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All Blacks Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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    #212
    Bridge93
    Registered Users Posts: 7,018 ✭✭✭Bridge93


    Is piutau first choice now or just been given a go in a few friendly games?


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    #213
    Fireball07
    Registered Users Posts: 13,264 ✭✭✭✭Fireball07


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath :)

    I would swap Cory Jane for Jack McGrath every day of the week.

    It's Corey Jane ffs! Getting to see those hand-offs on a more regular basis..... wow


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    #214
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath :)

    SOLD


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    #215
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Bridge93 wrote: »
    Is piutau first choice now or just been given a go in a few friendly games?

    I wouldn't count Australia & France as friendly games :eek:, Japan maybe.

    He's strung 3 quality games together, and Hansen strongly hinted that means he'll get this weekend's game as a result.


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    #216
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Just seen the AB team. McCaw better not get injured (or yellow-carded he he)


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    #217
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Crotty ahead of Jane on the bench? Is Crotty more versatile?


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    #218
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    Crotty ahead of Jane on the bench? Is Crotty more versatile?

    Nah Crotty covers midfield, Ben Smith covers back 3.


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    #219
    Morf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Morf


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath :)

    Stephen Archer? Tony Buckley?

    Niall O'Connor?


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    #220
    the baby bull elephant
    Registered Users Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭the baby bull elephant


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Like I said elsewhere we swap you a winger for Jack McGrath :)

    Hands off!


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    #221
    Morf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Morf


    Sorry to bug you Swiwi but you keep more of an eye on Kiwi media.

    What is the feeling on Cotter and Schmidt there? Are they on the radar?

    Is there murmurings of getting them back into Super XV coaching at some point?

    International rugby seems to be a career-killer for a lot of coaches but Henry did well after Wales and the Lions.


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    #222
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Morf wrote: »
    Sorry to bug you Swiwi but you keep more of an eye on Kiwi media.

    What is the feeling on Cotter and Schmidt there? Are they on the radar?

    Is there murmurings of getting them back into Super XV coaching at some point?

    International rugby seems to be a career-killer for a lot of coaches but Henry did well after Wales and the Lions.

    Not at the moment, every article etc is all about the England game this weekend. Schmidt will definitely come into view next week, though, and I expect he might even get interviewed on NZ radio, which I'll post if that's the case. Obviously, if Ireland beat the ABs, he will be etched in the NZ conscience for eternity.

    Cotter is out of view at present, but it will depend on his work with Scotland, I guess.

    They'll both come more info focus I assume after 2015, depending on how NZ fare, and what Ireland & Scotland produce. Dave Rennie must be a frontrunner at present for the AB job, but Schmidt/Cotter would be an appealing combination. However, one or both of them would have to somehow be involved in NZ rugby under the current rules. I'm sure some solution would be found if they were chosen.

    A lot of people criticise NZers for not following NH rugby, but I don't think you can blame people for not getting up at 3am to watch Munster play Leinster. A reasonable amount of people would follow the 6N, but only diehard fans would stretch to HEC rugby I think. So Schmidt's HEC success & Cotter's Top 14 success would not have registered so much, but certainly success with either Ireland or Scotland would be noticed, especially if it involved knocking SANZAR teams or England (less so France, and not really Wales or Scotland) out of a RWC.


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    #223
    Morf
    Registered Users Posts: 3,822 ✭✭✭Morf


    Thank you!

    Good to know that they are getting complacent. Rather than getting carried away with a possible loss-free season they are worrying about the worsening scrum and less convincing performances.


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    #224
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Yeah! SBW is returning to rugby...in 2015/16, having signed a contract with the Chiefs/NZRFU. He can be an annoying character, but much like Folau, Cooper, Le Roux he is one of those players that makes Super Rugby fun to watch.


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    #225
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    All Blacks Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Luke Romano have all signed contract extensions beyond the 2015 World Cup.

    Lock Romano has signed on until 2016, while outside backs Dagg and Jane will stay until 2017, when the British and Irish Lions are due to tour New Zealand.

    Other top All Blacks on long-term deals include Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Sam Whitelock (all 2017), as well as Dane Coles and returning rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams (both 2016).


    Jane, Dagg and Romano all cited Sean & Jamie as inspiration to remain loyal to club and country - thanks lads!


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    #226
    astonaidan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭astonaidan


    Any idea where Benji is going to be suiting up yet


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    #227
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    astonaidan wrote: »
    Any idea where Benji is going to be suiting up yet

    Flyhalf for the Blues. He's going to need to play out of his skin to make the ABs, and I expect his tackling, or lack thereof, will be heavily targeted during the SXV.

    We shall see.


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    #228
    astonaidan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,456 ✭✭✭astonaidan


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Flyhalf for the Blues. He's going to need to play out of his skin to make the ABs, and I expect his tackling, or lack thereof, will be heavily targeted during the SXV.

    We shall see.
    So your not holding much hope for him? remember watching him for the tigers and thought FB or maybe centre, an awful strange decision to start off at ten


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    #229
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    astonaidan wrote: »
    So your not holding much hope for him? remember watching him for the tigers and thought FB or maybe centre, an awful strange decision to start off at ten

    I think it's a gimmick. Keeping on with Buer's theme, I'm sure crowd numbers will "swell", but I'll be surprised if he's skilled enough to game manage. I would have thought FB too...but then the Blues have Piutau.


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    #230
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Who else do the Blues have that can play 10 to a good standard?


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    #231
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    CatFromHue wrote: »
    Who else do the Blues have that can play 10 to a good standard?

    Their other flyhalves are Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes, and at a stretch Piri Weepu. I would class the first 2 as a bit like Jimmy Gopperth - capable of mixing the good with the bad. Enough to win some games, but not consistent enough to go all the way (another Buer-ism...).

    I expect Marshall will have moments of magic. But against structured teams like the Crusaders and the Brumbies, I'm not sure he will know how to pull the strings well enough.

    I genuinely would love to see a player like Sexton with the Blues.


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    #232
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    You next AB hooker is Liam Coltman (Highlanders). Very impressive work-rate. You heard it here first.


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    #233
    .ak
    Registered Users Posts: 30,308 Mod ✭✭✭✭.ak


    Shock as Weepu suffers minor stroke

    Jesus, that's mad. Hopefully nothing too serious..


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    #234
    ssaye2
    Registered Users Posts: 4,632 ✭✭✭ssaye2


    .ak wrote: »
    Shock as Weepu suffers minor stroke

    Jesus, that's mad. Hopefully nothing too serious..


    https://twitter.com/piriweepu/status/448976554995888128

    Boss and Jimmy tweeted him, seems in good spirits now thankkfully


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    #235
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Ouch! Cruden fractured thumb and may miss June series v England. Carter already out via Sabbatical. Cometh the hour cometh the Beauden-meister I hope. Is Donald trout fishing?


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    #236
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    Seemingly England were trying to get the tests moved back a week but no luck (it sounds like it was there own fault too)

    http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/220949.html


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    #237
    Tox56
    Registered Users Posts: 11,636 ✭✭✭✭Tox56


    Swiwi. wrote: »
    Ouch! Cruden fractured thumb and may miss June series v England. Carter already out via Sabbatical. Cometh the hour cometh the Beauden-meister I hope. Is Donald trout fishing?

    That's a big blow. Barrett has all the flair in the world in Super Rugby but test rugby asks so many more (different) questions. Should still be a Kiwi clean sweep though


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    #238
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    Tox56 wrote: »
    That's a big blow. Barrett has all the flair in the world in Super Rugby but test rugby asks so many more (different) questions. Should still be a Kiwi clean sweep though

    There's always the chance the English pack gets the better of the NZ one, but the best FHs still shine despite playing off the back foot. Will be a good test for wee Beaudie.


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    #239
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    It's AB bolters time!

    Kiwi rugby fans love a good bolter! Not too long now until the Blackness is named to face our very good friends™ the Poms. So I've picked a possible bolter from each franchise

    Blues
    NZ has 2 world class locks in Whitelock & Retallick, and international options in Romano, Bird & Thrush. The latter 2 have not convinced too much to date. So I've gone with Patrick Tuipulotu, who had another great game for the Blues today at lock.

    Chiefs
    Whether NZ needs yet another wing who can cover FB or vice versa I'm not sure. 14/15 will be well covered by Smith, Dagg & Piutau +/- Jane, but Tom Marshall has always impressed. TNW is another possibility, but I shudder to think of him in midfield defending against Tualagi.

    Hurricanes
    I'd go with Jack Lam or Alapati Leiua especially...but these 2 are both aligned with Samoa. Kind of leaves me Andre Taylor...don't think so.

    Crusaders
    Can't see any bolters here, so I'll go with Colin Slade to usurp Tom Taylor and take the third 10 spot behind Cruden & Barrett.

    Highlanders
    Easiest to last. Malechai Fekitoa has looked sharp all season in a position NZ has limited depth. I've been more & more impressed with Ryan Crotty as a dual 12/13, but Fekitoa looks good. Nonu & Smith are nailed on, and I think Crotty will make the cut, but with Saili injured/average, and Aki now Connacht bound, Fekitoa has a royal chance.


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    #240
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    How's Nonu playing recently?


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    #241
    Swiwi.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,415 ✭✭✭Swiwi.


    CatFromHue wrote: »
    How's Nonu playing recently?

    Was fine today v the (Wara)Tahs. Lovely pass to set up the first try. As we all know, he can play as rubbish as he wants in SXV, he's not losing that AB 12 jersey. Not until SBW returns anyway.


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