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Well what a turnaround from last week. I thought Wallabies tactics were strange considering the conditions. When I heard Wallabies had won the toss and were kicking off I was sure they would kick deep in the wet. Nope - tried to go short. The move that resulted in the opening try was risky...

D'Angelo Leuila. He's played premier club rugby in Auckland for a few years for Papatoetoe. He's been capped by Samoa. He really did have a terrific game. Sotutu again impressive at 8 - he is some athlete.

Hemopo is a bit short for an international lock but his workrate is exceptional - sort of a lock/6 tweener - good bench option. Tuipulotu has never really delivered on his promise - huge unit with great ability but has been inconsistent throughout his test career - his form with the Blues this...

That's a very beatable All Black team. This shapes up to be a classic.

Congratulations you Wallaby fans. You deserve to celebrate. What a dominant performance. Score reflected the game. Your forwards bashed the ABs and the backs did their part too. As for the ABs they have been on a downward slide for a while. The last 12 months they are an average footy team...

It's got nothing to do with Auckland v Canterbury - I was just using examples of players they either haven't tried or tried and discarded. Heck Grant Fox is an AB selector and he has made some weird calls - trying to make Dmac a 10 and selecting Brett Cameron for example! The recent record of...

Papalii is taller than both Messam and Jerry Collins (and Jacobson for that matter) so i'm not sure how he stuffs up the AB lineout. Saying Luatua was always going is pure conjecture - he only left after being constantly overlooked for the very average Elliot Dixon. Shields turned it down after...

I certainly would not be praising the AB selectors and their handling of the 6 jersey. Over the last few years here's a rundown of the 6 jersey - tried Dixon and preferred him ahead of Luatua despite no test form to show of and ended up failing - never give Luatua another proper go at the 6...

I think he has been playing 7s and club rugby in the Waikato.

Yeah Olmstead's ability to play lock would have been bloody handy with Scrafton (jaw injury), Lemalu and Fatialofa all missing from last year's squad. However, Auckland look to be bloody well covered at 6 with Papalii, Reidlinger-Kapa and Suafoa all highly rated in that area.

Auckland squad named. Very strong on loose forwards - look a bit weak on locks with Scrafton currently injured. Robbie Abel (College Rifles) Leni Apisai (Loaned) Michael Lea (Marist) Jarred Adams (Suburbs) Rob Cobb (Ponsonby) Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby) Alex Hodgman (Suburbs) Taniela Koroi...

Why is that? Ardie at 8 with Read at 6 works for me.

Jacobson needs to be the starting 6. They see Hemopo as a lock. Barrett with play lock with Brodie out. Claiming Jacobson is too green is garbage - Fifita is clearly not up to it at 6 so any 'experience' he has is not valuable. Jacobson is the form 6 in NZ and played well off the bench in...

Yes. Should have happened well before now. Glad it is finally happening.

Hansen has made it pretty clear the focus this year is RWC and Bledisloe - that means the other games will be used for experimentation. I don't think the calls are that brave in the starting XV - much rather have Beaudie at 15 than Jordie in the back 3. Fifita and Papalii on the bench is where...

That's a huge call on Todd. Quality player but 3rd best 7 behind Cane and Savea who both showed more surrounded by less in Super Rugby this year.

I'd prefer to have Perenara vs the Boks. Also your proposed loose forward trio is missing 2 x lineout options from the leaked team above.

Supposedly this is the AB team Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo'unga, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (c), Matt Todd, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi...

the last test the All Blacks played Jordie started on the wing and scored 4 tries....

Beaudie 10 Plummer 12 Perofeta 15. That will work. Beaudie is not a silver bullet signing but it's a good signing.