AB's v Wales

Crucial

ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Luke Whitelock, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock (capt), Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Kane Hames. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Given the availability situation that is probably the best we can trot out.

Kruse

Our forward pack containing only 2 first-choice players...
Luckily everybody's all about the wide/expansive/"playing with intent" game nowadays, and all that forwards-nonsense doesn't matter anymore.

Crucial

@kruse said in AB's v Wales:

Our forward pack containing only 2 first-choice players...
Luckily everybody's all about the wide/expansive/"playing with intent" game nowadays, and all that forwards-nonsense doesn't matter anymore.

The backline is only really one player short of full strength (or two depending on wing selection)

JayCee

Excited about Whitelock's captaincy - could be the shot in the arm this team needs.

JayCee

@crucial said in AB's v Wales:

@kruse said in AB's v Wales:

Our forward pack containing only 2 first-choice players...
Luckily everybody's all about the wide/expansive/"playing with intent" game nowadays, and all that forwards-nonsense doesn't matter anymore.

The backline is only really one player short of full strength (or two depending on wing selection)

Yeah we're missing two - but we're deep into our depth chart for those two positions. 4th FB, and 3rd for Right Wing.

DMX

This is Wales’ best shot since 2004 but the changes don’t make us worse than last weak. I think fully fit Luke will be more effective than Crocked Read, I expect heaps of tackles from him and Cane with Squire able to play wider. You would also expect Sam Whitelock to have a lot more opportunities with the arm band in the future. If we can get through this we will just be that much deeper for next year.

pakman

After Whitelock (L) was leaked only surprise Rieko. Seems shoulder not right but they're choosing to risk it. But one decent fall away from further injuring it and reconstruction time.
Odd that after replacing JK Akira is on outer -- or do ABs see him as 6 only?

Frye

@pakman said in AB's v Wales:

After Whitelock (L) was leaked only surprise Rieko. Seems shoulder not right but they're choosing to risk it. But one decent fall away from further injuring it and reconstruction time.
Odd that after replacing JK Akira is on outer -- or do ABs see him as 6 only?

I think with Squire being tasked with playing fairly wide, they want someone who is comfortable playing a tighter role. And that's certainly Whitelock.

So yeah, they see Ioane as more of a 6 option.

I've been impressed by Whitelock for the past couple of seasons so don't think he doesn't deserve to be there. Ioane's time will come.

Tordah

Hopefully it's last chance saloon for Harris. Has been less than impressive this year.

Cantab79

So do some posters still think that Akira Ioane is higher up the pecking order than Luke Whitelock? I'm very happy for Luke, he was gifted a test cap years before he was actually ready, and was perhaps deservedly ridiculed by some people because of this. However he has become a very reliable and accurate player for both Canterbury and the Highlanders and has thoroughly deserved this call-up. I hope he plays really well.

taniwharugby

@cantab79 I expect it is horses for courses, Luke is most certainly a better option to start IMO, but if you were choosing between Akira or Luke off the bench, I'd take Akira.

KiwiMurph

@cantab79 As an 8 sure. Its quite clear ABs see Akira as a 6 at this stage.

taniwharugby

@kiwimurph that too....haha

Stargazer

Steve Hansen explaining why he picked Sam Whitelock as the captain and not Cane or BB; also about Luke Whitelock coming in for Read:

ACT Crusader

@kiwimurph said in AB's v Wales:

@cantab79 As an 8 sure. Its quite clear ABs see Akira as a 6 at this stage.

Which means he’s going to have to work even harder because it seems right now Akira is 3rd or 4th blindside option

KiwiMurph

@act-crusader I think he just needs to keep improving - he's the youngest of the bunch. He'll have plenty of opportunity in Super Rugby to push his claims. He certainly had a better 2017 than 2016 but still has a long way to develop further.

mariner4life

my bet on Wales is looking better and better.

mikedogz

@jaycee said in AB's v Wales:

Excited about Whitelock's captaincy - could be the shot in the arm this team needs.

Shit, for a minute there I thought you meant Luke

canefan

@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:

my bet on Wales is looking better and better.

Good on you for trying not to sound so happy

Milk

@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:

my bet on Wales is looking better and better.

Well, if not that then at least the 18.5 point start.

The Silver Fern

AB's v Wales