All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>Really looking forward to this season, it's obviously a new era and filling the 7, 10, 12 & 13 jumpers will be a huge task. I saw a quote from Sam Cane saying they wouldn't know how much the old guys were missed until they were under the pump with 5 minutes to go. How true that is.<br><br>
Looking back at results from 2012 thru to the WC final, where the ABs were described as the most dominant team ever and were rightly lauded for closing out tight games. We're all familiar with the fact they only lost 3 games and drew 2 against the Wallabies in those 4 seasons.<br><br>
Looking at the other results there were 10 games which finished with narrow wins of 7 points or under. There were 2 others with 8 point margins.<br>
3 of those narrow wins were over ENG, 3 over the Boks and 2 over IRE, 2 over AUS.<br><br>
The most famous of those narrow victories was the one against Ireland where Ryan Crotty scored the try and Aaron Cruden converted from the side line.<br><br>
Goal kicking is going to be critical for the ABs and it will be interesting to see how Cruden goes off the tee. I'm disappointed in a way that Cruden & Barrett continue to have pretty poor success rates, Cruden can be partly excused due to injuries but you would have though that Barrett would have fixed that part of his game by now. Has he not been given specialist world class coaching? I'd like to see 2 kicking options in the AB team, it's been a long time since we had that, probably not since Leon McDonald retired...<br><br>
The AB management & coaching is top class and I'm very optimistic of what we'll see this season, we may drop a couple of games but we'll come back stronger for it.<br><br>
We've lost 4 world class and all time greats from those 7, 10, 12 & 13 jumpers, the new guys will have some pluses and some minuses. Can't wait for the action to begin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some of the new guys have huge potential, McCaw retires and Savea walks onto the stage ...</p> -
<p>Crockett/Cole/Franks</p>
<p>Romano/BBBR</p>
<p>Cane/Kaino/Read</p>
<p>Smith/Cruden</p>
<p>Crotty/Fekitoa (not sure which 12/13)</p>
<p>Savea/Smith/Naholo</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moody/Charlie F/Taylor/Savea/Patrick T/TJP/BB/Dagg</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In second think Sopoaga will start, also Ngatai if fit (if not <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Taimanavalu) </span>and one or both of Dixon/Squire on bench. Moala might squeeze it if they feel they want midfield/wing cover, although that is something which they consider Benda can do.</p> -
I really think Ben smith won't play wing this year. He's the vice captain and the now the backline leader and you don't leave that guy on the wing. I'm pretty sure stu Wilson captained from the wing in the 1983 eoyt and that was a disaster.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="585118" data-time="1465068988"><p>I really think Ben smith won't play wing this year. He's the vice captain and the now the backline leader and you don't leave that guy on the wing. I'm pretty sure stu Wilson captained from the wing in the 1983 eoyt and that was a disaster.</p></blockquote>
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Don't think he will don't think he should start on the wing. I think he is best full back in the world and he would never play there if the excuse was to make room for our other full backs. That said i do like Barret's impact of the bench at full back. -
<p>I actually think Smith will spend some time on the wing, mainly because in the most recent games, it worked so well with Barrett at FB, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I dont think he will be midfield cover unless an emergency, I think there will be specialist midfield cover on the bench. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="585117" data-time="1465067698"><p>Crockett/Cole/Franks<br>
Romano/BBBR<br>
Cane/Kaino/Read<br>
Smith/Cruden<br>
Crotty/Fekitoa (not sure which 12/13)<br>
Savea/Smith/Naholo<br>
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Moody/Charlie F/Taylor/Savea/Patrick T/TJP/BB/Dagg<br>
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In second think Sopoaga will start, also Ngatai if fit (if not <span style="color:#282828;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Taimanavalu) </span></span>and one or both of Dixon/Squire on bench. Moala might squeeze it if they feel they want midfield/wing cover, although that is something which they consider Benda can do.</p></blockquote>
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I don't see them having Dagg on the bench while you BB on the bench -
To clarify, I think he certainly won't start on the wing even if there is injury. You'd expect the tactic of bringing Barrett on for a wing will continue. Bender officially goes to wing but that's on defence or to chase kicks. The best effect is having three players I.e. cruden, Barrett and bender who can act as first receiver in multi-phase play. Each can kick, pass and run brilliantly late in the game and means we retain our backline attack structures really well.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="585118" data-time="1465068988"><p>
I really think Ben smith won't play wing this year. He's the vice captain and the now the backline leader and you don't leave that guy on the wing. I'm pretty sure stu Wilson captained from the wing in the 1983 eoyt and that was a disaster.</p></blockquote>
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That may have had something to do with who was captain as much as where he was playing (and the unavailability of the entire tight 5). -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="585118" data-time="1465068988">
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<p>I really think Ben smith won't play wing this year. He's the vice captain and the now the backline leader and you don't leave that guy on the wing. I'm pretty sure stu Wilson captained from the wing in the 1983 eoyt and that was a disaster.</p>
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<p>I'm more of the opinion that he will.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure there's a place for either of Dagg or McKenzie on the bench (it's a stretch to think McKenzie can cover first five at present), so if they're going to play in this series then they'll have to start. And if they start it simply makes more sense for them to play fullback and Ben Smith to either play wing, or Ben not play at all.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If, not play at all, then Savea and Naholo probably play all three tests.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I reckon we'll see at least one Wales test with Ben starting on the wing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="585126" data-time="1465072498">
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<p>I don't see them having Dagg on the bench while you BB on the bench</p>
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<p>Well as Bones <em>might</em> say, Dagg should spend more time at 10..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="585070" data-time="1465016549">
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<p>In fact Squire would be more suited as he is the taller of the two. </p>
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<p>3 CM! And Dixon has been quite successful at lineout hasn't he? Is there much in it for jumping prowess?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="585160" data-time="1465095298">
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<p>Well as Bones <em>might</em> say, Dagg should spend more time at 10..</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>even then, still no point having both BB and Dagg covering 10/15 form the bench...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="585169" data-time="1465098344">
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<p>even then, still no point having both BB and Dagg covering 10/15 form the bench...</p>
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<p>Right. Kind of weird in that they are such different players (certainly at 15) IMO.</p> -
<p>that they are, but Dagg has only really played 15 right, BB often comes on at 15, but also covers 10</p>
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<p>When Hansen explained the selection of Dagg and McKenzie, he literally said that Dagg's selection was "pretty much a no-brainer really". "He has been an outstanding All Black in the past; he had a season last year that was really affected by injury and he ran out of time to prove to us that he was ready to go to the World Cup. He has come back and - like a lot of guys who get a decent off-season - he has come back and has played extremely well; he looks really sharp; he has always been good under the high ball and he has continued to do that; his defence has improved from where it was. So he is really enjoying his rugby and I think he realises after that little break - I wouldn't say he took it for granted, but there is a new-found enthusiasm because of that break - and we are expecting him to come back in and really lift his game to another level as well here."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He said from McKenzie that he "has been in form, he is exciting, but he still has a lot of things in his game that he needs to grow and work on. But you would expect that of a young guy, so it is an opportunity for us to not just look at the now, but also the future (...) We get a month to work with him and over that time we will slowly but surely see him grow; the experience of being in [the team] will surely help him grow ."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With that in mind, I'm not sure whether McKenzie will get any game time. Maybe in the third game, most likely off the bench.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To me, Dagg's selection wouldn't make much sense, if they didn't give him (substantial) game time. You don't select Dagg for injury cover; Barrett can do that fine. So I see Dagg starting at least one game. Depending on Naholo's fitness and performance on the wing, Dagg will either replace Ben Smith at fullback, with Smith not playing that game at all (maybe the third game); or they will move Ben Smith to the right wing (that could be the 1st or 2nd game as well). I only see Dagg on the bench if they are running out of impact players, or if they want to try him again at the wing (which hasn't worked well at the Crusaders in the past; not sure whether the All Blacks have ever tried him at the wing).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edited to add that Dagg is also a reasonably good kicker. Which would come in handy if Cruden/Barrett is not kicking well. Wasn't that what happened in the All Blacks game v Argentina in Napier?</p> -
<p>Well, they've only named two wings, so unless Savea and Naholo are both going to play all 240 mins then someone else gets a run. Moala wasn't in original squad and that is a pretty clear indication that Benda will get game time on wing. If it were me, based on <em>current</em> squad I'd be inclined to Moala in first test as gives better cover. Just have a hunch they will want as much experience as possible in 23 and Dagg will be rewarded for his rehabilitation and loyalty.</p>
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<p>As Stargazer points out, the coaches have been entirely clear on this. If the vice captain needs to go to the wing or is injured, then Dagg becomes the starting fullback.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>McKenzie isn't going to play in this series unless we thump Wales in the first two and then only from the bench.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="585192" data-time="1465105750">
<div>
<p>When Hansen explained the selection of Dagg and McKenzie, he literally said that Dagg's selection was "pretty much a no-brainer really". "He has been an outstanding All Black in the past; he had a season last year that was really affected by injury and he ran out of time to prove to us that he was ready to go to the World Cup. He has come back and - like a lot of guys who get a decent off-season - he has come back and has played extremely well; he looks really sharp; he has always been good under the high ball and he has continued to do that; his defence has improved from where it was. So he is really enjoying his rugby and I think he realises after that little break - I wouldn't say he took it for granted, but there is a new-found enthusiasm because of that break - and we are expecting him to come back in and really lift his game to another level as well here."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He said from McKenzie that he "has been in form, he is exciting, but he still has a lot of things in his game that he needs to grow and work on. But you would expect that of a young guy, so it is an opportunity for us to not just look at the now, but also the future (...) We get a month to work with him and over that time we will slowly but surely see him grow; the experience of being in [the team] will surely help him grow ."</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With that in mind, I'm not sure whether McKenzie will get any game time. Maybe in the third game, most likely off the bench.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To me, Dagg's selection wouldn't make much sense, if they didn't give him (substantial) game time. You don't select Dagg for injury cover; Barrett can do that fine. So I see Dagg starting at least one game. Depending on Naholo's fitness and performance on the wing, Dagg will either replace Ben Smith at fullback, with Smith not playing that game at all (maybe the third game); or they will move Ben Smith to the right wing (that could be the 1st or 2nd game as well). I only see Dagg on the bench if they are running out of impact players, or if they want to try him again at the wing (which hasn't worked well at the Crusaders in the past; not sure whether the All Blacks have ever tried him at the wing).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edited to add that Dagg is also a reasonably good kicker. Which would come in handy if Cruden/Barrett is not kicking well. Wasn't that what happened in the All Blacks game v Argentina in Napier?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Because they didnt pick another winger , I saw Dagg as cover for an injury to the back 3 as a starter , leaving Barrett where he is </p> -
<p>If it were up to me it would be.....<br><br>
- Tu'ungafasi<br>
- Coles<br>
- Faumuina<br>
- Retallick<br>
- Tuipoluto<br>
- Kaino<br>
- Cane<br>
- Squire<br>
- A. Smith<br>
- A. Cruden<br>
- J. Savea<br>
- Fekitoa<br>
- Tamanivalu<br>
- Naholo<br>
- B. Smith<br><br>
- Harris<br>
- Crockett<br>
- Franks<br>
- Dixon<br>
- A. Savea<br>
- Perenara<br>
- Barrett<br>
- Moala<br><br>
Wrap Moody, Taylor, Whitelock, Romano, Read, Crotty, Dagg up in cotton wool. They've got a big campaign ahead of them [emoji41]</p>
