All Blacks squad this weekend

[J Dory]

I'm not going to predict, just haven't seen enough super rugby this year.

Would be interested to hear who everyone would pick as the starting 10?

[rowan]

Surely an embarrassment of riches right now, given the form of the Kiwi franchises in Super Rugby - Aucks' mediocrity notwithstanding.

[J Dory]

Ok. I will answer my own question. I would like to see Sopoaga get the start. The new Carter? Real game reader

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Ok. I will answer my own question. I would like to see Sopoaga get the start. The new Carter? Real game reader

I'd choose Barritt on the basis that goal kicking is unlikely to be the difference between winning and losing and also because I'd be very tempted to pick mcKenzie either at full back or on the wing

[Spy]

I'd also go Sopoaga. Whether or not goal-kicking ends up being the deciding factor in this series against Wales, it is crucial in plenty of test matches. Barrett just isn't kicking well enough to be a test match 10. Sopoaga is kicking the best of the NZ 10s, and he's good enough with ball in hand. Worthy of being given the first shot at claiming the jersey anyway, imo.

[morepork]

The ugly conservative head of opinion at 1st five rises.

But seriously, it shows how good Carter was/is in that he ticked both boxes. Soft hands and solid boot.


I like Barret because he runs fast and is smart. The Zen of coaching will be to accomplish keeping both Barret and Sopoaga in the mix. The judicious use of either or will be determined by what the looses are doing and what is outside him.

Sincerely,


Expat Yoda.

[Spy]

Sopo's no stodge though. He's doing a good job running the Highlander's backline, aided by Smith of course, and his running game's not bad. It annoys me that Barrett's not kicking better. He needs to go a bit Aspberger's and spend a summer with a kicking tee.

There's not a clear-cut answer to who "should" get picked at 10, which is what makes speculating interesting, I guess.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

The thing with 10 is that they all have very strong cases. I do also wonder how good Richie Mo'unga can be after a couple of seasons.

Worry about that after a couple of seasons. Right now he seems some way behind the others.

[canta_brian]

How has Barret's kicking from hand been? Do we have anyone not wearing 10 who could kick the goals? If john Eals can do a job from lock I don't see why we have to worry about goal kicking solely as a skill for a 1st 5.

[jared_7]

Chances of a Welsh upset in the first test? Generally when we are at our creakiest.

Second test on will be spankings.

Looking forward to seeing Dixon in action properly.

[rowan]

The Welsh have never got within 20 points of the All Blacks in NZ.

Zero

[J Dory]

Sopoaga is cool, cool under fire and a thinker. It's his game management and selflessness that makes him stand out to me. He's also got some skills.

[zer0]

Basic goal kicking stats for those interested:

1. Lima Sopoaga: 39/52 = 75%
2. Damian McKenzie: 37/53 = 70%
3. Ihaia West: 39/54 = 69%
4. Richie Mo’unga: 39/58 = 67%
5. Beauden Barrett: 41/66 = 62%
6. Aaron Cruden: 7/14 = 50%

[zer0]

Also...

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Basic goal kicking stats for those interested:

1. Lima Sopoaga: 39/52 = 75%
2. Damian McKenzie: 37/53 = 70%
3. Ihaia West: 39/54 = 69%
4. Richie Mo’unga: 39/58 = 67%
5. Beauden Barrett: 41/66 = 62%
6. Aaron Cruden: 7/14 = 50%

That's all surprisingly low.