How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Big concern he will be underdone for match fitness,
And the lions will be about as physical as it gets ,not rocket science to think it will be an area they will target .
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@Crucial said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@akan004 said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel Am in total agreement with you. I have so far struggled to understand all the hype surrounding Jordie as a fullback. He has missed a heap of tackles and lacks top end speed imo to play that position at test level. Would make a class midfielder though.
I can understand the desire to fast track the kid just don't see why we need to.
Even BB didn't turn in the force his is now overnight.
I can see a place for him on the bench in one of the tests but can see more value in retaining a Crotty/ ALB partnership with SBW to come on or having 10/15 cover in our utility with DMac.
Please don't try and tell me he covers 10 as well.
JBs time will come either through injury necessity or planning and he will probably be a long termer but no need in this series to throw him in. He has plenty of fine points to iron out.I think this lineup covers all bases pretty well.
9 Smith
10 Barrett
11 Savea
12 Crotty
13 ALB
14 Dagg
15 Smith21 TJP
22 Cruden
23 SBW -
@Nepia said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@KiwiMurph said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Kaino will undergo surgery this week (knee) and will be out of action for around six weeks.
FUCK
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@Frye said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Who would be next cab off the rank, Squire?
Messam?? Not sure where he fits in the AB selectors' minds, but I'd be inclined to go for his experience over Squire's promise - and he's been playing with plenty of physicality when he's got on the field. And even though Squire is a good Mako$ boy.
Not to be too much of a prophet of doom, but there's no guarantee Liam will be fit to play the Lions. He's been far from indestructible in his NPC and Super career to date - I'd go as far as to say he's been pretty bloody injury prone.
However, surely be one of those two unless Luatua blows it out of the water in the next six weeks. Squire certainly seemed to have moved ahead of Dixon last season.
I reckon the selectors will be pretty keen to have Kaino though. None of the above are him!
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@Chris-B I reckon Kaino will be keen as also given he missed out in 05. Only thing missing from his personal rugby bucket list
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I like Squire off the bench in tests, but not sure a starting role fits his current skill set.
I'm a massive fan of Messam, but not sure his form is of the same quality as a couple of years ago. Not sure Dixon provides the presence.
I think all the main possibilities bring different skill sets, and would probably need a rejig of responsibility in the back row, as none are a like-for-like replacement. Of course, the coach probably feels completely different.
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Cane to 6 and Todd to start? Probably not, but Cane is one of the few guys that can match Kaino's physicality for 80 minutes.
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Is this the first we've heard about this injury? Seemed to come out of nowhere but 4--6 weeks isn't terrible, so hopefully he'll make it back with plenty of time. Probably won't make the Blues vs Lions game but that's not the priority.
Either way, I can't see Luatua having much of a chance . Hansen didn't seem too happy with him when he signed with Bristol, so I suspect he's well down the pecking order no matter how he plays over the next few weeks.
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@ACT-Crusader Yeah. Given he'll be 36 when the next RWC comes around, he's probably a marginal proposition for that, so a good chance that the Lions are what he's been targeting as his last hurrah for the ABs.
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@ACT-Crusader said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
I reckon Kaino will be keen as also given he missed out in 05. Only thing missing from his personal rugby bucket list
I saw this mentioned on TV3 last night. Kaino did come off the bench in the Auckland-Lions game in 2005 but obviously wasn't part of the ABs in that series.
My point being that I would have thought winning a Super title was also on Kaino's bucket list. He does play for the Blues, however...
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Did Kaino win a Super title in 2003 with the Blues?
Anyways, replacements?
Cane to 6, Todd or Savea to 7?
Squire? Don't think Dixon or Messam are up to it.
Brad Shields? (I thought he was an 8, but started at 6 vs Brumbies - could this be his time?)AB's really like their 6 smashing people in the tight, and also like Read being free to roam so they need that balance.
To be honest, Kaino will get back, and fresh, and then belt Warburton, Faletau, O'Brien, Itoje, anything in red, and then retire. Actually, he might belt a few aussies just for shits & giggles and then retire.
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Both teams walking or recovering wounded...
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Yeah reading the quotes by Steve Jackson seems like Kaino returning in time for Lions is very much the plan.
I'd say that Blues Lions game is the marker Kaino is aiming towards. As has been said the Lions test series for Kaino must be a huge focus to cap off his career so i'd say he'll be doing everything in his power to be back and ready in time.
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@westcoastie As i may have mentioned on the 'canes thread, I find Shields to be a very ordinary player.
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I don't think they will consider using two openside flankers. Many have tried that tactic and it has rarely worked - and then only in the short-term.
Especially when the obvious plan for the Lions is to try to out-muscle us up front.
I'm going to work on the assumption that JK will be fit, well-rested and ready to play - with Plan B. being Messam or Squire.
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@Chris-B. nah remember that time it worked and everyone got scared that we needed to change everything to combat it!
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@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Did Kaino win a Super title in 2003 with the Blues?
No, he debuted the following year.
I think Squire is better as an impact sub. He was poor in Chicago when he started. I'm sure Kaino will be fine but Messam is an experienced replacement if required. Like @mariner4life, I don't see Shields as an international quality loose forward.
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@taniwharugby I do remember that, now you mention it.
The most infamous version I remember is Smith and Waugh at the 2003 RWC, but I think it's worked against us since, as well. Pocock and Hooper?
