All Blacks vs Wales
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<p>With the stand in the background and the clothing indicating a "balmy" Christchurch March evening, I deduce its a typical day-night ODI at Lancaster Park in the mid 2000s. Let me guess - Flem got a 50 but didn't convert, Cairns was trying to convince Vincent to match-fix and Bond was injured. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="583971" data-time="1464578714">
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<p>He hasn't aged a bit.</p>
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<p>did you comment on the image on FB?...someone said the same thing!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="583972" data-time="1464578757">
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<p>I didn't realise he was from Southland</p>
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<p>Born in Invers but is secretly a Goron.</p>
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<p>His father played fullback for Southland and was an AB triallist. </p>
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<p>Robbie Robinson is a cousin.</p> -
<p>I heard that Lydiate news from a workmate and Bovidae just confirmed it. So Wales' loose forward situation is looking pretty grim right? I'd be pleased to have any Taffs, and anyone up with the play, comment on this (or anyone with an ability to do internet research for that matter).</p>
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<p>The Telegraph website named these loose forwards as original selections for the tour:</p>
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<p>T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), J Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).</p>
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<p>Take out Lydiate, and considering Warburton is still an injury concern I believe, then Wales is struggling. Lydiate started the England friendly at 7 I think, captaining the team. Seems Tipuric is also injured out of the series.</p> -
The AB brothers would make a good quiz, if you don't have one already <br><br>
@ NZ Rigby Quizzes. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="583971" data-time="1464578714"><p>He hasn't aged a bit.</p></blockquote>
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Or grown an inch.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="583979" data-time="1464580196"><p>did you comment on the image on FB?...someone said the same thing!</p></blockquote>
Lol not me I don't go anywhere near FB! -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="584007" data-time="1464586771">
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<p>Ofa T would be the first All Black from Mangere College?</p>
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<p>F.E Bunce - <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71'>http://stats.allblacks.com/asp/schoollist.asp?sl_id=Mangere College&stats_id=71</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="583983" data-time="1464580935">
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<p>I heard that Lydiate news from a workmate and Bovidae just confirmed it. So Wales' loose forward situation is looking pretty grim right? I'd be pleased to have any Taffs, and anyone up with the play, comment on this (or anyone with an ability to do internet research for that matter).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Telegraph website named these loose forwards as original selections for the tour:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), J Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt).</p>
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<p>Take out Lydiate, and considering Warburton is still an injury concern I believe, then Wales is struggling. Lydiate started the England friendly at 7 I think, captaining the team. Seems Tipuric is also injured out of the series.</p>
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<p>Wales running out of loose forwards, Gatland must look on the fact the ABs can leave out of their squad players of the quality of Brad Shields, Matt Todd and Steve Luatua with a lot of envy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584015" data-time="1464587649">
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<p>Probably you TR, you love Richie</p>
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<p>yeah, nah; as my resident FB stalker, if I had made a comment like that, you would not have missed the chance to have a go at it bro...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584025" data-time="1464589423">
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<p>yeah, nah; as my resident FB stalker, if I had made a comment like that, you would not have missed the chance to have a go at it bro...</p>
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<p>Good point. Haven't seen your antics on FB lately, you must be busy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584014" data-time="1464587504"><p>Wales running out of loose forwards, Gatland must look on the fact the ABs can leave out of their squad players of the quality of Brad Shields, Matt Todd and Steve Luatua with a lot of envy.</p></blockquote>
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I don't think Gatland is concerning himself one bit with who was left out of the AB squad. -
<p>He's having enough difficulty keeping a fit squad as it is.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="584011" data-time="1464587169">
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<p>So, is there no rugby on this weekend and therefore do the All Blacks have more prep time together than in previous years?</p>
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<p>Yes that is true - they have more time together - interesting that Hansen said in the past they overloaded the players with to much info in the first week and it affected their play for the first test because of this. </p>
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<p>Tried to find the article to quote Hansen, but couldn't, instead I found this: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/all-blacks/news/article.cfm?c_id=116&objectid=11647354'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/all-blacks/news/article.cfm?c_id=116&objectid=11647354</a>, picking the starting XV for the first test. Feels like they purposely pick players that obviously aren't going to start the first test just so the article is interesting / the XVs are some what different e.g. Wynne Gray has McKenzie on the wing?!?! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="584031" data-time="1464590755"><p>I don't think Gatland is concerning himself one bit with who was left out of the AB squad.</p></blockquote>
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He's going to be pretty busy coaching the Welsh defence that is for sure. -
<p>Sparky, I remember you had concerns about Cruden's defensive qualities and would prefer Sopoaga to start.</p>
<p>I wanted to add to that with the thought that Cruden may have peaked and has plateaued somewhat.</p>
<p>Lets face it , it's been a while since he has taken a closely fought game with high stakes by the scruff and really effected the outcome by taking ultimate control.</p>
<p>Yes the Chiefs have done pretty well with him, however at AB level I see more tread in Sopoaga, and BB is a jack-in-the-box who constantly surprises.</p>
<p>Cruden does have defensive frailties and more often than not the offence will target his weak inside shoulder these days. Don't get me wrong, he is quality, I just wonder about his longevity . </p>
squad to tour New Zealand to replace the injured Dan Lydiate.</p>
