[2014 Mid-Year Tests] New Zealand

[SuperEagle]

This of is not to say England can't beat us - of course they can, as they are developing into a pretty good side. I don't think they will beat us however, and if they do I don't think it will be because of our lack of experience. ....

This is a very inexperienced England team as well. The vast majority have <20 caps and only Danny Care and Mike Brown have toured NZ before

 

[The Jones Boy]

The All Blacks are coming in cold and the hype up here is that lancaster has the Poms primed for the early victory.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You're all mental, then.
You can say you're undercooked but we're down to 2nd/3rd/4th choice players in some positions due to injuries and/or the Premiership Final clash.

 

[Patchey]

Yeah, what he said. I know you're all known for having incredibly high standards for the way the All Blacks play, but saying you're going in to this 'undercooked' is madness!

 

[j-dawg]

I'm down here in NZ and got to say, I'm loving the banter. No one thinks England stand a chance.

 

[Patchey]

I'm down here in NZ and got to say, I'm loving the banter. No one thinks England stand a chance.

Certainly a more realistic perspective!

 

[Jaguares]

I would like to see this team in action:

1. Ben Franks
2. Liam Coltman
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Cory Jane
15. Ben Smith

:box:

 

[donmcdazzle]

I would like to see this team in action:

1. Ben Franks
2. Liam Coltman
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Cory Jane
15. Ben Smith

:box:

That's a terrible line up that would never see the light of day thankfully.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I would like to see this team in action:

1. Ben Franks
2. Liam Coltman
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Cory Jane
15. Ben Smith

:box:

The ABs aren't playing the USA until 1 November.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I think Conrad Smith (the poster) just likes giving the underdog a shot. Here that'd be the 2nd/3rd choice NZ players over the sure starters but also England as the touring team so it's a case of two birds, one stone.

 

[Jaguares]

That's a terrible line up that would never see the light of day thankfully.

I never said: "It's the best team ever". I only say: "I would like to see this team with new blood", I'm not saying that this should be the team for the next Rugby Championship or for the next WC.

I'm just saying I'd like to see these players, some of them have better present in Super Rugby than others players with 100 caps, for example: Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Tuipulotu or Beauden Barrett.

The ABs aren't playing the USA until 1 November.

Yeah but ABs need replacements for some positions after the World Cup. Liam Coltman, Patrick Tuipulotu and Malakai Fekitoa aren't bad players, they are good. They just need confidence and add minutes on the field.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Yeah but ABs need replacements for some positions after the World Cup. Liam Coltman, Patrick Tuipulotu and Malakai Fekitoa aren't bad players, they are good. They just need confidence and add minutes on the field.

Yes, as subs during the June tests. The 15 you put up would be perfect for the 1 November test v the USA.

 

[nzlizard]

I would like to see this team in action:

1. Ben Franks
2. Liam Coltman
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jeremy Thrush
6. Steven Luatua
7. Sam Cane
8. Liam Messam
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Cory Jane
15. Ben Smith

:box:

Players in bold could quite easily be starting players at the next world cup, not necessarily in the positions you have stated.

 

[Jaguares]

Players in bold could quite easily be starting players at the next world cup, not necessarily in the positions you have stated.

Yeahhhh, it's not a bad team. This team could surprise many Tier 1 teams

 

[The Jones Boy]

Piutau is out for the test series, thats a real shame.

 

[nzlizard]

Odds on Fekitoa to play the 1st test while England have a weakened team.

Can't wait to see this.

 

[Gavin]

This is what makes New Zealand great. When a player is young and inexperienced, it doesn't really matter as long as he is on form.

 

[Jack Reacher]

NZ always errs on the side of caution. Test team, barring injuries, will be;
Woodcock
Coles
Franks
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
McCaw
Read
A Smith
Cruden
Savea
Nonu
C Smith
Jane/B Smith
Dagg/B Smith

Ben smith will be there somewhere, just who to leave out.

 

[nzlizard]

I think they will leave out Jane.

To me the 1st test is the time to expose a few players when England have a supposedly weaker team.

 

[Patchey]

Couldn't you do us a favour and play Ihia West at ten, who is probably in the same region of the NZ pecking order as Burns is for England. Bench him at least? Please?

Seriously though, I think we'll do okay in the first test but if you guys score less than thirty I'll be amazed.