All Blacks Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Wang King

You should show that stat to Eliota Sapolu and see what he says

swiwi_

Barring further injury and based on what I've seen on Super Rugby, 32-man squad (18 forwards, 14 backs) to take on Wales

1. Moody => 16. Crockett (also Goodes)
2. Coles => 17. Taylor (also ?Parsons, but I'd go with Elliot)
3. Franks => 18. Faumuina
4. Retallick => 19. Tuipolotou
5. Whitelock (also Barrett)
6. Kaino (also 1 of Luatua, Dixon or Thompson)
7. Cane => 20. Savea (also Todd)
8. Reid (capt.)

9. Smith => 21. Kerr-Barlow (also Weber)
10. Cruden => 22. Barrett (also Sopoaga)
11. Savea
12. Crotty => 23. Ngatai
13. Fekitoa (also Moala, but I have been impressed by Havili, who like "the Baracuda" covers multiple positions)
14. Smith
15. McKenzie (also Dagg)

Unlucky: Romano, 2 of Luatua/Dixon/Thompson, TJP (since he was an AB recently), James Lowe

Add in Naholo, NMS, and R. Ioane as potentials for the EOYT and the back 3 is going to be über-competitive for the games against Ireland.

Digifriendly

swiwi_ wrote: »

Barring further injury and based on what I've seen on Super Rugby, 32-man squad (18 forwards, 14 backs) to take on Wales

1. Moody => 16. Crockett (also Goodes)
2. Coles => 17. Taylor (also ?Parsons, but I'd go with Elliot)
3. Franks => 18. Faumuina
4. Retallick => 19. Tuipolotou
5. Whitelock (also Barrett)
6. Kaino (also 1 of Luatua, Dixon or Thompson)
7. Cane => 20. Savea (also Todd)
8. Reid (capt.)

9. Smith => 21. Kerr-Barlow (also Weber)
10. Cruden => 22. Barrett (also Sopoaga)
11. Savea
12. Crotty => 23. Ngatai
13. Fekitoa (also Moala, but I have been impressed by Havili, who like "the Baracuda" covers multiple positions)
14. Smith
15. McKenzie (also Dagg)

Unlucky: Romano, 2 of Luatua/Dixon/Thompson, TJP (since he was an AB recently), James Lowe

Add in Naholo, NMS, and R. Ioane as potentials for the EOYT and the back 3 is going to be über-competitive for the games against Ireland.

That's a seriously impressive side even without recently retired players and injured Milner Skudder. Been very impressed with both Cruden and Barrett in Super Rugby. Barrett is a superb impact player with a wonderfully deceptive pace while Cruden possibly edges him in sheer consistency but what would any other nation give to have either of these players in their ranks?

swiwi_

Digifriendly wrote: »

That's a seriously impressive side even without recently retired players and injured Milner Skudder. Been very impressed with both Cruden and Barrett in Super Rugby. Barrett is a superb impact player with a wonderfully deceptive pace while Cruden possibly edges him in sheer consistency but what would any other nation give to have either of these players in their ranks?

Aside from McCaw, the pack is pretty much unchanged. The likes of Mealamu etc were already on the way out.

The backs are a bit raw, especially the midfield, which I expect the Welsh to target.

The other big weakness is goal-kicking, Barrett is dreadful at times, Cruden has a short range and average accuracy (and hasn't kicked at all really this season), McKenzie is not assured of a start, and neither is Sopoaga who is the best kicker of the lot.

Mental complacency is always an issue, but the changeover of personnel, and the fact there is competition for most spots should keep everyone on their toes.

pickarooney

Would NZ beat Wales without landing a kick? I'd like to think so.

irishbucsfan

I think Sam Cane is in for a tough few months, if he's starting at 7. Whoever is in that jersey is going to be under a huge magnifying glass.

swiwi_

pickarooney wrote: »

Would NZ beat Wales without landing a kick? I'd like to think so.

In NZ, probably yes. But as a general principle, as much as I like NZ's ability to score 3 to 4 tries per game, if you want to be the best and stay that way, you can't settle for mediocre goal-kickers.

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Sam Cane is in for a tough few months, if he's starting at 7. Whoever is in that jersey is going to be under a huge magnifying glass.

Yes and no (at least for NZ fans, can't speak for the non-Kiwis). No-one expects the next McCaw, and I think more pressure will be on Kieran Read, especially if NZ start losing games. I'd say there'll be more pressure on the 10s and the new midfield. He'll have to keep playing well, though - both Savea and Todd have been playing very nice rugby recently.

I'd like to think Irish fans will take an interest in the series, given the fixtures against you at the end of the year.

Do people prefer NZ to lose even if it means gloating Welsh neighbours...or a NZ victory and keep the Welsh quiet?

irishbucsfan

swiwi_ wrote: »

In NZ, probably yes. But as a general principle, as much as I like NZ's ability to score 3 to 4 tries per game, if you want to be the best and stay that way, you can't settle for mediocre goal-kickers.



Yes and no (at least for NZ fans, can't speak for the non-Kiwis). No-one expects the next McCaw, and I think more pressure will be on Kieran Read, especially if NZ start losing games. I'd say there'll be more pressure on the 10s and the new midfield. He'll have to keep playing well, though - both Savea and Todd have been playing very nice rugby recently.

I'd like to think Irish fans will take an interest in the series, given the fixtures against you at the end of the year.

Do people prefer NZ to lose even if it means gloating Welsh neighbours...or a NZ victory and keep the Welsh quiet?

We don't really care if New Zealand win or lose unless they're playing against us...



I really think whoever is in that 7 jersey is going to have a tough time, maybe that'll be deflected onto Read if the management handle it right. I'd actually pick Savea because I think he'd be under less focus.

The Pheasant2

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I think Sam Cane is in for a tough few months, if he's starting at 7. Whoever is in that jersey is going to be under a huge magnifying glass.

Which would magnify them even more presumably?! :pac:

Yeah_Right

swiwi_ wrote: »

Barring further injury and based on what I've seen on Super Rugby, 32-man squad (18 forwards, 14 backs) to take on Wales

1. Moody => 16. Crockett (also Goodes)
2. Coles => 17. Taylor (also ?Parsons, but I'd go with Elliot)
3. Franks => 18. Faumuina
4. Retallick => 19. Tuipolotou
5. Whitelock (also Barrett)
6. Kaino (also 1 of Luatua, Dixon or Thompson)
7. Cane => 20. Savea (also Todd)
8. Reid (capt.)

9. Smith => 21. Kerr-Barlow (also Weber)
10. Cruden => 22. Barrett (also Sopoaga)
11. Savea
12. Crotty => 23. Ngatai
13. Fekitoa (also Moala, but I have been impressed by Havili, who like "the Baracuda" covers multiple positions)
14. Smith
15. McKenzie (also Dagg)

Unlucky: Romano, 2 of Luatua/Dixon/Thompson, TJP (since he was an AB recently), James Lowe

Add in Naholo, NMS, and R. Ioane as potentials for the EOYT and the back 3 is going to be über-competitive for the games against Ireland.

I'd agree with most of that squad. A few others who could be in the mix are Taufua, Shields,A. Ioane and Squires in the loose forwards. Also Vito hasn't left yet and Messam will be back after the Olympics. SBW after the 7s as well and Setu Tamanevalu(?) in the midfield and Osbourne and Ranger in the outside backs.

swiwi_

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd agree with most of that squad. A few others who could be in the mix are Taufua, Shields,A. Ioane and Squires in the loose forwards. Also Vito hasn't left yet and Messam will be back after the Olympics. SBW after the 7s as well and Setu Tamanevalu(?) in the midfield and Osbourne and Ranger in the outside backs.

I don't rate Taufua. He's your typical loose forward that catches the eye because he's a bulldozer and and he's decent enough over the ball. I don't think he reads the game especially well, he has the NH bug of running at people rather than at space, and he's not a lineout option.

Shields has been a big disappointment this season. Well back in the chasing pack.

Ioane is very promising, but he's got 7s commitments and is about 18 months away I reckon. Probably go on the EOYT though.

Squires has been decent. Good luck displacing Read though when you are a specialist 8.

Vito is going overseas, he was fringe anyway, and I don't think he is essential to beat Wales.

Messam is finished for AB XVs IMO.

SBW - yip if he wants to keep playing XVs for NZ, then he comes straight back in.

Tamanivalu has promise, needs to deliver more consistently for me.

Osbourne is a shade off top level, don't think he'll ever make it.

Ranger I never rated, for every 1 good thing, he does 2 things badly.

Only my opinion of course!

Legalfarmer89

Would rather if Osbourne and Tamanivalu ran out for Fiji or well will be hearing the poaching argument again!

Yeah_Right

swiwi_ wrote: »

I don't rate Taufua. He's your typical loose forward that catches the eye because he's a bulldozer and and he's decent enough over the ball. I don't think he reads the game especially well, he has the NH bug of running at people rather than at space, and he's not a lineout option.

Shields has been a big disappointment this season. Well back in the chasing pack.

Ioane is very promising, but he's got 7s commitments and is about 18 months away I reckon. Probably go on the EOYT though.

Squires has been decent. Good luck displacing Read though when you are a specialist 8.

Vito is going overseas, he was fringe anyway, and I don't think he is essential to beat Wales.

Messam is finished for AB XVs IMO.

SBW - yip if he wants to keep playing XVs for NZ, then he comes straight back in.

Tamanivalu has promise, needs to deliver more consistently for me.

Osbourne is a shade off top level, don't think he'll ever make it.

Ranger I never rated, for every 1 good thing, he does 2 things badly.

Only my opinion of course!

Taufua reminds me of Kaino when he first came on the scene in 2001-02. Lots of potential but lots of room for improvement.

Shields is an interesting one as a couple of years ago he was in the AB squad and looked set for bigger and better things but hasn't kicked on.

Ioane obviously has 7s first but possible eoyt like you said.

I could see Squires in the wider squad as a potential back up to Read. However Kaino, Luatua and Dixon can all cover 8.

I agree that Vito and Messam are probably done as ABs but a few injuries and they could be called up again. Not bad players to have as back-up to our back-ups.

Tamanivalu was in the squad last year I think. Obviously the selectors see something they like.

I agree about Osbourne. Don't think he's there yet but once again, injuries could see him called up.

I love Ranger. I think he's brilliant and would love to see him back in Black. Unfortunately he's injured at the moment.

Yeah_Right

Justice for the 95 All Blacks!

http://nzh.tw/11632939

rsh118

Ah the Herald, bearer of all stories true and clickable!

On a more serious note though, the All Blacks look utterly set to dominate this year again. They played the World Cup with such ease, was scary!

Journeyman_1

rsh118 wrote: »

On a more serious note though, the All Blacks look utterly set to dominate this year again. They played the World Cup with such ease, was scary!

Wont be that easy to replace the centre partnership with anything close to settled I reckon and that could cause some problems if 10/12/13 can't click. Cane is a superb player, but McCaw has been the backbone of the team for a very long time. It will be interesting to see how they go without him.

errlloyd

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Justice for the 95 All Blacks!

http://nzh.tw/11632939

I genuinely thought you meant 95 as a number, not a year.

Digifriendly

Journeyman_1 wrote: »

Wont be that easy to replace the centre partnership with anything close to settled I reckon and that could cause some problems if 10/12/13 can't click. Cane is a superb player, but McCaw has been the backbone of the team for a very long time. It will be interesting to see how they go without him.

So much strength in depth in NZ rugby I still think they're the team to beat and if Super Rugby is anything to go by they'll be top of the Rugby Championship.

Journeyman_1

I don't disagree, but I think they'll need to settle on a center partnership quickly and if that isn't successful the season will be a lot more difficult than previous years. The unknown of how newer guys will step up and try to establish themselves as first choice isn't something NZ have had to worry about for a while at center.

Yeah_Right

No doubt the loss of Smith and Nonu is massive. Arguably the greatest midfield ever. Chuck DC in as well and I don't think any team could cope with that loss of experience and talent.

However at 10, Cruden and Barrett have been in the squad for years now. Lots of experience and in the case of Cruden especially, have been through some tough times. Sopoaga also a year or 2 in the wider squad and made his debut at Ellis Park last year.

In the midfield there's Fekitoa and Crotty with plenty of test experience. Add in Moala and Ranger who have been in the squad recently and also Ngatai who is the Maori captain. It will take a while to settle on a pair and it will take ages for that pair to equal Smith and Nonu but I'm not too worried about it.

nehe milner skudder

http://www.allblacks.com/News/29236/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2016-steinlager-series


new world beaters:

squire
temanivalu
mckenzie
dixon
tuungafasi
ardie savea




perenara must have shat in someones cornflakes. omitted.


idagg back !!! delighted he turned his back on easy money this side of the equator playing easy rugby.

irishbucsfan

Will Dagg make the 23? I think McKenzie will be in the 23 jersey at least once

swiwi_

nehe milner skudder wrote: »

http://www.allblacks.com/News/29236/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2016-steinlager-series


new world beaters:

squire
temanivalu
mckenzie
dixon
tuungafasi
ardie savea




perenara must have shat in someones cornflakes. omitted.


idagg back !!! delighted he turned his back on easy money this side of the equator playing easy rugby.

Just list the team without being a bit of a dick about it.

Forwards

Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington, 36 Tests)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, four Tests)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty, two Tests)

Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 45 Tests)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 33 Tests)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, 78 Tests)
Joe Moody (Canterbury, 11 Tests)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland, new cap)

Locks
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay, 47 Tests)
Luke Romano (Canterbury, 22 Tests)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, seven Tests)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 73 Tests)

Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 31 Tests)
Elliot Dixon (Southland, new cap)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 67 Tests)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 84 Tests)
Ardie Savea (Wellington, new cap)
Liam Squire (Tasman, new cap)

Backs

Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato, 20 Tests)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 47 Tests)

First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 36 Tests)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 37 Tests)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland, one Test)

Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 15 Tests)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 13 Tests)
Charlie Ngatai (Taranaki, one Test)
Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki, new cap)

Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay, 49 Tests)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato, new cap)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, three Tests)
Julian Savea (Wellington, 41 Tests)
Ben Smith (Otago, 48 Tests)

swiwi_

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Will Dagg make the 23? I think McKenzie will be in the 23 jersey at least once

I don't think so IBF. He's like RK - either he starts or not at all.

McKenzie might get the 3rd test. He's looked a bit ropey in recent weeks, despite the obvious talent.

I'm delighted for Dagg - he took a lot of shìt, but he's come back very well.

Quintis

nehe milner skudder wrote: »

http://www.allblacks.com/News/29236/all-blacks-squad-named-for-2016-steinlager-series


new world beaters:

squire
temanivalu
mckenzie
dixon
tuungafasi
ardie savea




perenara must have shat in someones cornflakes. omitted.


idagg back !!! delighted he turned his back on easy money this side of the equator playing easy rugby.

TJ is training with the squad, Kerr-Barlow ihas a broken right hand, TJ will step in if KB doesn't recover in time. Given the injuries the match day 9 will be Smith with TJ on the bench

Yeah_Right

TKB is due back mid to late June. This way he is in the squad and TJ is there as cover till he's back and this means they get to bring an extra back.

Very happy to see Dagg back. Sends a good message to players.

Yeah_Right

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I'd agree with most of that squad. A few others who could be in the mix are Taufua, Shields,A. Ioane and Squires in the loose forwards. Also Vito hasn't left yet and Messam will be back after the Olympics. SBW after the 7s as well and Setu Tamanevalu(?) in the midfield and Osbourne and Ranger in the outside backs.

Squires and Tamanevalu correct!! Clearly I'm a rugby genius. Tu'ungafasi is someone no one picked.

It's mad that the midfield used to have 200+ caps in the squad and now it has 30. At least the loosies and the front row have some old heads to ease the new guys in.

irishbucsfan

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Squires and Tamanevalu correct!! Clearly I'm a rugby genius. Tu'ungafasi is someone no one picked.

It's mad that the midfield used to have 200+ caps in the squad and now it has 30. At least the loosies and the front row have some old heads to ease the new guys in.

Ah don't worry they'll be grand after a quick lesson from Gatland

pickarooney

Retallick has 47 caps already. He could go for 200.

nehe milner skudder

http://www.allblacks.com/News/29287/all-blacks-team-for-first-steinlager-series-test


World Champions name first squad of the year.


Savea and temanivalu to make big impacts off the bench .


New haka leader required. I reckon Kaino or Read.

hopefully they absolutely trounce them.

Hard to know what future holds after losing the two greatest players of all time and 4 other double World Cup winners.

Yeah_Right

Wow that's a good side. I think Smith might lead the Haka.

Cruden gets the first start at 10.

If you think Savea and Temanivalu will make an impact, what about Tuipolotu! Missed the RWC because of injury, he must be fired up.

Adbrowne

Sam warburton is a genetic freak. Like what other player is only fit in february/march, june and November (sept/oct every 4th year)?

Winters

Would I be correct in saying that the All Blacks will have been in camp now 2 weeks and will remain in AB camp through the June tests. They then return to their Super Rugby franchises for July and August before returning to AB camp for the RC (September) and then remain so up to the end of the Nov internationals?

nehe milner skudder

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Wow that's a good side. I think Smith might lead the Haka.

Cruden gets the first start at 10.

If you think Savea and Temanivalu will make an impact, what about Tuipolotu! Missed the RWC because of injury, he must be fired up.

fair shout. patty was a beast before the injury. unreal physical specimen

Yeah_Right

Winters wrote: »

Would I be correct in saying that the All Blacks will have been in camp now 2 weeks and will remain in AB camp through the June tests. They then return to their Super Rugby franchises for July and August before returning to AB camp for the RC (September) and then remain so up to the end of the Nov internationals?

You'd be close. The squad was named a week ago last Sunday I believe and will remain in camp till after the third test. Super Rugby starts up again in the first weekend of July. I'm not sure the dates of the SR playoffs but I think the RC starts in early September so players will join the AB camp as their team is eliminated. There is a break between the RC and the autumn internationals of a couple of weeks. Fringe players and injury returnees will get game time in the NPC through September and October.

Edit: just checked and the SR final is August 6th. The RC runs from August 20th to October 8th.

nehe milner skudder

Team named for second test.

Two changes.

Whitelock in for Romano.
iDagg™ In for the fat savea. He has been punished for a less than impressive work ethic .

Naholo to left wing and Ben the ghost from accounts switches to the right.


Bench unchanged.


Allblacks by 70





Edit. I have read that naholo will play on the right and Ben on the left . Strange decision if true.

swiwi_

At the moment the only thing Savea can tackle is a big feed of KFC.

It's nice to see players dropped for poor form and not being picked on previous deeds.

I'm always impartial to a receding hairline, a dodgy as moustache, and a safe pair of hands at the back with a raking punt to boot.

Del.Monte

Been too busy this week and I missed out on the Chiefs crushing Wales on Tuesday - should really make this weekend's encounter interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huH1CswgeQw

nehe milner skudder

1. Joe Moody (13)
2. Dane Coles (38)
3. Charlie Faumuina (35)
4. Brodie Retallick (49)
5. Sam Whitelock (74)
6. Elliot Dixon
7. Sam Cane (33)
8. Kieran Read – captain (86)
9. Aaron Smith (49)
10. Beauden Barrett (37)
11. Julian Savea (42)
12. Ryan Crotty (17)
13. George Moala (1)
14. Ben Smith (50)
15. Israel Dagg (50)

16. Codie Taylor (4)
17. Wyatt Crockett (47)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Luke Romano (23)
20. Liam Squire
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (20)
22. Lima Sopoaga (1)
23. Waisake Naholo(5)




can't wait to see barrel chested george at 13.

spongebob at 10 .



lurch and nugget amassed 50 caps in whats seems like a very short time.

nehe milner skudder

elliot dixon and squire get their reward for fine seasons.

sopoaga will end up running the cutter at some stage and spongebob can switch to 15.


naholo being touted as centre cover off the bench also by hansen.


once of the centres will drop out in the tri nations to facilitate SBW and he also eluded to other sevens boys having a crack at the squad.

rieko ioane a bolter for centre according to some rumours.

Kobe248

New Zealand are the rugby version of American basketball,

you could remove 80% of the team

but it would still be a question

how much they will win by

Clegg

Anyone see that Ben Smith try just now?

He's brilliant.

awec

Potentially the butchering to end all butcherings for NZ here.

nehe milner skudder

The pregnant pauses during TMO rulings where no one wants to make the decision .....

Clegg

Moala butchered that try.

But what a counterattack to get there. All Blacks play a different game.

nehe milner skudder

Amazing try

Clegg

Ok.

New Zealand are definitely playing a different game.

LuckyGent88

Dagg is certainly back.

Kobe248

Its like watching the Harlem Globe Trotters

I dont see how anything bad could ever be said about watching The All Blacks

swiwi_

Smith & Dagg having blinders.
So is Bundee Moala, but he was the ball-greedy kid at school, you just know it. Butchered a certain try. But made up for it 5 minutes later.
Cane is as cycnical as McCaw. But not as good, so he's no getting away with it. Reckon Ardie Savea will be the starting 7 pretty soon.