Bledisloe I (All Blacks team room bugged)
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="606021" data-time="1471413781">
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<p>Conrad was an awesome player, one of my favourites because he was fearless in defence and was a key man in helping to ignite our wingers and fullback with soft deft passing. But we really only saw that consistently from 2008 onwards IMO which coincided with him getting regular test playing time.</p>
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<p>All the rotating that saw Mils, Toeava, McAllister, Nonu, Umaga also play centre in that period suggests that the cartel weren't ready to settle on Conrad. Who knows why, but part of the reason could be is that he needed more time to develop his game (just like Nonu)</p>
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<p>Nepia pretty much nailed it but it was a tough sell to get him in before 2008. Those first four years kind of explain why he blossomed the way he did given the chance.</p>
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<p>I don't predict Crotty blossoms like Smith. Unless you sit down and look at Conrad's career you don't realise how little top level high performance rugby he played. He came in unconventionally (for an AB) out of Universities and the club scene:</p>
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<p>2003: Debuts ITM Cup.</p>
<p>2004: Full season.</p>
<p>2005: Full Super Season, spends rest of the year training with ABs and coming off the bench in dead rubbers. Released for a handful of ITM Cup games.</p>
<p>2006: Miss full Super Season. Handful of ITM games coming back from broken leg. 2 games on EOYT.</p>
<p>2007: 3/4 of a Super Season. Out until the last 3N game. Suitcase on RWC.</p>
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<p>It wasn't a matter of him not having enough time/experience at test level - it was that he hadn't had enough top flight rugby at any level. So once he started stringing together normal seasons and racking up the games at Super as well as AB level he really blossomed.</p>
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<p>Crotty has been in high performance environments since he was a schoolboy, played under 20s and has been largely uninjured his entire career. It would be difficult to find a soon-to-be 28 year old back in the world with more training miles under great tutelage, more first class fixtures and with exposure more exposure to quality coaching. Conrad I don't believe was in the NZRU set up proper until he was a 21/22 year old. The incremental value of finally getting a sustained, stable shot just isn't the same for Crotty in the way it was for Smith.</p>
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<p>They are both white midfielders though.</p> -
<p>I have often reflected that we lost in Cardiff in 2007 with a squad including Mauger, Nonu and Conrad, but went for Luke and Mils in midfield. Made more upsetting by fact Conrad played in 2006 Lyon test where ABs tore Frogs a new one. Water and bridges...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="606121" data-time="1471448440">
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<p>I have often reflected that we lost in Cardiff in 2007 with a squad including Mauger, Nonu and Conrad, but went for Luke and Mils in midfield. Made more upsetting by fact Conrad played in 2006 Lyon test where ABs tore Frogs a new one. Water and bridges...</p>
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Smith was so undercooked he was a last resort option.</p>
<p>Nonu wasn't in the squad.</p>
<p>Agree they clearly needed Mauger's ship steadying abilities that he displayed so well in 2003.</p> -
<p>No Paddy Tuipolotou...</p>
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<p>Otherwise seems the A team as far as possible. Don't mind seeing Squire get a shot.</p> -
ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Julian Savea.<br><br>
Happy to see Beaudan starting but I can't say I am that thrilled with the bench. Still some unknown element with Hames and Squire, Cruden does not seem like a great impact player, TJ seems to struggle when he comes on off the bench but the worst is Savea J. I see absolutely no point in having him off the bench or him being in the 23 man squad when he is so off form. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="606125" data-time="1471454208">
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<p>Cruden does not seem like a great impact player</p>
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<p>Judging by Hansen's comments, they will play Barrett for the full 80 minutes if he lasts the whole game vs. bringing on Cruden for impact. </p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/News/29601/all-blacks-team-named-for-bledisloe-cup-opener'>Team named</a>:</p>
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<p></p><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><br><p>1. Wyatt Crockett (48)<br>
2. Nathan Harris (4)<br>
3. Owen Franks (80)<br>
4. Brodie Retallick (50)<br>
5. Samuel Whitelock (75)<br>
6. Jerome Kaino (69)<br>
7. Sam Cane (34)<br>
8. Kieran Read – captain (87)<br>
9. Aaron Smith (50)<br>
10. Beauden Barrett (39)<br>
11. Waisake Naholo (6)<br>
12. Ryan Crotty (18)<br>
13. Malakai Fekitoa (15)<br>
14. Ben Smith (51)<br>
15. Israel Dagg (51)<br><br>
16. Codie Taylor (5)<br>
17. Kane Hames<br>
18. Charlie Faumuina (36)<br>
19. Liam Squire (1)<br>
20. Ardie Savea (2)<br>
21. TJ Perenara (19)<br>
22. Aaron Cruden (39)<br>
23. Julian Savea (43)</p>
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<p>Strange bench compared to those in the past few seasons, but largely predictable side. Well done Kane Hames.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="606129" data-time="1471456754">
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<p>I'm guessing Bender is covering the midfield?</p>
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<p>Going by the third match against Wales, Naholo can cover the midfield as well.</p> -
<p>J Savea on the bench who has only ever played 11 and is in not so great form , interesting </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JayCee" data-cid="606126" data-time="1471454705">
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<p>Judging by Hansen's comments, they will play Barrett for the full 80 minutes if he lasts the whole game vs. bringing on Cruden for impact. </p>
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<p>Im guessing with no injuries , we might see Barrett to FB , Savea in a straight swap with Naholo </p> -
So did Coles aggravate his injury in the final or was it always a stretch for him to start this week?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="606125" data-time="1471454208">
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<p>Cruden does not seem like a great impact player, TJ seems to struggle when he comes on off the bench but the worst is Savea J. I see absolutely no point in having him off the bench or him being in the 23 man squad when he is so off form.</p>
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<p>Tend to disagree with the above. There's no reason Cruden can't be an awesome impact player. Admittedly he can only play first five... but after most of a game observing and looking for holes to exploit, he could be fantastic with his running at the line and bringing the backline in. It's not like Sopoaga towers over him as an impact player anyway.</p>
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<p>You have to reward that form TJP has shown leading his team to a Super Rugby title and give him the opportunity to show he has matured as a player... something he's earned by showing that at a Super Rugby level at least.</p>
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<p>As for Savea, well, I guess they either leave him for the NPC on or give him opportunities off the bench. They've chosen to try and play him into form. I don't actually think they have any more back cover in the squad anyway, do they?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="606142" data-time="1471460601">
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<p>As for Savea, well, I guess they either leave him for the NPC on or give him opportunities off the bench. They've chosen to try and play him into form. I don't actually think they have any more back cover in the squad anyway, do they?</p>
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<p>ALB and Sopaga would be the only other options in the squad.</p>
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<p>I get the selection though, I disagree with those who say Savea is out of form and shouldn't be picked. His form on the bench during the final was undeniable; incredible posture for the full 70 minutes before being getting on the field, he clapped at all the right times and provided excellent head rubs and pats on the back to players being subbed off. It's a 23 man game these days and I didn't see anyone else doing the kind of work Jules did on the pine (in a big match environment too).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="606131" data-time="1471457487">
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<p>Going by the third match against Wales, Naholo <strong>can</strong> cover the midfield as well.</p>
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<p>Naholo was terrible when he went into the midfield in that test. Having J Savea on the bench really limits your options as it's easier to manufacture a winger than put someone into the midfield. B Smith is the only option.</p>
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<p>I'm surprised that Squire gets picked ahead of Pat T. I expect both locks to play the full 80. </p> -
<p>Congratulations to Kane Hames who is one of those guys who impressed every time he plays. The first cap of many from him, I suspect. </p>
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<p>Decent looking starting line up and lots of potential impact of the bench, especially the Savea boys. Only risk would be if we lose a lock or a midfield player in the first half hour.</p>
