NZ Form XV after round 6
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@KiwiMurph said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@MN5 but comparing Elliot Dixon, a 3 test AB who hasn't shown a thing (and hasn't had much of an opportunity to) to NZ's most experienced midfielder who has shown he is world class is fine?
It's the interweb I can say what I want.
All I'm doing is pointing out that SBW leads a pretty annointed life in the eyes of AB selectors. Let's not forget he never broke up the Nonu/Smith pairing no matter how he tried.
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@MN5 said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@Milk said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@MN5 Arguably he did... the last time he played
True. It was a nice offload, all Nonu had to do was beat four defenders. The rest was all SBW.
He broke up the partnership when they decided to sub Conrad Smith at half time when he wasn't injured.
Besides, it was mainly in jest. I tend to agree he enjoys a lot of faith from the selectors. I've got no doubt he'll be straight into the squad if he's injury free.
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@Milk said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@MN5 said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@Milk said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@MN5 Arguably he did... the last time he played
True. It was a nice offload, all Nonu had to do was beat four defenders. The rest was all SBW.
He broke up the partnership when they decided to sub Conrad Smith at half time when he wasn't injured.
Besides, it was mainly in jest. I tend to agree he enjoys a lot of faith from the selectors. I've got no doubt he'll be straight into the squad if he's injury free.
I know. I'm not taking this thread too seriously either and yes, he'll be picked. No doubt.
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like it or, these coaches have earnt themselves a bit of wiggle room when it comes to playing favorites, more often than not, it works.
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@taniwharugby said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
like it or, these coaches have earnt themselves a bit of wiggle room when it comes to playing favorites, more often than not, it works.
It's also important to remember the way these selectors like to pick their match 23 for the big games and when they aren't trying to just give a squad member experience.
They don't use the silly 'finishers' term but they do like to inject weaponery that can exploit tiring defences eg BB before he grabbed the 10 jersey and SBW. I think the likes of Dixon and Fifita also fit that view as does Charlie F and TJP.
I think it's also a reason they look past DMac's size. If they can use him in the previous BB bench role they have both cover at 10 and someone that can pull magic out of a hat in the last 20.
SBW fits the plan perfectly as most opposition teams don't have specialist midfield cover so when he comes on the tiring defence suddenly has to up their game mentally and physically and concentrate on their area of the field without being able to help out elsewhere as much.
It's all about wearing down defences to create weak areas then exploiting them and cracking it. -
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@Crucial said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
I think it's also a reason they look past DMac's size. If they can use him in the previous BB bench role they have both cover at 10 and someone that can pull magic out of a hat in the last 20.
I think it's because they forget Ben Blair...
@Bovidae said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@Crucial You could make an argument for Squire providing impact off the bench but I don't see Dixon filling that role.
Agreed. Dixon is the type of player you'd want to start IMO. Particularly given he's a real lineout option rather than "a tall flanker".
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@Bovidae said in NZ Form XV after round 6:
@Crucial You could make an argument for Squire providing impact off the bench but I don't see Dixon filling that role.
Yep, probably got those guys the wrong way around. Squire is the more dynamic of the two.
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Wonder if Gibson will ever get a shot at higher honours.
He is a real workhorse, who is a tackling machine and is terrier-like over the over the ball. But with the lengthening queue of Cane, Todd and Ardie in front of him...... I hope we don't lose a player of his quality, and Shag and co take a good look at him. -
@Crash He needs to work on his link play. In a more organised team with better structure and support lines he'd probably prosper in that regard too though.
Of the Blues recent 7s, only Daniel Braid has really stood out as a support player, and that was by far the best aspect of his game.
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