@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.

I mean look, we all know who’s going to win, and the smart money says by a cricket score. But oh man, what if…

Can’t say I’ve ever supported Wales before, the Nazis were before my time after all, which is about the only side I could imagine wanting them to beat, but by jiggery fuck it would be insane.

What if…

@Dodge even then, I'm not sure it would be enough for NZR to nail the coffin shut.

I'm waiting until the team is named to decide whether I will be waking up to watch or catching a highlight vid

@MN5 said in Wales v All Blacks:

@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.

It was like that when we beat the wallabies, we won 2 in a row, Wow , like that’s a big deal now

Razor basically just confirmed Ruben Love is starting this weekend. Watch it be at Fullback instead of First Five

@upthelanders to be fair, Dmac deserves a start at 10.

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

I'm waiting until the team is named to decide whether I will be waking up to watch or catching a highlight vid

Hell, I can never not get up for AB test!
I had one fella at say to me earlier he wasn't watching Irish test as he reckoned ABs would lose! I just shook my head, if I only watched any team when I thought they would win or even play well, I wouldn't follow sport at all.

@taniwharugby said in Wales v All Blacks:

@upthelanders to be fair, Dmac deserves a start at 10.

Yep a chance to prove a point for D Mac that he is the man for 10.

What I think they will go with:

Roigard (Ratima), DMac
QT, Proctor
Clarke, Carter
Love

Christie, ALB, Jordan

@ACT-Crusader I think they'll go with Rieko over Proctor, only say this with any confidence because I know Ioane's parents are over there

Paul Cully has an entirely new starting backline from the English test.

@taniwharugby said in Wales v All Blacks:

@upthelanders to be fair, Dmac deserves a start at 10.

....sadly....he didnt say Dmac would play 10.......

@ACT-Crusader said in Wales v All Blacks:

What I think they will go with:

Roigard (Ratima), DMac
QT, Proctor
Clarke, Carter
Love

Christie, ALB, Jordan

I reckon Ioane might get a run on the right wing, but I think you're pretty spot on otherwise. Would be awesome to see Love get a run in a virtually risk-free test match.

A missed opportunity if you dont include Tangitau (which I dont expect them to). A perfect chance to debut him.