Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="605649" data-time="1471272927">
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<p>I can make that statement by saying the word "seems" as a qualifier and having memories of Barrett causing all sorts of mayhem against SA teams, whilst not a huge amount against Aus. I never said Barrett is good or bad against them.</p>
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<p>Ok. I think once Barrett starts more against Aus I think we will see more of that mayhem he causes against SA.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="605762" data-time="1471317858">
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<p>is it sad that i was hoping for fekitoa to get injured instead of moala.. </p>
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<p>hopefully in the time off between the Super season and now, they've been working with Fekitoa, a lot!</p>
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<p>He has the physical attributes, just needs to get his head right.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="605767" data-time="1471320556">
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<p>Smith to 13, Barrett to 15, Naholo at 14 and Dagg to 11. Would rather have capable hands in Dagg and Smith somewhat out of position that roll back the Crotty/Fekitoa experiment.</p>
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<p>Dagg is really a FB and I don't see him as anywhere near an international wing cover. Cory Jane could cover FB and wing much better no? Lets develop a 13 and leave Smith at 15 or 11. </p> -
<p>I think rather than throw too many experimental players out there , they will settle on Crotty Fekitoa to start in midfield , </p>
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<p>While it may not be every ones cup of tea , there is a heap of experience there </p> -
Would be a hell of a surprise if it's not a Crotty/Fekitoa combo now.<br><br>
ALB looking good for a debut off the bench now, unless they use B Smith as midfield cover.<br><br>
As for calls for Ben to play centre. Wash your mouths out, he is ok covering midfield in case of injury during the game, but he stays at 14 or 15 for mine. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unite" data-cid="605753" data-time="1471316179"><p>
Isn't every team now named on Thursday AM for Saturday Tests?</p></blockquote>
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No, there's never been any sort of discernable pattern to the team announcement . -
<p>That really sucks for Moala - horrible timing - hopefully he can perhaps be back later in TRC but more likely EOYT.</p>
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<p>I was really looking forward to see his strong running game in midfield.</p>
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<p>Time for Fekitoa and perhaps even ALB to step up.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="605780" data-time="1471329405"><p>
That really sucks for Moala - horrible timing - hopefully he can perhaps be back later in TRC but more likely EOYT.<br><br>
I was really looking forward to see his strong running game in midfield.<br><br>
Time for Fekitoa and perhaps even ALB to step up.</p></blockquote>
Really sucks for Moala and for us. He was in excellent form and looked set to have a major impact in TRC.<br><br>
We are without our first three choice midfielders. Crotty is okay but hardly world class. Fekitoa's form is poor and he drops the ball too much. ALB looks like a project player with potential. Midfield is looking like an area of weakness for the ABs. -
<p>Wallabies must be walk up favourites now with the All Blacks decimated by injury.</p>
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<p>This is how the ARU are advertising - email in my inbox:</p>
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<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/ZJstbAhl.png" alt="ZJstbAhl.png"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="605782" data-time="1471329916">
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<p>Really sucks for Moala and for us. He was in excellent form and looked set to have a major impact in TRC.<br><br><strong>We are without our first three choice midfielders. Crotty is okay but hardly world class</strong>. Fekitoa's form is poor and he drops the ball too much. ALB looks like a project player with potential. Midfield is looking like an area of weakness for the ABs.</p>
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<p>Some Ferners may not see Crotty as a first choice midfielder, but I'm reasonably convinced that he is for the selectors. Hansen said that he sees Crotty as a Conrad Smith type of player; a good communicator, solid on defence and making good decisions. The selectors don't expect Crotty to do the flashy stuff, unlike some of Ferners seem to expect from BOTH midfielders. I think we have only lost our first choice players for one of the midfield positions and, possibly, the midfield cover on the bench.</p> -
<p>I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though </p>
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<p>Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="605801" data-time="1471338662"><p>I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though <br><br>
Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith</p></blockquote>
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Well they would be mad if they didn't! -
<p>Crotty + Fekitoa midfield isn't going to lose us the Test.</p>
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<p>I'd still prefer Crotty 13, Fekitoa 12, Fekitoa rushing out of the line is bad at 12, its terrible at 13.</p>
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<p>Its worth bearing in mind before panicing that most of us at the start of the year were OK with that pairing till SBW came back. Its entirely possible that was the starting pair the selectors were leaning towards for big games in the RC. And the guys we are pining for are Ngatai who hasn't done shit in a black jersey & Moala who's had one solid game.</p>
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<p>Add in the poms bitch slapped Aussie 3-0 with Joseph & Farrell as their centre unit. You can beat Aussie without destroying them in the centres. </p> -
On assumption Coles and Moody are rested the forward 13 likely to comprise Crockett/Taylor/Franks/Sam/BBBR/Cane/Kaino/Read/Hames/Harris/CharlieF/Savea and one of Squire/PatrickT. Ofa not ready to sub at LH. <br>
I expect they'll go with Smith/Cruden/Crotty/Fekitoa/Savea/Smith/Dagg to start with TKB/BB/Naholo bench.<br>
Harsh on TJP but he's really competing with Nugget to start.<br>
If it were me I'd like to give Sopoaga/Fekitoa/Crotty combo a try but recognise this is unlikely to be the game for that.<br>
Bus lucky but with GOTJ out too early to blood ALB.
