Pumas v All Blacks
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I think Fekitoa's days are numbered - he's been an AB since June'14 and not really progressed much. With ALB and Crotty making every post a winner, Moala impressing, and SBW due back at some point, I can't see how he fits in. And that's without even considering Ngatai, who is highly rated and we all hope makes it back after concussion(s). It's not a good look when two players who became ABs after you (and have yet to get the full benefit of the best coaches in the world) have already improved and kicked on past you.
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I certainly don't think Fekitoa's days are numbered. I'd go so far as to say he's easily our best defensive midfielder and is very strong on attack, regardless of the form of others. I'd feel more comfortable going into a test at the moment with him there over Moala and Ngatai, who are unknowns.
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I dont think his days are numbered , I think him and Crotty together is a great defensive pairing at the moment ,
But his flaw for me is his ball in hand stuff at times , the play often breaks down with him when supports appear available, , but that may be something they can work with ,
ALB on the other hand has great awareness in the same area of his game ,
One thing is for certain , there is going to be a log jam of midfield talent when everyone is available at the same time
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@TeWaio said in Pumas v All Blacks:
I think Fekitoa's days are numbered - he's been an AB since June'14 and not really progressed much. With ALB and Crotty making every post a winner, Moala impressing, and SBW due back at some point, I can't see how he fits in. And that's without even considering Ngatai, who is highly rated and we all hope makes it back after concussion(s). It's not a good look when two players who became ABs after you (and have yet to get the full benefit of the best coaches in the world) have already improved and kicked on past you.
So he's been around the ABs for 2 years, would that suggest he's got plenty to learn and time on his side?
If history is a gauge, look at a guy like Conrad who first made it in 2004 but for various reasons - injury, form, rotation, combinations - he didn't nail down a starting centre spot for some years after that.
I reckon Fekitoa has shown marked improvement this year than say last year. Less erratic running, better reading in defence and he's not slipping off nearly as many tackles.
I don't think there has been a clear message from the coaches that he has been surpassed or on the outer.
ALB played very well, but he still has things to improve on and they will give him time to do so. He rushed out of the defensive line a couple of times on Sunday. Funny that's what Fekitoa did on previous seasons and he seems to have eradicated that from his game this season.
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Fekitoa
Positives : defence, always capable of making a break
Negatives : seems not to know where he is running to, link with the supportALB
Positives : link with the support, vision
Negatives : defenceMoala
Positives : hard running
Negatives : one game in midfield only so hard to assessCrotty
Positives : does everything right
Negatives : does nothing flashy -
I dont see Fekitoa & ALB playing for the same spot.
The selectors this year have used 2 distributing / organising centres (Crotty, ALB) & 3 more physical centres (Moala, Tamanivalu & Fekitoa), more often than not they'll mix & match.
So ALB is probably shaping as the backup to Crotty - at times this year they've looked at using Ben Smith is the distributing / organising centre role such is the huge fricking void in NZ rugby in that role, ALB lets them leave Smith where he is best. They tend to think long term, Crotty is 28, ALB is 21, in AB planning that works well for Crotty bowing out in 2020 & ALB slotting in having played 30 tests.
I know that sounds a bit of a stretch but thats been their model, ID a young guy, bring him in as the no. 2 to a guy 8 years older, groom him for 3 years. Cane - McCaw, Whitelock - Williams, Cockett - Woodcock, Coles - Mealamu, Barrett / Cruden - Carter etc. Its why our transitions have been seamless under Hansen.
If Fekitoa loses his spot it'll be to SBW next year, or a fully fit Moala.
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ALB is basically a Conrad Smith in the making, perhaps he could even surpass Conrad. Has the smarts, size and pace. Still not 100% convinced about his defence at this stage but have no doubt that a player like him will fix up whatever flaws that may exist in quick time.
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@gollum said in Pumas v All Blacks:
I dont see Fekitoa & ALB playing for the same spot.
Neither do I. I think given the chance they'd complement each other.
The selectors this year have used 2 distributing / organising centres (Crotty, ALB) & 3 more physical centres (Moala, Tamanivalu & Fekitoa), more often than not they'll mix & match.
So ALB is probably shaping as the backup to Crotty - at times this year they've looked at using Ben Smith is the distributing / organising centre role such is the huge fricking void in NZ rugby in that role,
When have they done that? He's played wing and fullback. It's not unusual for a fullback top inject themselves as they've got better vision by virtue of the depth of their position.
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@TeWaio said in Pumas v All Blacks:
I think Fekitoa's days are numbered - he's been an AB since June'14 and not really progressed much. With ALB and Crotty making every post a winner, Moala impressing, and SBW due back at some point, I can't see how he fits in. And that's without even considering Ngatai, who is highly rated and we all hope makes it back after concussion(s). It's not a good look when two players who became ABs after you (and have yet to get the full benefit of the best coaches in the world) have already improved and kicked on past you.
Or Reiki Ioane, who looks very good at the lower levels so far.
Midfield is now a cup which overflows. Wing is now the empty vessel. Especially 'power wing'. Piutau is the new Hayman.
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@antipodean said in Pumas v All Blacks:
@gollum said in Pumas v All Blacks:
So ALB is probably shaping as the backup to Crotty - at times this year they've looked at using Ben Smith is the distributing / organising centre role such is the huge fricking void in NZ rugby in that role,
When have they done that? He's played wing and fullback. It's not unusual for a fullback top inject themselves as they've got better vision by virtue of the depth of their position.
Ben Smith has been centre cover in half the tests this year & usually slots into the midfield when Cruden comes on. He's probably had 60 minutes at 13 this season
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Cruden's had that much time? TBH I've normally pretty well on my way by that stage of the game this year - not really paying attention once we've secured a bonus point before the subs come on.
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@antipodean said in Pumas v All Blacks:
Cruden's had that much time? TBH I've normally pretty well on my way by that stage of the game this year - not really paying attention once we've secured a bonus point before the subs come on.
Not just Cruden, whoever comes off requiring us to slot in a midfielder its tended to be Ben moving there. On one occasion at least our Midfield has been Smith at 12 & Naholo at 13 for 15 minutes.
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@gollum said in Pumas v All Blacks:
@antipodean said in Pumas v All Blacks:
Cruden's had that much time? TBH I've normally pretty well on my way by that stage of the game this year - not really paying attention once we've secured a bonus point before the subs come on.
Not just Cruden, whoever comes off requiring us to slot in a midfielder its tended to be Ben moving there. On one occasion at least our Midfield has been Smith at 12 & Naholo at 13 for 15 minutes.
It hasn't happened that often this year though. 3 of the 8 tests Bender has been in he has been the cover for midfield. In only 2 of those that I recall he has actually moved to the midfield.
We've used Tamanivalu and ALB as the bench cover for the most part.
