Rugby Championship

The theory I was operating on is that Lienert-Brown is ahead of Tamanivalu at the moment since he was called ahead of Tamanivalu. Probably overly simple and baseless but that was my theory.

Hansen seems to be hinting that Ioane is going to be in the 23. Though I could be a victim of mind games.

Lienert-Brown can play 12 and 13. I've only ever seen Tamanivalu play 13 for Chiefs or Naki. Looks like Ioane will be in the 23 shirt then. Graham Henry said it was only a matter of time before he became an All Black, and would eventually make it into the centres.

To be honest after what I saw from the Wallabies I reckon we should roll out a B team, give the new young blokes a chance to compete and win the bledisloe for themselves.

Hames for Crockett
Parsons for Coles
Squire for Kaino
Savea for Cane
Perenara for Smith
Savea for Naholo
Lienert-Brown for Crotty
McKenzie for Dagg

Although Kaino seems to be getting better with age it's time to start breeding the new 6 as he is 33 years old, and it looks as though the coaches think Squire has the goods over Dixon.

Savea and Perenara deserve a start and what better time to do that at home! Savea will have the opportunity to remind us of what he's got and Dagg was a little sketchy around the park, think McKenzie will get the nod with Reiko on the bench.

1. Hames
2. Parsons
3. Franks
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. Squire
7. Savea
8. Read
9. Perenara
10. Barrett
11. J Savea
12. Lienert-Brown
13. Fekitoa
14. Smith
15. McKenzie

16. Coles
17. Crockett
18. Faumuina
19. Dixon
20. Cane
21. Smith
22. Cruden
23. Ioane

Any word on how bad Naholo's injury is?

Not that I can see - just says he's out for now. Probably a wee while though, not sure we'll see him again in the RC this season. Should be right for EOYT though.

1. Joe Moody (14)
2. Dane Coles (40)
3. Owen Franks (81)
4. Brodie Retallick (51)
5. Samuel Whitelock (76)
6. Jerome Kaino (70)
7. Sam Cane (35)
8. Kieran Read - captain (88)
9. Aaron Smith (51)
10. Beauden Barrett (40)
11. Julian Savea (44)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Malakai Fekitoa (16)
14. Israel Dagg (52)
15. Ben Smith (52)

16. James Parsons (1)
17. Wyatt Crockett (49)
18. Charlie Faumuina (37)
19. Liam Squire (2)
20. Ardie Savea (3)
21. TJ Perenara (20)
22. Aaron Cruden (40)
23. Seta Tamanivalu (2)

Pretty solid team and a conservative one at that - thought there might be a few changes but will be interesting to see how Lienert-Brown and Julian Savea go.

Moody back from that neck injury, Smith to fullback with Dagg on the wing - to me that selection looks as though Daggs time is limited so he will need to have a blinder.

Interesting that Squire gets the nob over Dixon, thought that if the ABs continue that trend with going in without a lock on the reserve that Dixon would be a good option covering locks, 6 and 8 but I guess they feel Kaino/Read could cover that with Squire who can play 6/8 with Ardie covering 7.

All Blacks by 15.

I'm not too surprised by the conservative selections. I imagine that Hansen & Associates are interested in building the best possible squad for the Lions tour next year. That's why they're sticking with players like Kaino who'll likely still be around for that but may be too old by the time the 2019 World Cup rolls up.

Pleased to see the best fullback in the world back in his natural position. Hopefully we'll see more of him this weekend.

Wallabies team...

1. Scott Sio (19 Tests)
2. Stephen Moore (106 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (67 Tests)
4. Kane Douglas (24 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (1 Test)
6. Scott Fardy (34 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (55 Tests)
8. David Pocock (57 Tests)
9. Will Genia (67 Tests)
10. Quade Cooper (58 Tests)
11. Dane Haylett-Petty (4 Tests)
12. Bernard Foley (31 Tests)
13. Samu Kerevi (2 Tests)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (115 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (42 Tests)

Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Allan Ala’alatoa
19. Dean Mumm
20. Will Skelton
21. Tevita Kuridrani
22. Reece Hodge
23. Nick Phipps

Quade is back!

Strange looking Wallaby team. Moore needs to be dropped and stripped of captaincy. Give it to Pocock or Genia.

Can't stand the booing of Cooper that goes on in NZ, as much as the booing of any opposition kicker. Makes us, as fans, look like such bad sports

I agree, can barely remember why it's done too. Kind of reminds me of something I read/watched/played once upon a time where two races were in a war that had gone on so long that no one remembers what started it in the first place.

Quade declared himself public enemy number one for the 2011 WC.

The booing is painfully embarrassing though. Similar to reading a Veitch article and god forbid, the comments with it.

From a NH perspective, the first time it was done was funny. After that it looked a bit rednecky.

NZ's new theme tune

https://youtu.be/3YfNFR6gh2E

Back to Cannes from Spain. In time to watch Bledisloe II.

I, as McCaw, hope the game is a bit tighter... but not too much

Predictions for the game tonight?

30-15 All Blacks.

I'll probably go similar, 28-16 All Blacks. I'd expect the Wallabies to play with a bit more purpose and the All Blacks will find it tough to match the intensity of that first half last week. Game to be pretty tight for the first 50mins but it starts to break open after that.

35 - 22 come from behind win for NZ.

Yeah I'd say it would be a All Blacks normal vs LTNT - wallabies come out the blocks firing, fotg comes in late in the 2nd half and they start to crumble.

Im backing the wallabies to get smashed by more than 25 points

Goku, welcome! Did you bring the dragon balls?

The game being at Wellington, I do not see much of a chance for the wallabies to take a significant lead at any stage...

Ive found 2 of thew draggin balls
not more but seems i was close with my prediction

What's your username on BR goku?

Hey activist should make more sense now