EOYT 2017
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@rancid-schnitzel said in EOYT 2017:
Big fan of Duffie. Reckon he could excel at test rugby if given the chance. Would also like to see Buckmann given a crack. Another player who I think would thrive at test level.
Duffie is certainly a possibility. I wonder if his age becomes an issue though if deciding between him and someone with more long term possibilities.
I get the feeling that whoever gets slotted into the back three options on this tour will be either an experienced player coming back in or a stop gap measure (or both).
I think DMac's performance last game has made them re-think whether he can be a long term international 15 and that maybe they should be looking for another 10 to develop such as Mounga or Perofuture.27 isn't too old. Cory Jane must have been about the same age when he first played in black.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in EOYT 2017:
@rancid-schnitzel said in EOYT 2017:
Big fan of Duffie. Reckon he could excel at test rugby if given the chance. Would also like to see Buckmann given a crack. Another player who I think would thrive at test level.
Duffie is certainly a possibility. I wonder if his age becomes an issue though if deciding between him and someone with more long term possibilities.
I get the feeling that whoever gets slotted into the back three options on this tour will be either an experienced player coming back in or a stop gap measure (or both).
I think DMac's performance last game has made them re-think whether he can be a long term international 15 and that maybe they should be looking for another 10 to develop such as Mounga or Perofuture.27 isn't too old. Cory Jane must have been about the same age when he first played in black.
I realise that. I guess what I am getting at is that they can only work with a certain number in the back three pool and already have Dagg and Bender in the 'unlikely for 2023' basket along with the knowledge that others can hit the back three wall like Savea did.
I get the feeling they like a certain number of understudies in the mix to have the right experience levels come RWC time. If there was a youngster to bring forward (eg another Ioane) they may prefer to take that gamble rather than put effort into someone that is likely to be a one RWC player at best.
If only looking at the here and now then I agree that he is a good option.EDIT: Just checked and CJ was 25 on debut and lasted 6 years until 31
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Just checked Izzy Dagg and he is on 7 yrs service. At 29 currently he has a possibility of making his second RWC squad at 31.
Bender is already 31 with 8 years in black and looking at the RWC at age 33Last RWC there were only 4 outside backs taken with BB being a 10/15 extra.
If a similar approach is in the plans for Japan then DMac would hopefully take that 10/15 spot.
Given that Bender and Ioane are probably lock ins, that leaves two other spots for Dagg, NMS, Havili, Naholo, Savea, JB and whoever appears late in the piece.
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I wonder if they might try and develop another lock on this tour. Someone like Sam Lousi comes to mind and someone such as Sam Whitelock has had an enormous workload this season - could potentially use a break? Or if Brodie R still isnt mentally right to play.
With halfbacks it is worth considering it isnt impossible that Aaron Smith could be punished further for his off field stuff and with TKB off it only leaves Perenara.
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@pakman So let's try and make a list
Prop(6): Ofa, Crockett, Laulala, Hames, +2 newcomers
Hooker(3): Coles, Taylor, Harris
Lock(5): BBBR, Whitelock, Barrett, Romano, Tuipolotu
Loose(7): Read, Cane, Kaino, Squire, Savea, Todd, FifitaHalfback(3) Smith, TJP, TKB (I don't think anyone else is beating down the door yet)
1st5 (2) BB, Sops
Midfield(6): SBW, Crotty, ALB, Laumape, +2 (Ngatai, Goodhue)
Outside backs(5): DMac, Naholo, Havili, Ioane, +1 (Savea, Seta T, Li, A N Other?)They may be thinking very hard about who else may offer a 14/15 fullback/wing option. I don't see too many around.
I think they've had Jeff Toomaga-Allen travelling to Argentina and SA, so he's pretty likely as third tighthead.
Hansen noted that the loosehead pool is very shallow and called up Tim Perry, so he may have the inside running. With Goodes, DLB and Edmonds all out, the most credible alternatives are probably Paulasi Manu and Mitchell Graham - not sure why Perry would have been called in ahead of them though, unless they were injured at the time. TP doesn't seem a convincing option to me.
I don't see the point in taking TKB on a farewell tour if both of Smith and Perenara are fit.
I'd also take Mo'unga as a third first five. I think he's clearly better than the alternative first fives including DMac.
So, five midfielders and five outside backs. Given that we already have Ben Smith, Dagg, NMS, Jordie and even Savea in the mix as specialist outside backs, I don't know that it's critical to be developing additional options, so wouldn't be averse to them taking Ngatai or Seta primarily to play on the wing. Leaves them very thin in the wing/fullback role, though - so maybe Duffie - or Faddes or Bridge? None of the options really appeal.
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Good, then he's even closer!
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@kiwimurph said in EOYT 2017:
I thought TKB was off overseas at the end of the Mitre 10 Cup? Meaning his last possible AB test the Bris Bledisloe next weekend?
I've seen both after TRC and at the end of year reported. This article says end of the year, but his wiki page says after TRC.
Paul Cully is picking him in his touring squad on Stuff, which suggests he's around (or maybe Cully knows no more than us).
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Here's Cully's squad. He's gone with a 20-17 split - one less prop and one more outside back.
For the reasons above, it would surprise me if they'd take both Seta and Duffie, but I've been surprised before!
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Haven't watched Northland this season so wondering how Goodhue is going. Is he carrying on with his Crusaders form? Is he taking a leadership role? (I thought he hung back a little with the Crusaders rather than demanding the ball and taking the game by the scruff). A lot of people seem to be picking him for their squads but his name doesn't seem to come up much during Northland game threads. A case of doing his job well but with few highlight plays?
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The drums seem to be beating for Duffie. I have to say I wouldn't be terribly upset if he were selected. The same can be said of Timanivalu. Many others mentioned, such as Li, Faddes, Buckman and Stevenson, are laughable. There is merit in asking "what if?" when it comes to James Lowe. I have to say, if he were still around then Johnny McNicholl could be the first cab off the rank.
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@pakman So let's try and make a list
Prop(6): Ofa, Crockett, Laulala, Hames, +2 newcomers
Hooker(3): Coles, Taylor, Harris
Lock(5): BBBR, Whitelock, Barrett, Romano, Tuipolotu
Loose(7): Read, Cane, Kaino, Squire, Savea, Todd, FifitaHalfback(3) Smith, TJP, TKB (I don't think anyone else is beating down the door yet)
1st5 (2) BB, Sops
Midfield(6): SBW, Crotty, ALB, Laumape, +2 (Ngatai, Goodhue)
Outside backs(5): DMac, Naholo, Havili, Ioane, +1 (Savea, Seta T, Li, A N Other?)They may be thinking very hard about who else may offer a 14/15 fullback/wing option. I don't see too many around.
Thats going to be pretty close i reckon.
Can't comment much on props but we are scraping the barrel a bit there.
Hooker i would love to see Aumua come in for Harris. He has star written all over him.Locks i pretty much agree. Pat T on his last chance?
Loosies im not sure if it is worth taking Todd. Surely getting A Ioane in again for the experience and
to build cover for Read would be a good idea.
It's a cliche but they "know what Todd brings"
and seem happy to swap him in when needed.
If Ardie can't start those lesser games surely he shouldn't be on the bench for the big ones.I wouldn't take TKB. Don't see the point. He is 3rd choice and we need to fill that spot so not having a look at a new on EOYT seems a waste. Not Pulu though.
At 10 it might depend on what they seem DMac's roll as. Mounga next in line if Dmac is needed at 15 or 14.
Midfield is still a puzzle that needs to be solved. I would like them to bring Goodhue and Ngatai along with the current guys. Both of them offer the distribution/organisation the backline is missing IMO.
Back 3 is a bit easier because we know who are the top 6 guys are. Smith, Ioane, Dagg, Jordie, Dmac and Naholo plus Savea is around if needed.
With Havili also there now im not sure we need new guys other than for covering the injuries.
My choice would be between Duffie and Nanai.
But Nanai has had no rugby so would take Duffie. -
@pukunui Nanai? Eh?? I don’t mind him but I don’t see him being close at all. Duffie on the hand has that good mix of brilliance and steady.
