All Blacks vs Wales

No one can compare to Brad Thorn

Aaron Cruden

The tackle on Cruden didn't look so bad, did it?

Think he landed awkwardly. I wouldn't lay any blame with the Welsh tackler.

Man at the moment I think that the B&I Lions are going to come and smash the AB's at this rate next year.

Ireland, England, & Wales have certainly put in a strong showing this month in their respective outings. It's definitely shaping up to be a tough battle though I tend to find Lions teams are often less than the sum of their parts.

Good to hear that Cruden is OK. It always terrifies me to see players stretchered off the field like that.

Does anyone else find Fekitoa overrated? Thought he has been average the last couple of seasons. Tamanivalu doesn't look any better either.

Hugely overrated, lacks quick decision making skills that made Smith so good.

No one really stands out for centre atm, possibly Crotty with Charlie or SBW at 12. Read an interesting piece a few days ago saying mold Barrett into the centre.

Crotty is a safe bet, doesn't do anything flash or have x factor but is reliable. I seen that article too, and was like yeah nah... then he bust through Davies and Roberts and thought maybe?

Think Barrett would be a great centre on attack and with decision making but his defence probably isn't quite up to it plus he's probably far better at first five or fullback.

Fekitoa was gold in 2014. He was quiet in 2015 and nowhere near what he can do in 2016.

I liked Tamanivalu, though. I think he can be polished into a very destructive 13.

Regarding Crotty, I think he might be the one who balances the midfield if we find who might be the game breaker at 13? Kind of he can be the Conrad and we need to find the Ma'a.

Want I really want is SBW to stop fucking around with 7s and boxing and come back to be the AB 12. I think Ngatai has played 13 quite a bit too? I would put him at 13 with SBW inside him.

What lineup do people want to see for the final Wales game?

1. Moody
2. Coles
3. Franks
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. Dixon
7. Cane
8. Read
9. Smith
10. Sopoaga
11. Naholo
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Smith
15. Dagg

16. Taylor
17. Crockett
18. Tu'ungafasi
19. Tuipulotu
20. Savea
21. TKB if fit, otherwise TJP
22. Barrett
23. Tamanivalu

I'm presuming Ngatai is still out.
Harsh on Barrett to keep him on the bench, but it is a great opportunity to give Sopoaga a start on his home ground.
Tu'ungafasi on the bench because Faumuina is fucking off to France.
I want to put McKenzie on the bench but there is no room.

My proposed XV has 6 Crusaders and 6 Highlanders! Maybe a bit biased...

I think Savea will be back in place of Naholo.

Barrett will get the start with Sopoaga coming on with around 20 to go and Barrett going back to fullback.

Agree that Dixon will get a shot at 6, Seta may get the 13 jersey and possibly Franks and/or Coles will have a rest.

People are finally starting to realise how much we're missing Conrad Smith...

Would have loved Conrad or Nonu to have stayed for another year...or SBW to be available.

Not sure how experimental this team will be. Could start Harris with Coles on the bench if things go pear-shaped. Tamanivalu at 13 is possible but I would opt for Fekitoa on his home ground to see if he finally puts in a good performance. With Julian Savea working on his personal problems Naholo will start again at 11 I presume. No complaints if Barrett starts at 10, and I'm certainly not going to argue with a Naki fan about it

I'd love to see Sopoaga. We know about Barrett and he'll do well, but Sopoaga only played one test and did superbly. It's a bit of a shame he has not had another chance.

If Fekitoa is available, I reckon the selectors will pick him because in their minds the more crotty and fekitoa play together, the more natural their play will be. Just like Nonu and Smith: How much of what they were already doing at the Canes was exported to the ABs?

So what did everyone make of Crotty at 13 ? Hard to tell in such a dominant game but could be a good combo with SBW if he can prove himself in the next few weeks.

He's a solid player, long term? Not sure, I'll wait for Ngatai or Ranger to come back.

How about the NZ dominance of australian teams this weekend? It was a beautiful thing.

Crotty ever really be a game-breaker, but he's not a game-loser either. He's solid and reliable but someone's always going to be surpass him to start.

Pantherus wrote:Crotty ever really be a game-breaker, but he's not a game-loser either.  He's solid and reliable but someone's always going to be surpass him to start.

Neither was Conrad Smith yet the balance he provided was key in the All Blacks midfield.

True - but Crotty's no Conrad Smith

I think a SBW/Crotty combo could work pretty well. Think Ngatai could play centre aswell but we are yet to see him at AB level.

I'm also a fan of trying Ben Smith there again with Dagg playing so well as Milner-Skudder will take the right wing spot.

Hopefully we see more of him at 13 in coming weeks. A big fan of him and his simple hard working style but SBW has so much x factor if he can perform at 13 it could be a great combo.

Crotty always played better at 12 than 13 for the Crusaders and Canterbury. If it was a WC or Lions year maybe play him at 13, but otherwise I feel he will be in the 23 shirt, or left out altogether.

SBW at 12 with whoever has the most potential out of Ngatai, Moala, Tamanivalu, Fekitoa at 13. Would personally give Ngatai first crack to show what he can do.