All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dogmeat" data-cid="580961" data-time="1463722274">
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<p><strong>Losing Conrad's organisational ability particularly on defence is a potential area of concern</strong> but overall at the risk of being hubristic I'm more interested in developing towards the Lion's tour than worried about this year.</p>
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<p>Super results are always a bit misleading. Sure we might have 4/5 of the top sides but the opposition only have to come up with a squad of their best 22.</p>
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<p>If Oz hadn't also had their player losses they might have looked a worry but they've struggled for replacements more than we have it seems</p>
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<p>Is this a bit of reverse racism ? ie Conrad Smith is white so will have no pace, power or explosiveness but he's such a good organiser, without his guidance all the brown boys will tackle late and round the neck ?</p>
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<p>What I'm trying to say is is it a case of "shit, let's get a like for like replacement in Ryan Crotty rather than risk an explosive darker player like Fekitoa or Moala"</p>
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<p>Is CS going to be as missed as others is what I'm trying to get at......</p> -
<p>we're all stupider for reading that</p>
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<p>you really got a way with words there MN5! </p>
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<p>Or was it Friday drinks talking more shit than normal?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="580974" data-time="1463726872">
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<p>we're all stupider for reading that</p>
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<p>I think you're just being a cock, I also think TR has some kind of radar out ready to 'like" your posts too.</p>
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<p>What I'm getting at is wondering if Smiths amazing "organisation" is being a bit overstated that's all.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="580975" data-time="1463726928">
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<p>you really got a way with words there MN5! </p>
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<p>Or was it Friday drinks talking more shit than normal?</p>
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<p>I have been drinking all afternoon, what's your point ?</p>
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<p>What I'm saying does make sense ( to me ) but I've probably been a bit 'Steven Adams" about getting it across. Luckily I'm just another nobody on the interweb.</p> -
<p>no, your post is retarded. You brought the white boy angle in from no where, the mistrust of the brown guys from no where. Then you ignored a 10 year AB career where Smith's main attribute was the way he organised our back line from the centre channel. And all the plaudits he received for that role. It's like you never watched the bloke play. </p>
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<p>So either you know something about the on-field leadership that we don't know about. Or you are making up crap. Again. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="580978" data-time="1463727889">
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<p>no, your post is retarded. You brought the white boy angle in from no where, the mistrust of the brown guys from no where. Then you ignored a 10 year AB career where Smith's main attribute was the way he organised our back line from the centre channel. And all the plaudits he received for that role. It's like you never watched the bloke play. </p>
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<p>So either you know something about the on-field leadership that we don't know about. Or you are making up crap. Again. </p>
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<p>Settle. Don't get all fucken race relations on us. I'm not making anything up, the All Blacks have lost McCaw, DC and Nonu.......huge holes to fill. All I'm saying is I wonder if Smiths role is as irreplaceable as those three.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="580886" data-time="1463700940"><p>I'm less worried about wing TBH, we tend to pull them out of the bag when needed. I think a guy like James Lowe would iron out his kinks in an AB environment and do a bloody good job if the risk was taken on him. Hell, in 2011 we chucked out reserve centre on to one wing and the other guy took half his professional career to finally get the AB call up.<br></p></blockquote>
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But those two you mention demonstrating some special stuff from a pretty early age - Jane in 7s and Kahui in age grade and provincial. <br><br>
People were talking up Lowe last year and yet in very extended squads he didn't feature. Moala a midfielder got a run on the wing ahead of him. I personally don't see much there. -
<p>I best not like M4L's post as MN5 might get jealous...</p>
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<p>Point is, assumed if you have been drinking, it probably contributed to you having made a complete hash of saying what you probably wanted to say.</p>
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<p>I personally think Conrad is a huge hole, ABs were often shown up when he was not there, coupled with Nonu, they forged arguably the best centre pairing in the game, ever. So that is a huge fecken hole to fill however you slice it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580979" data-time="1463728212"><p>
Settle. Don't get all fucken race relations on us. I'm not making anything up, the All Blacks have lost McCaw, DC and Nonu.......huge holes to fill. All I'm saying is I wonder if Smiths role is as irreplaceable as those three.</p></blockquote>
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That's not what you said -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="580982" data-time="1463729268">
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<p>I best not like M4L's post as MN5 might get jealous...</p>
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<p>Point is, assumed if you have been drinking, it probably contributed to you having made a complete hash of saying what you probably wanted to say.</p>
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<p>I personally think Conrad is a huge hole, ABs were often shown up when he was not there, coupled with Nonu, they forged arguably the best centre pairing in the game, ever. So that is a huge fecken hole to fill however you slice it.</p>
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<p>I agree with much of that, I don't reckon he will be as missed as the others, that's my main point.</p>
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<p>Jump down my post, rip it apart, I don't really give a fuck, I mentioned the "stereotypes" of players, you missed my point, took it the wrong way, again, who cares ?</p>
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<p>I should have just said Conrad=big loss......Richie/DC/Nonu=HUGE losses.</p> -
Nobody missed your point about stereotypes, it just didn't apply to dogmeat's post.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="580981" data-time="1463728796">
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<p>But those two you mention demonstrating some special stuff from a pretty early age - Jane in 7s and Kahui in age grade and provincial.<br><br>
People were talking up Lowe last year and yet in very extended squads he didn't feature. Moala a midfielder got a run on the wing ahead of him.<strong> I personally don't see much there.</strong></p>
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<p>Meh, different strokes ... Moala is another one fits my point that we can find wings.</p>
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<p>Furthermore, if you'd watched Jane in his time for HB or NMS in his first year in the Poo after returning from Sydney you wouldn't have expected that the ABs would be in the future.</p>
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<p>Hell, if FABJM can be marked as a possible AB then FABJL should easily make the 'potentials' list.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="580864" data-time="1463698680"><p>
I'm more "worried" about NMS missing (he was probably due 2nd year blues anyway) and Savea not looking in any way effective.</p></blockquote>
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Yeah Skudder was a revelation last year. After dominant Super rugby form, he carried his try scoring and line breaking ability straight into test footy. So it was no surprise that Hansen and co appeared to be directing more of the footy down his way than Savea's. <br><br>
So hopefully Naholo can stay fit and he can step it up this year. <br><br>
The fall back I guess is moving Bender back to wing and playing one of Dagg/McKenzie/Barrett at fullback. <br><br>
I wonder if the AB coaches will want have a closer look at Faddes pace, given the reports of him being the quickest in the Landers squad. -
Is this faddes really that quick? I though fonotia was a carthorse.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="581108" data-time="1463742255"><p>Is this faddes really that quick? I though fonotia was a carthorse.</p></blockquote>
I recall someone saying he's the quickest in the squad<br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="580979" data-time="1463728212"><p>Settle. Don't get all fucken race relations on us. I'm not making anything up, the All Blacks have lost McCaw, DC and Nonu.......huge holes to fill. All I'm saying is I wonder if Smiths role is as irreplaceable as those three.</p></blockquote>
Having played most of my not as stellar career in the same position I can tell you it is. -
<p>Ben Smith named as Vice Captain. Full team named next Sunday.</p>
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<p> <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581582" data-time="1463894775">
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<p>Ben Smith named as Vice Captain. Full team named next Sunday.</p>
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<p> <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/80252749/highlanders-fullback-ben-smith-confirmed-as-all-blacks-vicecaptain-for-2016-season</a></p>
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<p>Great news, I like Ben Smith's attitude and focus.</p>
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<p>Hinton reports the new leadership group will be:</p>
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<p>Kieron Read, Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett.</p> -
I have no problem with a leadership group provided it is no guarantee of match day selection.
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<p>Apparently Sopoaga is the most accurate goal-kicker in NZ this year (no data on where the shots are from though)</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=11639840'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sport-analysis/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502180&objectid=11639840</a></p>
