Wales v NZ

[MrK]

Here we go then...whats your team?

Mine, although unlikely....

L Williams, Amos, Williams, Williams, Evans, Biggar, Webb
Evans, Owens, Lee, AWJ, Ball, Shingler, Tipuric, Faletau

B: Dee, Jones, Brown, Davies, Navidi, G Davies, Patchell, Halfpenny

* Edited to add S Williams in as missed that Tyler was out injured...

[PoolerSaint]

Think they'll go with :

15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. S Williams
12. O Williams
11. S Evans
10. Biggar
9. Webb

1. Evans
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

Personally I'd start Priestland over Biggar & Shingler over Lydiate.

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[Sandydragon]

Think they'll go with :

15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. S Williams
12. O Williams
11. S Evans
10. Biggar
9. Webb

1. Evans
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

Personally I'd start Priestland over Biggar & Shingler over Lydiate.

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There’s a high probability that will be the team. Hopefully Sanjay will be fit.

[Lizard]

It’s been a bit of a funny tour for the All Blacks; dodging both England and Ireland and playing the Baabaas first instead of last. I suspect the intention when scheduling was that Wales would be the sternest test but after Scotland came to the party (and seeing what happened against Georgia) that’s far from certain.

Given the less than convincing displays in the tests, and the provision of a mid-week game to try the youngsters out, I think we will not see much gambling with the selection from Hansen.

Probable team:

K. S. Hames
C. J. D. Taylor
N. E. Laulala
S. K. Barrett
S. L. Whitelock
V. Fifita
S. J. Cane
K. J. Read
A. L. Smith
B. J. Barrett
S. Tamanivalu
S. W. Williams
R. S. Crotty
W. R. Naholo
D. S. McKenzie

N. Harris
W. W. V. Crockett
O. Tu'ungafasi
P. T. TuipulotuL
L. I. Squire
T. T. R. Perenara
L. Z. Sopoaga
A. Lienert-Brown

So that’s S. Barrett in for the injured Romano. Tuipulotu is the other lock choice but is usually preferred off the bench. I think we will roll with him as specialist lock cover rather than force two loosies on to the bench again. Squire’s abrasive play will see him get the nod there unless Hansen really wants to have another look at A. Savea in test colours. The only change will be replacing Ioane - Tamanivalu’s relative experience sees him as the obvious choice (Havili is an outside chance).

Coles (knee), Kaino (knee), Ioane (shoulder), Romano (foot) are out from the original tour squad. Liam Coltman, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Brodie Retallick, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith did not tour for various reasons.

[zer0]

Fifita and Squire should swap positions, at the least. Fifita had one whizzbang test against Argentina but hasn't done much since. Squire, on the other hand, has consistently been good and physical when he's played. Even with the regrettable loss of the mullet. Indeed, given how the breakdown has gone this year, it would probably be worthwhile dropping Fifita altogether and having Todd on the bench.

I'd also like to see Aumua get a go, but Hansen is probably too conservative for that.

[PoolerSaint]

Think they'll go with :

15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. S Williams
12. O Williams
11. S Evans
10. Biggar
9. Webb

1. Evans
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

Personally I'd start Priestland over Biggar & Shingler over Lydiate.

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There’s a high probability that will be the team. Hopefully Sanjay will be fit.

Yeah, I wasn't sure on Sanjay. Thought he was a major doubt but someone said it was mentioned on Scrum v that he was looking ok.
If he's fit it'll be the same back 3 as Australia.

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[Sandydragon]

That back 3 is probably the best we can put out and Amos deserves a spot on the bench.

I wish I was more convinced by Scott Williams at 13. Owen Williams deserves another shot at 12.

[ALunpg]

Sanjay still looks questionable for Saturday it will be bad news as I think they might actually be ready to drop Halfpenny.

[Sandydragon]

Sanjay still looks questionable for Saturday it will be bad news as I think they might actually be ready to drop Halfpenny.

The Fail suggested Sanjay at 15 with Evans and Amos on the wings. It would offer more in attack. If Biggar is starting then goal kicking isn't a real area of concern.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Think they'll go with :

15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. S Williams
12. O Williams
11. S Evans
10. Biggar
9. Webb

1. Evans
2. Owens
3. Francis
4. Ball
5. AW Jones
6. Lydiate
7. Tipuric
8. Faletau

Personally I'd start Priestland over Biggar & Shingler over Lydiate.

Agreed, plus Amos over Cuthbert and Sanjay (if fit) over Halfpenny.

Obviously Priestland's goal-kicking is a risk but he was fine on Saturday.

Not overly impressed with Scott, would be equally happy to see Watkin at 13.

[ALunpg]

Sanjay still looks questionable for Saturday it will be bad news as I think they might actually be ready to drop Halfpenny.

The Fail suggested Sanjay at 15 with Evans and Amos on the wings. It would offer more in attack. If Biggar is starting then goal kicking isn't a real area of concern.

Gatland was saying Sanjay had a problem and they would look at him over the next 48 hrs...so yes it would be good if he was available but he is still questionable to be fit.

[MrK]

Williams and Cuthbert out...Looks odds on for an Evans, Amos, 1/2P back 3 then.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Williams and Cuthbert out...Looks odds on for an Evans, Amos, 1/2P back 3 then.

Yep, a no brainer. But our lack of size now means that Gatland will be tempted to bring back Roberts to beef up our backs (and slow them down).

[bruce]

Was Parkes available for this one?

[ALunpg]

No ..not available. ... omg Roberts at 12 ..it is a worry. ..he isn't even playing well for Harlequins. ..

[bruce]

We're going to get an ass whooping in this game.

[Ross. S]

We're going to get an ass whooping in this game.

Probably although the AB's have a few injuries and Ardie Savea has mumps, lets pray to the rugby gods it goes through the rest of the team like the village bike

[ALunpg]

If we are not going to win in this situation let's have an exiting game ... bit of thunder, bloody mindedness and a tad of skill.

Maybe we should go play them in the States ..seemed to work for Ireland

[Ross. S]

Maybe we should go play them in the States ..seemed to work for Ireland

We're already in a bit of a state

[Sandydragon]

Priestland to 10 and a Biggar to 15. It won’t happen, but I think Priestland would give us more chance of scoring tries and I’m pretty sure we need to do more than kick penalties.

[Buggaluggs]

So the only two players we have who've given the ABs any bother recently are out injured.

Well, that's my excuse logged and we still have 4 days to go

[ALunpg]

So the only two players we have who've given the ABs any bother recently are out injured.

Well, that's my excuse logged and we still have 4 days to go

Cuthbert has only caused Wales supporters problems as of late by inducing a frenzy of stress induced expletives that often extend well into the next week after the match.
.

Oh you meant JD and Sanjay

[ALunpg]

The Fail release their team ..it was pretty bang on last time

The probable Wales team: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Steff Evans, 13. Scott Williams, 12. Owen Williams, 11. Hallam Amos, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb, 1. Rob Evans, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Aaron Shingler, 7. Josh Navidi, 8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Gareth Davies, Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland, Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Leon Brown, Justin Tipuric, Wyn Jones

Roberts on the bench and Williams starting...just goes to show how things change in 3 weeks .

They are forecasting for Wyn Jones to be on the bench ahead of Nicky Smith .

[Son of Mathonwy]

The Fail release their team ..it was pretty bang on last time

The probable Wales team: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Steff Evans, 13. Scott Williams, 12. Owen Williams, 11. Hallam Amos, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb, 1. Rob Evans, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Jake Ball, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Aaron Shingler, 7. Josh Navidi, 8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: Gareth Davies, Jamie Roberts, Rhys Priestland, Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Leon Brown, Justin Tipuric, Wyn Jones

Roberts on the bench and Williams starting...just goes to show how things change in 3 weeks .

They are forecasting for Wyn Jones to be on the bench ahead of Nicky Smith .

That would be pretty good. I'd prefer to start Priestland (especially since no kicking would be required from him), and Watkin would be better than Roberts IMO. I assume they're easing Tips back rather than preferring Navidi.

[morepork]

How up for it are your props. I heard Georgia savaged them a bit last week, but that wasn't this front row was it?