3 Players out for Wales

Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies and Josh Turnbull are all out with injuries.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11661305

Turnbull wouldn't have been involved anyway so no big loss. Evans will step in for Jenkins and Ball onto the bench for Davies.

As for who'll be prop cover on the bench I guess it'll have to be Rhodri Jones.

Anyone else a touch worried about the fact Jamie Roberts is going through the concussion protocols due to the incident with Fekitoa right at the start of the 2nd test? Sure we are not talking about something quite as obvious as George North's concussion that was missed by the medical staff, but still rather worrying.

I thought it was odd that Roberts played the rest of the match after the first minute collision, and is now undergoing Head injury protocols. How the hell was he allowed to play the rest of the game?

Edit: Or did the team doctor take Doc's word for it?

Did they check him at the time? Maybe he wasn't showing symptoms then but was after the match.

It was pretty brutal, and Fekitoa barely did a thing when he came back on

I did think at the time that it was surprising to see them back

Damn, might struggle to beat New Zealand now!

bedfordwelsh wrote:Turnbull wouldn't have been involved anyway so no big loss.  Evans will step in for Jenkins and Ball onto the bench for Davies.

As for who'll be prop cover on the bench I guess it'll have to be Rhodri Jones.

Either him of Jarvis. I think vrs the Cheifs, Rhodri came on at tight, and Aaron at loose. But lets face it either way gats will be hoping Rob can play a full 80.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Turnbull wouldn't have been involved anyway so no big loss.  Evans will step in for Jenkins and Ball onto the bench for Davies.

As for who'll be prop cover on the bench I guess it'll have to be Rhodri Jones.

Either him of Jarvis.  I think vrs the Cheifs, Rhodri came on at tight, and Aaron at loose.  But lets face it either way gats will be hoping Rob can play a full 80.

Did Jarvis really play LH then? Christ alive he can hardly play in so called preferred position, at least Jones is a converted LH.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Turnbull wouldn't have been involved anyway so no big loss.  Evans will step in for Jenkins and Ball onto the bench for Davies.

As for who'll be prop cover on the bench I guess it'll have to be Rhodri Jones.

Either him of Jarvis.  I think vrs the Cheifs, Rhodri came on at tight, and Aaron at loose.  But lets face it either way gats will be hoping Rob can play a full 80.

Did Jarvis really play LH then?  Christ alive he can hardly play in so called preferred position, at least Jones is a converted LH.

So is Jarvis. Our Forum has been asking him to play there for years. He played there in the Welsh trial match a few years ago.

Only suprise is Francis starting ahead of Samson. Is Lee carrying an injury or maybe is there a concern about Francis and Jarvis playing together for the last 20mins?

Other than that best 23 players still in New Zealand in the match day squad.

So what's the verdict on new Zealand's changes?

My take it's a mix of forced changes, changes to rest players and changes to give players an opportunity.

The team is:

1. Joe Moody (13)
2. Dane Coles (38)
3. Charlie Faumuina (35)
4. Brodie Retallick (49)
5. Samuel Whitelock (74)
6. Elliot Dixon
7. Sam Cane (33)
8. Kieran Read - captain (86)
9. Aaron Smith (49)
10. Beauden Barrett (38)
11. Julian Savea (42)
12. Ryan Crotty (17)
13. George Moala (1)
14. Ben Smith (50)
15. Israel Dagg (50)

16. Codie Taylor (4)
17. Wyatt Crockett (47)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Luke Romano (23)
20. Liam Squire
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (20)
22. Lima Sopoaga (1)
23. Waisake Naholo (5)

Ofa Tu'ungafasi comes in for Owen Franks, that means Faumoina starts. Tu'ungafasi is a bit, but he's a big dynamic unit. So it should be interesting how he goes. Codie Taylor gets a go as the reserve hooker. He's replacing Harris and the two are have been identified for a while as the back ups for Cole once Mealamu retired. Dixon comes on for Kaino. It's his first cap. He's arguably the form 6 in NZ going into the tour. Squires is also on the bench, he's a physical beast.

In the backs, Barret starts and is backed up Sopoaga. Lima is arguably the form no 10 in NZ this year so I don't see it as a loss. Obviously Moala is there. I think that this just reflects the current weakness we have at 13. Nonu and C Smith retired, SDW in 7's, Injuries to Ngatai, Fekitoa and others. Given the movement offshore of a host of centres we're pretty raw in this area. I thought Tamanivalu struggled at times, especially defensively. Hence Moala's in. Savea essentially replaces Naholo, who I don't think has been great anyway (from a decision making perspective).

Opportunities for Wales there. In particular it will be interesting to see how well the AB's gel as a unit, especially in the last 20 minutes.

Naholo and Savea are pretty unstoppable with ball in hand, but they both have weaknesses in their game which usually isn't something you can say about an All Black. I don't think Dagg is at all flawless either, but Ben Smith is.

Where's Cory Jane these days?

mikey_dragon wrote:Naholo and Savea are pretty unstoppable with ball in hand, but they both have weaknesses in their game which usually isn't something you can say about an All Black. I don't think Dagg is at all flawless either, but Ben Smith is.

Where's Cory Jane these days?

He's accepted he's retired, finishing the super season then off to Japan. There's a few good young players on the horizon. Riko Ioane and James Lowe come to mind. I'm guessing you'll see Lowe in November. Ioane's playing sevens but looks a real talent in the 15's game.

wayne wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Turnbull wouldn't have been involved anyway so no big loss.  Evans will step in for Jenkins and Ball onto the bench for Davies.

As for who'll be prop cover on the bench I guess it'll have to be Rhodri Jones.

Either him of Jarvis.  I think vrs the Cheifs, Rhodri came on at tight, and Aaron at loose.  But lets face it either way gats will be hoping Rob can play a full 80.

Did Jarvis really play LH then?  Christ alive he can hardly play in so called preferred position, at least Jones is a converted LH.

So is Jarvis. Our Forum has been asking him to play there for years. He played there in the Welsh trial match a few years ago.

Fair one Wayne wasn't aware of that thought he had always been a T/H