All Blacks vs Wales Test #2
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="587260" data-time="1465773024">
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<p>It was a copybook tackle that "had to be made".</p>
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<p>Yep, can't remember if Nisbo or Marshall told me that but I wouldn't have known otherwise.....</p> -
If Whitelock is fit does Romano drop to bench or out of 23 all together?
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<p>If Whitelock is fit he starts, Tuipolutu stays on bench and Romano drops out of the 23. PT is superb off the bench and does damage.</p>
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<p>Romano did a reasonable job on Saturday. Still a good quality footballer.</p>
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<p>Agree, Romano is a very good player but Pat T comes off the bench and goes into Beast mode laying waste to everything in his path. Romano is goneburger.</p>
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<p>I won't be hell of a suprised if J Savea is chopped for this match.</p>
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<p>You kind of have to ask why he was subbed after 42 mins if not injured. Game wasn't in the bag and they were obviously trying to secure the game at that stage and didn't think he was up to it.</p>
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<p>Or was he subbed because of injury?</p>
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<p>What has Hansen said about it?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="587384" data-time="1465785943">
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<p>I won't be hell of a suprised if J Savea is chopped for this match.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You kind of have to ask why he was subbed after 42 mins if not injured. Game wasn't in the bag and they were obviously trying to secure the game at that stage and didn't think he was up to it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Or was he subbed because of injury?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What has Hansen said about it?</p>
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<p>I don't have his number or else I'd ask, do you think he's on twitter ?</p> -
Faumuina, Tuipoluto and Barrett are three key finishers for us. If Kerr-Barlow can get himself fit and stay fit, I think the selectors see him in that same category. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="587384" data-time="1465785943"><p>
I won't be hell of a suprised if J Savea is chopped for this match.<br><br>
You kind of have to ask why he was subbed after 42 mins if not injured. Game wasn't in the bag and they were obviously trying to secure the game at that stage and didn't think he was up to it.<br><br>
Or was he subbed because of injury?<br><br>
What has Hansen said about it?</p></blockquote>
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To my mind it was as much to do with getting Barrett on. Someone had to come off. Jules was delivering the least of him and Naholo (Bender wasn't coming off). Also the team benefits more in terms of developing experience in Naholo by giving him minutes. -
Coaches did talk post match alluding to Naholo continuing to see gametime. My sense is they'll run the same backline again in Wellington but if they do make a change it would be Dagg to fullback, Ben to right wing and Naholo to left.<br><br>
If J Savea does get another start he really needs to make a statement - particularly on defence - he's always been prone to misses on defence but this season he has been very poor in this area. -
<p>Hansen is pretty loyal to his tried and true, but his patience must be wearing thin on Julian...</p>
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<p>If Whitelock is fit, he will be the only change I expect, but could be a few for test #3 I reckon.</p> -
When contemplating changes I reckon the selectors will consider where we need to build depth, and how can we build experience without compromising current combinations. <br><br>
On that basis I think they may tweak the bench... but who? How?<br><br>
I expect Coles and the props start again, but they look to get more experience from their bench hooker so Taylor for Harris. <br><br>
On that basis reserve props stay the same.<br><br>
If we win in Welly I wouldn't be surprised to see Coles on the bench with Tu'ungafasi in Dunners.<br><br>
As noted Romano has plenty of test minutes so if Sam W is fit then he starts, Pat T on the bench.<br><br>
Maaaaybe Dixon to 6? They tend not to debut newbies as starters but I like Savea and Pat on the bench. Nothing against JK just blooding the new guy.<br><br>
Halves and midfield remain. The latter to give the combination time to build. Would like to see Moala get the bench spot but that is unlikely given he came in only through injury. So a longer run for Tamanivalu off the bench.<br><br>
I'm sticking with the wings and fullback too. Naholo needs minutes. Savea wasn't as bad as perceived (apart from tackling) and he's not going to improve sitting in the stands. So backs unchanged for me.<br><br>
Hmmmm ... long winded way of saying I'd only change the reserve hooker and maybe start Dixon ...<br><br>
But I suspect we'll see a couple more changes in Dunners. A back up hooker to start. Tu'ungafasi to bench. Maybe Squire to bench - with Read covering lock. Sopoaga to start with Smith on home ground. Sticking with the midfield again. Maybe look at bringing Dagg in for Jules in that one. Naholo needing minutes and a start on home ground. Backs bench same same again.<br><br>
My theory. Complete conjecture. Will await Shag's invitation onto the selection panel.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587393" data-time="1465787769">
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<p>Faumuina, Tuipoluto and Barrett are three key finishers for us. If Kerr-Barlow can get himself fit and stay fit, I think the selectors see him in that same category.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Going forward , I think you can throw Ardie into that mix too. </p> -
<p>Ardie has one major drawback, Twattue wants him to start over Cane...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="587433" data-time="1465800194"><p>Going forward , I think you can throw Ardie into that mix too.</p></blockquote>
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Let's see how he goes if he's selected this week. Who knows what plan they have for him. I'm not getting to carried away just yet. He's played 20 minutes of test rugby in the final quarter where a number of our guys lifted as part of our 2nd wind. <br><br>
The other 4 have been used quite a bit off the bench in their AB careers. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="587440" data-time="1465801974">
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<p>Ardie has one major drawback, Twattue wants him to start over Cane...</p>
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<p>.....how does a guy who claims never to read his bullshit know this ?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="587384" data-time="1465785943"><p>
I won't be hell of a suprised if J Savea is chopped for this match.<br><br>
You kind of have to ask why he was subbed after 42 mins if not injured. Game wasn't in the bag and they were obviously trying to secure the game at that stage and didn't think he was up to it.<br><br>
Or was he subbed because of injury?<br><br>
What has Hansen said about it?</p></blockquote>
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One thing to note is that last year NMS was subbed off for Barrett fairly early in plenty of games. Some were injury related but not all iirc. So it could have been more about getting Barrett on and they thought Naholo was playing better/needed more minutes.
