All Blacks v Wales Test #3
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="590506" data-time="1466576803">
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<p>I think Nonu evolved as a player whereas Jamie Roberts never has ( and probably never will ) with the additional skills to go with the brute force he picked up. I was genuinely shocked when Roberts got run down ( not that bit, Barrett is fucken lightning ) and had the presence of mind to actually offload. Obviously a smart bloke in real life, it doesn't carryover to his rugby ability it seems......</p>
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<p>Part of the issue is if Roberts offloaded as Nonu has he'd be throwing it to no one. Offloading only works if your support are looking for it & have the ball skills to catch it. You watch a game of Roberts popping the pass to thin air or watching it bounce off Gethin Jenkins surprised forehead & you'd be demanding he stop adding skill.</p>
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<p>Put Roberts in an AB shirt for a year he'd be popping passes left right & centre</p> -
<p>Latest news from Wales camp</p>
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<p>Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies and Josh Turnbull injured and already flying home.</p>
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<p>Roberts being monitored, but looks like he'll be ok.</p>
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<p>Jake Ball and Gareth Anscombe available for selection</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36593667'>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36593667</a></p>
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<p>So that means no Matthew Morgan again :(</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="590221" data-time="1466483789"><p>so are you (DMX) suggesting we have these 2 v Wales and then a one off v England, or say a 2 test series v England and 1 off v Wales?<br>
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What if England was still sucking and was 2-0 down in their series, would you still be keen for that match?</p></blockquote>
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It is exactly what I am suggesting, going back to how it used to be. Yes England might suck or Wales might suck but lower odds of them both sucking. That format makes every game of equal importance to ABs and gives us a better way to benchmark ourselves. Wales have been competitive over periods but were hammered by England before coming out. I would like to see how we go against one of the other top nations. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="590392" data-time="1466556729"><p>You are comparing what you think someone is capable of vs what you know people are capable of. Let's just wait and see. Otherwise Toeava is still better than Tim Horan.</p></blockquote>
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Don't get your point I know what SBW is capable off. Ngatai off course is about AB potential but as far as I am aware it was the same with every single great AB ever selected. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="590576" data-time="1466599652">
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<p>Don't get your point I know what SBW is capable off. Ngatai off course is about AB potential but as far as I am aware it was the same with every single great AB ever selected.</p>
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<p>Indeed, but no one was saying that there were up to it till they had proven they were up to it. Ngatai is not the solution, he's an option. Who may be good enough. Or who may be Toeava, Mayerhofler, Stensness, Ranger, Gibson, Clarke, Fekitoa, Laulala, King, Lowden etc </p>
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<p>Re SBW, issue would be he looked good enough (briefly) in 2012 (4 years ago) after being a reserve wing the year before. Last year he started a TN game & our backline was pigshit. And then he played a series of excellent 20 of 30 minute cameo's off the bench - Victor Vito literally delivered the same last year. So I get the idea that SBW is not quite the locked on solution that some think he is.</p>
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<p>Tho' I honestly think he's a shoe in at 12 & will be very good there. Especially with Cruden running the show next to him. Where I'm not sure is him staying long term...</p> -
<p><strong>ALL BLACKS</strong>: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Elliot Dixon, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. <strong>Reserves</strong>: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Luke Romano, Liam Squire, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Waisake Naholo.</p>
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<p>decent team. Interesting to see Moala at 13 and not Tamanivalu</p> -
<p>Exciting team. I've liked Moala during super rugby, I think he can add the go forward we've been missing in the backs for the previous two tests.</p>
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<p>Glad Savea had done the right things to get called back into the starting squad, they must be confident his head is in the right space now, so I'm expecting him to go beast mode. </p>
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<p>Disappointed that there is no Tuipulotu in the 23 though - been my favourite player of the series. </p> -
Why not moala 12 crotty 13?<br><br>
Also Romano ahead of tuipolotou :(<br><br>
Otherwise no complaints. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="590584" data-time="1466618393"><p>Does that mean Ben Smith covering midfield?</p></blockquote>
Must do yeah ! <br>
No ardie savea so be concerned if cane gets injured<br><br><br>
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<p>Thanks for taking it easy on us Shag :whistle:</p>
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<p>Great to see Moala get an opportunity. </p>
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<p>I bet no one saw that exact 23 coming , </p>
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<p>Are there any others in the squad apart from Dmac that have missed all selections ? </p> -
Only Franklin but he was only covering for whitelock anyway<br><br><br>
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<p>I'm not a fan of Squire and Tu'ungafasi, but apart from their selection on the bench, I'm quite happy with this team. Finally, Codie Taylor in the 23.</p>
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<p>I think Barrett covers 12 and Ben Smith covers 13.</p>
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<p>Edit: or Barrett covers 12, and Crotty covers 13.</p> -
Moala will cover 12 before BBnsurely?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="590592" data-time="1466620514"><p>
I'm not a fan of Squire and Tu'ungafasi, but apart from their selection on the bench, I'm quite happy with this team. Finally, Codie Taylor in the 23.<br><br>
I think Barrett covers 12 and Ben Smith covers 13.<br><br>
Edit: or Barrett covers 12, and Crotty covers 13.</p></blockquote>If a midfielder goes down during the game, I'd say Smith is the cover for both. If its Moala who goes down it's a straight swap, if Crotty goes down, Moala moves in a spot.
