All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>Hansen doesn't actually mess around in press conferences with inferences, codes or subterfuge.</p>
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<p>What he says about the future (team selections mostly) pretty much comes to pass. In April he mentioned Dixon, McKenzie, Ardie and Squire and lo and behold, come June it all pans out.</p>
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<p>So on the herald website and the press conference video (<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11655265'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11655265</a>) he says "There might be one or two changes but I wouldn't think there'll be too many if any" </p>
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<p>So perhaps Whitelock to come in and maybe a front row bench change for rotation. Possibly the Bus gets thrown under one but at the end of the day the series win is at stake and he doesn't have a lot to "fix" more an opportunity for players to improve their timings, confidence and combinations. Well that's my take on it all anyway</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="587226" data-time="1465767047">
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<p>Naholo's effectiveness off the bench is something to be looked at, because once NMS is back he could very well be not only out of the XV, but on the very fringes of the squad.</p>
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<p>Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="587285" data-time="1465775895">
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<p>Savea is the one in danger - imo - not Naholo.</p>
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<p>I think a guy who has found his way to the line 39 times in 42 tests has more runs on the board than a guy who whilst electric in attack has a few basic work ons in terms of skills.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="587299" data-time="1465776843">
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<p>I think a guy who has found his way to the line 39 times in 42 tests has more runs on the board than a guy who whilst electric in attack has a few basic work ons in terms of skills.</p>
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<p>The strength of these selectors is they know what they want in each position and look for it. Whatever Savea has done, if he isn't delivering what they want now, he's gooooooone. Likewise, if they think Naholo brings more of those attributes than Savea, then he's in.</p>
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<p>They are process over results people. Not saying results aren't important, but they get results by looking at the sum of the parts. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="586285" data-time="1465630591">
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<p>How did we get 28 pages without decent mention that we've pulled the double whammy of Barnes and Ayoub tonight?</p>
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<p>Nostradamus post this one!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="587099" data-time="1465720221">
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<p>Big difference looking good coming on in the last 10 min against a team out on their feet. I'd hazard a guess that if the roles were reversed Cane would have made just as much impact coming off the bench as he has done in the past.</p>
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<p>As expected rusty All Black team and exposed on defence a couple of times. Only real change I would make if Steve tracks me down for my opinion is drop J. Savea and bring in Dagg. I'm a big fan of having two fullbacks on the field. (Only as long as Dagg is told not to do the River Dance before trying to take on the line)</p>
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<p>Also in support of Cane, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. </p>
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<p>I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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<p>I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</p>
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<p>The laser beam on his forehead was particularly effective, though</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514"><p>
Also in support of Cane, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. <br><br>
I thought Savea was excellent when he came on but, after reading some comments on here and then watching game on replay, I was disappointed to see he wasn't wearing a red cape and shitting butterfly rainbows.</p></blockquote>
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Chief's fan ... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="587106" data-time="1465721584">
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<p>How much time does the guy need? He has been a professional rugby player for a good while now. <strong>As usual he showed poor (shocking) distance and variable accuracy.</strong> I hope Sopoaga gets a shot this series, there is little to separate those 2 in my mind, Cruden obviously a lot more experienced.</p>
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<p>Cruden's kicking wasn't terrible - he kicked 6 from 9 which is the same outcome as Biggar's 4 from 6. Biggar is an outstanding goalkicker and no-one is rushing to criticise him. Cruden's misses included a wide angled conversion (of J. Savea's try) and his first kick, a long kick (45-48m) which hit the posts but was well above crossbar height.</p>
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<p>As for your comment regarding "poor (shocking) distance" - Cruden was well short on one attempt (though not with another as stated above). He completely butchered that miss - the the second half penalty from a generous angle at about 45m tops - which is is unacceptable and a bit like a golfer getting under his drive. Fluffing a penalty attempt seems less acceptable than a conversion as no charge-down is allowed. In addition the game was tight at that time. I'm not sure why Cruden's technique seems to falter at times, but I though he struck 8 out of 9 kicks well.</p>
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<p>I thought his general play and field kicking were effective.</p> -
<p>If the only thing Sopoaga has over Cruden is goal kicking then that is not enough to get him the starting spot. We're not bloody England (no offense English posters), we want a first five that knows how to play attacking footy. There is none better then Cruden in that regard at the moment.</p>
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<p>Don't get me wrong, Sopoaga is class, but he's a level below Cruden at the moment.</p> -
<p>I think if there is one area Cruden may have over him, is the ability to read what is in front of him with ball in hand , </p>
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<p>And it is not that Lima is bad in this area ,he is pretty good too, i just think Cruden is exceptionally good, </p>
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<p>But Lima has goalkicking , and a harder running game , splitting hairs really, </p>
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<p>I think we probably need to see more of Lima at test level to really judge him </p> -
That break Cruden made that lead to Barnes having a brain snap was classic Cruden. Holding the ball up while the defense hung off, then ghosting through the gap. Just like the situation at 7 its great to have some depth (with experience) to fill in the massive hole left by two "goats".<br>
Would be nice if we could say the same about midfield. However once SBW comes back that might not be such an issue. -
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<p>That break Cruden made that lead to Barnes having a brain snap was classic Cruden. Holding the ball up while the defense hung off, then ghosting through the gap. Just like the situation at 7 its great to have some depth (with experience) to fill in the massive hole left by two "goats".<br>
Would be nice if we could say the same about midfield. However once SBW comes back that might not be such an issue.</p>
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<p>The way you describe Cruden's running game is why he plays so well with SBW.</p> -
<p>when I re-watched that sweeping movement up the field, Cruden looked like he was just jogging along casually...but seems to move pretty rapidly still</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Marty" data-cid="587362" data-time="1465780514">
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<p>Also in support of <strike>Cane </strike>Thorne, Tracey Nelson's stats has him on 32 first-three-to breakdown appearances, 11 ahead of the next best (Read and Kaino). And she doesn't count people turning up and doing nothing. </p>
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<p>Is it 2003 again? God, how many times was that sentence posted between 2002 - 2003. I'm pretty sure Redeye used to copy and paste it in after each AB game and adjust the figures. :)</p>
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<p>Interesting that she didn't include Cane's attempted tackle on Faletau as a 'slipped tackle'. Cane did a great job to even get there to attempt it (after Naholo fu*ked up), but surely it still counts as a slipped tackle??</p> -
