Comparisons with ford are frankly an insult to henry, he is that far ahead.

Weird thing to say seeing as you’re the one who made the comparison.

Did you see the prem final then?

Oh the irony.

England are dull and predictable with Farrell at 10, he had a good run but its my view we’ll never win anything of substance with him at 10. Same as Catt really, quality club 10 but not an International. It was much better when he moved to the centre.

I don’t think Farrell is a world class 10. He is a world class **** though.

Being highly effective at club level doesn’t mean he can be the same at international level. He has improved, no doubt, and his goal kicking is top notch. Ultimately though, he plays by numbers. There’s nothing off the cuff.

It’ll be interesting to see if Jones picks him at 10. He’s gone with Ford thus far but that goal kicking might just get him the nod.

All was saying was that Slade cracked under the pressure of the premiership final, so to put him in an international squad seems rather premature. Hopefully it’ll bring out the best in him, but I have my doubts.

All Blacks squad to face Wales:
Forwards
Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington, 36 Tests)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, four Tests)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty, two Tests)
Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 45 Tests)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 33 Tests)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, 78 Tests)
Joe Moody (Canterbury, 11 Tests)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland, new cap)
Locks
Brodie Retallick (Hawke’s Bay, 47 Tests)
Luke Romano (Canterbury, 22 Tests)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland, seven Tests)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 73 Tests)
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 31 Tests)
Elliot Dixon (Southland, new cap)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 67 Tests)
Kieran Read, captain (Canterbury, 84 Tests)
Ardie Savea (Wellington, new cap)
Liam Squire (Tasman, new cap)
Backs
Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato, 20 Tests)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 47 Tests)
First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 36 Tests)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 37 Tests)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland, one Test)
Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 15 Tests)
Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland, 13 Tests)
Charlie Ngatai (Taranaki, one Test)
Seta Tamanivalu (Taranaki, new cap)
Outside backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay, 49 Tests)
Damian McKenzie (Waikato, new cap)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, three Tests)
Julian Savea (Wellington, 41 Tests)
Ben Smith (Otago, 48 Tests)

Looks a handy squad.

Good to see Israel Dagg back. Tu’ungafasi was a bit of a surprise but he can play both sides. The loose forwards have a mix of world-class experience and rookies but the two Highlanders, Dixon and Squire, have earned their spots. Only 2 scrum halves, I’d like to have seen Brad Weber but I’m sure he’ll get in at some point. The centres lack experience but not talent plus SBW has signed a 3yr deal with the NZRFU so he’ll be back after Rio.

Yes, it’ll be Barrett and Cruden. Both awesome 10s. Nz have such riches at 9 and 10, they could ‘ve picked any of about 5 10s.

Cruden will be at 10 despite his less than brilliant place kicking.

Barrett is too handy on the bench as he can cover 15 as well.

Ngatai has been missing with concussion which might delay his selection. Crotty would be the “safe” option at 12 as the glue that holds the rest together.

They seem to see McKenzie as the long term future at 10 but he turned down a move to the Blues which would have seen him get time at fly-half rather than stay at 15 for the Chiefs with Cruden at 10.

Once Milner-Skudder and SBW return it begins to look like a half-decent side….

Jamba – what about Cipriani?

You didn’t mention him. 😉

Once Milner-Skudder and SBW return it begins to look like a half-decent side….

Yeah, but shit til then eh 😆

Jamba- I realise all that, but I was merely commenting.. actually, yours is the normal response to my post, not the ‘stamp stamp no he’s brilliant its GEORGE FORD who’s rubbish!!’ BiZarreness which followed originally…

Yep. Not going well for Ford. Kicking-wise especially. Did you think I’d disagree or something?

It’s written all over his face too.. he looks stressed.

Don’t think we have a 10 on the bench.

Biggar needs to shut the f@@k up too. He is always gobbling off to refs. I’d give him a 3 week rest until he learns IMHO.

I’d far rather have Farrell & Slade than him. With all the Sarries/Chiefs missing we are in a good place.

Forwards are going ok.
Dunno how Biggar survived that head clash with North when Watson scored!

Was just about to type – Yarde’s looking good… 🙂

So it’s more than Wales’ total score squandered from Ford’s boot ? 😆
(Or was it already?)

Agreed -too often that kind of thing is let go as a try is scored.

Fear for Wales next month…

Well said, Sir Clive!

Always good to beat the best team in the NH

Even if we needed a knock on to cover for a poor #10 😉

Any major injuries from either side?

Wales are still a good side. It’s a tough ask though, 3 tests in NZ.