Reshuffling the All Blacks backline

sparky

Assuming none of the injured guys are back in time for Wales;
 
15. Barrett 14. Ben Smith 13. Fekitoa 12. Ngatai 11. Savea 10. A.Cruden 9 A.Smith
 
Bench: McKenzie, Sopoaga, TJP

infidel

No mention of Beaver here? Looked sharp for the Chiefs. Handles pressure OK.

infidel

More seriously, can Fekitoa play 12? 
I think replacing Nonu's hard running at the line is possibly the biggest gap to fill for the ABs.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567677" data-time="1459088896">
Assuming none of the injured guys are back in time for Wales; 
15. Barrett 14. Ben Smith 13. Fekitoa 12. Ngatai 11. Savea 10. A.Cruden 9 A.Smith 
Bench: McKenzie, Sopoaga, TJP</blockquote>
 
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.

broughie

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.

kiwiinmelb

I dont see why when a player retires you have to try and find the same player, 
 
If Fekitoa is our best 13 it doesnt matter that he is different to conrad,
 
Just like it didnt matter Nonu was different to pretty much everyone else that went before him

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567663" data-time="1459078527">
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</blockquote>
 
There's thinking outside the box and then there's just plain silly. 
Even with some of the other 15 to 13 disasters at least Cullen & Muliaina had played there at provincial level. 
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. 
Defending at 13 is completely different to 10 & 15.

kiwiinmelb

I might be missing something but i dont see where Beauden is like Conrad apart from being slim white guys ,
 
I see Conrad as being thinking and creative and Beauden as more instinctive

bobily

Yep, Conrad was known for his distribution and defense.
 
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).

Rembrandt

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.

Canes4life

I would have:
 
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Ben Smith
15. Beauden Barrett
 
Reserves:
21. TJ Perenara
22. George Moala
23. Damian Mckenzie

Crucial

Couple of things about Cruden and goal kicking.
 
First, where does the rule book say that the 10 must be the goal kicker? Nowhere at all. Don't get too hung up about it as long as there is another option elsewhere. (reason I say this is I heard Telfer being an idiot the other day and declaring that the 10 MUST kick goals)
 
Second, don't count him out on goal kicking just yet. Remember that he is coming back from a bad knee injury and the call is probably to get his confidence back on running and kicking from hand first. When that is feeling 100% it will translate to more confidence propping off his leg for kicking as well.

Bones

Yeah I'm pretty sold on Ngatai Fekitoa now. Wonder if they'd have their eye on Ngatai being able to cover fullback too? Thompson and Laumape are shaping up nicely, I reckon Moala will start to show some form once given a consistent shot too.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="567711" data-time="1459112275">
Yeah I'm pretty sold on Ngatai Fekitoa now. Wonder if they'd have their eye on Ngatai being able to cover fullback too? Thompson and Laumape are shaping up nicely, I reckon Moala will start to show some form once given a consistent shot too.</blockquote>
 
I like fekitoa and ngatai 
Don't think laumape is anywhere near ab quality yet, moala is tho. Don't write off crotty too... He's only played 1 full game back from injury and he sounds hungry 
Regarding Mackenzie, I'm not so sure I'd rush him into starting fullback for the June tests. See how his body holds up to a whole super season. Hansen has always said he values those players who perform at playoff time

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567710" data-time="1459112126">
<div>
Couple of things about Cruden and goal kicking.
 
First, where does the rule book say that the 10 must be the goal kicker? Nowhere at all. Don't get too hung up about it as long as there is another option elsewhere. (reason I say this is I heard Telfer being an idiot the other day and declaring that the 10 MUST kick goals)
 
Second, don't count him out on goal kicking just yet. Remember that he is coming back from a bad knee injury and the call is probably to get his confidence back on running and kicking from hand first. When that is feeling 100% it will translate to more confidence propping off his leg for kicking as well.
</div>
</blockquote>
Yeah, it looks like they were easing him back goal kicking wise, then when he had his first shot at it he was shit, then this week D Mack was shit.
 
We are in a period where all our 10 options have had bad runs with the boot at various stages of their careers, we just need them to get on a good run of kicks though I reckon.
 
It's a tough one though if Cruden's kicking doesn't improve and there is no other kicking option. But I don't think you sacrifice your best 10 (sorry 5 fluffers but it's true) and his game management for a better goal kicker at a particular time.
 
Canes4Life's team is the closest on this thread to the one I'd pick to start against Wales - I'd also like to get Lowe into the squad too. I've been a fan of his since his Ta$man (spit) days and think he's the kid of guy who rises to the level he's playing at (the Danes Coles effect).
 
It would be funny if we pick little wings against Wales, thrash them, and they spend the next 5 years looking for small wings.

taniwharugby

I reckon we play 
 
9 A Smith, 10 Cruden, 11 Lowe, 12 Sopoaga, 13 BB, 14 D-Mac, 15 B Smith
 
Plenty of playmakers there, book-ended by 2 of the Smiths, all good!

bobily

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="567706" data-time="1459111520">
<div>
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.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I personally think it us unlikely that the coaches would be bringing in too many inexperienced players into the backline early (Fekitoa isn't inexperienced but hasn't been a consistent starter, Ngatai hasn't started at all for the ABs and they may need to bring someone in for Savea). So I think they might but Barrett at fullback, at least for a bit for this reason. Similarly, I think Sopoaga will miss out.
 
However, eventually I think they will phase in a few more of these guys, and McKenzie will likely be one of the first on the list.

bobily

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="567718" data-time="1459113855">
<div>
I reckon we play 
 
9 A Smith, 10 Cruden, 11 Lowe, 12 Sopoaga, 13 BB, 14 D-Mac, 15 B Smith
 
Plenty of playmakers there, book-ended by 2 of the Smiths, all good! 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I think Stephen Donald would be a good addition in the midfield, as he will cart the ball up all day. So how about:
 
9.Smith
10.Cruden
11.Barrett
12.Sopoaga
13.Donald
14.MacKenzie
15.Smith

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="567720" data-time="1459114035">
<div>
I think Stephen Donald would be a good addition in the midfield, as he will cart the ball up all day. So how about:
 
9.Smith
10.Cruden
11.Barrett
12.Sopoaga
13.Donald
14.MacKenzie
15.Smith
</div>
</blockquote>
Maybe if Todd Blackadder was coach.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="567720" data-time="1459114035">
<div>
I think Stephen Donald would be a good addition in the midfield, as he will cart the ball up all day. So how about:
 
9.Smith
10.Cruden
11.Barrett
12.Sopoaga
13.Donald
14.MacKenzie
15.Smith
</div>
</blockquote>
 
If you gonna go that way, throw BB at FB, and West on the left wing, we only really need one Smith in the backline!

The Silver Fern

Reshuffling the All Blacks backline