All Blacks unveil team for Bledisloe Cup opener

Possibly with 4 years under his belt he could have, a very different 13 to Conrad in that back line Carter would then be come the defensive organizer. It will be interesting if he can pick up 12 from where he left off might take a few months.

Geeeez the depth is as always just incredible. When Izzy Dagg and Messam can't make the team that says it all. Both guys would walk into any other International team. A very strong and settled lineup. The Wallabies are up against it, they will need to play like men possessed to have a chance.

Good luck with that bet... (not too much luck though!)

Agree with all of that. Piutua I think is destined to greater achievements, just a dynamic young player. Dagg has been great and has had a couple of stellar years with the AB's but IMO Christian Cullen was much more dynamic in everything other than a big punt and regretfully I see Ben Smith in the same mould as Cullen

I don't disagree Kuruki, there is no room for a specialist Fullback on the bench, if Dagg is not in the starting side he will not be in the squad! I'm not sure that he is finished just yet though!

I guess the point I was making is actually not kicking to Folau but kicking away from Folau to run him around?

Most sides now generally try to exit their own 22 by kicks. Aaron Smith des have a good box kick but please not on defence. With Carter out I am 'a little' concerned about the ability to clear the danger zone with distance. Cruden can kick but Dagg was the more prolific. Barrett, assuming he comes on is hot and cold on his clearing kicks but these guys know what they are capable of...... and daresay their shortcomings.

He actually unseated Nonu last time, not many people remember that. He didn't do it in the WC but he did become the first choice 12. If there is one person that can get SBW into a regular role at the WC it's a little guy called Aaron Cruden and if they can take the Chiefs to another title next season then that combination could be a bit of xfactor Hansen might not be able to resist even if SBW comes from the bench. Carter imo has come to an end, his mind is still hungry his body is broken.

The thing i like about Fekitoa is he is not a guy who has to do a miracle play everytime he touches the ball, he just does his basics well and doesn't mind tucking the ball and running hard at the line to build phase, he doesn't make to many errors and for me that suits test rugby. You know he has a couple of big runs in him and sometimes that's all it takes to turn a test match. Guys who try miracle plays all the time lose you as many tests as they win.

Why would you want to kick to Folau?? The All Blacks have the better back three of the two teams, they will be running and contesting high balls all day. There will be no territory game.

Before injury Cory Jane was one of the best All Blacks, and was easily the best right wing in the world. He showed a return to that form in the last England test and Hansen wants to see if he can back that up and return to where he was pre injury. If he does that, Dagg will struggle to feature in a major way before the World cup imo. Piutau offers more punch then Dagg from the bench. There is no room for a specialist fullback on the bench when Hansen and co seem intent on developing Fekitoa and Barret being the super sub of our side i can't see Dagg getting many chances at all even off the bench.

I'm actually happy they have both missed out. Dagg has been below his best for a few years. Messam was outstanding last year but he has dropped back into his old ways and become a bit loose again. Imo he had a very average season for the Chiefs along with Cane.

Smith and Nonu are vulnerable if they are continually pressured and forwards are going backwards . This ain't going to happen. Kepu , Charles, Simmons , Beale, Horne and Folau( I'm a huge fan) are going to get seriously shown up this weekend. It will be over by halftime . The Boks tight 5 will show the way how the wallabies can beat the abs. The blacks are vulnerable but you need the power and Oz does not have it . Even Hooper may get shown up , again a huge fan. We have Palu and Slipper as dominant ball carriers and Carter to a degree, not enough firepower.

I don't think the All Blacks have been relying on Daggs boot that often to be honest, they seem more interested in putting in those contestable high bombs rather then clearing for territory. Aaron Smith has a good box kick and Ben Smith can kick a ball well enough.

Fekitoa is a dynamic runner and tackler, Conrad Smith makes our outside backs the best in the world. Conrad is still the number 1.

That's why he should have been pulling finger during Super rugby instead of coasting through most of the past few seasons. Ben Smith has been a better performer for two years straight at all levels and has just only now unseated Dagg. I personally don't feel the need to rush Dagg in for a second chance anytime soon he doesn't deserve it imo Ben Smith is clearly the better performer.

was there much evidence sbw could be a top 13 (besides his play at 12)?

he also finds it around halfway more often than not. he falls down in the accurate up and under though which i'm not too worried about as i think its an overused tactic and im happy for him to run more often

I am a wallaby supporter, just put a lazy$100 at $6.25. Too many ifs for wallabies and unknowns and inexperience. It will be a record score

Or old enough