[2014 EOYT] Scotland vs New Zealand

[TheSaffycen]

This one is going to get ugly, NZ to reach 50 points in a route.

I don't think it will be that high honestly. I think it will get around the 40 mark, Scotlands try line defence was very good against a physical Argentinian pack.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Not that it's surprising one little bit, but reports/articles are that Carter is very likely to start. Also watch out for Mealamu and Thrush. Team to be named this afternoon.

Henry Pyrgos is out with injury for Scotland. Edinburgh scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has been called into the squad.

i did already mention that

 

[turmeric2015]

Not that it's surprising one little bit, but reports/articles are that Carter is very likely to start. Also watch out for Mealamu and Thrush. Team to be named this afternoon.

Henry Pyrgos is out with injury for Scotland. Edinburgh scrum-half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne has been called into the squad.

On top of what you've just said, word is that Parsons is set to get his first test cap as well. I suspect off the bench. I'm hearing also the likely midfield combo is Crotty and Feki.

As Darwin said, this tour was suppose to be a "world cup" type set up, but my sense is that, in terms of team selection at least, that was all just a bit of BS. There is no way the ABs are selecting their best team for this one, which if this was a RWC semi final they sure as heck would be!

Here's my team (that I think the selectors will go with anyway):

1. Crockett
2. Mealamu
3. O. Franks
4. Thrush
5. Whitelock
6. Messam
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Smith
10. Carter
11. Savea
12. Crotty
13. Fekitoa
14. Piutau
15. B. Smith

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i'm going to be honest, i dont want to see Sonny Bill Williams play

 

[Darwin]

i'm going to be honest, i dont want to see Sonny Bill Williams play

You want to see the even more dangerous Fekitoa starting? You are a brave man indeed

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

You want to see the even more dangerous Fekitoa starting? You are a brave man indeed

 

[Mikel92]

i did already mention that

Ah, my bad then.

Nothing against Fekitoa but I'd really like to see SBW get more time before the tour is over. It's a tough one, all of our centres have been preforming. My way of thinking was give SBW this one, and Fekitoa the Welsh game.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Ah, my bad then.

Nothing against Fekitoa but I'd really like to see SBW get more time before the tour is over. It's a tough one, all of our centres have been preforming. My way of thinking was give SBW this one, and Fekitoa the Welsh game.

no worries and about that news i think Cusiter as a backup is fine enough

 

[Shaggy]

You want to see the even more dangerous Fekitoa starting? You are a brave man indeed

Well, I think we'll see all three (Crotty, Fekitoa, and SBW), but SBW off the bench, unless they play B.Smith in the centres at some stage, but I think they'll play him at Fullback.

I think the side will be something like:

Moody
Coles or Parsons
Faumauina
Romano
Thrush
Messam
McCaw
Vito
Palu
Carter
Savea
Crotty
Fekitoa
Piutau
B.Smith

Res
Coles or Parsons
B.Franks
O.Franks
Whitelock
Kaino
Perenara
Barrett
SBW

 

[Larksea]

SBW 12 + Fekitoa 13 would be a ridiculous midfield >.<

I wanna see it.

 

[Mikel92]

The team has been named as is as follows....

Starting XV:

1. Joe Moody (6)
2. James Parsons *
3. Charlie Faumuina (25)
4. Jeremy Thrush (10)
5. Dominic Bird (1)
6. Richie McCaw - captain (135)
7. Sam Cane (21)
8. Victor Vito (25)
9. TJ Perenara (9)
10. Daniel Carter (101)
11. Charles Piutau (12)
12. Ryan Crotty (11)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (7)
14. Colin Slade (15)
15. Ben Smith (36)

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles (25)
17. Wyatt Crockett (34)
18. Ben Franks (40)
19. Luke Romano (16)
20. Liam Messam (38)
21. Augustine Pulu (1)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (21)
23. Julian Savea (31)

Two of the locks, Brodie Retallick (shoulder) and Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), were not considered for selection, due to injury. As a result, lock Dominic Bird, who, like Parsons, was called into the All Blacks as injury cover, will start, with Luke Romano coming off the bench. Loose forward Jerome Kaino (knee) was also not considered for selection.

---------------------

Pretty good team. Backline is reasonably predictable, not the forward pack I was guessing though.

 

[Shaggy]

... The reserves: (http://www.radiosport.co.nz/sport-news/rugby/parsons-gets-all-blacks-debut/)

16. Dane Coles, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Ben Franks, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Liam Messam, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Sonny Bill Williams, 23. Julian Savea.

Slade on the wing ... I guess he played there a few years ago for the Crusaders, but ...

 

[Darwin]

So (barring Smith, McCaw, and possibly Carter) a "b" side. It looks as though they are just giving everyone a chance to start. To be honest I'm slightly disappointed as I think we need to give our top combination as much time as possible in the lead up to the RWC. I am looking forward to seeing Moody start again at LH prop, and Vito at 8 too. The midfield is exciting, and it is great to see Ben Smith in his rightful position. It will be interesting to see Slade on the wing - he hasn't played there for a few years....

 

[easy2288]

The team has been named as is as follows....

Starting XV:

1. Joe Moody (6)
2. James Parsons *
3. Charlie Faumuina (25)
4. Jeremy Thrush (10)
5. Dominic Bird (1)
6. Richie McCaw - captain (135)
7. Sam Cane (21)
8. Victor Vito (25)
9. TJ Perenara (9)
10. Daniel Carter (101)
11. Charles Piutau (12)
12. Ryan Crotty (11)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (7)
14. Colin Slade (15)
15. Ben Smith (36)

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles (25)
17. Wyatt Crockett (34)
18. Ben Franks (40)
19. Luke Romano (16)
20. Liam Messam (38)
21. Augustine Pulu (1)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (21)
23. Julian Savea (31)

Two of the locks, Brodie Retallick (shoulder) and Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), were not considered for selection, due to injury. As a result, lock Dominic Bird, who, like Parsons, was called into the All Blacks as injury cover, will start, with Luke Romano coming off the bench. Loose forward Jerome Kaino (knee) was also not considered for selection.

---------------------

Pretty good team. Backline is reasonably predictable, not the forward pack I was guessing though.

Could not believe my eyes and went to ALL BLACKS website to check again. Messam is the only sub to cover 6,7 and 8 position. Wow!! Brave call.

 

[William18]

Most of the time you only have one loose forward on the bench. If you have two loose forwards on the bench then you generally don't have a lock. It's a strange All Blacks team and I think we should have shown Scotland a lot more respect.

 

[Mikel92]

So (barring Smith, McCaw, and possibly Carter) a "b" side. It looks as though they are just giving everyone a chance to start. To be honest I'm slightly disappointed as I think we need to give our top combination as much time as possible in the lead up to the RWC. I am looking forward to seeing Moody start again at LH prop, and Vito at 8 too. The midfield is exciting, and it is great to see Ben Smith in his rightful position. It will be interesting to see Slade on the wing - he hasn't played there for a few years....

Yeah, can't say I like the wholesale changes. I would have done a more minimal amount of tinkering, but then again a couple of players were injured who I didn't realize were. Agreed about Moody. After the World Cup I think he'll become more relevant, so to get experience under the belt now will be beneficial. It is also positive to see Bird back - he has been a stand out for Canterbury in the ITM, getting involved in everything. Cane and McCaw playing together will be interesting. The tight five might be a bit rusty, although individually there are some form players there.

On the down side, it'd be nice to give combinations more time together and to build continuity. On the up side, this builds depth and gives everybody a chance to play - something that Hansen wanted from the beginning. Before Romano and Bird got injured, both went very well for the ABs. If they can stay fit then it might make for an interesting dilemma on who will be the third-best lock for next year. Personally I think it'd be Thrush, with experience on his side, but I know Tuipulotu is getting better and better.

 

[nickdnz]

Very interesting Parsons is getting his debut. I like Parsons and it doesn't hurt seeing how another hooker does in the mix. Rough match to make a debut in though, that forward pack isn't exactly full of experience to help him out..

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Colin Slade on the wing.

wut.

This is madness, I know Slade is a utility back, but why not start Savea No.11 and Piutau No.14

 

[Icemn]

sweet lord slade on the wing :O

why not malakai on 14... carter on 12 and slade on 10 :?

maybe they gonna swop roles in the game :?

 

[goodNumber10]

sweet lord slade on the wing :O

why not malakai on 14... carter on 12 and slade on 10 :?

maybe they gonna swop roles in the game :?

Why not smith at 14 Slade at 15. They don't seem to think Smith is the 15 for them so.........