Wales' tour of NZ

[Eugene Wrayburn]

You make him sound like Uncle Monty.

An insufferable bastard?

[morepork]

You make him sound like Uncle Monty.

An insufferable bastard?

More like a terrible c**t.

[UKHamlet]

Do you think we can entice HWNTW back for the match day thread?

You can enjoy his contributions on our Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/rugbyrebels/

[UKHamlet]

There's only 1 midweek match, v the Chiefs between the 1st and 2nd tests.

We'll still lose the midweek matches 2-0

[Ross. S]

Quiet thread today. New Zealand must be in awe of our team announcment. 1-0 to Wales on the psycholgical warfare, go ahead with your silly dance, you're doomed. Tour will be 5-0 to Wales, maybe 4-1 when we feel pitty on you in the last test.

[cashead]

We're only just getting up. Anyway, here's the team.


Hookers:
Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues)
Ken Owens (Scarlets)

Props:
Rob Evans (Scarlets)
Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs)
Paul James (Ospreys)
Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
Rhodri Jones (Scarlets)
Samson Lee (Scarlets)

Locks:
Jake Ball (Scarlets)
Luke Charteris (Racing Metro)
Bradley Davies (Wasps)
Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)

Loose Forwards:
Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
James King (Ospreys)
Dan Lydiate (Ospreys)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester)
Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues)
Sam Warburton (Captain, Cardiff Blues)

Halfbacks:
Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)

Five-Eighths:
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby)

Midfielders:
Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne)
Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)
Scott Williams (Scarlets)

Back Three:
Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Matthew Morgan (Bristol)
Tom James (Cardiff Blues)
George North (Northampton Saints)
Eli Walker (Ospreys)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)

[J Dory]

I'm not up with the play on the Welsh squad, but at the risk of revealing my ignorance, what's happened to HP? No mention of him being injured, has he dropped in form?

[Spy]

I'm not up with the play on the Welsh squad, but at the risk of revealing my ignorance, what's happened to HP? No mention of him being injured, has he dropped in form?

He blew an ACL before the WC, and is only just coming back to fitness now.

[zer0]

Comic Book Guy also threw a hissy fit and said that he wouldn't pay him (HP) what he's owed if he went on tour. While I doubt the legality of that move, I hope it didn't have any bearing on his no-selection.

[Bob]

Do you think we can entice HWNTW back for the match day thread?

If Wales win then yes

[cashead]

Comic Book Guy also threw a hissy fit and said that he wouldn't pay him (HP) what he's owed if he went on tour. While I doubt the legality of that move, I hope it didn't have any bearing on his no-selection.

Not sure if he would have been seriously considered if he has no form either way whatsoever to speak of, in one of the toughest touring destinations going for NH teams.

[Lizard]

When's the All Blacks squad being named?

[Lizard]

Assuming that Shag goes for the same squad size and split as Wales* then we’re looking at something like the below. First-named are my starting XV:

3 Hookers
Coles
Taylor
Elliott

6 Props
Tu’ungafasi
O Franks
Moody
Faumuina
Crockett
Hohneck

4 locks
Retallick
Whitelock
Romano
Tuipolotu

6 loosies
Kaino
Cane
Read
Luatua
A. Savea
Dixon

3 half backs
Smith
Weber
Perenara

3 1st 5/8
Cruden
Barrett
Sopoaga

4 mid-field
Ngatai
Fekitoa
Crotty
Moala

6 back three
J Savea
B Smith
McKenzie
Dagg
Naholo
Li

There is no way Shag wants to be responsible for losing our spotless home record against the Village Idiots. I don’t think we will see many bolters or “development” selections.

Hookers basically pick themselves. Elliott is a steady third option.

Loosehead is pretty open – there’s no outstanding candidate. Moody is perhaps better on the bench due to versatility. Crockett has had enough chances without ever appearing to be up to becoming a true frontline All Black so I’d give Tu’ungafasi a shot based on form, with Crockett in the squad as plan B.

Tighthead – O for Awesome Franks, no contest. Faumuina’s work in the loose is pretty phenomenal. Hohneck is a bit of a development pick but To’omaga-Allan has had his chances and not taken them.

Locks – the starting two go without saying as the best pairing in international rugby. I think Shag will show loyalty to Romano but Tuipulotu, Bekhuis and even Blade Thomson are putting their hands up. Bird might suffer from being part of a recently poor Chiefs pack.

Loosies – Again, the real story is in the non-starting players. I’d say Ardie has had the quiet nod before pulling out of the 7s. Vito will be on the outer having signed overseas. Specialist 8 cover won’t be likely hence Luatua.

Half backs – no real argument, surely? Hall isn’t there yet and Ellis is yesterday’s man (first name on the injury back-up list though).

1st 5/8 – Cruden is the incumbent. I don’t think we will see him and Sopoaga in the same match-day 23. Hansen has been pretty clear that he likes a 1st five/FB on the bench like Barrett. Lima will be the back up starting 1st 5/8. McKenzie (named in back 3) is the back up versatile bench player. Ihaia West has picked a poor time to exist (where are his grandparents from?)

Mid-field – a new era. Fekitoa has been earmarked for a while and Ngatai’s form demands inclusion given the absence of clearly superior alternatives on either class or form. Crotty is uninspiring but necessary to have experience on the bench in case the wheels get a bit wobbly. The fourth spot is wide open – Tamanivalu or Fonotia could just as easily get the nod.

Back three – a tricky exercise in discarding talent and achieving balance. There will be room for only two “size and power” wings in the wider squad. Savea obviously, and Naholo is in better form than Patrick Osborne although both could do the job. With Milner-Skudder out, a more agile player is needed on he other wing and Ben Smith is the obvious candidate, thus making room for the one true bolter, Damian McKenzie, at full back. We then need two back-up FB/wingers. Dagg is a safe choice (Jane hasn’t quite shown he’s back at his best) which leaves one “form” pick. Lowe has been great for the Chiefs but I just get the sense that he’s not test class. McNicholl has done a job but has sealed his fate by signing overseas. That really only leaves Tevita Li who has some real touches of class but hasn’t yet put it all together.

*He might not, given the various players able to cover two or more of 1st five/FB/wing or loose forward/lock

[zer0]

J Savea
B Smith
McKenzie
Dagg
Naholo
Li

More like "Lol". Osbourne or Lowe would be far, far better choices than the flat track bully.

EDIT: And that's assuming you even need half a dozen wingers. Moala can cover the wing, freeing up a spot to give someone line Tamanivalu a go from centre or the wing.

[Lizard]

I agree that we are unlikely to need 6 back 3 in the squad. Barrett can also cover FB of course. I was sort of setting up for a man-on-man comparison with the Welsh squad so was matching its composition.

We wouldn't need Savea, Naholo and Osborne. Li v Lowe is an interesting match up.

[cashead]

Tighthead – O for Awesome Franks, no contest. Faumuina’s work in the loose is pretty phenomenal. Hohneck is a bit of a development pick but To’omaga-Allan has had his chances and not taken them.

Hohneck is unlikely to be picked, as he quietly signed with Gloucester.

Also, Toomaga-Allen has been playing much better than in recent seasons. You also mentioned Tu'ungafasi, who has been getting more consistent game-time at tighthead, which is where he appears to be more suited to. The Blues scrum, when he's at 3, has been noticeably a lot less creaky when he comes off the bench - although having Paddy T behind him helps.

Speaking of locks, I think Mike Fatialofa is worth keeping an eye on.

[Lizard]

I didn't realise Hohneck was off. I'm not sure that the best move for him.

Prop is certainly one of our problem areas anyway.

[J Dory]

Osbourne has "made himself available for Fiji". Not sure if that means he's not available for the ABs.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/fiji-get-osborne-boost/

[morepork]

I like the look of that Fatialofa boy too. Another one off the family production line.

[Lizard]

Osbourne has "made himself available for Fiji". Not sure if that means he's not available for the ABs.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/fiji-get-osborne-boost/

I'm actually really pleased to hear that. It means that a top, island-born, Super Rugby pro does see playing for his birth nation as a genuine career choice. That should be the case.

I'm sure he could have done a job for the All Blacks but we will be fine without him. If the NZRU have given him the tip that he wasn't in the running this year then I'm all for that as well. These guys deserve to be able to make informed choices.

I also heard a rumour that Michael Leitch has reversed his previous decision to be unavailable for Japan in the upcoming international window, which is great.

[Lizard]

Assuming that Shag goes for the same squad size and split as Wales* then we’re looking at something like the below. First-named are my starting XV:

3 Hookers
Coles
Taylor
Elliott

6 Props
Tu’ungafasi
O Franks
Moody
Faumuina
Crockett
Hohneck

4 locks
Retallick
Whitelock
Romano
Tuipolotu

6 loosies
Kaino
Cane
Read
Luatua
A. Savea
Dixon

3 half backs
Smith
Weber
Perenara

3 1st 5/8
Cruden
Barrett
Sopoaga

4 mid-field
Ngatai
Fekitoa
Crotty
Moala

6 back three
J Savea
B Smith
McKenzie
Dagg
Naholo
Li

There is no way Shag wants to be responsible for losing our spotless home record against the Village Idiots. I don’t think we will see many bolters or “development” selections.

Hookers basically pick themselves. Elliott is a steady third option.

Loosehead is pretty open – there’s no outstanding candidate. Moody is perhaps better on the bench due to versatility. Crockett has had enough chances without ever appearing to be up to becoming a true frontline All Black so I’d give Tu’ungafasi a shot based on form, with Crockett in the squad as plan B.

Tighthead – O for Awesome Franks, no contest. Faumuina’s work in the loose is pretty phenomenal. Hohneck is a bit of a development pick but To’omaga-Allan has had his chances and not taken them.

Locks – the starting two go without saying as the best pairing in international rugby. I think Shag will show loyalty to Romano but Tuipulotu, Bekhuis and even Blade Thomson are putting their hands up. Bird might suffer from being part of a recently poor Chiefs pack.

Loosies – Again, the real story is in the non-starting players. I’d say Ardie has had the quiet nod before pulling out of the 7s. Vito will be on the outer having signed overseas. Specialist 8 cover won’t be likely hence Luatua.

Half backs – no real argument, surely? Hall isn’t there yet and Ellis is yesterday’s man (first name on the injury back-up list though).

1st 5/8 – Cruden is the incumbent. I don’t think we will see him and Sopoaga in the same match-day 23. Hansen has been pretty clear that he likes a 1st five/FB on the bench like Barrett. Lima will be the back up starting 1st 5/8. McKenzie (named in back 3) is the back up versatile bench player. Ihaia West has picked a poor time to exist (where are his grandparents from?)

Mid-field – a new era. Fekitoa has been earmarked for a while and Ngatai’s form demands inclusion given the absence of clearly superior alternatives on either class or form. Crotty is uninspiring but necessary to have experience on the bench in case the wheels get a bit wobbly. The fourth spot is wide open – Tamanivalu or Fonotia could just as easily get the nod.

Back three – a tricky exercise in discarding talent and achieving balance. There will be room for only two “size and power” wings in the wider squad. Savea obviously, and Naholo is in better form than Patrick Osborne although both could do the job. With Milner-Skudder out, a more agile player is needed on he other wing and Ben Smith is the obvious candidate, thus making room for the one true bolter, Damian McKenzie, at full back. We then need two back-up FB/wingers. Dagg is a safe choice (Jane hasn’t quite shown he’s back at his best) which leaves one “form” pick. Lowe has been great for the Chiefs but I just get the sense that he’s not test class. McNicholl has done a job but has sealed his fate by signing overseas. That really only leaves Tevita Li who has some real touches of class but hasn’t yet put it all together.

*He might not, given the various players able to cover two or more of 1st five/FB/wing or loose forward/lock

So I wasn't too far off.

Harris instead of Elliott as 3rd hooker.

Only 5 props named. I was right about the LH trio, but Tu'ungafasi will cover TH as we'll so Hohneck doesn't get his shot.

4 from 4 locks.

Only 1 loosies pick wrong - Squire picked where I'd got Luatua.

Half backs: TKB is called up despite not bring back from injury, no third player at all. I'm a bit surprised that Perenara and Webber were overlooked.

Bang on with my 10 pics.

The mid-field is much as I predicted. Tamanivalu is in over Moala, but I did note he was also on the fringes.

I predicted Dagg's come back, along with the selection of Naholo and McKenzie.

[cashead]

I think TKB is once again the only real genuine surprise, much like his call-up to the World Cup, where he had just come back from an injury lay-off - something which sounds awfully familiar today.

Harris is probably the long-term option, largely due to his relative youngness, but 3rd hooker appears to be largely a crapshoot, with no real explicit strategy in selection, other than the selection of Coles.

Tu'ungafasi is someone that the selectors are clearly interested in, and he has looked much, much better at 3 which is the position he has had more experience with. His struggles at scrumtime have generally come when he was played at 1, and has looked much steadier when he's had the chance to fill in at 3.

[cashead]

Who wants to bet that Wales will lose, like, half their team due to their game against England? Sam Warburton already has an injury cloud hovering over him and he hasn't even played yet!

[morepork]

Who wants to bet that Wales will lose, like, half their team due to their game against England? Sam Warburton already has an injury cloud hovering over him and he hasn't even played yet!

No casualties, but very, very robotic. They'll knock heads all day but their template is paint by numbers. Look for Wawwen to give a few defensive post-game interviews.

[Len]

Who wants to bet that Wales will lose, like, half their team due to their game against England? Sam Warburton already has an injury cloud hovering over him and he hasn't even played yet!

No casualties, but very, very robotic. They'll knock heads all day but their template is paint by numbers. Look for Wawwen to give a few defensive post-game interviews.

I remember him bleating on about the ref last time he was over in 2010. Bless his wee heart. He has that pained sulky look on his face when hes upset. Makes me laugh.