Reshuffling the All Blacks backline

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="568046" data-time="1459217375">
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I'm going to throw Macilai 's name into the hat. I think he has looked very good so far this season 
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He's been OK. far from All Black standard though.

KiwiMurph

Moala played right wing against Samoa and went pretty well considering it was his first test and a bit of wacky test (first test of the year, a lot of regulars unavailable due to Super rugby final etc) - I think he'll be an option.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568041" data-time="1459217130">
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obvious troll is obvious
 
 
This "Crotty has more leadership" is some fucking bullshit you racist fucks. It's pretty clear from watching the Chiefs Ngatai has a huge say in how their game plays, and is often the one settling it down when a few of our more excitable players take it too far. While i expect Crotty to also be in the, i don't see him taking in too much more collateral than Ngatai given their last 18 months of rugby. 
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Ahh fuck it, I'm on holiday, I'm going in
 
"Hey Mariner, it's Shag here. Look I've got all this performance data and a fair bit of experience working with Crotty, but to tell you truth, we're still undecided about him or Ngatai. Have you seen anything on your TV 4000 miles away that will convince us to pick Ngatai. We need some lip reading or all those times when he's the one settling down the more excitable players. It's pretty clear he does this often, but we need that verified. We need to come up with something else we be branded racists. NZ rugby needs you Mariner....Please call me back when you get this message"
 
call me racialist...;)

ACT Crusader

The Fekitoa/Crotty starting combination has looked the goods when they've started and finished tests. If both are fit I think they may give it more time. 
No doubt Ngatai is playing well and should be there or thereabouts as well. 
Siam - it's a deliberate tactic by the coaches to have Barrett at fullback Smith at wing for at least the last 25 minutes. They seem to do alright so while there are injuries it's hardly extraordinary to think they could start together. 
But I see some picking Naholo, is he going to be available?

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568048" data-time="1459217627">
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Moala played right wing against Samoa and went pretty well considering it was his first test and a bit of wacky test (first test of the year, a lot of regulars unavailable due to Super rugby final etc) - I think he'll be an option. 
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Yep, as I mentioned in my post earlier in the thread I think he has the inside running if NMS and Naholo are both out.

leytonandamanda

Hopefully Tony pulu can get a run of games for Chiefs as I've always really rated him. 
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Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568054" data-time="1459219104">
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The Fekitoa/Crotty starting combination has looked the goods when they've started and finished tests. If both are fit I think they may give it more time. 
No doubt Ngatai is playing well and should be there or thereabouts as well. 
Siam - it's a deliberate tactic by the coaches to have Barrett at fullback Smith at wing for at least the last 25 minutes. They seem to do alright so while there are injuries it's hardly extraordinary to think they could start together. 
But I see some picking Naholo, is he going to be available?
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Yeah I know what you mean about the Barrett/Smith move. I think the overriding premise is to start with Smith at FB though, and earn the right to open the game up in the last 20. I think the pattern demonstrates that Smith starts at FB and I can't see that changing, if for no other reason than he diffuses defensive situations (bombs and kicks) better in the first hour than anyone else.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="568050" data-time="1459218400">
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Ahh fuck it, I'm on holiday, I'm going in
 
"Hey Mariner, it's Shag here. Look I've got all this performance data and a fair bit of experience working with Crotty, but to tell you truth, we're still undecided about him or Ngatai. Have you seen anything on your TV 4000 miles away that will convince us to pick Ngatai. We need some lip reading or all those times when he's the one settling down the more excitable players. It's pretty clear he does this often, but we need that verified. We need to come up with something else we be branded racists. NZ rugby needs you Mariner....Please call me back when you get this message"
 
call me racialist... ;)
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Can Maoris actually do this ? shit, I thought they were just dumb but explosive power athletes like all the other islanders.......

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="568056" data-time="1459219350">
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Yep, as I mentioned in my post earlier in the thread I think he has the inside running if NMS and Naholo are both out.
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Yep - he'll also be a handy bench option as he can play 12, 13 (at a pinch) and both wings, especially if you've got a Barrett/Mckenzie on the bench who can cover 10/15. 13 not such a big issue if you've got a 12 who can cover 13 (such as Fekitoa, Crotty or Ngatai) or even Ben Smith has been serviceable at 13 (I know I know, fullback to centre issue).

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="568045" data-time="1459217352">Fair enough but Crotty has far more AB experience than Ngatai- it's not unreasonable to assume that this could be a deciding factor when selecting the run on team for the first game of a season</blockquote> It's not unreasonable to point out the All Blacks haven't been shy in giving newbies an opportunity.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="568045" data-time="1459217352">Fair enough but Crotty has far more AB experience than Ngatai- it's not unreasonable to assume that this could be a deciding factor when selecting the run on team for the first game of a season</blockquote>
 
Yep, but Ngatai has been captaining the AB Maori team (and Taranaki?) 
Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ngatai start from the bench.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="568050" data-time="1459218400">
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Ahh fuck it, I'm on holiday, I'm going in
 
"Hey Mariner, it's Shag here. Look I've got all this performance data and a fair bit of experience working with Crotty, but to tell you truth, we're still undecided about him or Ngatai. Have you seen anything on your TV 4000 miles away that will convince us to pick Ngatai. We need some lip reading or all those times when he's the one settling down the more excitable players. It's pretty clear he does this often, but we need that verified. We need to come up with something else we be branded racists. NZ rugby needs you Mariner....Please call me back when you get this message"
 
call me racialist... ;)
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It's about fucking time Shag.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="568061" data-time="1459219869">
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It's not unreasonable to point out the All Blacks haven't been shy in giving newbies an opportunity.
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Sure, as individuals. I'd say the pattern is to surround debutants with experienced players

mariner4life

Which is why pairing the Chiefs 10 and 12 with the back-up 13 of the past 2 years makes perfect sense.
 
Why put in a Crusader with not all that much test experience when none of his provincial mates will be there? Unless we're planning him running off short balls from the props....

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568048" data-time="1459217627">
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Moala played right wing against Samoa and went pretty well considering it was his first test and a bit of wacky test (first test of the year, a lot of regulars unavailable due to Super rugby final etc) - I think he'll be an option. 
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Yeah I'm a fan of Moala. Even with the one specialist winger out (NMS) I think he's in with a real show to play out wide. And might be handy to be in the squad should the AB selectors want to experiment in the midfield.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="568067" data-time="1459220463">
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Yep, but Ngatai has been captaining the AB Maori team (and Taranaki?) 
Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ngatai start from the bench.
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The only thing Crotty has in his favour is that he has been in the All Black environment longer. That's literally the only thing.

mariner4life

leaving the tongue-in-cheek stuff aside for the moment, i think Moala at 14 is a distinct possibility for June. I would expect him to be in the squad anyway, and once our right wings come back, to be looking at an impact sub role (until SBW is back of course).

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="568074" data-time="1459221544">
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The only thing Crotty has in his favour is that he has been in the All Black environment longer. That's literally the only thing.
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Interesting use of the word literally...

MN5

Moala played out of position, marked an absolute monster and scored on debut.....and hasn't been seen since. I think based on that he'll be there or thereabouts this year for sure.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="568071" data-time="1459221427">
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Which is why pairing the Chiefs 10 and 12 with the back-up 13 of the past 2 years makes perfect sense.
 
Why put in a Crusader with not all that much test experience when none of his provincial mates will be there? Unless we're planning him running off short balls from the props....
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Eh? Crotty's played in 15 tests. That's 2 more than Fekitoa. The fact that he's paired up with Fekitoa a few times probably counts for something in this transition period too.

The Silver Fern

Reshuffling the All Blacks backline