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[2014 EOYT] Scotland vs New Zealand
- Thread starter Big Ewis
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Well, maybe because they know everyone would be very annoyed if Smith didn't get another shot at 15 this tour, especially considering he has performed better than Dagg there all season.
I imagine their logic was simply that they already had the players they wanted to play at 10 penciled in. Slade replaced Cory Jane, so they may as well just put him in Cory Jane's position. I really would have hoped Julian Savea would have started this game, with Smith at fullback and Piatau on the right wing. Sadly, Hansen doesn't seem all that interested in that.
Eyesack_P
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I'm assuming Savea needed a rest & janes injured, that's the only reason Slades starting. Finally Ben smith back to his best position. Excited to see both Richie and Sam on. Their both superfit athletes and will be everywhere!
Jack Reacher
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wow, didn't see that team coming! Hope Scotland doesn't take it as too much disrespect, but it is still a strong team.
Interesting looking team.
Backline is still pretty strong and has a good look about it, not sure about Slade on the wing but with Fekitoa and Smith in the pack it allows for on field cover and positional changes if it goes south.
The tight 5 will be interesting, with 2 injured locks was always going to be tough, Tuipulotu would have started if he was fit. Been impressed with Faumuina since he has been back in the fold and Moody has looked good as well.
Like the reserves mix and you would think barring Scotland being pretty close most of the starting front row should get good game time, Romano and Messam to get 30 minutes each, SBW to be used in some combination with Fekitoa at some stage. Pulu to get a decent run if things look ok.
Have to be honest haven't watched much of Scotland so don't really know where they are at, but like any team we should never underestimate the opposition.
Best thing is the game is at 6.30am so no getting up at early am hours to watch.
Backline is still pretty strong and has a good look about it, not sure about Slade on the wing but with Fekitoa and Smith in the pack it allows for on field cover and positional changes if it goes south.
The tight 5 will be interesting, with 2 injured locks was always going to be tough, Tuipulotu would have started if he was fit. Been impressed with Faumuina since he has been back in the fold and Moody has looked good as well.
Like the reserves mix and you would think barring Scotland being pretty close most of the starting front row should get good game time, Romano and Messam to get 30 minutes each, SBW to be used in some combination with Fekitoa at some stage. Pulu to get a decent run if things look ok.
Have to be honest haven't watched much of Scotland so don't really know where they are at, but like any team we should never underestimate the opposition.
Best thing is the game is at 6.30am so no getting up at early am hours to watch.
Darwin
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I assume the AB's selectors see this as an ideal chance to give Ben Smith more game-time in the 15 jersey. Though Slade is obviously more familiar with fullback than wing there is virtually no chance he will be starting at fullback (or wing) in a major test so there is no real benefit in starting him in the 15 jersey.
I think Slade will do a solid job in the 14 jersey. He's fantastic under the high ball, has adequate pace, and is solid in defense. I would certainly have preferred to see and 11. Savea, 14. Piutau, 15. Smith combination though (as is my mind that is clearly the best back three the AB's can field at the moment).
As pointed out, I think Savea not starting is just due to the amount of game time he's had out there. He's a machine, we get it. But like other key players, we can't rely on him. I think the USA game was meant to be his 'rest' but with Jane coming off Savea had to come on sooner than they liked.
Could be a bit of a frustrating first half with that forward pack. I suspect the likes of Cane, McCaw and Thrush will provide some direction, and even Vito has been in handy form. Last time we played Scotland we ended the first half at 34-17, but this forward pack I would argue isn't as good as that one (simply because more newbies).
As nzlizard eluded to, I think you'll see changes quite early. Maybe even as soon as the start of the second half you'll see one or two players drift off the field.
Not much talk about Scotland in this thread, but I am looking forward to seeing Sean Maitland play. As a Crusaders fan, that boy was always good for us. Even though he has a skinny frame, I kinda hoped he would even crack the ABs one day, although with powerhouses like Savea I kinda figured that'd be unlikely. If any players marking him get lazy with tackling, he'll make us pay, easily.
Could be a bit of a frustrating first half with that forward pack. I suspect the likes of Cane, McCaw and Thrush will provide some direction, and even Vito has been in handy form. Last time we played Scotland we ended the first half at 34-17, but this forward pack I would argue isn't as good as that one (simply because more newbies).
As nzlizard eluded to, I think you'll see changes quite early. Maybe even as soon as the start of the second half you'll see one or two players drift off the field.
Not much talk about Scotland in this thread, but I am looking forward to seeing Sean Maitland play. As a Crusaders fan, that boy was always good for us. Even though he has a skinny frame, I kinda hoped he would even crack the ABs one day, although with powerhouses like Savea I kinda figured that'd be unlikely. If any players marking him get lazy with tackling, he'll make us pay, easily.
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Big Ewis
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wow
I was a bit shocked as I progressed through the 23 and thought "boy that's pretty disrespectful to Cotter and the Scotts there !..." but I think I quite like it. Hansen says towards the end obviously winning is the goal but that it's not everything and guys need to get playing time so they can find out who they really are. It's nice they're taking the "risk" in stead of looking for the easy intimidating selection. Complete B team and I think just Slade on the wing is fkn useless coz what's that going to achieve ? But otherwise, shows their confidence in their system and also in their depth...I like it.
Scotland by 17.
I was a bit shocked as I progressed through the 23 and thought "boy that's pretty disrespectful to Cotter and the Scotts there !..." but I think I quite like it. Hansen says towards the end obviously winning is the goal but that it's not everything and guys need to get playing time so they can find out who they really are. It's nice they're taking the "risk" in stead of looking for the easy intimidating selection. Complete B team and I think just Slade on the wing is fkn useless coz what's that going to achieve ? But otherwise, shows their confidence in their system and also in their depth...I like it.
Scotland by 17.
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It's only disrespectful if New Zealand lose... And if that happens the Scots will be too drunk to care! 
Big Ewis
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honestly I think it's going to be closer than some might think. I take back my previous prediction, didn't think the AB would go all out B team. This isn't the AB, it's just the B. There's no Savea in there, it's a 'third option' FH who hasn't played much for them lately. Front row is meh and Scotland didn't get demolished in the scrum against the PUMAS last week...the pack overall has quality but I don't think will dominate the Scotts'. No Read, no Aaron Smith at 9...I'd be wary of particularly the midfield, but obviously Piutau and Ben Smith aren't harmless either.
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How is this disrespectful?
NZ tour with a group of their best players and select from that.
It's not like they've brought in a load of amateurs for the game.
NZ tour with a group of their best players and select from that.
It's not like they've brought in a load of amateurs for the game.
Crazy this 'disrespectful' talk. Love Ewis calling Daniel Carter the 'third option' - I think he was confused mid irony there. It's Daniel Carter. If a RWC final was played tomorrow he'd probably start. What he needs to be the best FH for NZ is a string of games that he's starting. What better game than against the team he had a MOTM performance against last time he played them.
It's an experimental side. So what? Obviously it's not the most proven team they could field, but this side is still strong enough to beat most teams in the world. If Scotland felt disrespected by the selections - then they must assume this team doesn't have a good chance of beating them. It'd pick a 15-25 point victory to the ABs.
It's an experimental side. So what? Obviously it's not the most proven team they could field, but this side is still strong enough to beat most teams in the world. If Scotland felt disrespected by the selections - then they must assume this team doesn't have a good chance of beating them. It'd pick a 15-25 point victory to the ABs.
Big Ewis
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so nick as a NZ'er you'd say Dan Carter starts ahead of Aaron Cruden if fit and healthy and everything ? It doesn't seem like that's what Hansen would do. Haven't seen much of Dan Carter at 10 in a Blacks jersey lately (although I understand he hasn't been 100%), and the last time I saw him play SR he was wearing 12, so that's why I say I'm guessing he's 3rd option at FH for NZ, those two reasons. Cruden I'm quite sure is their no.1 guy and then Barrett has been playing frequently for the AB and has impressed, just to build the future's sake I'd guess DC is 3rd.
You'd really call DC the no. 1 option right now, do you back that claim up unconditionally ?
Don't take what people say at the letter like that... try to understand what the poster is saying - I'm saying, imagine you're Cotter or worse a Scottish player and you see the AB played their very best possible lineup in Twickenham and then a week later come to you with an almost complete B team. OF COURSE as the rules go you have a group of guys and can pick any you fancy, yes, that much everybody understands; but then there's the human element that nullifies the mathematical one. You see what your opponent thinks of you loud and clear when they're coming to your backyard with a B side.
If I'm a Scott playing in front of my home crowd I don't care much for "experimental" this "they can pick from their group" that. It's obviously demeaning de facto, whether it's fine from Hansen to do that or not, I'm not actually blaming Hansen. If I were the Scotts this would bring heaps of confidence and fire to my belly, like: oh you're playing that side are you ? Alright then.
The Scotts are on a high and I don't see them getting a much better chance against the AB any time soon. But I'm not calling out Hansen for his move. In fact as my previous post states, I quite like the confidence and "risk-taking".
You'd really call DC the no. 1 option right now, do you back that claim up unconditionally ?
Don't take what people say at the letter like that...
try to understand what the poster is saying - I'm saying, imagine you're Cotter or worse a Scottish player and you see the AB played their very best possible lineup in Twickenham and then a week later come to you with an almost complete B team. OF COURSE as the rules go you have a group of guys and can pick any you fancy, yes, that much everybody understands; but then there's the human element that nullifies the mathematical one. You see what your opponent thinks of you loud and clear when they're coming to your backyard with a B side. If I'm a Scott playing in front of my home crowd I don't care much for "experimental" this "they can pick from their group" that. It's obviously demeaning de facto, whether it's fine from Hansen to do that or not, I'm not actually blaming Hansen. If I were the Scotts this would bring heaps of confidence and fire to my belly, like: oh you're playing that side are you ? Alright then.
The Scotts are on a high and I don't see them getting a much better chance against the AB any time soon. But I'm not calling out Hansen for his move. In fact as my previous post states, I quite like the confidence and "risk-taking".
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the starting XV from the all blacks doesn't look that good but they have a very strong bench and they say they 'fear us' come on scotland you know what i have the faith, Scotland by 3 or 5
oh since no-one has mention yet here is the scotland team
Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Blair Cowan, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Geoff Cross, Tim Swinson, Johnnie Beattie, Chris Cusiter, Duncan Weir, Sean Lamont.
unchanged XV and good to see Jim Hamilton out off the conclusion and good to see Beattie and Cusiter back in the team looking forward to this yet again
oh since no-one has mention yet here is the scotland team
Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Blair Cowan, Adam Ashe.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Geoff Cross, Tim Swinson, Johnnie Beattie, Chris Cusiter, Duncan Weir, Sean Lamont.
unchanged XV and good to see Jim Hamilton out off the conclusion and good to see Beattie and Cusiter back in the team
looking forward to this yet again
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quite staggering
Tokoroa - small town in Waikato NZ
Has produced
Richard Kahui - New Zealand All Black
Issac Boss - Ireland
Quade Cooper - Australia
Sean Maitland - Scotland
Lucky I think we managed to keep the best player of the lot for a while at least
Interesting All Black side.
Fact is this is a strong ~34-35? player squad all these guys are worthy and this is a chance for them to get critical experience in a big game they simply must not lose.
And holy **** look at that bench!
Ben Smith, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Charles Piutau, Dan Carter, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Richie McCaw, Dominic Bird, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Liam Messam, Augustine Pulu, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea. Scotland
I pick Ben Smith to have an absolute blinder, back where he belongs. Interesting seeing Bird and Parsons being thrown in! Big game for Victor Vito, IMO he's a ridiculous talent who looks like he gets stuck in 2nd get playing for the All Blacks as he does for the canes as well sometimes.
One of the biggest things for me is actually the fact Aaron Smith is not playing. Perenara has looked good but I dont think he's really been backing himself and using his instincts, more executing the game plan. I hope we see him back himself and cut lose. He and Pulu and both bloody good halfbacks.
Tokoroa - small town in Waikato NZ
Has produced
Richard Kahui - New Zealand All Black
Issac Boss - Ireland
Quade Cooper - Australia
Sean Maitland - Scotland
Lucky I think we managed to keep the best player of the lot for a while at least
Interesting All Black side.
Fact is this is a strong ~34-35? player squad all these guys are worthy and this is a chance for them to get critical experience in a big game they simply must not lose.
And holy **** look at that bench!
Ben Smith, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Charles Piutau, Dan Carter, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Richie McCaw, Dominic Bird, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Liam Messam, Augustine Pulu, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea. Scotland
I pick Ben Smith to have an absolute blinder, back where he belongs. Interesting seeing Bird and Parsons being thrown in! Big game for Victor Vito, IMO he's a ridiculous talent who looks like he gets stuck in 2nd get playing for the All Blacks as he does for the canes as well sometimes.
One of the biggest things for me is actually the fact Aaron Smith is not playing. Perenara has looked good but I dont think he's really been backing himself and using his instincts, more executing the game plan. I hope we see him back himself and cut lose. He and Pulu and both bloody good halfbacks.
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ajwffc
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this is how the two teams compare cap wise
Alasdair Dickinson (37) 1. Joe Moody (6)
Ross Ford (79) 2. James Parsons *
Euan Murray (61) 3. Charlie Faumuina (25)
Richie Gray (41) 4. Jeremy Thrush (10)
Jonny Gray (6) 5. Dominic Bird (1)
Rob Harley (8) 6. Richie McCaw - cap (135)
Blair Cowan (4) 7. Sam Cane (21)
Adam Ashe (2) 8. Victor Vito (25)
Greig Laidlaw - cap (32) 9. TJ Perenara (9)
Finn Russell (3) 10. Daniel Carter (101)
Tommy Seymour (11) 11. Charles Piutau (12)
Alex Dunbar (9) 12. Ryan Crotty (11)
Mark Bennett (1) 13. Malakai Fekitoa (7)
Sean Maitland (14) 14. Colin Slade (15)
Stuart Hogg (25) 15. Ben Smith (36)
Fraser Brown (1) 16. Dane Coles (25)
Gordon Reid (4) 17. Wyatt Crockett (34)
Geoff Cross (33) 18. Ben Franks (40)
Tim Swinson (9) 19. Luke Romano (16)
Johnnie Beattie (32) 20. Liam Messam (38)
Chris Cusiter (69) 21. Augustine Pulu (1)
Duncan Weir (16) 22. Sonny Bill Williams (21)
Sean Lamont (89) 23. Julian Savea (31)
Alasdair Dickinson (37) 1. Joe Moody (6)
Ross Ford (79) 2. James Parsons *
Euan Murray (61) 3. Charlie Faumuina (25)
Richie Gray (41) 4. Jeremy Thrush (10)
Jonny Gray (6) 5. Dominic Bird (1)
Rob Harley (8) 6. Richie McCaw - cap (135)
Blair Cowan (4) 7. Sam Cane (21)
Adam Ashe (2) 8. Victor Vito (25)
Greig Laidlaw - cap (32) 9. TJ Perenara (9)
Finn Russell (3) 10. Daniel Carter (101)
Tommy Seymour (11) 11. Charles Piutau (12)
Alex Dunbar (9) 12. Ryan Crotty (11)
Mark Bennett (1) 13. Malakai Fekitoa (7)
Sean Maitland (14) 14. Colin Slade (15)
Stuart Hogg (25) 15. Ben Smith (36)
Fraser Brown (1) 16. Dane Coles (25)
Gordon Reid (4) 17. Wyatt Crockett (34)
Geoff Cross (33) 18. Ben Franks (40)
Tim Swinson (9) 19. Luke Romano (16)
Johnnie Beattie (32) 20. Liam Messam (38)
Chris Cusiter (69) 21. Augustine Pulu (1)
Duncan Weir (16) 22. Sonny Bill Williams (21)
Sean Lamont (89) 23. Julian Savea (31)
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How disrespectful of Scotland to put out such an inexperienced side
quite staggering
Tokoroa - small town in Waikato NZ
Has produced
Richard Kahui - New Zealand All Black
Issac Boss - Ireland
Quade Cooper - Australia
Sean Maitland - Scotland
Lucky I think we managed to keep the best player of the lot for a while at least
Not to mention Keven Mealamu.
turmeric2015
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So can anyone reconcile this starting XV with the AB team management saying this tour was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the RWC? I.e. this is our semi final!!
Did I miss something?
Did I miss something?
Big Ewis
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How disrespectful of Scotland to put out such an inexperienced side
:lol:
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