All Blacks vs Wales

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="582976" data-time="1464242694">Lowe can play. 
He is big and fast and has some excellent skills. He probably tries a bit too much at times - that makes him an excellent weapon at ITM Cup-level - he gets caught out at times at Super level and that would be exacerbated at test level. So I'd say needs more work on his decision making. But without doubt he has the physical attributes to play test rugby. 
He actually reminds me a little bit of Bubbles Hamilton in the way he plays - shorter, stockier and probably faster - but tries some outrageous plays that come off more frequently as he gets older.</blockquote>
 
Don't joke about FABSH or we are likely to get FABJM.

pukunui

I always thought FABJM was James Marshall. Never really saw why. Probably about as much chance as the real FABJM though.

Sapetyvi

Who is FABJM?

Frye

Future All Black Johnny McNicol.

Paekakboyz

On the off chance anyone has a sniff of tickets for the Wellington game... looking for 2 for a good mate who will be in wellies that weekend. The missus surprised me with tickets so we are already going but it looks like only singles remain. Have spotted at least two Trademe auctions that are for a pair of tickets in totally different parts of the stadium... cheeky buggers!!
 
Frothing for this test match - the NZ derby games have been top notch but keen as to see our 2016 AB's get stuck into Wales. Can't wait for team naming Sunday!!

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="583071" data-time="1464294426">
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On the off chance anyone has a sniff of tickets for the Wellington game... looking for 2 for a good mate who will be in wellies that weekend. The missus surprised me with tickets so we are already going but it looks like only singles remain. Have spotted at least two Trademe auctions that are for a pair of tickets in totally different parts of the stadium... cheeky buggers!!
 
Frothing for this test match - the NZ derby games have been top notch but keen as to see our 2016 AB's get stuck into Wales. Can't wait for team naming Sunday!!
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</blockquote>
 
 
Seriously? This would be the first Canes game at the Tin to sell out in like forever.

KiwiMurph

From Sumo
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Ofa Tu'ungafasi set for an All Blacks call up on Sunday. Who joins him out of tonight's game? <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/HURvHIG?src=hash'>#HURvHIG</a>
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KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="583090" data-time="1464303911">
<div>
Seriously? This would be the first Canes game at the Tin to sell out in like forever.
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</blockquote>
 
I think he means the All Blacks Wales test match in Wellington.

hydro11

And its strange because both playoff games sold out last year.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583162" data-time="1464325196">I think he means the All Blacks Wales test match in Wellington.</blockquote>
 
My bad. Must have been flicking threads.

Rancid Schnitzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="582627" data-time="1464164619">
Horan was better for longer, but Nonu was fucking unreal for the last 4 years</blockquote>
 
Living in Brisbane, I saw Horan play heaps of times. He was amazing. The complete package. I used to think he was the best. 
But Nonu blew me away when I saw the Canes live last year. In addition to being an absolute beast of a man, he has a skill set up there with the best of all time. 
I'm eternally grateful he decided to hang around in 2008. Tbh I wouldn't really have cared if he'd gone. 
He doesn't just leave a hole in the team, he leaves a farking chasm. There are some promising 12s out there, but none of them come close to Nonu. 
I have to say that the midfield is a big concern for me this year. I'm still not sold on Fekitoa being a long-term solution.

Crash

I see Stuff has a possible AB bolters article with Hinton, Bidwell, Knowler and Napier selecting A Savea, Tamanivalu, ALB and Scott Barrett.
No-one has picked DMac I see. Iwould still pick the kid. Get him exposed to the AB environment early, he has the skills and energy and application to learn.. We saw with the likes of Luatua exposure to the AB the envrions had an immediate impact. Same with Lowe, A Savea and Scott Barrett - get 'em in and ;let them see the machinations. I hope they all get selected. Problem is fitting them all in.

pukunui

Add me to the group that doesn't see much in Lowe. Good ITM and super level player but haven't seen anything that would suggest he should be considered higher up. I'd rather Fekitoa/Moala were used as additional depth for the wings until NMS comes back.

sparky

Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea have secured places in the starting XV IMHO.

Billy Tell

Not in a month of Sunday's. Cane will be 7, and either Cruden or Sopoaga will start at 10. And Smith at 15. 
I'll humbly recant if I'm wrong.

Samurai Jack

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="583173" data-time="1464328795">
<div>
Living in Brisbane, I saw Horan play heaps of times. He was amazing. The complete package. I used to think he was the best. 
But Nonu blew me away when I saw the Canes live last year. In addition to being an absolute beast of a man, he has a skill set up there with the best of all time. 
I'm eternally grateful he decided to hang around in 2008. Tbh I wouldn't really have cared if he'd gone. 
He doesn't just leave a hole in the team, he leaves a farking chasm. There are some promising 12s out there, but none of them come close to Nonu. 
I have to say that the midfield is a big concern for me this year. I'm still not sold on Fekitoa being a long-term solution.
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</blockquote>
Yeah, Nonu leaves a chasm but I am impressed with Ngatai this year. He is a throwback to the "old school" 2nd fives but with a bit more dynamism (prob cos of professionalism). Also think Crotty is underrated here on the fern cos of the obvious anti-Canterbury thing. He has never had a bad game in black. We will never replace Nonu/Smith/Carter/McCaw etc but there are some seriously good footy players ready to make their own mark. 
This post is void if we loose a game to the Taffys

pukunui

After this weekend i would pick the following from the fringe guys. 
A Savea in 
Scott Barrett in 
Luatua in 
Elliot Dixon in 
Moala in 
Dagg in 
Ngatai in (if his head is right) 
Sopoaga in 
Pat t in 
Webber in (assuming tkb is out and they want 3x 9s) 
Romano out 
Todd not in 
Taufua not in 
D mac not in(waiting until eoyt for a chance) 
Luke whitelock not in 
Bird not in 
Front row i wouldnt have a clue. Maybe Ash Dixon as 3rd hooker and Reg Goodes plus someone to fill in until Laulala gets back. 
Not sure if Steve Hanson has been getting my texts though.

kiwiinmelb

Yeah i would pick Dagg over DMac , 
 
Just think if B Smith or Naholo went down now , id prefer Dagg starting a test match at this stage of their careers , 
 
If Dmac is going to be good enough , his time will come IMO

sparky

Sparky's Squad
 
 
Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Fauminia, Owen Franks, Reggie Goodes, Joe Moody
Hookers: Dane Coles, Ash Dixon, Codie Taylor
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipolotu, Sam Whitelock,
Loose Forwards: Sam Cane, Elliott Dixon, Jerome Kaino, Steven Lautua, Kieron Read, Ardie Savea
Half Backs: TJ Perenera, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber
First Five: Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, 
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Charlie Ngati,
Back Three:, Israel Dagg, , Cory Jane, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith

Nepia

Seriously, how did Luke of the Whitelocks get to the fringe from one good game in ... I'm thinking of the years, maybe a Cantab fan can tell me when he had a good game at NPC sometime?

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Wales