Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="567657" data-time="1459075576">
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<p>No love for the Blues backs (excepting Moala)?<br><br>
I know they're the Blues but there is some raw talent there.</p>
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<p>There is (as always), but none will come close to ABs selection this year apart from Moala and maybe Ranger if he can get on the field regularly.</p> -
<p>Great to see someone else raise the idea of Beauden Barrett at Centre. You got the same predictable reaction as I got a couple of month ago. Most people don't like thinking outside of the box I'm afraid, Cgrant.<br><br>
Fekitoa will start against Wales, but Beauden Barrett could be the long-term replacement for Conrad Smith. Very similar athletes in lots of ways (same height, similar weight and build, similar instinctive reading of play etc.), just Conrad had a great hunger to learn and work on his weaknesses. Not an easy guy to replace at all.</p> -
<p>Hayman for number eight</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's not thinking outside the box</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's putting a guy whose never played centre in the position in the best team in the world. The same team that learnt in 99 and 03 that putting players with so called "attributes" into centre doesn't farking work!</p>
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<p>What next? Mackenzie at half back? Retallick at first five because he once kicked a ball, or just in case Smith throws a high pass?</p>
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<p>Besides, would Barrett rather play at centre or earn 1.5 million in Europe - might as well hand him his boarding pass with the 13 jersey</p> -
<p>When exactly will the first All Blacks squad of the year be named? I find it a bit strange to say that Naholo and Dagg are out of contention because they are injured NOW.</p>
<p>Dagg is due back in April and Naholo, I think, as well. There's still time for those two.</p>
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<p>I wonder whether Hansen is going for an extended squad again, with players for the June tests, and some apprentices.</p>
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<p>I don't see Jane (too old), Tamanivalu or Osborne make the ABs; Moala and Ranger need show a LOT more form to be selected IMO; for Lowe and DMac - and especially Laumape - it may be too soon (unless as apprentices). I don't think you can compare them with NMS, as he's several years older (than DMAC particularly).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="567667" data-time="1459081128">
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<p>Hayman for number eight</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's not thinking outside the box</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's putting a guy whose never played centre in the position in the best team in the world. The same team that learnt in 99 and 03 that putting players with so called "attributes" into centre doesn't farking work!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What next? Mackenzie at half back? Retallick at first five because he once kicked a ball, or just in case Smith throws a high pass?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Besides, would Barrett rather play at centre or earn 1.5 million in Europe - might as well hand him his boarding pass with the 13 jersey</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Dagg at first five! Ardie at second!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567663" data-time="1459078527">
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<p>Great to see someone else raise the idea of Beauden Barrett at Centre. You got the same predictable reaction as I got a couple of month ago. Most people don't like thinking outside of the box I'm afraid, Cgrant.<br><br>
Fekitoa will start against Wales, but Beauden Barrett could be the long-term replacement for Conrad Smith. Very similar athletes in lots of ways, just Conrad had a great hunger to learn and work on his weaknesses. Not an easy guy to replace at all.</p>
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<p>Hah, how hilarious....wow that's some amazing thinking outside the box. Or not. Similar athletes in lots of ways? What, several lanky limbs?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567677" data-time="1459088896"><p>
Assuming none of the injured guys are back in time for Wales;<br><br>
15. Barrett 14. Ben Smith 13. Fekitoa 12. Ngatai 11. Savea 10. A.Cruden 9 A.Smith<br><br>
Bench: McKenzie, Sopoaga, TJP</p></blockquote>
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IMO either Sopoaga or McKenzie have to start. Neither Barrett nor Cruden are international-calibre goal kickers. Might not matter against Wales if I'm being arrogant but at some stage in 2016 it will matter. -
<p>Well if everyone is pushing for DMac as FB isnt his kicking good enough that relying on Cruden is not as essential? Sopoaga kicks and has been running the Highlanders backline well and really deserves a run. I have seen nothing wrong with Ngatai at second. So Cruden, Ngatai, Fekitoa, B Smith, DMac and Savea/Naholo. Savea just needs a diet or some time with Gordon. </p>
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<p>I dont see why when a player retires you have to try and find the same player, </p>
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<p>If Fekitoa is our best 13 it doesnt matter that he is different to conrad,</p>
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<p>Just like it didnt matter Nonu was different to pretty much everyone else that went before him </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567663" data-time="1459078527"><p>
Great to see someone else raise the idea of Beauden Barrett at Centre. You got the same predictable reaction as I got a couple of month ago. Most people don't like thinking outside of the box I'm afraid, Cgrant</p></blockquote>
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There's thinking outside the box and then there's just plain silly. <br><br>
Even with some of the other 15 to 13 disasters at least Cullen & Muliaina had played there at provincial level. <br><br>
It would be a complete gamble based on the notion we need a mirror image of Conrad and your gut instinct is that Beauden might be that man. <br><br>
Defending at 13 is completely different to 10 & 15. -
<p>I might be missing something but i dont see where Beauden is like Conrad apart from being slim white guys ,</p>
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<p>I see Conrad as being thinking and creative and Beauden as more instinctive </p> -
<p>Yep, Conrad was known for his distribution and defense.</p>
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<p>I think all our other first five options are better at putting others into space, and Barrett definitely isn't up there with Conrad defensively, though I think he he has made immense progress (84% so far this year, which is better than Cruden or Sopoaga).</p> -
Definitely see a Ngati/Fekitoa centre pairing. Dmac may get a chance at fullback and send Smith to the wing. Still anyones at first-five. Barretts kicking improved a lot last game, Cruden hasn't been kicking but general play has been great, Sopoanga may lose out just on experience but could see any of them start.
