>Halfbacks<br>Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato, 20 Tests)<br>Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 47 Tests)<br><br>First five-eighths<br>Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 36 Tests)<br>Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 37 Tests)<br>Lima Sopoaga (Southland, one Test)<br><br>Midfielders<br>Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 15 Tests)<br>Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 13 Tests)<br>Charlie Ngatai (Taranaki, one Test)<br>Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki, new cap)<br><br>Outside backs<br>Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay, 49 Tests)<br>Damian McKenzie (Waikato, new cap)<br>Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, three Tests)<br>Julian Savea (Wellington, 41 Tests)<br>Ben Smith (Otago, 48 Tests)
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Link to squad:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.allblacks.com/News/29236/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2016-steinlager-series">http://www.allblacks.com/News/29236/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2016-steinlager-series</a><br><br>
Tom Franklin a massive bolter. -
<p>So 6 new caps and 6 guys with 10 or fewer tests. Good to see some new blood coming in. Big congrats to the new guys, what a buzz!!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583607" data-time="1464473633">
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<p>Are the reporters questions written for them? I'd love them to ask why some didn't make it</p>
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<p>Why Tu'ungafasi?</p>
<p>Why Franklin ahead of Barrett?</p>
<p>Why TJP ahead of Brad Weber?</p>
<p>How close was Luatua?</p>
<p>Did Moala get considered?</p>
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<p>Delighted for Dagg, love a good comeback story.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583606" data-time="1464473532">
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<p>Squire and Dixon. Nice work. I was gutted Squire left the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>I'm not that happy about Tamanivalu. <strong>The dude's Fijian, he should be paying for Fiji.</strong></p>
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<p>Great comeback for Dagg. </p>
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<p>Excellent point. I can't think of any fleet footed Fijians that have ever worn black.</p>
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<p>Good to see a plug for your boy from the Bay though.<br>
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