@jamsb Don't know.

@cgrant No Ioane or Bell in the 23?

While I wouldn't be surprised if some players in the squad don't play on this tour, and said as much, you would hope those who have only been holding tackle bags get an opportunity to play.

@jamsb said in Wales Vs All Blacks:

@sparky at first five or fullback?

Personally I'd like him at 15. I want to see if he can form a better back 3 with Clarke and Jordan as wingers (obviously CC won't be there this time)

Assuming Cam can't play I'd put out

Ratima, DMac, Tangitau, QT, Ioane, Love, Jordan

@Bovidae said in Wales Vs All Blacks:

@cgrant No Ioane or Bell in the 23?

While I wouldn't be surprised if some players in the squad don't play on this tour, and said as much, you would hope those who have only been holding tackle bags get an opportunity to play.

Too late for that for me, guys should have had an opportunity earlier.
Giving guys a participation run in our last game is not something we can afford to do when we are doing so much badly, it will just be yet another missed opportunity to fix things and see how a few new guys go in the A team structure (if that exists).

@reprobate Just wait until Reece gets his start.

I am more saying that Ioane should be playing ahead of LF or BP in this game.

They have a bit of an issue on the left wing this weekend.

Clarke shouldn't really be playing given he had a failed HIA the game before last.

Reece and Ioane aren't the future on the left wing. Tangitau is more of a right winger as is Jordan. Leicester could get another run I suppose. Personally I'd pick ENS but it won't happen - he hasn't even been called up to the squad.

Going to be interesting, remember last year when the last game of the tour against Italy was the game it was rumoured the guys who hadn’t played much would get a run .

Then we lost to France and it seemed like razor felt the pressure to make a statement and picked the usuals .

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

@kiwiinmelb said in Wales v All Blacks:

Going to be interesting, remember last year when the last game of the tour against Italy was the game it was rumoured the guys who hadn’t played much would get a run .

Then we lost to France and it seemed like razor felt the pressure to make a statement and picked the usuals .

Who put out the usual sub standard performance too.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

Coaches will be relieved that they don't have to make a change there.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

@reprobate Just wait until Reece gets his start.

I am more saying that Ioane should be playing ahead of LF or BP in this game.

Faaark I hope not. RI ahead of LF agree - just too many errors - but I thought Proctor was reasonably good and put in a big effort on the weekend.
I would like to see Tangitau. He's not the finished article, but if LF can be given all these tests then why not him?
I really hope McKenzie gets to play with Roigard so we can have two kicking options, but that probably won't happen.

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

Faaark I hope not. RI ahead of LF agree - just too many errors - but I thought Proctor was reasonably good and put in a big effort on the weekend.

I voted for Proctor in the MOTM poll. If Ioane plays it will be on the wing, as they don't see him as a centre.

Also, Devon Flanders has joined the squad as training cover. That gives more credence to the Papalii rumour.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

Faaark I hope not. RI ahead of LF agree - just too many errors - but I thought Proctor was reasonably good and put in a big effort on the weekend.

I voted for Proctor in the MOTM poll. If Ioane plays it will be on the wing, as they don't see him as a centre.

Also, Devon Flanders has joined the squad as training cover. That gives more credence to the Papalii rumour.

Glad to hear that, I thought Flanders was comfortably the best of the Canes loosies when the Brumbies knocked them out (and the other two made the ABs). Also best 8 in the NPC along with CLW. Solid skills, a bit of size and doesn't shirk - not that I think he's our magic bullet or anything.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

Faaark I hope not. RI ahead of LF agree - just too many errors - but I thought Proctor was reasonably good and put in a big effort on the weekend.

I voted for Proctor in the MOTM poll. If Ioane plays it will be on the wing, as they don't see him as a centre.

Also, Devon Flanders has joined the squad as training cover. That gives more credence to the Papalii rumour.

I think that all but confirms the rumour.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

Things may have turned around if they're now selecting replacements in the same position.

Two weeks ago I'd have expected Fihaki to be called up instead.

@antipodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

Things may have turned around if they're now selecting replacements in the same position.

Two weeks ago I'd have expected Fihaki to be called up instead.

It's the little wins eh?

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

@antipodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

Things may have turned around if they're now selecting replacements in the same position.

Two weeks ago I'd have expected Fihaki to be called up instead.

It's the little wins eh?

Small percentages are the difference.

@Bovidae Poor bastard. At least the boys mean business this week?!

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Lots of whispers that Ruben Love will start.

Good, but 12 games too late into the season.

and thats the problem...they'll play him...he'll look rusty and they'll go back to "experienced" because they new guys arent perfect

@Kiwiwomble said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Lots of whispers that Ruben Love will start.

Good, but 12 games too late into the season.

and thats the problem...they'll play him...he'll look rusty and they'll go back to "experienced" because they new guys arent perfect

Even if he plays well it probably won't matter....Ruben Love played well in the 3rd French test as starting fullback....

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

Faaark I hope not. RI ahead of LF agree - just too many errors - but I thought Proctor was reasonably good and put in a big effort on the weekend.

I voted for Proctor in the MOTM poll. If Ioane plays it will be on the wing, as they don't see him as a centre.

Also, Devon Flanders has joined the squad as training cover. That gives more credence to the Papalii rumour.

Glad to hear that, I thought Flanders was comfortably the best of the Canes loosies when the Brumbies knocked them out (and the other two made the ABs). Also best 8 in the NPC along with CLW. Solid skills, a bit of size and doesn't shirk - not that I think he's our magic bullet or anything.

His big issue has been staying fit, has all the ball playing skills in the world but probably needs to show more in the physicality stakes if he's going to do well at the next level.

@KiwiMurph said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Kiwiwomble said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Lots of whispers that Ruben Love will start.

Good, but 12 games too late into the season.

and thats the problem...they'll play him...he'll look rusty and they'll go back to "experienced" because they new guys arent perfect

Even if he plays well it probably won't matter....Ruben Love played well in the 3rd French test as starting fullback....

agreed, i think there have been a few that looked solid, like CLW, when given a shot....only to be cast aside for being less than perfect

@Kiwiwomble said in Wales v All Blacks:

@KiwiMurph said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Kiwiwomble said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Lots of whispers that Ruben Love will start.

Good, but 12 games too late into the season.

and thats the problem...they'll play him...he'll look rusty and they'll go back to "experienced" because they new guys arent perfect

Even if he plays well it probably won't matter....Ruben Love played well in the 3rd French test as starting fullback....

agreed, i think there have been a few that looked solid, like CLW, when given a shot....only to be cast aside for being less than perfect

Or just because the coaches have their favourites and have no intention to challenge this regardless of performance

I think the coaches and squad are now on a hiding to nothing.

Win well against Wales and they're expected to do so given the current state of Welsh rugby.

Do it with the dirt trackers, tackle bag holders and food bills and then they have to work out if they should've been playing them earlier instead of the usual suspects.

Do it with the usual suspects and it's a wasted opportunity.

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

George Dyer called into the squad.

Not sure i've seen anything from Dyer that justifies him being an All Black.

@hikastags said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

George Dyer called into the squad.

Not sure i've seen anything from Dyer that justifies him being an All Black.

#Itsthecattle

Clarke available for selection v Wales.

apparently in Chicago they had some time with the Sydney Swans coach where Clarke said they were talking about aerial work.

You know with us playing Wales, reminds me of the bit of stick (friendly) I got in Wales last year about the Haden dive from lineout. Although I didn't like it etc, the one thing I did kind of like, it was the mentality of doing whatever it takes to win a test. Not suggesting in anyway ,I want to ever see an AB do it again, but would like to see the attitude that we HAVE to win if at all possible.
Why I never joined in all the pantie wringing over the Boks when they first came up with Bomb squad, or now where they slow the pace of game etc with dodgy convenient injuries. Hey they are winning.
Hell I even said same with the infamous underarm ball , it was in laws use it!

@Dan54 said in Wales v All Blacks:

You know with us playing Wales, reminds me of the bit of stick (friendly) I got in Wales last year about the Haden dive from lineout. Although I didn't like it etc, the one thing I did kind of like, it was the mentality of doing whatever it takes to win a test. Not suggesting in anyway ,I want to ever see an AB do it again, but would like to see the attitude that we HAVE to win if at all possible.
Why I never joined in all the pantie wringing over the Boks when they first came up with Bomb squad, or now where they slow the pace of game etc with dodgy convenient injuries. Hey they are winning.
Hell I even said same with the infamous underarm ball , it was in laws use it!

@Jet have you hacked this account?

@antipodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

@reprobate said in Wales v All Blacks:

@antipodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tevita Mafileo out after suffering a rib fracture in training. George Dyer called into the squad.

Things may have turned around if they're now selecting replacements in the same position.

Two weeks ago I'd have expected Fihaki to be called up instead.

It's the little wins eh?

Small percentages are the difference.

In simple terms we need to increase our journey torque.

Weirdly low key build up. No one yet asked when the team is going to be named?

When is the team being named? I hear Caleb is back.

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Weirdly low key build up. No one yet asked when the team is going to be named?

When the ABs lost between 2010 and about 2020, I usually felt pretty gutted (2017 BIL test with SBW's red card the lowlight), like it ruined part of my day. Ever since Fister's reign and then especially since Robertson took over, I've become a bit apathetic. Also, Wales look pretty shit right now.

@Tordah said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Weirdly low key build up. No one yet asked when the team is going to be named?

Also, Wales look pretty shit right now.

So did the ABs last Saturday.

@hikastags said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Bovidae said in Wales v All Blacks:

George Dyer called into the squad.

Not sure i've seen anything from Dyer that justifies him being an All Black.

Who is your alternative?

@Tordah said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Weirdly low key build up. No one yet asked when the team is going to be named?

When the ABs lost between 2010 and about 2020, I usually felt pretty gutted (2017 BIL test with SBW's red card the lowlight), like it ruined part of my day. Ever since Fister's reign and then especially since Robertson took over, I've become a bit apathetic. Also, Wales look pretty shit right now.

With all the negativity going on amongst you Colonial types, I'm assuming that is not a typo?

If I'm correct. Well played Sir!

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Tordah said in Wales v All Blacks:

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Weirdly low key build up. No one yet asked when the team is going to be named?

Also, Wales look pretty shit right now.

So did the ABs last Saturday.

Wales are more than pretty shit. This game has ‘paper over the cracks’ written all over it.

Hammer them by 50 and there will be some wanky headline about finishing the year on a high and Razor getting the ABs back on track. Guaranteed.