The First Test

[Eugene Wrayburn]

New Zealand team to face Wales: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Seta Tamanivalu.

Good luck. I suspect you'll need it.

[Lizard]

Wales:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Reserves: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

[Sandydragon]

Wales:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Reserves: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Rob Evans seen as providing more impact than Gethin, whose poaching skill are better starting? No Charteris, but he joined the squad late.

Glad that Scott Williams is on the bench, Anscombe and Priestland together are pointless. Also good to see Ken Owens back.

Probably our strongest team given injuries etc. Let's hope they have actually done some rugby training in the last fortnight and turn up to play. I'm still not expecting a win, but at least a good performance and close ish score would be something.

[WaspInWales]

Reasons to be cheerful...

You have a backrow that can compete with any/most others.

You have excellent half backs. They didn't have the best performance last time out but Biggar and Webb can perform well together.

More than decent pack.

Mixture of powerful and fast runners in the backs.

The Welsh backs do have the ability to mix it up. It doesn't happen all that often though...usually backs against the wall stuff but what better time than 16 points down against NZ with 5 minutes left on the clock? Two converted tries and a cheeky drop goal from 40m to seal the win!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Reasons to be cheerful...

You have a backrow that can compete with any/most others.

You have excellent half backs. They didn't have the best performance last time out but Biggar and Webb can perform well together.

More than decent pack.

Mixture of powerful and fast runners in the backs.

The Welsh backs do have the ability to mix it up. It doesn't happen all that often though...usually backs against the wall stuff but what better time than 16 points down against NZ with 5 minutes left on the clock? Two converted tries and a cheeky drop goal from 40m to seal the win!

I fear that the last 5 minutes is much more likely to see a try fest by NZ against a beaten Wales.

I expect we'll try to keep it tight - with deep regret I say that our only realistic hope (with this coach) is that our defence returns to form (and then some) and we make this an 80-minute arm-wrestle, but the lack of Lydiate makes that more difficult. Running rugby is just not something we excel at anymore (with this f***ing coach), and I expect most attempts to do this will end in mistakes, turnovers and runaway NZ tries.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Wales:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Reserves: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Rob Evans seen as providing more impact than Gethin, whose poaching skill are better starting? No Charteris, but he joined the squad late.

Glad that Scott Williams is on the bench, Anscombe and Priestland together are pointless. Also good to see Ken Owens back.

Probably our strongest team given injuries etc. Let's hope they have actually done some rugby training in the last fortnight and turn up to play. I'm still not expecting a win, but at least a good performance and close ish score would be something.

Surprised to see Priestland dropped for Anscombe (perhaps his NZ background clinches this) but it never made any sense to have both of them. Great to see Owens at 2. Would have started Scott, not Foxy - probably the only change I'd make. Pretty much as good a team as we have available. They "just" need to play like maniacs for 80 minutes.

[Lizard]

I don't known if it helps but the weather in Auckland has been shit lately. So windy I struggled to open my car door this morning (2 storeys up, right by the harbour, mind) and wet. I don't think it will last but when it's not wet, it's cold. With a 7.30 kick off, it will be damp either from rain or heavy dew.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I don't known if it helps but the weather in Auckland has been shit lately. So windy I struggled to open my car door this morning (2 storeys up, right by the harbour, mind) and wet. I don't think it will last but when it's not wet, it's cold. With a 7.30 kick off, it will be damp either from rain or heavy dew.

Anything that might mix things up will help us IMO, so let the weather be as shit as possible.

[Sandydragon]

Cr*p weather, food poisoning, CIA mind control, I don't think we are in a position to be fussy, we need all the help we can get!

[Sandydragon]

Wales:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Reserves: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

Rob Evans seen as providing more impact than Gethin, whose poaching skill are better starting? No Charteris, but he joined the squad late.

Glad that Scott Williams is on the bench, Anscombe and Priestland together are pointless. Also good to see Ken Owens back.

Probably our strongest team given injuries etc. Let's hope they have actually done some rugby training in the last fortnight and turn up to play. I'm still not expecting a win, but at least a good performance and close ish score would be something.

Surprised to see Priestland dropped for Anscombe (perhaps his NZ background clinches this) but it never made any sense to have both of them. Great to see Owens at 2. Would have started Scott, not Foxy - probably the only change I'd make. Pretty much as good a team as we have available. They "just" need to play like maniacs for 80 minutes.

I think Scott has a lot to offer, but Im assuming that Foxy's greater game time this year counted in his favour.

[Lizard]

Here, would one of you boys please pop over to the match thread in the SHMB and list your side by nickname? Some of our lot are only exposed to Welsh rugby through RR and thus have never heard any of your players actual names before (except for Anscombe, seeing as how you pinched him us, see?)

Thanks

[bruce]

New Zealand team to face Wales: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Seta Tamanivalu.

Good luck. I suspect you'll need it.

Looks weak.

[bruce]

Wales:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Reserves: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

As much as I like Melon, he just can't scrummage anymore. I'm surprised by his pick over Evans who was probably our only shining light against England.

[Numbers]

One saving grace is that Wayne Barnes is the referee which means we should be able to pass the ball forward as much as we like

[jared_7]

One saving grace is that Wayne Barnes is the referee which means we should be able to pass the ball forward as much as we like

Depends on what way the wind is blowing, he seemingly chooses a different aspect to completely overlook on a game by game basis.

[Lizard]

One saving grace is that Wayne Barnes is the referee which means we should be able to pass the ball forward as much as we like

Fuck. Is he? Why?

I shall take my binoculars to EP to make sure I don't miss any detail of the scrum resets then.

[Sandydragon]

Im spending another 7 quid to watch this live, the performance needs to be a 100 times better than against England to make that worthwhile.

[Lizard]

Well it's dawned fine and clear here. No rain or significant cloud forecast.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Well it's dawned fine and clear here. No rain or significant cloud forecast.

It's a stitch up, from the start.

[Lizard]

I hope the All Blacks are more accurate than the New Zealand Meteorological Service. It's fwckin' raining.

[Graigwen]

I am very gloomy. We seem to have gone into a year long state of mental exhaustion.

Team on paper is not bad, but they have collectively lost the ability to think on the pitch, not the best position to be in against the All Blacks!

As Carwyn said "Think, think, think. Its a thinking game."

[UKHamlet]

I hope the All Blacks are more accurate than the New Zealand Meteorological Service. It's fwckin' raining.

I though it always rained in NZ.

Here we go. Teams lined up for the anthems. Welsh boys look nervous.

[UKHamlet]

Fewer histrionics in the Haka. I approve of this trend.

[Mellsblue]

NZ win the battle of the singers. Ding dong.

[UKHamlet]

Barnes is already being pedantic.