How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Could R.McCaw do a B.Lochore?
Richie went looking for pen and paper to leave a note on the kitchen table, for his wife. It said: “Gemma, gone to Auckland to play in the First Test. Ring you later”. Then he hopped in his car, drove out of retirement and to the airport where he hopped into his helicopter and flew to Eden Park.
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Out of the AB forwards, apart from Read (as captain), Retallick and Whitelock are 80 mins players. I don't think they'll need to be replaced unless there is an injury. Having a specialist lock on the bench would be insurance if one of those two went down early. There could be a lock in the reserves but the impact is more likely via loose forwards with Read moving into lock if required.
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I think I was trying to imply, that if we went Retallick as a lock, and Whitelock/Barrett as a 6, then we could clearly go with no lock on the bench and use Squire & Savea (most likely) for impact.
I don't think we can go without a lock on the bench in this series, even allowing for the 80min men we currently possess. Ultimately, we still searching for that lock/loosie hybrid - theres probably a couple around, but no-one thats quite close enough to be considered. -
I've never understood the hype about Shields. Some players have ab written all over them, but I've not seen that with him. And I say that as a biased Canes supporter.
It's a bit concerning that Kaino is apparently so irreplaceable. Having Barrett is a very interesting idea. He can obviously do the tight stuff well and is also handy with the ball in hand (although he's been a bit tits for hands recently). A Lions series isn't really the time for experimenting though. I reckon it'll be Squire. They've invested alot in him and hopefully he'll take it up a notch this year. Not a huge fan but he should be able to do the job.
I see the last Ireland game as a template for how this series is going to go down. They'll throw everything, including the kitchen sink, smashing it up through the forwards and try to recycle pill inch by inch all the way to the try line. It will be brutal.
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Shields was outstanding, particularly on defence in the canes run through to the final last year, am sure if he was in the AB set-up, they would get the best out of him.
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He's a very solid Super player, but I just can't see him in black. His hands are suspect and he isn't the greatest ball runner. I'm sure he would give 150% for the abs and wouldn't let us down, but imho there are simply better players.
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I understand what you are saying but I'd still be concerned if Hansen tried to manufacture a no.6 by playing Whitelock there. Even S Barrett hasn't played enough in that position to say with any confidence he could do that role for the ABs NOW. As many others have said, Squire would probably fill that spot if Kaino was unavailable.
If you want a specialist lock on the bench then Barrett might be the best option as he could move to the side of the scrum, allowing you to include Savea. But a fully fit and in form Tuipulotu gives you maximum impact.
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Shields has been a lot better than Dixon and Taufua over the last two years. Consistently better than Squire too.
He was overhyped early in his career though.
Yeah, I think he's suffering in perception a bit from the early hype. His stats in Super this year are off the charts compared to other 6s (including Kaino).
Stats never tell the full story but you wont get really good ststs from a rubbish player and vice versa.Per game against Kaino he is carrying more, making more metres, more breaks, more lineout takes, more lineout steals, more tackles, better tackle %.
His only worse stat is turnovers conceded which I guess is the tits for hands being mentioned.
Fix that and there's no reason he shouldn't be capable.
Edit: I never realised how much the Canes use Shields in the lineout. eg 18 takes and 2 steals to Squire's 0 and 2
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Do they have stats for decision making?
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@mariner4life said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Do they have stats for decision making?
No, that's why stats don't tell the whole picture, but given that his decision making isn't losing games then it isn't a fatal flaw.
One thing I think is a big plus for test rugby is involvement. The more a player gets involved at Super level the better he is fitness wise, getting of the ground, reading play etc.
I doubt Shields will get a crack, the selectors have invested in Squire and he hasn't faded enough to be discarded.
I think Dixon may be under threat as a squaddie though. -
You make some good points @Crucial, given Shields' outstanding defense if worst came to worst the ABs could get him playing a really tight game where he just smacks blokes in the tackle, hits as many rucks as possible and is a lineout option, while others pick up more of the ball running responsibility.
But as you say Squire would be the next cab off the rank given he's been in the set up for some time now, and right now I'd be more comfortable with him, but Shields could do a job if absolutely required.
Now let's all say a prayer to Joe Pesci that Kaino will be fit.
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@Crucial said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@mariner4life said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Do they have stats for decision making?
No, that's why stats don't tell the whole picture, but given that his decision making isn't losing games then it isn't a fatal flaw.
One thing I think is a big plus for test rugby is involvement. The more a player gets involved at Super level the better he is fitness wise, getting of the ground, reading play etc.
I doubt Shields will get a crack, the selectors have invested in Squire and he hasn't faded enough to be discarded.
I think Dixon may be under threat as a squaddie though.I hope shields is given another chance in the squad. He is no worse than Dixon, probably better, and I don't want him giving up and going overseas. I think it's his best season so far. I'd still start squire ahead of him but he is worth a second look.
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I reckon the lesson we learnt out of that Chicago test is that we don't mess with positions in a big game. Specialists all the way.
Squire deserves that first crack is Kaino is unavailable, Luatua is an idiot for signing to leave (but only because that 6 jersey is there for someone to claim pretty shortly)
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Ben Smith out for 2-3 weeks
c/Stuff -
was interesting that the strapping and whatever injury had no effect on him, and he took the strapping off at half time.
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@Bovidae hindsight is a wonderful thing, although surely he would have known it was a bit more serious?
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I read an article bemoaning the dire state of non NZ teams in Super rug y this year, for example, Australian teams have lost 96 % of matches against nz teams. I haven't got the article at hand, so please don't mind if I got something a little wrong.
The point is, perhaps the tackle rule change has allowed teams to offload and pass more, and since we are the best at that, we are seeing some great tries and easier wins.
If so, surely that spells trouble for the Lions. They are declawed and neutered, and ABs stand poised to turn them into meowing pussies chasing their tails. -
And now read has had thumb surgery...
