New Zealand v Wales, 11 June

        
NEW ZEALAND v WALES
11 June 2016
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Eden Park, Auckland

Live on [tbc]

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

30 Played 30
27 Won 3
0 Drawn 0
3 Lost 27
916 Points 307

B. Recent Form

22 November 2014 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 16 – 34 to New Zealand

24 November 2012 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 10 – 33 to New Zealand

27 November 2010 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 25 – 37 to New Zealand

26 June 2010 - Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: 29 – 10 to New Zealand

19 June 2010 - Carisbrook, Dunedin: 42 – 9 to New Zealand

7 November 2009 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 12 – 19 to New Zealand

C. Teams

NEW ZEALAND

01. Joe Moody
02. Dane Coles
03. Owen Franks
04. Luke Romano
05. Brodie Retallick
06. Jerome Kaino
07. Sam Cane
08. Kieran Read – captain

09. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith

16. Nathan Harris
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Ardie Savea
21. TJ Perenara
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Seta Tamanivalu

WALES

01.Gethin Jenkins
02.Ken Owens
03.Samson Lee
04.Bradley Davies
05.Alun Wyn Jones
06.Ross Moriarty
07.Sam Warburton (captain)
08.Taulupe Faletau

09.Rhys Webb
10.Dan Biggar
11.Hallam Amos,
12.Jamie Roberts
13.Jonathan Davies
14.George North
15.Liam Williams.

16.Scott Baldwin
17.Rob Evans
18.Tomas Francis
19.Jake Ball
20.Ellis Jenkins
21.Gareth Davies
22.Gareth Anscombe
23.Scott Williams

I see:

1 Close game as both teams gel

1 drubbing as the AB's click

1 Intense game as Wales salvage some pride

The same as any one else who tours there.

For the first test I would hope to see Evans, Owens, Lee, Ball, Charteris, Moriarty, Jenkins, Faletau, Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, Williams, Amos, Williams.
Baldwin, Jenkins, Francis, AWJ, Warburton, Davies, Anscombe, JD2.

Both our hookers are 40 minute men. Good for 40 minutes, poor for 40 minutes. Anscombe should start really but he never has done so why now?

Where would you start Anscombe?

Ay fly-half. On form he deserves a shot at it. Biggar has got worse as the season wore on, that miss to touch on sunday summed it up. It will be Priestland as 10 cover knowing Gatland.

NZ by 40+

I 'm guessing first AB's test team will look something like:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Luke Romano
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Julian Savea
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith

16. Charlie Faumuina
17. Codie Taylor
18. Joe Moody
19. Elliot Dixon
20. Ardie Savea
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Seta Tamanivalu

Pretty conservative, but likely given the loss of 7 players from last year.

On their day Wales could cause an upset.

Wow - that recent history list is pretty sobering.  Remember the 2009 game being a cracker though.  Was that the one where a young AWJ tripped up a NZ player and got binned?  Really felt we had a chance to win that one.

Dunno - I think Wales either need to execute Warren-ball *perfectly* or we need a shake-up in certain positions to freshen things up a little.  I think the Biggar/Webb combo has stagnated a little and maybe it's time to give RP a chance to start as (has been stated many times) he seems to get the backs involved a lot more.  Don't know what his kicking percentage is of late though, so may be a risk with HP still out.

Hoping we will look a better outfit with players like Foxy, Francis & Charteris coming back into the team.  Also players coming back from injury like AWJ and Scott Williams will only get better as the series goes on and they get more game time.

Maybe time to give Ken Owens a crack at a start too as Baldwin has been average at best for a good few games now.

North needs more ball.

Not expecting Wales to win a single test, so hoping they just get out there and play some decent rugby like they have nothing to lose, and then who knows..?  

Whoever suggest Priestland should start clearly doesn't watch rugby.

mikey_dragon wrote:For the first test I would hope to see Evans, Owens, Lee, Ball, Charteris, Moriarty, Jenkins, Faletau, Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, Williams, Amos, Williams.
Baldwin, Jenkins, Francis, AWJ, Warburton, Davies, Anscombe, JD2.

Both our hookers are 40 minute men. Good for 40 minutes, poor for 40 minutes. Anscombe should start really but he never has done so why now?

MD,

We may have had our disagreements over North but I' agree with that and also about Anscombe. Unfortunately we also know that AWJ and Warburton will pretty much start.

Will JD be there I heard Clermont aren't releasing him in time as Gatland has said anyone who will be involbed in the first test must be in NZ by Monday and Clermont are playing Sunday.

Cant wait for the 11 th of June.

Wales have never beaten the All Blacks on Eden Park, in fact Wales havent played the ABs in Auckland for nearly 30 years. but come 7:30pm 11 June 2016 history counts for nothing.

mikey_dragon wrote:Whoever suggest Priestland should start clearly doesn't watch rugby.

2@

GavCanDance wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Whoever suggest Priestland should start clearly doesn't watch rugby.

2@

With a name like GavCanDance and witty comments like this I bet you're a big hit on other forums. Go watch some rugby, and then come back to us with some informed comments.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:For the first test I would hope to see Evans, Owens, Lee, Ball, Charteris, Moriarty, Jenkins, Faletau, Webb, Biggar, North, Roberts, Williams, Amos, Williams.
Baldwin, Jenkins, Francis, AWJ, Warburton, Davies, Anscombe, JD2.

Both our hookers are 40 minute men. Good for 40 minutes, poor for 40 minutes. Anscombe should start really but he never has done so why now?

MD,

We may have had our disagreements over North but I' agree with that and also about Anscombe.  Unfortunately we also know that AWJ and Warburton will pretty much start.

Will JD be there I heard Clermont aren't releasing him in time as Gatland has said anyone who will be involbed in the first test must be in NZ by Monday and Clermont are playing Sunday.

I hadn't heard but it's probably also the reason why Charteris won't be playing. In that case I'd have Tyler Morgan on the bench, but it will probably be Priestland .

mikey_dragon wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Whoever suggest Priestland should start clearly doesn't watch rugby.

2@

With a name like GavCanDance and witty comments like this I bet you're a big hit on other forums. Go watch some rugby, and then come back to us with some informed comments.

This coming from the guy who is SUCH a big hit on THIS forum...

Really Mikey - think before you type occasionally. If Gatland WERE to start RP in one of the tests (and really - who's to say he won't?), would your advice to Gatland be to 'go and watch some rugby'? Really? You hear how silly that sounds yet?

BF - just read that Racing released Charteris for this 3 test tour. I'd still keep my starting team as it is.

GavCanDance wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

GavCanDance wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Whoever suggest Priestland should start clearly doesn't watch rugby.

2@

With a name like GavCanDance and witty comments like this I bet you're a big hit on other forums. Go watch some rugby, and then come back to us with some informed comments.

  This coming from the guy who is SUCH a big hit on THIS forum...  

Really Mikey - think before you type occasionally.  If Gatland WERE to start RP in one of the tests (and really - who's to say he won't?), would your advice to Gatland be to 'go and watch some rugby'?  Really?  You hear how silly that sounds yet?  

My advice would be exactly that. I'm not the only one at a loss as to why he's been selecting RP for the last 3 years.

When Biggar is on form it's easy to exclude Priestland from the fold. On Sunday's showing though it's a battle of mediocrity. Biggar had his worst day for Wales in a long time, if not ever. Seeing a 10 miss a kick to touch once in a blue moon is considered sloppy. Seeing one miss 2 or 3 in a row in the same fixture is nothing short of atrocious. Biggar really needs to address his own issues before taking it upon himself to shout at the officials.

I'm not saying throw Priestland in as a knee jerk reaction but between him and Biggar's current state we're totally fooked in NZ.

mikey_dragon wrote:BF - just read that Racing released Charteris for this 3 test tour. I'd still keep my starting team as it is.

MD,

Yeah read that but not heard anything on JD and know they are playing Sunday.

I didn't actually watch the England-Wales game. Now that some time has passed for that result to be digested, how gloomy are Wales fans really?

There is a recent pattern of the regional sides not setting the world on fire in the league but coming together really well for internationals. Will this continue?

George Carlin wrote:I didn't actually watch the England-Wales game. Now that some time has passed for that result to be digested, how gloomy are Wales fans really?

There is a recent pattern of the regional sides not setting the world on fire in the league but coming together really well for internationals. Will this continue?

Realistically that pattern can only go on for so long. With each country's club teams getting better we've seen an improvement in their national team. I'm still of the opinion that for us to improve the national team and its players then we need to drastically improve those regions. It just goes to show what a difficult job Gatland has - the fact that he said that the regions don't get the players up to a high enough playing level, and that Mark Hammett came over and said Cardiff were about 15 years behind NZ teams should have set the alarm bells ringing. It seems like the WRU are just continuing to bury heads in the sand...

I can't quite figure out why Wales fell apart against England, but I suppose it's better to do that now than in New Zealand... I would expect some sort of response from Wales.

I'd like to see Wales start with a back line of

9. Webb
10. Anscombe
11. Amos
12. Roberts
13. Davies
14. North
15. Morgan

Do you really want Matthew Morgan to be our last line of defence against the All Blacks at Eden Park?

No?

I have a feeling Wales may sneak either the first test or second test but the third test the AB's will run riot as only they can.

I would say that even if Biggar has not been playing at his best, he must start. Priestland is not a bad option to close out a match if Wales are leading but he is no starter.

billy that's a no brainer for me too. It's not ideal to hand Anscombe his first start at 10 against the All Blacks in Auckland, so it should be Biggar with Anscombe on the bench. Priestland shouldn't be near this squad.

I disagree there mikey, Priestland should get some game time. I don't think that he is that bad and he can close out tight matches. I would like to see Anscombe be given some game time as well though. Tough calls for Gatland.

Either Priestland or Anscombe will be on the bench along with Scott Williams, not both as we have had in previous matches. That is a good thing in my opinion.

eirebilly wrote:I disagree there mikey, Priestland should get some game time. I don't think that he is that bad and he can close out tight matches. I would like to see Anscombe be given some game time as well though. Tough calls for Gatland.

That comment just says to me you haven't really watched his whole career, the highs and lows (the lows are still ongoing). I wouldn't worry as you're not the only one, because when I often highlight the truth about RP I get attacked by Scarlet boys and then get told to remember the past games against England where he played well . Closing out tight matches is pretty wide of the mark, you need a fly-half with flawless execution for that. That hasn't been RP for years, however Anscombe has shown that precision this season and given the dip in form from Biggar it's the reason why folk want to see him start.

chris_501 wrote:Either Priestland or Anscombe will be on the bench along with Scott Williams, not both as we have had in previous matches. That is a good thing in my opinion.

That's how the bench should look yes but don't count your chickens just yet. It should be Anscombe and perhaps JD2 or Tyler Morgan on the bench for me.

mikey_dragon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I disagree there mikey, Priestland should get some game time. I don't think that he is that bad and he can close out tight matches. I would like to see Anscombe be given some game time as well though. Tough calls for Gatland.

That comment just says to me you haven't really watched his whole career, the highs and lows (the lows are still ongoing). I wouldn't worry as you're not the only one, because when I often highlight the truth about RP I get attacked by Scarlet boys and then get told to remember the past games against England where he played well . Closing out tight matches is pretty wide of the mark, you need a fly-half with flawless execution for that. That hasn't been RP for years, however Anscombe has shown that precision this season and given the dip in form from Biggar it's the reason why folk want to see him start.

As a neutral, I don't think that Priestland is as bad as you may think mikey. That said, he can be a one man demolition agent of his own teams with monumental brain farts. He is, as I said, not a starter but still a valuable member of the squad.

For me, Biggar is the number 1 but Anscombe is certainly pushing Priestland for the number 2 spot. If he gets game time against the AB's, he may just overtake Priestland...

Maybe you've read too much into what Jiffy says about the guy I don't know. If you don't take my word for it, billy, I suggest you ask a Bath fan for their input . Watching Anscombe this year he was what RP was like when he was good, except I think his (GA) passing and kicking is a bit better. In fact I don't think there are many superior distributors to Anscombe, certainly not in the Pro12 anyway. He's previously struggled with injuries but now he finally looks like a good international 10 in the making and worth his NDC.

Don't really pay too much notice of Jiffy. Pretty much make my mind up on what I have seen. Maybe I have not seen enough of him recently?

Do like Anscombe though

eirebilly wrote:Don't really pay too much notice of Jiffy. Pretty much make my mind up on what I have seen. Maybe I have not seen enough of him recently?

Do like Anscombe though

That's good. I don't know, but it doesn't sound like you have. I think as far back as 2013 when his form was dipping but I was still supportive. Then things got worse by the end of that year and in 2014 yet he kept on walking into the starting team - it just wasn't good for RP or Wales for a number of previously well documented reasons. There will still be fans making excuses to this day...

That's also good . Time to move forward IMO with guys like Anscombe and perhaps Owen Williams next in line.

mikey_dragon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Don't really pay too much notice of Jiffy. Pretty much make my mind up on what I have seen. Maybe I have not seen enough of him recently?

Do like Anscombe though

That's good. I don't know, but it doesn't sound like you have. I think as far back as 2013 when his form was dipping but I was still supportive. Then things got worse by the end of that year and in 2014 yet he kept on walking into the starting team - it just wasn't good for RP or Wales for a number of previously well documented reasons. There will still be fans making excuses to this day...

That's also good . Time to move forward IMO with guys like Anscombe and perhaps Owen Williams next in line.

Yet again we are agreeing Mikey

I am not sure though where Gatland sees Anscombe, he's been using him as a XV off the bench.

TightHEAD wrote:On their day Wales could cause an upset.

Sixty three years of losses says they can't.

mikey_dragon wrote:billy that's a no brainer for me too. It's not ideal to hand Anscombe his first start at 10 against the All Blacks in Auckland, so it should be Biggar with Anscombe on the bench. Priestland shouldn't be near this squad.

Apart from Jerome Keino, Anscombe will have started more games on Eden Park than anyone else involved in Saturday Nights test.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Don't really pay too much notice of Jiffy. Pretty much make my mind up on what I have seen. Maybe I have not seen enough of him recently?

Do like Anscombe though

That's good. I don't know, but it doesn't sound like you have. I think as far back as 2013 when his form was dipping but I was still supportive. Then things got worse by the end of that year and in 2014 yet he kept on walking into the starting team - it just wasn't good for RP or Wales for a number of previously well documented reasons. There will still be fans making excuses to this day...

That's also good . Time to move forward IMO with guys like Anscombe and perhaps Owen Williams next in line.

Yet again we are agreeing Mikey

I am not sure though where Gatland sees Anscombe, he's been using him as a XV off the bench.

Didn't he win 2 SR titles with the chiefs at 15? I also recall he has the visitors single game individual points record at the Versfeld

Anyone know the odds on this one (Wales win)?

kingelderfield wrote:Anyone know the odds on this one (Wales win)?

$8.50 for a Wales win here in Aotearoa.

fa0019 wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Don't really pay too much notice of Jiffy. Pretty much make my mind up on what I have seen. Maybe I have not seen enough of him recently?

Do like Anscombe though

That's good. I don't know, but it doesn't sound like you have. I think as far back as 2013 when his form was dipping but I was still supportive. Then things got worse by the end of that year and in 2014 yet he kept on walking into the starting team - it just wasn't good for RP or Wales for a number of previously well documented reasons. There will still be fans making excuses to this day...

That's also good . Time to move forward IMO with guys like Anscombe and perhaps Owen Williams next in line.

Yet again we are agreeing Mikey

I am not sure though where Gatland sees Anscombe, he's been using him as a XV off the bench.

Didn't he win 2 SR titles with the chiefs at 15? I also recall he has the visitors single game individual points record at the Versfeld

That may well be the case but the Blues obviously see him as their 10 which is why Patchell felt he had to move on. So if he is going to end up playing 10 for the Blues and XV for Wales that's never really ideal, also I cant see the point of Anscombe and Priestland on the bench.

4 days to go, Hanging out for test rugby. Not sure of the result, expect the AB's to win, but am uneasy due to the scale of change. I think I said earlier that Wales could sneak the series if things go their way. Very low key build up this year in NZ.

Here's the pros and cons (from an AB'S fans perspective).

Pros:
1. History - AB's
NZ in the longest unbeaten run at home. They only lose at home occasionally. This is especially true for Eden Park, where they have lost in the professional era. They have a long unbeaten run against Wales stretching back to 1953. Wales has only won once in NZ/SA/Aus, back in '69.

2. Recent form. NZ is current world champs, and No 1 ranked side.

Cons.
1. Wales may not have beaten major SH competition, but they have been competitive, and pushed Australia, in particular, close.

2. NZ have occasionally struggled. Usually when they have suffered a number of injuries in key positions (e.g. NZ lost to France in 2009, with players in key positions unavailable). It feels the same this year.

from another AB fan's perspective:

1. History means nothing.

2. Its about preparation:
A. Gatty knows that he cant try to play New Zealand at their game, he has to hold on to the ball, and smash straightlines atthe ABs defense especially using his big backs.

B. Shag has to put together not only a new team, but the regulars havent played together since the World Cup. he has to pull the Welsh D line up and push it back, he does have to get wide, stretch them and put them into aerobic debt. he has to pick players on their Super rugby form and carry that momentum into these tests.

So far this week in Auckland we have had no rain....true, and if rain holds off for another 72 hours then this track is going to be an absolute screamer.

Thing is for New Zelaand they have very little to gain from this. Its not liek Wales are even turning up with a reputation off the back of a good(ish) world cup run and a grand slam like the did to Aus. At leats there was some feeling of being genuinely competitive there.
The gulf on this tour is huge.
They are just more European cannon fodder, and a team on a lowish ebb.

"Beat anyone on their day" aside its pretty evident that even the die hard Wales fans are struggling to get overly excited about this.

Gooseberry wrote:Thing is for New Zelaand they have very little to gain from this. Its not liek Wales are even turning up with a reputation off the back of a good(ish) world cup run and a grand slam like the did to Aus. At leats there was some feeling of being genuinely competitive there.
The gulf on this tour is huge.
They are just more European cannon fodder, and a team on a lowish ebb.

"Beat anyone on their day" aside its pretty evident that even the die hard Wales fans are struggling to get overly excited about this.

Nice tune up game, try out new combinations, new caps for the impending RC. Also for Hansen to do some homework for next years lions tour... lots of incentives for Hansen. Gatland will be lions coach next year, he also wants Hansen's job. Big incentive to send Gatland packing with 3 bumper wins and a demoralised camp.

We have some potential issues. Midfield is a concern. Cruden and Barrett's goal kicking has left a bit to be desired. We're probably a bit rusty. If we pick Savea and Naholo on the wing, with Smith and Cruden we'll have a limited long kicking game. I'm not convinced our defence of the rolling maul is all it could be. It's going to be interesting.

Not grey and not a ghost wrote:We have some potential issues. Midfield is a concern. Cruden and Barrett's goal kicking has left a bit to be desired. We're probably a bit rusty. If we pick Savea and Naholo on the wing, with Smith and Cruden we'll have a limited long kicking game. I'm not convinced our defence of the rolling maul is all it could be. It's going to be interesting.

Bear in mind England dicked on Wales missing 6 of 7 kicks, and with a midfield thats pulled out of a hat on a weekly basis. Im sure you guys can cope.

aucklandlaurie wrote:Shag has to put together not only a new team, but the regulars havent played together since the World Cup. he has to pull the Welsh D line up and push it back, he does have to get wide, stretch them  and put them into aerobic debt.

Wales's defence was pitiful against England the other week, and wasn't all that brilliant in the Six Nations either.

Big news, tighthead Aaron Jarvis has been called out to NZ as cover for loosehead Paul James. I'd have gone with Nicky Smith to play the Chiefs.