All Blacks v Wales Test #3
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<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> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="590598" data-time="1466624923">
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<p>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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<p>Patchell definitely deserves another go and there was no way Roberts would be dropped once he passed the concussion protocols.</p>
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<p>Hallam Amos fortunate after mixed performances in both tests.</p>
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<p>Looks like Gatland is hoping that Evans, Owens and Francis can contain the NZ scrum which gives us a bigger impact off the bench.</p>
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<p>Very worried that we have no wing cover on the bench.</p>
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<p>If Patchell goes down either Liam Williams reverts to full back and we have nobody to bring on to the wing or Priestland goes to full back.</p>
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<p>If Amos goes down I'm guessing Patchell goes to the wing??</p>
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<p>I know I'm a stuck record but Matthew Morgan gives us wing and full back cover.</p>
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<p>Gatland hoping that third time is a charm for the 'new' attacking Welsh gameplan.</p> -
<p>More milestones this week too.</p>
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<p><em>It will be a special night also for lock Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith, who will play their 50th Tests for the All Blacks. The pair made their Test debuts in the same Test, against Ireland in June 2012.</em></p>
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<p>I read in an article earlier this week that their 50 tests have taken a shorter period of time than McCaw did to play his 50th.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="590610" data-time="1466630584"><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></blockquote>
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Not really. Hansen must've been reading my emails about resting Owen Franks....<br><br>
Seriously though, DMac was probably only going to get a run if Dagg, Bender got injured. <br><br>
Not that surprised that Tamanivalu is not in the 23. I like his attacking ability, but he has a lot of work ons in terms of composure and playing to the game plan IMO. <br><br>
The plan will be for Cane to play 80 this week given the last couple of tests he's been subbed. If we are forced to play a Squire, Dixon, Read back row, due to injury, that will be fine against this Welsh team. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="590614" data-time="1466631154"><p>More milestones this week too.<br><br><em>It will be a special night also for lock Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith, who will play their 50th Tests for the All Blacks. The pair made their Test debuts in the same Test, against Ireland in June 2012.</em><br><br>
I read in an article earlier this week that their 50 tests have taken a shorter period of time than McCaw did to play his 50th.</p></blockquote>
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Julian Savea made his debut in that same test match. He's only a handful behind those two. -
<p>Retallick and Smith may well be automatic selections but they still feel like "recent" if not completely "new" All Blacks.</p>
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<p>I remember it being a big deal when Gary Whetton passed Pinetree Meads record of 50 tests.....Pinetree took 15 ( I think ) seasons, those two have essentially done it in just over three seasons ( third test into the fourth season ) </p> -
Fifth season MN5<br><br><br>
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<p>Sam Whitelock tracking a similar rate rapidly approaching the ton, possibly get there 2018 (he turns 30 then) if he continues as our main lock, one of my fave ABs. He debuted v Ireland in 2010.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="590623" data-time="1466632839">
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<p>Fifth season MN5<br><br><br>
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<p>Fair call, I was having a senior moment but you're absolutely right.</p> -
<p>Wait, no Kaino! That's it I've had enough, that Hansen is a chump.</p>
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<p>Ok, tried to inject some old school complaining into the team naming but can't do it. Excited to see how the new boys go, bummed that Ngatai has missed this whole series.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="590630" data-time="1466633588">
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<p>Wait, no Kaino! That's it I've had enough, that Hansen is a chump.</p>
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<p>Ok, tried to inject some old school complaining into the team naming but can't do it. Excited to see how the new boys go, <strong>bummed that Ngatai has missed this whole series.</strong></p>
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<p>Is he from Hawkes Bay ?</p> -
<p>In the final 20 minutes I'd like to see J Savea replaced by Naholo and Dagg replaced by Sopoaga. Sopoaga to 10, Barrett to 15 with Naholo to 11. That would give our backline some sting to finish the game :)</p>
