All Blacks v Wales Test #3
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<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. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="590594" data-time="1466622364"><p>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.</p></blockquote>
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Ben Smith played 12 against Scotland 2012 if I remember correctly. -
Wales team named<br>
Rhys Patchell (Cardiff Blues); Liam Williams (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).<br><br>
Reps: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Scott Williams (Scarlets).<br><br><br>
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Nice to see Gatland has mixed his selection up to keep the squad on their toes. I despair at times I really do.
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<p>Double bluff from the selectors. Nah, we'll just tinker. When in reality this is more like a Henry rotation policy team from 2005-06: 5 changes to the starting team, and they've decimated the bench.</p>
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<p>I'm a bit surprised at the extent of the changes but hey, this team is gold for the forums.</p>
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<p>I agree with Billy Tell and anyone else who said 12. Moala and 13. Crotty seems more logical.</p>
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<p>To me, the changes to the starting lineup are less profound - Cruden and Fekitoa are (essentially) injury enforced. The ABs seem to have a policy whereby players who are not fit to train on the Tuesday (after which the team is actually selected) they don't get picked - we don't seem to "wait on the fitness" of a player unless its a crucial game. Barrett and Faumuina step up to the starting team from the bench. I'm thrilled at Dixon's selection. Savea for Naholo is not what I'd have done but is fair enough. Not particularly happy at Moala's selection but we are thin on midfield options and Tamanivalu may not have provided a great deal more than Moala will.</p>
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<p>The forwards bench is a bit weakened but mostly due to Romano over Tuipolutu. Otherwise, Crockett and Taylor will add plenty from the bench and both Squire and Ofa have the potential to add plenty around the park.</p>
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<p>Curious having Naholo on the bench but can only assume it is to place pressure directly on Julian Savea to perform or be dragged.</p> -
<p>Based on the mass changes DMac can consider himself unlucky to not be in the 23 as Ofa T is just as much of a project.</p>
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<p>I will be interested to see how Hansen and co use their bench. Squire is more likely to come on at 6 unless Read moves to 7 or is subbed.</p> -
<p>Interested in how the midfield goes. I don't think there's a set rule that 12 has to be the broadsword and 13 the rapier ( I think we missed that in the Rugby clichÃ
s thread ). Sure Nonu and Smith did it brilliantly but Mortlock and Giteau, Bunce and Little, Little and Horan etc did it pretty well the other way round.</p>
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<p>Is Dixon really cover for 7 ? he looks like a 6/8 and nothing else any day of the week to me.</p>
