Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="605801" data-time="1471338662"><p>I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though <br><br>
Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith</p></blockquote>
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Well they would be mad if they didn't! -
<p>Crotty + Fekitoa midfield isn't going to lose us the Test.</p>
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<p>I'd still prefer Crotty 13, Fekitoa 12, Fekitoa rushing out of the line is bad at 12, its terrible at 13.</p>
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<p>Its worth bearing in mind before panicing that most of us at the start of the year were OK with that pairing till SBW came back. Its entirely possible that was the starting pair the selectors were leaning towards for big games in the RC. And the guys we are pining for are Ngatai who hasn't done shit in a black jersey & Moala who's had one solid game.</p>
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<p>Add in the poms bitch slapped Aussie 3-0 with Joseph & Farrell as their centre unit. You can beat Aussie without destroying them in the centres. </p> -
On assumption Coles and Moody are rested the forward 13 likely to comprise Crockett/Taylor/Franks/Sam/BBBR/Cane/Kaino/Read/Hames/Harris/CharlieF/Savea and one of Squire/PatrickT. Ofa not ready to sub at LH. <br>
I expect they'll go with Smith/Cruden/Crotty/Fekitoa/Savea/Smith/Dagg to start with TKB/BB/Naholo bench.<br>
Harsh on TJP but he's really competing with Nugget to start.<br>
If it were me I'd like to give Sopoaga/Fekitoa/Crotty combo a try but recognise this is unlikely to be the game for that.<br>
Bus lucky but with GOTJ out too early to blood ALB. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="605827" data-time="1471349030">
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<p>On assumption Coles and Moody are rested the forward 13 likely to comprise Crockett/Taylor/Franks/Sam/BBBR/Cane/Kaino/Read/Hames/Harris/CharlieF/Savea and one of Squire/PatrickT. Ofa not ready to sub at LH.<br>
I expect they'll go with Smith/Cruden/Crotty/Fekitoa/Savea/Smith/Dagg to start with TKB/BB/Naholo bench.<br>
Harsh on TJP but he's really competing with Nugget to start.<br>
If it were me I'd like to give Sopoaga/Fekitoa/Crotty combo a try but recognise this is unlikely to be the game for that.<br>
Bus lucky but with GOTJ out too early to blood ALB.</p>
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<p>Why play Savea at 11 when he couldn't get a start for the Canes. Put Naholo at 11 (who also covers 14) Savea shouldn't make the matchday 23 - imo</p>
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<p>Pat T has been great off the bench. Why think he might not even get a guaranteed spot on the reserves bench? He is a KEY impact player.</p>
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<p>Hames adds far less off the bench than Ofa.</p>
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<p>Barrett has probably been the best player in Super 16? Why not reward form? It is not as though he is inexperienced. He can always move to 15 later in the game. </p>
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<p>TJP has been better than TKB and is equal defensively.</p> -
<p>If Moala had been fit I think Bus <em>would</em> have missed out. But Naholo/Smith/Dagg no Bus leaves ALB on bench which IMO is too early.</p>
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<p>Pat T is massive, but my suspicion is that Squire might appeal owing to his greater mobility. The traditional weakness of Oz tighties would argue for Pat. </p>
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<p>If we wanted to start with our best scrum I'd go for Hames/Harris/Franks. Ofa is great in loose, but if Crockett were to cop an early injury Ofa on bench runs too much risk of AB scrum getting muntered for a long period. Check out Blues/Tahs, and that was Ofa on his favoured TH side!</p>
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<p>I said I <em>expect</em> the above backs. Selectors have consistently indicated they are looking for the best overall performance -- and it <em>appears</em> they believe Cruden/BB is better than BB/Cruden or BB/Sopoaga. In some ways great problem to have?</p>
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<p>At his best TJP is world class. But not sure I'd agree his D matches TKB, who can almost be like a fourth loosie. Again a case of the luxury of choice!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="605828" data-time="1471350825">
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<p>Hames adds far less off the bench than Ofa.</p>
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<p>Really? You must have forgotten the awful two penalty tries conceded when Tu'ungafasi was probably the most guilty part of the Blues scrum that was completely and utterly massacred by the Waratahs earlier this year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="605838" data-time="1471352043">
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<p>1. If Moala had been fit I think Bus <em>would</em> have missed out. But Naholo/Smith/Dagg no Bus leaves ALB on bench which IMO is too early.</p>
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<p>2. I said I <em>expect</em> the above backs. Selectors have consistently indicated they are looking for the best overall performance -- and it <em>appears</em> they believe Cruden/BB is better than BB/Cruden or BB/Sopoaga. In some ways great problem to have?</p>
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<p>Some good points, and you might be right about Ofa. I think starting Hames with Crockett as impact is better.</p>
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<p>Per the above</p>
<p>1. Why not leave Bus on the bench and start Naholo at 11 rather than start Savea and put Naholo on the bench?</p>
<p>2. It appears they believe Cruden-BB is better BEFORE Barrett has had this breakout season. I hope Super form counts for something and that belief has changed.</p>
<p>Barrett is our best first-five. Why have him on for 20 minutes at the end and perhaps even at fullback. Why not start him at 10 and then move him to 15 if need be?</p> -
<p>Re: 1 and 2 above, I think the question is one of change up. ABs have been exceptional at bringing bench on at 60 and annihilating opposition with 10 minutes of rugby at a pace their tiring limbs can't live with. Thinking of for example Wales 2014 minutes 68 - 76.</p>
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<p>The Bus strikes me as a slow starter. If BB starts then I can't see Cruden exploding on impact (pardon the expression!) so it would have to be a BB/Sopoaga combo. Which might be extraordinary, but I can't see Shag trying for the first time this weekend?</p>
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<p>Starting to look forward to it!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="605863" data-time="1471375015">
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<p>Serious question - is the team named early tomorrow morning NZ time?</p>
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<p>Just before kickoff, between the anthem and the Haka isn't it?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="605801" data-time="1471338662"><p>
I still think a Crotty 12 and Fekitoa 13 combo , is about as sound defensively as we can get with everyone available, other options may have offered more in attack though <br><br>
Was interested to read somewhere in Aussie press that the wallabies will target our midfield believing that to be our weakness in the absence of Nonu Smith</p></blockquote>
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See. Told ya Cheika's a genius. Genius I tells ya. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="605865" data-time="1471376353"><p>Just before kickoff, between the anthem and the Haka isn't it?</p></blockquote>
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I thought it had already been named....<br><br>- Crockett<br>
- Taylor<br>
- Franks<br>
- Romano<br>
- Whitelock <br>
- Whatshisname<br>
- Todd<br>
- Read <br>
- Youknowhim<br>
- Thingo<br>
- Bro<br>
- Crotty<br>
- Cuzzie<br>
- Tokenblue<br>
- Dagg
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="605872" data-time="1471381267">
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<p>I thought it had already been named....<br><br>- Crockett<br>
- Taylor<br>
- Franks<br>
- Romano<br>
- Whitelock<br>
- Whatshisname<br>
- Todd<br>
- Read<br>
- Youknowhim<br>
- Thingo<br>
- Bro<br>
- Crotty<br>
- Cuzzie<br>
- Tokenblue<br>
- Dagg</p>
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<p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1N0UjV3.jpg" alt="1N0UjV3.jpg"></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="605933" data-time="1471395612"><p><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1N0UjV3.jpg" alt="1N0UjV3.jpg"></p></blockquote>
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That team is what Hansen really wants to put out, but he fears Winger will call him one eyed and biased. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="605870" data-time="1471379865">
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<p>Are the Wallabies still banned from using the term "All Blacks"? Still haven't seen one mention it in an interview or article? Worked well last time.</p>
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<p>I have it on good authority that the ABs are banned from calling Australia 'The Wallabies' in case complacency sets in.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="605786" data-time="1471332961">
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<p>Some Ferners may not see Crotty as a first choice midfielder, but I'm reasonably convinced that he is for the selectors. Hansen said that he sees Crotty as a Conrad Smith type of player; a good communicator, solid on defence and making good decisions. The selectors don't expect Crotty to do the flashy stuff, unlike some of Ferners seem to expect from BOTH midfielders. I think we have only lost our first choice players for one of the midfield positions and, possibly, the midfield cover on the bench.</p>
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<p>Conrad could expose defenses with his running though too. He was a very elusive runner and not so one dimensional. The reason Crotty does not get much love from the fern is because there is a reason we are hoping for better and think there is better out there with some nurturing. Heck I ready for BB to play 1st five and Cruden might soon be an after thought and I have no dislike for Cruden. I just think BB has become the man.</p>
