All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="583979" data-time="1464580196"><p>did you comment on the image on FB?...someone said the same thing!</p></blockquote>
Lol not me I don't go anywhere near FB! -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="584007" data-time="1464586771">
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<p>Ofa T would be the first All Black from Mangere College?</p>
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<p>F.E Bunce - <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71'>http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="583983" data-time="1464580935">
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<p>I heard that Lydiate news from a workmate and Bovidae just confirmed it. So Wales' loose forward situation is looking pretty grim right? I'd be pleased to have any Taffs, and anyone up with the play, comment on this (or anyone with an ability to do internet research for that matter).</p>
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<p>The Telegraph website named these loose forwards as original selections for the tour:</p>
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<p>T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), J Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).</p>
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<p>Take out Lydiate, and considering Warburton is still an injury concern I believe, then Wales is struggling. Lydiate started the England friendly at 7 I think, captaining the team. Seems Tipuric is also injured out of the series.</p>
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<p>Wales running out of loose forwards, Gatland must look on the fact the ABs can leave out of their squad players of the quality of Brad Shields, Matt Todd and Steve Luatua with a lot of envy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584015" data-time="1464587649">
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<p>Probably you TR, you love Richie</p>
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<p>yeah, nah; as my resident FB stalker, if I had made a comment like that, you would not have missed the chance to have a go at it bro...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584025" data-time="1464589423">
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<p>yeah, nah; as my resident FB stalker, if I had made a comment like that, you would not have missed the chance to have a go at it bro...</p>
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<p>Good point. Haven't seen your antics on FB lately, you must be busy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584014" data-time="1464587504"><p>Wales running out of loose forwards, Gatland must look on the fact the ABs can leave out of their squad players of the quality of Brad Shields, Matt Todd and Steve Luatua with a lot of envy.</p></blockquote>
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I don't think Gatland is concerning himself one bit with who was left out of the AB squad. -
<p>He's having enough difficulty keeping a fit squad as it is.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="584011" data-time="1464587169">
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<p>So, is there no rugby on this weekend and therefore do the All Blacks have more prep time together than in previous years?</p>
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<p>Yes that is true - they have more time together - interesting that Hansen said in the past they overloaded the players with to much info in the first week and it affected their play for the first test because of this. </p>
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<p>Tried to find the article to quote Hansen, but couldn't, instead I found this: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/all-blacks/news/article.cfm?c_id=116&objectid=11647354'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/all-blacks/news/article.cfm?c_id=116&objectid=11647354</a>, picking the starting XV for the first test. Feels like they purposely pick players that obviously aren't going to start the first test just so the article is interesting / the XVs are some what different e.g. Wynne Gray has McKenzie on the wing?!?! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="584031" data-time="1464590755"><p>I don't think Gatland is concerning himself one bit with who was left out of the AB squad.</p></blockquote>
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He's going to be pretty busy coaching the Welsh defence that is for sure. -
<p>Sparky, I remember you had concerns about Cruden's defensive qualities and would prefer Sopoaga to start.</p>
<p>I wanted to add to that with the thought that Cruden may have peaked and has plateaued somewhat.</p>
<p>Lets face it , it's been a while since he has taken a closely fought game with high stakes by the scruff and really effected the outcome by taking ultimate control.</p>
<p>Yes the Chiefs have done pretty well with him, however at AB level I see more tread in Sopoaga, and BB is a jack-in-the-box who constantly surprises.</p>
<p>Cruden does have defensive frailties and more often than not the offence will target his weak inside shoulder these days. Don't get me wrong, he is quality, I just wonder about his longevity . </p> -
<p>dont think his defence has been exposed in black before? Everyone misses a sitter now and again I know, but for you to be a defensive liability you would be doing it over and over, which I thiink doesnt really apply to anyone in the ABs in recent times.</p>
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<p>Although I guess that was with Nonu or SBW outside him....but as usual, I trust in Hansen and Co.</p> -
<p>Ive got a feeling , both will get starts in this series , </p>
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<p>I do think Cruden is number 1 in their eyes at this stage , but its not like Carter and then the rest , </p>
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<p>Lima could well be number 1 by the EOYT if he is good enough </p> -
<p>Interesting comments about the need to find replacement for Crockett, now 33. Expect EOYT will see one of Hames/Manu/Goodes get put through paces.</p>
<p>Not said openly by Shag, but I think selectors picked loosies with eyes on inevitable moving on of Kaino, also now 33. Dixon and Squire both seem to be in the big hit/powerful running style of a Kaino 6. Would also explain omission of Luatua, who has been excellent for Blues, but is the natural replacement for the skills of Read if, God forbid, he got injured.</p>
<p>Will be interesting how midfield shapes. Historic preference for power 12/ skiled 13 would argue for Fekitoa (12)/Crotty or Tamanivalu (12)/Ngatai -- the opposite of their usual roles (Fekitoa seems much more at home at 13).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="584050" data-time="1464594180">
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<p>Sparky, I remember you had concerns about Cruden's defensive qualities and would prefer Sopoaga to start.</p>
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<p>In Sopoaga's only test start he missed 5 tackles.</p>
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<p>It makes sense that both Cruden and Sopoaga will start over a 3-test series.</p> -
Fekitoa has been playing 12 for the Landers over the last few weeks and whilst that might be influenced by available personnel, I think it's where he will finish the season. <br><br>
Hansen used him at both 12 and 13 last year also. <br><br>
I don't think the coaches will be trying to replicate Nonu/Smith. They were both class players in their own right and when they paired with other players they adapted. We have seen in limited test game time of Crotty and Fekitoa and it's quite different. Add in two brand new faces and I hope people allow time rather than bemoan that they're not Rock or Snakey -
I don't know if we have historically gone for a powerful 12, as Nonu was equally powerful and skillful. If he wasn't around who would have taken his place between 2008 - 2015?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="584050" data-time="1464594180">
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<p>Sparky, I remember you had concerns about Cruden's defensive qualities and would prefer Sopoaga to start.</p>
<p>I wanted to add to that with the thought that Cruden may have peaked and has plateaued somewhat.</p>
<p>Lets face it , it's been a while since he has taken a closely fought game with high stakes by the scruff and really effected the outcome by taking ultimate control.</p>
<p>Yes the Chiefs have done pretty well with him, however at AB level I see more tread in Sopoaga, and BB is a jack-in-the-box who constantly surprises.</p>
<p>Cruden does have defensive frailties and more often than not the offence will target his weak inside shoulder these days. Don't get me wrong, he is quality, I just wonder about his longevity . </p>
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<p>I asked questions about Cruden's defence. I never said I'd prefer to start with Sopoaga.</p>
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<p>Cruden Vs Sopoaga Vs Barrett is an interesting problem to have. Cruden has the better passing game, Sopoaga the better goal-kicking, Barrett has the better running game. All three have excellent short kicking games. Cruden and Barrett have been there and done in RWC knock outs. Sopoaga showed a great temperament in the cauldron of Ellis Park last year. The coaches have given very little away about the pecking order of the three so far.</p>
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<p>Defence is the doubt about all three, especially in a post-McCaw world.</p>
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<p>For what it's worth, I think Barrett is the best player of the three and has the most potential. I'm just not convinced he's a natural number 10, seems more of a three-quarter than a five-eight.</p>
