All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="583615" data-time="1464474053">
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<p>So unlucky players Todd, Weber, Luatua</p>
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<p>Todd would be a star for any of the Celtic Nations. He's off contract end of 2016 I think. May not stick around.</p>
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<p>The single biggest interest for me now is Cruden vs Sopoaga for starting 10.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583618" data-time="1464474209">
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<p>Naaaa I meant that bit, it's your first comment that had me scratching my head.</p>
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<p>I just don't think we need to include PI players who come here late for schooling - we already have Malakai, that's enough. We're not Ireland for fucks sake. ;)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583619" data-time="1464474236">
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<p>Moala on standbye for ngatai</p>
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<p>I was wondering whether he was still in the mix.</p> -
<p>Ofa T was very logical. Everyone should be able to see that he has a huge upside. He isn't ready now but he has been picked as a 5th prop. He will probably get one game off the bench or something.</p>
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<p>Squire is a huge surprise to me. Hansen said he liked his physicality but I thought Luatua offered more of that.</p>
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<p>Tamanivalu is in the Ofa T category I think. He's a good player to have for the future but I think Moala is better now.</p>
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<p>Tom Franklin wasn't really on my radar. Hansen said something about him being physical and having a good workrate.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583611" data-time="1464473844"><p>
Why Tu'ungafasi?<br>
Why Franklin ahead of Barrett?<br>
Why TJP ahead of Brad Weber?<br>
How close was Luatua?<br>
Did Moala get considered?<br><br>
Delighted for Dagg, love a good comeback story.</p></blockquote>
I'll bet the farm that Barrett ends up with 10 times the test caps of Franklin. Real odd call that -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583621" data-time="1464474526">
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<p>I just don't think we need to include PI players who come here late for schooling - we already have Malakai, that's enough. We're not Ireland for fucks sake. ;)</p>
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<p>I was wondering whether he was still in the mix.</p>
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<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p> -
<p>I'm not surprised Taufua wasn't chosen. He just isn't a lineout option.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
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<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
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<p>Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</p> -
Franklin has been superb. I like his game and I think SouthernMan posted a while back that he could be thereabouts. <br><br>
Good to see TKB in there. I'm not a fan of Weber's erratic style and TJP has gone backwards this season. <br><br>
I also think Luatua has improved, but I'm not surprised that he isn't in there. He is a fringe player and when you're in that category IMO you really have to stand out especially when others are playing well. -
<p>Tom Franklin makes Ofa's selection seem expected, and yes BT, Taufua should not be an All Black.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
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<p>Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</p>
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<p>Surely Ben Smith covers wing?</p>
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<p>I wouldn't have any of the 3 you listed near the wing. Dagg in particular is terrible on the wing.</p>
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<p>Barrett will cover 10/15, and if a winger goes off, Smith goes to 14 (and if it's Savea, Naholo shifts to 11).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</p>
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<p>Ben Smith will cover wing too I imagine</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030"><p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.<br><br>
Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</p></blockquote>
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It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit. <br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583626" data-time="1464475030">
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<p>Rokocoko came to NZ when he was 5.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Speaking of the back 3 - it's a weird mix, you've got 4 fullbacks and 2 specialist wingers. Tamanivalu, Dagg and Fekitoa to cover wing?</p>
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<p>I'd imagine a Kahui type centre/wing cover would be the goal, since Barrett already owns the 10/15 spot on the bench. Though as Billy said, B Smith covers 14 anyway, so they can probably get away with just centre cover.</p>
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<p>Squad looks good to me, stoked for all the newbies in there, especially Ngatai and Squire. McKenzie isn't too much of a surprise, even if he hasn't looked as flash in recent weeks, Wayne Smith is a big fan of the guy, so he would've wanted to bring him in. Still hope he's released for the Chiefs vs Wales game though, as I think it'll give him an opportunity to play at 10 vs some high level opposition. Very interesting to see they only went with 2 halfbacks and that the second one is TKB. Guess he might make it back for the second or third tests then, which is great news.</p>
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<p>My only real point of contentions are Romano, who I think has been pretty mediocre in his AB chances more often than not, and Franklin. Personally I think Barrett has more upside than either of them, Bird too. Not a big deal though, with Whitelock and BBBR around, they're mostly just injury cover and bench warmers.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583624" data-time="1464474893">
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<p>But Rokokoko, Sivivatu and Naholo aren't exactly kiwi blokes and I don't recall you having a dig at them ?</p>
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<p>McAlister was out of the country from an infant until mid-late high school too. Cross him out as well. Brad Thorn gone for sure, SBW deabteable.</p>
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<p>Odd. I am against players coming with the promise of an AB jersey or AB jersey qualifying pathways (i.e. Ireland). But if guys want to come here at 16 on a 1 to 100 shot of making the ABs good on them.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
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<p>It would've been interesting to see who missed out if <strong>Skudder was fit</strong>.<br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing</p>
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<p>Hmmm. Probably back to the Dagg vs McKenzie thing again.</p>
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<p>Personally, I would like to see Naholo learn to play 11. Savea has basically got in by default (although admittedly his international record is impressive) - his only remote challenger was Lowe.</p>
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<p>If Naholo can't play 11, then it's always going to be Naholo vs NMS for right wing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583632" data-time="1464475313">
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<p>It would've been interesting to see who missed out if Skudder was fit.<br><br>
Ben Smith also covers wing</p>
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<p>Part of me hopes the would have given Savea a wake up call, although Hansen seemed very defensive of him with Veitch 4-6 weeks ago.</p>
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<p>It's kind of an odd swing to go from the RWC squad that IMO had too much specialist wing coverage at the expense of having only 1 specialist fullback in the 31, to this squad which is almost light on genuine wingers - particularly those in great form.</p>
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<p>As you guys point out plenty of guys who can switch over to either side, just unusual not to have an in-form, Super Rugby leading try scoring beast of a winger in the squad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583634" data-time="1464475412">
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<p>McAlister was out of the country from an infant until mid-late high school too. Cross him out as well. Brad Thorn gone for sure, SBW deabteable.</p>
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<p>Odd. I am against players coming with the promise of an AB jersey or AB jersey qualifying pathways (i.e. Ireland). But if guys want to come here at 16 on a 1 to 100 shot of making the ABs good on them.</p>
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<p>For the odd, I didn't say it hasn't happened before, just that I don't like it, and I don't think we need them.</p>
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<p>Those two guys you mention were NZers from birth. SBW went to Australia to play professional league, not sure why you're try and make out they were similar cases.</p> -
<p>Naholo has played left wing before (if sparingly) - his debut for the Blues was on the left wing.</p>
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<p>Agreed on Romano being underwhelming. I think both Barrett and Franklin could do with putting some bulk on then they'll go to another level.</p>
