Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="567725" data-time="1459114858"><p>
Yep Kerr-Barlow easily the no.2 halfback in the country.</p></blockquote>
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I think Weber is outplaying him at the moment, early days yet though -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="567727" data-time="1459115309"><p>
I actually prefer weber as 2nd choice <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p></blockquote>
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Me too. NKB just isn't good enough. I was gunning for TJP last year, but admit now that he isn't an option. He has the size and skills but unfortunately lacks a brain. <br><br>
This will without doubt be our biggest test of depth since 1998. Hope Hanson manages that better than Hart.<br><br>
Barrett at 13 is certainly out of the box thinking. Don't really see the logic though. Reckon you have to go Ngatai and Fekitoa at this stage. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567724" data-time="1459114667">
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<p>TJP?! Have you guys been watching the Canes? Cause he shouldn't be within 5km of the squad based on his current form. Shit pass, shit decision making.</p>
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<p>When I said Canes4Life was closest I hadn't clicked he had TJP at 9, definitely TKB who just is good enough ... as last years performances from the reserves during the finals showed.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="567718" data-time="1459113855">
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<p>I reckon we play </p>
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<p>9 A Smith, 10 Cruden, 11 Lowe, 12 Sopoaga, 13 BB, 14 D-Mac, 15 B Smith</p>
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<p>Plenty of playmakers there, book-ended by 2 of the Smiths, all good! </p>
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<p>Ngatai at 11 as he's more of a playmaker than Lowe. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="567736" data-time="1459116806">
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<p>Ngatai at 11 as he's more of a playmaker than Lowe. :)</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>good call, at least some of you are taking this re-shuffle seriously! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="567736" data-time="1459116806">
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<p>Ngatai at 11 as he's more of a playmaker than Lowe. :)</p>
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<p>There was also talk of Cruden at halfback at one stage, due to his weight. That could give us:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9.Cruden</p>
<p>10.West</p>
<p>11.Ngatai</p>
<p>12.Sopoaga</p>
<p>13.Donald</p>
<p>14.MacKenzie</p>
<p>15.Barrett</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="567741" data-time="1459118356">
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<p>9. Cruden<br>
10. Dagg<br>
11. MacKenzie<br>
12. Donald<br>
13. Barrett<br>
14. Black<br>
15. Sopoaga<br><br>
Mounga, MacKenzie M, and McGahan on the bench.<br><br>
Good investment in the future there. Plenty goal kicking options.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure about Black starting, but Dagg at 10 is a good call.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rembrandt" data-cid="567728" data-time="1459115416">
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<p>I think Weber is outplaying him at the moment, early days yet though</p>
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<p>Both good in their own right but I like what Kerr Barlow brings to the table personally with a more physical presence which is more suited to test rugby imo and he can close games out in the last 15-20 mins of test matches as he has shown in the past. Having said that, I do like Weber as third choice ahead of TJP.</p> -
Except for maybe one or two experimental games, I can't see the coaches shifting Ben from FB. He's well established as our number one 15 now. <br>
We have plenty of wing options, even if Savea is too fat, NMS & Naholo are injured; Jane, Ranger, Lowe, Osborne, Moala, and I'm sure there are one or two I'm missing. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="567736" data-time="1459116806">
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<p>Ngatai at 11 as he's more of a playmaker than Lowe. :)</p>
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<p>Ngatai did play 1st 5 for the Chiefs in a pre-season game. :think: :mocking:</p> -
<p>Just a couple of reactions to the OP.</p>
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<p>My understanding is that Waisake Naholo will be back well and truly in time for the RC. So I would consider him the logical choice for right wing, form and fitness permitting. I think Barrett at centre is a strange idea, just because he's palagi, has brown hair and is above average height doesn't mean that he's the logical replacement for Conrad Smith. Malakai Fekitoa has been playing well for the last two Super Rugby seasons and IMO is the man for the job.</p>
<p>Also you mentioned that Crotty is more of a centre than a no.12 but he's played 95% of his professional Rugby at second five. I'm not saying he's a better option than Ngatai, but just taking issue with your comment that he was more of a centre.</p>
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<p>I just think people need to take a chill pill. We're five weeks into Super Rugby and suddenly Damian McKenzie just has to be in the All Black 23 and Aaron Cruden has been all but written off because he isn't kicking for goal. IMO that's delusional. Given that Steve Hansen will be forced to make some changes to his match day 23 due to retirements and players heading North, I don't expect him to be bringing in any more new players than he absolutely has to. And dropping proven All Blacks like Aaron Cruden because some people think he's forgotten how to kick for goal is just crazy talk. Damian McKenzie is a rare talent, but there is no way that Steve Hansen is completely rejigging his entire backline to accommodate him. I've heard people talking about moving Ben Smith to 14 so that McKenzie can play fullback. WTF?! And moving Barrett to is even more bizarre.</p> -
<p>If Cruden is in the AB squad for the Welsh series, as expected, McKenzie will have the opportunity to play for the Chiefs vs Wales - probably at 1st 5. That will be a step up from Super rugby and provide Hansen and co with more information about his temperament and ability.</p>
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<p>IMO Ryan Crotty is the nailed on 1st shot at centre. Not sure why others don't see this. I think you can sketch these names in now with a fair bit of certainty</p>
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<p>15. B Smith</p>
<p>14. Fekitoa</p>
<p>13. Crotty</p>
<p>12. ?? </p>
<p>11. Savea</p>
<p>10. Cruden</p>
<p>9. A Smith</p>
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<p>21. Kerr Barlow</p>
<p>22. B Barrett</p>
<p>23. ???</p>
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<p>Julian Savea is a worry but I would say that Hansen has stepped in hence him being removed from the hurricanes and he is working with the All Blacks trainers to get back into proper shape.</p>
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<p>MacKenzie will probably get a shot but not as a first test starter. Likewise Sopango.</p>
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<p>2nd 5 is up for grabs with Ngatai probably having the inside running at the moment over Moala. But alot can happen over the remainder of the tournament Ranger maybe a longshot and Rob Thompson as a longshot bolter. What counts against Ngatai is both him and Crotty are not percieved as impact runners in the way Nonu was.</p>
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<p>Thompson new to this level has looked impressive so far after a NPC for Canterbury last seaon. Him and Crotty were a good partnership and hard to contain. Big selection mistake IMO from Blackadder (yet again) to stick with Fonotia but in fairness contracts were probably already signed.</p> -
<p>If Naholo or Milner-Skudder are available they will start. Fekitoa is a good player but not sure they will trust him yet in the organising and defensive roles at centre. He has already started tests on the wing and come on as a replacement there so obviously you have the same questions of seriousness about Hansen as you do me. </p>
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<p>The Crusaders couldn't come close to matching the money Rob Thompson was offered at the Highlanders. And given he was more than likely going to ride pine behind Crotty and Havili/Fruean, I thinking attacking Todd Blackadder for another "big selection mistake" is being slightly unfair. Also, Thompson has been part of the Canterbury backline which has fired consistently for many years. You don't win seven titles in eight seasons, scoring more points than any other province over this period, with a toothless backline.</p>
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<p>Well alot of Canterbury fans were bemused at him going to the Highlanders when he seemed to have a watershed seaosn with Canterbury last season and only 2 appearances in for the Hihglanders and it looks justified. Crusaders could have matched the money and I am sure he would have preferred the Crusaders but as you say they saw others as higher priority which is the definition of a 'selection mistake'. I did acknowledge that they had probably signed a multi season contract with Fonotia but who was responsible for that?</p>
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<p>8 out of 7 titles yes but in 2013 their backline was not their standout feature and in 2014 their backline looked poor when they didn't even come close to winning the title. 2015 they actually looked the best backline in the competition with a pretty green 10 who without being harsh is only of middling ability compared to their previous ones..</p>
