@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.

@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

Swap Jordan and Love around and you'll probably be right.

@African-Monkey said in Wales v All Blacks:

@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

Swap Jordan and Love around and you'll probably be right.

Love definitely gets a start, just whether it’s at 10 or 15.

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

Proctor is another case that baffles me a bit. Razor gave him a decent crack and he didn't quite make the grade. The coaches seemed to agree because he sat out a bunch of games only to be reintroduced for the hardest game of the entire tour. And the most defensively capable centre isn't even in the 23. That just seems like madness to me

@canefan said in Wales v All Blacks:

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

Proctor is another case that baffles me a bit. Razor gave him a decent crack and he didn't quite make the grade. The coaches seemed to agree because he sat out a bunch of games only to be reintroduced for the hardest game of the entire tour. That just seems like madness to me

Yeah one would have thought they'd go with Ioanes experience and defence. Mind you who knows what goes through the coaching staffs minds.

@MN5 said in Wales v All Blacks:

@canefan said in Wales v All Blacks:

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

Proctor is another case that baffles me a bit. Razor gave him a decent crack and he didn't quite make the grade. The coaches seemed to agree because he sat out a bunch of games only to be reintroduced for the hardest game of the entire tour. That just seems like madness to me

Yeah one would have thought they'd go with Ioanes experience and defence. Mind you who knows what goes through the coaching staffs minds.

Not much it would appear.....

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

Tupaea needs more chances at 13

@canefan said in Wales v All Blacks:

@kidcalder said in Wales v All Blacks:

Proctor has had his chances.. it hasn't worked out. Ioane is the best we have to play 13 currently- plenty of 12's but cupboard is bare of international standard 13's.

Proctor is another case that baffles me a bit. Razor gave him a decent crack and he didn't quite make the grade. The coaches seemed to agree because he sat out a bunch of games only to be reintroduced for the hardest game of the entire tour. And the most defensively capable centre isn't even in the 23. That just seems like madness to me

I wouldn’t mind seeing Proctor get a chance outside a 10 that isn’t Beauden. I’m not defending Proctor because he certainly hasn’t looked comfortable at 13 at this level but I do think the tactics that we are employing when Beauden’s running the cutter are all over the shop, and it’s hurting the youngsters in the team that are trying to find their feet.

The test that Tupaea looked really good in was the one with Damian at the helm, not surprising really.

Beauden in my view has really hamstrung our backline on attack. I also don’t see any point playing ALB or Ioane because they are on their way out IMO. I’d rather see Lester get another run at 13 before them.

Proctor has actually defended better than Tupaea and Fainga'anuku. Given that defence is the primary issue at hand he should be higher up in the pecking order than those 2.

Tupaea had a bad defensive read that led directly to a try in Wellington and in the weekend. Hes done it in the Chiefs games too.