Scotland v New Zealand

[admartian]

I think CJ should get a start at fullback. Punishment for Milsy for kicking so much ball away. Hore is back and needs a start as does Braid as McCaw will be starting against Ireland and Wales. Smith is back and deserves a run as he probably needs it

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Hore
3. John Afoa
4. Anthony Boric
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Daniel Braid
8. Liam Messam
9. Alby Mattewson
10. Stephen Donald
11. Hosea Gear
12. Williams
13. Smith
14. Isaiah Toeava
15. Cory Jane

16. Elliott
17. O. Franks
18. Thorn
19. McCaw
20. Ellis
21. Carter
22. Rokococo

I like this team, and one likely they could go with.

What this does is explore SBW with another player-type in Conrad, as well as start and play some players which need more game time. (Braid, Messam, Hore etc).

Instead of Donald though, I'd have Toeava there. I think he could our Michael Vick at 10.

 

[Darwin]

I think CJ should get a start at fullback. Punishment for Milsy for kicking so much ball away. Hore is back and needs a start as does Braid as McCaw will be starting against Ireland and Wales. Smith is back and deserves a run as he probably needs it

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Hore
3. John Afoa
4. Anthony Boric
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Daniel Braid
8. Liam Messam
9. Alby Mattewson
10. Stephen Donald
11. Hosea Gear
12. Williams
13. Smith
14. Isaiah Toeava
15. Cory Jane

16. Elliott
17. O. Franks
18. Thorn
19. McCaw
20. Ellis
21. Carter
22. Rokococo

If Toeava and Jane are together in the back three, I'd like to see Jane on the wing, with Toeava at fullback. I rate Toeava as an outstanding fullback, but only adequate on the wing (as he really lacks experience in that position) - though Jane may be slightly better as a fullback than a wing, he still is outstanding on the wing.

 

[Nate Dizzle]

Your right there but a damn shame Jane won't get a run in his prefered position.

 

[Black Heart]

Instead of Donald though, I'd have Toeava there. I think he could our Michael Vick at 10.

To be honest I'd rather see Woodcock play first-five than Donald.

Although Toeava might be a more sensible choice, Henry won't swap him for Donald because then he'll be publically undermining his own credibility as a coach and a selector (whatever that may be) He's already told the public that Donald still has the goods so if he starts to make selections like this the media will jump all over him demanding answers as to why players like Slade or Cruden wern't taken instead.

 

[admartian]

To be honest I'd rather see Woodcock play first-five than Donald.

Although Toeava might be a more sensible choice, Henry won't swap him for Donald because then he'll be publically undermining his own credibility as a coach and a selector (whatever that may be) He's already told the public that Donald still has the goods so if he starts to make selections like this the media will jump all over him demanding answers as to why players like Slade or Cruden wern't taken instead.

I'd prefer that too. Pretty sure Woodcock has more tries than Donald. At least against the Wallabies that is.

Yeah, coaches these days have massive pride that they can't swallow and admit mistakes. Whatever happened on just doing what's best for the team?

 

[Black Heart]

I'd prefer that too. Pretty sure Woodcock has more tries than Donald. At least against the Wallabies that is.

Lol, who has scored more tries against the Wallabies?

 

[admartian]

Lol, who has scored more tries against the Wallabies?

Woodcock. Has more tries overall too.

Woodcock = 7
Donald = 2

 

[Black Heart]

Woodcock. Has more tries overall too.

Woodcock = 7
Donald = 2

Why doesn't that surprise me?

 

[coonor]

I don't think scotland should be counted out of this game. I think if they can take their points and keep possession they may have a chance. I think either the Scotland will grind it out or the All Blacks will hammer them.

 

[admartian]

Why doesn't that surprise me?

1 of those Donald tries was against Munster as well...

So only one is at test level...against Samoa... Woodcock? 5 against Australia, 2 against the Boks.

 

[Black Heart]

I don't think scotland should be counted out of this game. I think if they can take their points and keep possession they may have a chance. I think either the Scotland will grind it out or the All Blacks will hammer them.

The All Blacks just need to sharpen their game. They'll take it out in the last 20 minutes with their fitness, that's usually the case regardless of who their playing (least of all Scotland).

 

[Amobokoboko]

I do hope Scotland can score (a) try /tries.
Would lighten up the atmo.

 

[Larksea]

I just saw Ben Franks has been replaced in the AB's squad By Tialata because of a back injury. Real shame.

maybe give some of the big guns a rest for the last two games, though world class on the bench if it gets tight.

1, Woodcock
2, Elliot
3, Afoa
4, Boric
5, Whitelock
6, Kaino
7, Braid
8, Messam
9, Mathewson
10, Donald
11, Gear
12, Williams
13, Smith
14, jane
15, Toeava

16, Hore
17, O Franks
18, Donnely
19, McCaw
20, Cowan
21, Carter
22, Mills

 

[Seaton]

C'mon Scotland!
If we win this game, and then every game up to and including the World Cup Final, we would have that record of 18/19 tests won (consecutively of course)
I'll try and do a team of the available players, however being so far from 'home' I don't get access to Magners League (to gauge form), and only have a brief knowledge of injuries

1. Allisdair Dickinson/ Allan Jacobsen
2. Ross Ford
3. Euan Murray
4. Allistair Kellock
5. Jim Hamilton/ Richie Gray
6. John Barclay
7. Richie Vernon/ ?
8. Kelly Brown

9. Mike Blair/ Rory Lawson
10. Dan Parks/ Rudriah Jackson
11. Rory Lamont/ Nikki Walker
12. Graeme Morrison/ Ben Cairns
13. Max Evans
14. Sean Lamont/ Hugo Southwell
15. Chris Paterson/ Joe Ansbro/ Hugo Southwell

16. Dougie Hall
17. Moray Low
18. Nathan Hines
19. Ross Rennie
20. Rory Lawson
21. Dan Parks/ Rudriah Jackson
22. Huho Southwell/ Joe Ansbro

Now, as you can see I'm not to decided on the players combinations (and in the case of Richie Vernon, and the two props, positions!)
All I know is that our loose forwards have had a horrible time with injuries and form, and tis a pity the 'Killer B's' won't be able to strut their stuff against the All Blacks

If Rudriah Jackson starts, Chris Paterson is needed to start, as the formers goal kicking is not adequate at international level imo.
Maybe one or two of the folk who have access to the ML can enlighten me to who has the better form between those that are undecided

 

[Shaggy]

Graham Henry has said on NZ's Radio Sports that the core of the best team will be retained for the match. I'd expect that SBW will get some time at the inside centre position, with Smith at outside centre, and maybe Toeava will get some time at Fullback.

I guess Donald will get some time off the bench, and the hooker of the bench will get some game time, as Hore will play but probably not a full game ... I wonder if the loose forward cover will get a run, or if they'll just warm the bench again.

I don't think the All Blacks will take Scotland lightly, and don't expect the score line to be much different from the England match.

 

[admartian]

Graham Henry has said on NZ's Radio Sports that the core of the best team will be retained for the match. I'd expect that SBW will get some time at the inside centre position, with Smith at outside centre, and maybe Toeava will get some time at Fullback.

I guess Donald will get some time off the bench, and the hooker of the bench will get some game time, as Hore will play but probably not a full game ... I wonder if the loose forward cover will get a run, or if they'll just warm the bench again.

I don't think the All Blacks will take Scotland lightly, and don't expect the score line to be much different from the England match.

What? As in playing or bringing drinks onto the field? (*fingers crossed & super-glued together in favour of the latter*).

They should definitely go with an SBW/Smith pairing. It wouldn't hurt, and nor would having Toeava at first five (after Carter comes off).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Team will probably be:
1 Woodcock
2 Elliot
3 Afoa
4 Boric
5 Donnely
6 Messam
7 Braid
8 Read (C)
9 Cowan
10 Donald
11 Gear
12 Williams
13 Smith
14 Jane
15 Toeava

16 Hore
17 Franks
18 Whitelock
19 McCaw
20 Ellis
21 Carter
22 Muliaina

Maybe with Ellis and Cowan swapped around.

 

[ranger]

Team will probably be:
1 Woodcock
2 Elliot
3 Afoa
4 Boric
5 Donnely
6 Messam
7 Braid
8 Read (C)
9 Cowan
10 Donald
11 Gear
12 Williams
13 Smith
14 Jane
15 Toeava

16 Hore
17 Franks
18 Whitelock
19 McCaw
20 Ellis
21 Carter
22 Muliaina

Maybe with Ellis and Cowan swapped around.

That looks pretty likely, although aparently Hore is lined up to start this one. I would also give Whitelock the opportunity to back up his performance against England, he was massive. Letting him notch two top performances back to back would be great for his confidence going into next year

 

[Shaggy]

What? As in playing or bringing drinks onto the field? (*fingers crossed & super-glued together in favour of the latter*).

They should definitely go with an SBW/Smith pairing. It wouldn't hurt, and nor would having Toeava at first five (after Carter comes off).

Yeah I know what you mean about Donald, but Graham Henry came out pretty strongly in support of him after the Hong Kong match, so if he's going to back that up and give him another chance, Scotland is probably the game to do it ... no disrespect to Scotland, but it's probably the easiest game left to play on tour (didn't say it will be an easy game, just the easiest one left)

I'd actually think Toeava is a better 1st five than a winger, although I think he's probably best at fullback or in the centres

 

[Larksea]

On 2nd thought scotland have beaten Argentina and Australia and a couple other good wins in the last year or so? Could be a strong AB side. Though I'd like to see Boric & Messam start and Donald & Elliot get some good game time.