AB's v Samoa
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB's v Samoa:
@mariner4life said in AB's v Samoa:
I am far from ready to trust Naholo to a long term spot. Flaky and injury prone. Mad wheels though.
I reckon Jules is gonna rip it up.
i suspect thats why they tend to lean towards julian over naholo , they trust his decision making a bit more
Yeah, and he's less prone to taking players out in the air which is a bonus.
Jules was largely very good in the RC last year, led most of the stats for metres gained, tacklers beaten etc, and he ripped the Aussies a new one at Eden Park when they were really pushing us 50 minutes into the game. I can see why the selectors have a lot of faith in him.
That said, I can see Rieko overtaking him in the next year or so - that kid has incredible talent.
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB's v Samoa:
despite the calls for him to play 13, its looking like they are grooming reiko as an 11 for now , still a bit raw, but plenty of natural talent
will be interesting to see how this develops
Bet the coaches are hoping they have a Kahui equivalent on their hands.
The next advancement of the game in NZ to get an advantage at RWCs is having versatile players in the squad that and just jacks of all trades but masters of a number of spots.
Rieko, JB, Ardie, hopefully Akira will mature into a 6/8. Fifita and Barrett as lock/6's. maybe even DMac as a 9/10. ALB and Crotty equally effective at 12 or 13All have the potential to be top class in more than one position.
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Here's some very basic Julian Savea stats from ESPN Scrum:
http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/117357.html?class=1;template=results;type=player45 tries in 52 tests (49 starts)
17 tries in 20 away starts (3 subs), 20 tries in 22 home starts, 8 tries in 7 neutral starts (mostly RWC 2015)2012: 12 tries from 9 starts
2013: 7 tries from 11 starts
2014: 11 tries from 11 starts (plus 2 tests as sub)
2015: 8 tries from 8 starts
2016: 7 tries from 10 starts (plus 1 test as sub)2015 RWC: 8 tries from 6 starts (3 tries vs. France in QF, 3 vs. Namibia, 2 vs. Georgia)
Rugby Championship: 13 tries in 20 starts (plus 1 sub) including 9 tries in 9 starts against the Pumas (includes 1 start vs. Pumas in RWC)
Bledisloe Cup: 6 tries in 11 starts (plus 1 sub) - I think one of the starts was the RWC final (not a BC game)
vs Boks: 1 try in 7 starts (1 start vs. BOKs in RWC)It's pretty obvious that the try scoring ratio is, overall, outstanding and consistently high, with a glitch against the Boks (noting Jonah Lomu never scored against the Boks).
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Speaking of Akira, it seems Umaga and Cooper have decided that no.6 is the position for him at the moment. This makes sense to me as he doesn't have to think as much and can just focus on strong ball-carrying and making dominant tackles. There is no doubt Ioane is a physical beast but some of his decision-making with the ball has been questionable.
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The other thing that Naholo brings is his over the ball work.
As we saw on Tuesday, it's amazing just how often he wins penalties or gets turnovers at the ruck. Far more than most backs and certainly more than any other winger.
(The Highlanders are lucky in that the have the two best backs in the comp for this, Naholo and Buckman)
But yes, I question his decision making and consistency as well. If he can get this right, then his speed and over the ball work will see him cement that starting spot for the AB's. -
@mimic said in AB's v Samoa:
@chimoaus said in AB's v Samoa:
Any idea when the team is named?
The team is:
1 Viliamu Afatia - Racing 92 - Vailoa Palauli/Salelavalu/Sapapali'i
2 Maatulimanu Leiataua - Bayonne - Manono/Safune
3 Census Johnston - Toulouse - Lalomanu/Falevao
4 Chris Vui -Worcester Warriors - Foaluga/Lano /Saasaai
5 Faatiga Lemalu - Saracens - Faleasiu/Lefaga
6 Piula Faasalele - Toulouse - Magiagi/Nofoalii
7 Jack Lam - Bristol - Gaitavai/Malie/Taga
8 Faifili Levave - Mitsubishi - Lalomanu/Fasito'o-Uta
9 Kahn Fotualii - Bath - Faleapuna
10 Tusiata Pisi - Bristol - Lefaga Safaatoa /Toamua
11 Tim Nanai Williams - Chiefs - Manono/Falelatai
12 Alapati Leiua - Wasps - Malie
13 Kieron Fonotia - Ospreys - Apia
14 Albert Nikoro - West Scarborough - Vaiala/Vaiusu
15 Ah See Tuala - Northampton Saints - Moamoa/Gaitavai16 Seilala Lam - Nevers - Gaitavai /Malie/Taga
17 Nephi Leatigaga - Piacenza - Saleloga/Siumu
18 Paul Alo-Emile - Stade Francais - LeulumoegaTuai/Fasito'o-Tai/Falefa
19 Taiasina Tuifua - Lyon - Lauli'i
20 Alafoti Faosiliva - Worcester Warriors - Afega/Tuana'i
21 Auvasa Falealii - Nevers - Letogo/Lefaga Gagaifo
22 D’Angelo Leuila - Papatoetoe - Gaitavai/Fagalii
23 Ken Pisi - Northampton Saints - Lefaga Safaatoa /ToamuaSamoa squad update:
7 Jack Lam replaced by Fa'alemiga Selesele due to injury
21 also due to injury, Auvasa Falealii replaced by Dwayne Polataivao -
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Great start from Samoa, they look well drilled.
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That's not fine Marshall, there's a clear cut rule against that. Unfortunate as they had us under pressure.
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@No-Quarter said in AB's v Samoa:
That's not fine Marshall, there's a clear cut rule against that. Unfortunate as they had us under pressure.
Jeez our commentators are tossers.
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I know the ABs will want to run it a lot, but I'd like to see them get the basics right for the first 20-30 mins before trying to open it up.
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Need this hit out to get the rust out , hopefully Samoa don't drop away too early
Need a tough work out
