Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568116" data-time="1459230823">
'> </a></p>
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<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Never gets old. <strong>He with the other Franks were heavily involved at the ruck and also running the ball in that sequence.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
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<p>We're talking about Crotty, right? Cause I'm not sure you're watching the same sequence I am.</p> -
<p>9.Smith, 10.Sopianga 11.Savea 12. Ngatai 13. Fekitoa 14. Naholo 15. Smith res TKB , Crotty , Barrett</p>
<p> </p>
<p>thats what im going with for now if naholo is available , not much between cruden and sopoaga , Can see it going the other way too,</p>
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<p>likewise Crotty and Ngatai , both in the squad, </p>
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<p>Moala maybe a bench spot </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="568123" data-time="1459233190">
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<p>We're talking about Crotty, right? Cause I'm not sure you're watching the same sequence I am.</p>
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<p>Just trolling.</p>
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<p>Crotty's input was extremely minor compared to that of the rest of the side.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568116" data-time="1459230823">
'> </a></p>
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<p>Right place, right time. A simple but significant play like that has for some players prolonged their rugby careers :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Never gets old<strong>. He with the other Franks were heavily involved at the ruck and also running the ball in that sequence.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably his best tests were vs OZ at Eden Park and the second half he played vs England.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
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<p>How did a Franks, and just the 'other' Franks get into this conversation? Did you have a mention of the other Franks too and then delete it? Are you pre-white knighting on the off chance someone says something negative about the Franks?</p>
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<p>Crotty did one awful flop at one ruck but he ran well and took the chance well. I do enjoy re-watching that over and over again though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="568124" data-time="1459233329">
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<p>9.Smith, 10.Sopianga 11.Savea 12. Ngatai 13. Fekitoa 14. Naholo 15. Smith res TKB , Crotty , Barrett</p>
<p> </p>
<p>thats what im going with for now if naholo is available , not much between cruden and sopoaga , Can see it going the other way too,</p>
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<p>Except that Cruden has played 37 tests and Sopoaga one test.</p>
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<p>It would be a bit concerning if Cruden doesn't resume the kicking duties a bit later in the season, but I'm pretty sure he will.</p>
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<p>Cruden is already the fifth highest points scorer of all time for the ABs and, despite him being injured, Sopoaga still didn't get the the RWC. Sopoaga will make the squad and his time as No.1 may come, but initially I can see this going only one way. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="568124" data-time="1459233329">
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<p>9.Smith, 10.Sopianga 11.Savea 12. Ngatai 13. Fekitoa 14. Naholo 15. Smith res TKB , Crotty , Barrett</p>
<p> </p>
<p>thats what im going with for now if naholo is available , not much between cruden and sopoaga , Can see it going the other way too,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>likewise Crotty and Ngatai , both in the squad, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Moala maybe a bench spot </p>
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<p>If Naholo is considered as available, why no Milner Skudder here ? He has been great in every game he played for the AB (with the notable exception of the opening WC game against Argentina). When he is fit again, he will be in the team, that's for sure.</p> -
<p>pretty sure there are a few AB games BEFORE NMS is available, whereas Naholo should be available for these tests.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="568137" data-time="1459235372">
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<p>pretty sure there are a few AB games BEFORE NMS is available, whereas Naholo should be available for these tests.</p>
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<p>NMS will definitely miss the Welsh series (expected to return in Sept) and the first AB squad will be selected for that. Naholo will be back much sooner.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="568135" data-time="1459235189">
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<p>If Naholo is considered as available, why no Milner Skudder here ? He has been great in every game he played for the AB (with the notable exception of the opening WC game against Argentina). When he is fit again, he will be in the team, that's for sure.</p>
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<p>because NMS is gone for the season ,Naholo may be back in time </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="568158" data-time="1459238682">
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<p>I can't see Cruden and Savea not running out as starters against Wales. Hansen isn't one for surprises.</p>
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<p>That's exactly why I think he'll send Savea off to fat camp during the June tests. Same thing happened last year when Savea was looking more like a prop than a winger.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="568134" data-time="1459234939">
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<p>Except that Cruden has played 37 tests and Sopoaga one test.</p>
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<p>It would be a bit concerning if Cruden doesn't resume the kicking duties a bit later in the season, but I'm pretty sure he will.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cruden is already the fifth highest points scorer of all time for the ABs and, despite him being injured, Sopoaga still didn't get the the RWC. Sopoaga will make the squad and his time as No.1 may come, but initially I can see this going only one way. </p>
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<p>Yeah your right , Cruden is the more senior player , has done nothing wrong and the clôsest thing we have to an incumbent , im tipping both of them to get starts this year though not just one </p> -
<p>2 things,</p>
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<p>one, the Welsh centre unit is huge & genuinely very very good. So I'd lean towards us picking a unit that doesn't fuck up too much as opposed to x factoring all over the place.</p>
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<p>two, the selectors have gone to guys they have used a lot religiously over the years. They are staggeringly unwilling to pick & drop randomly - especially on Super form, which has almost no bearing to tests at all. Most of the Fern had dropped Dagg 2 years before Hansen did for example. Ditto dropping Savea before the quarter final. Many had dropped Carter long before the WC even started. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="568158" data-time="1459238682"><p>I can't see Cruden and Savea not running out as starters against Wales. Hansen isn't one for surprises.</p></blockquote>
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Well Naholo was selected for the RWC squad off the back of a half of test rugby. That was pretty surprising given he was coming back from injury. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568128" data-time="1459233947"><p>How did a Franks, and just the 'other' Franks get into this conversation? Did you have a mention of the other Franks too and then delete it? Are you pre-white knighting on the off chance someone says something negative about the Franks?<br><br>
Crotty did one awful flop at one ruck but he ran well and took the chance well. I do enjoy re-watching that over and over again though.</p></blockquote>
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Mate, you read waaay too much into posts. Mariner brought up the Ireland test. I posted the video of the final passage of play just for memories sake. Nothing more. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568199" data-time="1459251024">
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<p>Well Naholo was selected for the RWC squad off the back of a half of test rugby. That was pretty surprising given he was coming back from injury.</p>
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<p>That was very much out of character yes, but if anything thats likely to make them even more gun shy given how piss awful he was.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568201" data-time="1459251222">
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<p>Mate, you read waaay too much into posts. Mariner brought up the Ireland test. I posted the video of the final passage of play just for memories sake. Nothing more.</p>
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<p>I was merely asking a question, I'm still unsure how a Franks wound up in a discussion about a Crotty.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="568213" data-time="1459255789">
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<p>Quick note on Cruden's goal kicking. Rennie said part of the reason he hasn't been is that he's coming back from knee surgery. He expects Cruden will take back the responsibility soon.</p>
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<p>It's always bemused me that guys can be fit enough to play and therefore potentially get smashed by big scary loose forwards yet considered unfit for something is relatively leisurely as goal kicking.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="568247" data-time="1459283596">
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<p>It's always bemused me that guys can be fit enough to play and therefore potentially get smashed by big scary loose forwards yet considered unfit for something is relatively leisurely as goal kicking.</p>
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<p>Remember how a leisurely goal kick ruled DC out the world cup, and another one ruined Piri's ability to kick and that combined turned the Duck into the greatest story ever told.</p>