NZ vs Wales - June 2016

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

that is kinda nit picking with Mckenzie I guess its natural to do that when considering how he will go at the next level. The whole chiefs backline doesn't look as good when Ngatai isn't there but the same can be said about a lot of other players and setups in other teams around key players. When the chiefs have been at their best this season hes really been the combinatin of Cruden, Ngatai and McKenzie working together. I think if you would have taken any one of those guys out things would have broken down. Do we really know how good Sapoaga is? I mean he plays the vast majority of his rugby outside the best halfback in the world... Kinda gives him an unfair advantage over the other 10's...

Mckenzie is very good in those broken play situations, quick turnovers, fractured defenses, when gaps open up he will run riot. But it wont always be his job to create those situations, that's a team effort. Yes the opportunities wont come as often at test level. But when the do come they mean a lot more. So even if he creates just 1-2 big moments in a game where some games at super level he seems to create them constantly. He will still be a success, importantly while he still has some things to work on hes a very good tackler, kicker and under the high ball. So he has the skillset to go with the attacking game he has.

Maybe its worth looking at McKenzie as a combination player. I think some players you kinda need to select players around them specifically to help take advantage of their strengths and/or help protect their weaknesses. It may not always be the case, it is early days for him.

He would still be playing outside the best half back in the world for the ABs, and has a better partnership with him than the other 2 do. IMO Barrett has no chance of starting, he'll always be kept as an impact sub with Crudes or Sopoaga as a starter. I'd go with Sopoaga, I think he's been playing better and as I previously said, has a strong partnership with Smith. He's also stronger defensively in the 10 channel due to his extra size and strength, yet can still match and I would say beat Cruden skill wise. Cruden does have more experience though so it's going to be very interesting seeing who Hansen opts for.

Going back to what I said about Barrett, he's who Mackenzie needs to compete with. I can't see Mackenzie starting for quite a while so his best bet is to compete with Barrett as a 10/15 impact sub.

 

[Ludders93]

I think this first test could be closer than people are thinking.

Wales are pretty much at full strength and New Zealand often start the year quite slowly. (Samoa last year, England 2014) etc

The bookies are making New Zealand 20 point favourites. That's about 7 points too many in my view.

Dan Biggar will kick penalties to keep the game close and even though New Zealand will end up winning the game, and probably outscore Wales by 3 or 4 tries to 1, but the game will end up being something like 33-18 to New Zealand. Good weather I see forecasted. I also hope Cruden starts if I bet on Wales covering the spread because his goal-kicking is awful.

L

 

[MikeTheNative]

I think this first test could be closer than people are thinking.

Wales are pretty much at full strength and New Zealand often start the year quite slowly. (Samoa last year, England 2014) etc

The bookies are making New Zealand 20 point favourites. That's about 7 points too many in my view.

Dan Biggar will kick penalties to keep the game close and even though New Zealand will end up winning the game, and probably outscore Wales by 3 or 4 tries to 1, but the game will end up being something like 33-18 to New Zealand. Good weather I see forecasted. I also hope Cruden starts if I bet on Wales covering the spread because his goal-kicking is awful.

L

I had reasonable confidence that Wales could get close in the first test but that game against England is the worst I've seen them play in a while. But Wales never seem to turn up at the first game so hopefully they will have got their act together by the weekend or it could be a massacre.

 

[Jimbo87]

I had reasonable confidence that Wales could get close in the first test but that game against England is the worst I've seen them play in a while. But Wales never seem to turn up at the first game so hopefully they will have got their act together by the weekend or it could be a massacre.

Unless Wales pull out a miracle based on the last game against England the chances of them winning are about as high as the ankle socks of a particularly small beetle.

 

[nickdnz]

I'd go with Sopoaga, I think he's been playing better and as I previously said, has a strong partnership with Smith. He's also stronger defensively in the 10 channel due to his extra size and strength, yet can still match and I would say beat Cruden skill wise. Cruden does have more experience though so it's going to be very interesting seeing who Hansen opts for.

I disagree with most of this. Cruden has played pretty much as often with Aaron Smith for Manawatu and the ABs as Sopoaga. I think Cruden is more skillful and has better management. Sopoaga has a better long kicking game and goal kicking game - but thats about it.