All Blacks team for Bledisloe 1 announced: Barrett given the nod at fly-half

Can't believe it. I have never written anything on any site and now feel compelled to comment for the second time in two days. Must be approaching senility. Nathan Grey - in his day a master tackler - has the gall to say the Wallas tackling woes are easily fixable (hear the thumb click?). If so simple, would it not have been an idea to rectify it BEFORE the most crucial match in the 3 match series between us and them rather than after it? In a game we had an outside chance of winning? The ABs are always trying to win by a margin but on the weekend we were trying not to lose. By too much apparently. I feel sorry for Cheika, as at his best he is a great coach, but he seems to be missing something in what's happening. There's 160 minutes and 15 seconds to go in this series and he needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat. An elephant sized one. Well, there's an elephant in the room now so how can he possibly continue to say Full back is the place for Israel when he was the only Aussie who looked capable of scoring (well done to Phipps though as he has now turned into the kid of player they need) - maybe if you're experimenting during a Waratahs season. It's backs to the wall, so to speak but for the forwards as well. If - Lord forbid -I were coach for a day and the next game, I would suspend 10 of the weekend's team for two months and promote the bravest fifteen players from our Super Rugby sides and two Boomers for the line out (and the Melbourne halfback and their center and three of their forwards, as they never seem to quit. Not ever. Couldn't give a toss if we lose the next match, as long as it's an 80 minute true contest. I hope they manage to come back strongly. I hope it for them as individuals and the team. Redemption is another dish best served cold. I very much hope All Wallabies players should be getting sprint training are re learning catching and passing 101 from watching Thurston, films of K Cathpole's matches, or the Ellas. And the key to being a strong forward is clearly not based on being built like a giant sock filled with coconut sized wallnuts. Maybe wrestling and working a couple of days a week carrying heavy beer barrels into pubs - the way terrific old school players did - wouldn't hurt either. Maybe an Aussie Rules coach could add to high ball catching skills and kicking (I hope the new slkillsguy can do it) . Bit also WHY have we still not get a kicker who can get even 7 out of ten, when all the other world teams have one who can drill 9 out of ten? We have a comparatively small pool of players against most of the best teams so we must vastly improve the skills as well as recruit from other sports the way the Women's Sevens did. Athletics achievers such as 60 metre, 100 and 200 metre sprinters, discus throwers, hurdlers and an occasional water polo player who can run might be worth a shot. And along with the best Sevens players, pay Andrew Bogut handsomely for a few AB Tests in the line outs. Just a thought.. In days of yore many excellent players only got one or three games for the Wallabies in a lifetime and blessed their luck - including the odd journo - such was the competition. Now it sometimes seems have more job security than bouncing in the Cross. Some players now seem to see it it as a job where you just play okay and collect your Moet and Jag allowance each week. Where is the competition required...yeah, yeah, I'll shut the heck up now and go back to my dominoes game

BB rocks....solid,smart, classy and super fast.....love his skills. I would have gone off if he wasn't 10

Nice

What the hell! Sam Cane....is no match for Ardie Savea.....he has no self control, has no attributes similar to Richie and should not even be considered for captain! Kieran and Ben Smith ....2 true leaders with intelligence, adaptability and lead by example, either would be honourable captains. Ardie plays full 80 at 100% + a calm disposition but driven, covers all the play, committed to every tackle!...Sam Cane lack lustre can't live up to the hype,cracks under pressure.....why is he even there?

Nathan Harris is out injured, so Codie Taylor starts and Dane Cole is on the bench!! This has just squeezed things up a bit tighter!!

Im not exactly sure what you think happened in the 2nd half of the season for the Saders but it wasnt as bad as what happened to the Brumbies, Tahs, Rebels, Force or Reds mate.

So when J.Savea started twice against Wales and Dagg started all 3, that didnt make you question that theory?

Well its because Dagg and Smith are both great players. It has nothimg to do with Saveas form.

I think the Wallabieshave a real chance if they play the right sort of game in front of a home crowd. The ABs have once again a large concentration of Crusaders and given their performance in the second half of the Super Series, could be the ABs weakness.

I think its more that Savea is not inform. If he was, then Ben Smith would move to Full Back, and Dagg would be out of the starting 23.

I'll be honest, I don't see why Ben Smith has been pushed back to the wing. I think Smith has been in at least equal form to Dagg all year, and in my opinion has played better. Just don't get it as Smith's full range of skills aren't fully utilised on the wing. Ah well. Otherwise pretty expected picks other than Hames on the pine.

Reward for solid season and showing he has matured into a top FH. After the Wales test series and winning the SR , BB must be super confident in himself to perform and that new found confidence must have impressed the selectors.

Stoked to see BBBBB get the start at 10!! Go Black!!!