All Blacks vs Wales Test #2
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="587627" data-time="1465858182">
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<p>you used that joke last week</p>
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<p>He's obviously a Dad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="587623" data-time="1465858031">
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<p>He's there because he's been selected. Even allowing for Brendon Edmonds he's rated at worst the 6th best prop on the country.</p>
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<p>He's there because he's been selected, yes, obviously. He's been selected because other, better players are injured.</p>
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<p>7th, Nepo Laulala is better than Tu'ungafasi too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="587644" data-time="1465860861">
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<p>He's there because he's been selected, yes, obviously. He's been selected because other, better players are injured.</p>
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<p>7th, Nepo Laulala is better than Tu'ungafasi too.</p>
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<p>If you are going to play that game then Manu is rated above Edmonds and Tu'ungafasi.</p>
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<p>I'm not sold on Ofa T as a scrummager but assume Cron has plenty of influence into their selection of props.</p> -
<p>Onto more relevant news than 9th string All Black props called Tu'ungafasi. I work in the Tron CBD and just saw Jamie Roberts out for a lunchtime stroll. He's a unit even wearing a baggyish tracksuit. He was with some gangly young looking rooster who I didn't recognise. Probably a lock but Wales have been known to put locks called Alex Cuthbert on the wing. </p>
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<p>I can sort of understand why the coaches are intrigued by Tu'ungafasi. When I look at his potential, his age, his versatility, his almost unrivaled motor for a prop(especially for someone who is 129kg), I can understand exactly why the coaches want to get their hands on him. If they can work their magic on him, he can be some player.</p>
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<p>I think he's a decent scrummager at loosehead, not a great one, but I think him getting chewed up by the two best scrums earlier in the year sort of distorts his reputation at loosehead - I think he is fine there against most other teams. He is better at tighthead at the moment and can hold it up against most teams(just two weeks ago, he went alright against the AB looseheads). I think he will improve his scrummaging, as he's still a young fella, and the good thing is, he's already shown improvement there this year compared to last year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="587627" data-time="1465858182"><p>you used that joke last week</p></blockquote>
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Hansen, if you're lurking, it's no joke. You didn't listen last week, now is your chance to do the right thing...<br><br>
And yes I am a Dad -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="587629" data-time="1465858386"><p>
His work around the track has been very good for the Blues. My guess (as uniformed as it can be) is that the AB brains trust are hoping they can teach him to scrum, because that is probably easier than teaching a scrummager to offer more in open play.</p></blockquote>
Faumuina a case in point. Not a strong scrummager a couple of years back, has worked on his craft and is improving. But has been a beast around the track despite his size. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="587430" data-time="1465799641">
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<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>
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.</p>
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<p>If the idea is to blood people then I quite like the idea of Dixon at 6 - especially if we can also go with Whitelock/Retallick as locks.</p>
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<p>Of those who didn't get a start in Test 1 - Franklin and Moala are outside the squad, so I don't expect to see them; Can't see them using Ngatai at all this series, since he's not yet in camp; TKB will probably come in for Perenara as soon as he's fit; Taylor should get a run somewhere; Whitelock as above; Dixon could start this test; Sopoaga maybe a start in Dunedin; leaving Tu'ungafasi, Squire, Dagg, McKenzie to maybe, or maybe not, find a spot somewhere.</p>
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<p>Hard to see both Dagg and McKenzie appearing in Dunedin, so maybe one will find a place somewhere this week?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="587440" data-time="1465801974"><p>
Ardie has one major drawback, Twattue wants him to start over Cane...</p></blockquote>
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Really? Dammit, that's farked up his career. That cnut has the reverse Midas touch. -
<p>I didn't pay enough attention to this on Saturday. How did Pat T go in the scrums on Saturday? I saw him disrupt lineout ball and charge around the field to great effect. But a couple of years ago a double substitution of him and Charlie F in a few tests had us struggling. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reddog" data-cid="587738" data-time="1465877025">
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<p>I didn't pay enough attention to this on Saturday. How did Pat T go in the scrums on Saturday? I saw him disrupt lineout ball and charge around the field to great effect. But a couple of years ago a double substitution of him and Charlie F in a few tests had us struggling. </p>
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<p>From memory the scrums were fine when he and Charlie came on but I suspect those big Welsh teletubbies were conserving their energy at that point.</p> -
<p>The team is (with Test caps in brackets):<br><br><strong>Starting XV</strong><br><br>
1. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2400'>Joe Moody</a> (12)<br>
2. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1396'>Dane Coles</a> (37)<br>
3. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1825'>Owen Franks</a> (79)<br>
4. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2131'>Brodie Retallick</a> (48)<br>
5. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1800'>Sam Whitelock</a> (73)<br>
6. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/539'>Jerome Kaino</a> (68)<br>
7. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1922'>Sam Cane</a> (32)<br>
8. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1282'>Kieran Read</a> – captain (85)<br>
9. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1856'>Aaron Smith</a> (48)<br>
10. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1900'>Aaron Cruden</a> (38)<br>
11. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2121'>Waisake Naholo</a>(4)<br>
12. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1784'>Ryan Crotty</a> (16)<br>
13. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2399'>Malakai Fekitoa</a> (14)<br>
14. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1832'>Ben Smith</a> (49)<br>
15. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1620'>Israel Dagg</a> (49)<br><br><strong>Reserves</strong><br><br>
16. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2170'>Nathan Harris</a> (3)<br>
17. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1466'>Wyatt Crockett</a> (46)<br>
18. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1824'>Charlie Faumuina</a> (34)<br>
19. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2152'>Patrick Tuipulotu</a> (8)<br>
20.<strong> </strong><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2134'>Ardie Savea</a> (1)<br>
21. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2122'>TJ Perenara</a> (17)<br>
22. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/1965'>Beauden Barrett</a> (36)<br>
23. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/Player/AllBlacks/2578'>Seta Tamanivalu</a> (1)<br><br>
The All Blacks matchday 23 features just two changes from the team that played last weekendâ€
s opening Test match: 73-Test lock Samuel Whitelock returns to the side, replacing Luke Romano, while Israel Dagg has been named at fullback for what will be his 50th Test match, with Ben Smith, who is also playing his 50th Test, moving to the left wing, replacing Julian Savea. The bench is unchanged.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com'>www.allblacks.com</a></p>
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<p>Congratulations to Israel Dagg and Ben Smith on their 50th test.<br>
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<p>Great :ireful: :truce:</p>
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Another totally predictable team. <br><br>
With which I am entirely happy. <br><br>
Add in NMS due back for the EOYT and the coaches seeing Naholo as an 11 option: you've been warned Julian. <br><br>
Expect the highlander lads en masse for carisbrook. -
<p>Axing of Savea had to be done. Hopefully Savea will look to Dagg as motivation to get back into the starting XV. Dagg is going to be into everything on Saturday, so I'm excited to see what he does. </p>
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<p>Retallick / Whitelock / Tuipulotu - awesome locking trio.</p>
