NZ Backline Tinkering For November

First topic message reminder :

Wyclef Jean is reportedly coming out with a new song Conrad Smith's Gone For November?

We play Japan, France, Ireland and England. The first match is perfect to try out some fringe players. Saili, Halai, Piutau, TJ Perenara, Crotty, Barrett could be names we see.

All eyes will be on Jane this weekend to see how his recovery is. He has been meticulous in his recovery and hasn't lost speed in his training. The big thing is match fitness. Does he have enough games to win back the jersey. Is it best to stick with Smith at 14 and try someone like Saili or Crotty at 13 or could Halai be introduced and let Jane recover and shift Ben Smith to 13?

If SBW were back the move to introduce a youngster would make sense. But Nonu and a rookie fills me with a sense of dread. Smith would lose his right wing mojo but he offers some stability in a key area. Halai would be my pick to see how he operates at test level. Does Savea take a rest one game though and we see how the balance looks like with Halai there instead? Could Piutau be a left field choice for centre or should he stick to being fullback cover?

Plenty of options but which mix would you go for and who plays England?

Yeah ngan its a bit 'arrogant' but nothing shag won't have thought of. With five vs england last years lost helps from the motivational aspect and what Lancaster has learned from his reconnaissance south will be interesting.

This Saturday becomes the hong Kong nothing but pride on it match of this year but surely wed have to have them covered?

See LLF is out with an ankle complaint and Toomua replaces him with possibly Cooper kicking the goals. I predict booing...

The banana skin matches have been away from home. Our home record means likely we're not going to get ambushed. That 10 12 axis will be targeted.

LLF out is actually a strength...or it would be if it wasn't for Toomua stepping in

kiakahaaotearoa wrote: That 10 12 axis will be targeted.

Not so sure about that kia.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/9288816/Cooper-is-a-better-tackler-than-McCaw  

Looks like the media like spinning this Cooper booing saga and this story just adds fuel to the fire. Add talkback radio to whip up reaction and like flies to poop they continue the sorry saga.

See both wingers are out with injury. Could have a makeshift look about this. Looks like Link is protecting his frontline players and thinking either his fringe players will put in a stellar motivated effort or he can easily fall back on the ol chestnut we put out a makeshift team and got found out but I can't fault the spirit of the squad.

At home under a roof it seems NZ are more of a daunting prospect. That said I fully anticipate a below par performance from NZ. I simply can't see them sustaining the lofty heights of Ellis Park for this game which doesn't have any silverware on the line. More than willing to eat my words but the focus is already on Europe for many fans and the temptation is for the players to feel the same way. The lead up to Ellis Park was special. Nerves aplenty and the players knew nothing less than their best would see them in trouble. The injuries to Oz and I don't get that same sense of urgency this time round. Brisbane will be drummed into them but I just feel a flat performance is likely given where they left off in Jburg.