AB Test Team v France.
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@dmx said in AB Test Team v France.:
100% stand by that comment , particularly Ireland , France and England who can’t get Kiwis in their teams quick enough. He would absolutely find a place in their 2nd or back rows.
So he's a lock now too ? Christ on a bike, anything else? Is he one of the best in the world there too?
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@bovidae said in AB Test Team v France.:
Anyway, if the Palmy bogan is also unwell then there will be a lot of pressure on Fifita. He'll need to play much tighter than he did against Argentina or the Baabaas. The French forwards should at least provide a test.
Well, apart from Picamoles. He's only in the team cos L Whitelock doesn't qualify for France.
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@dmx said in AB Test Team v France.:
He’s played lock for the Highlanders and all the teams I mentioned have players who have had players play in the second and back row.
Ah righto. The odd game at lock at Super level will definitely set him up to walk into any team at international level. Gotcha. Can he play in the front row too? I really hope him and Charlie Ngatai don't ever play at the same time. It'd cause a cataclysm that'd destroy the world....
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Akira has shown he can mix it with the big boys, he was farking huge against the Lions in a pack that was well beaten on the night. Luke Whitelock may be a better player now (you'd bloody well hope so) but he is nothing more than a journeyman. Frustrating, short sighted selection.
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@no-quarter said in AB Test Team v France.:
Akira has shown he can mix it with the big boys, he was farking huge against the Lions in a pack that was well beaten on the night. Luke Whitelock may be a better player now (you'd bloody well hope so) but he is nothing more than a journeyman. Frustrating, short sighted selection.
Well he is world class in five positions according to @DMX that counts for something.
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The AB selectors have had plenty of opportunity to have a look at Akira this year. I assume there's a reason he's not called up, one of them being that he's needed for the Maori game. Luke's call-up is only as injury cover and he'll probably not even play. Why take the opportunity from Akira to play for the Maori's only for him to end up sitting in the stands?
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@stargazer yep I think that is important thing to consider too, the fact L Whitelock may not even play, while Akira will this weekend, why deny him the chance just in case...obviously if Luke does get to play, then the conversation about how lucky/unlucky someone is is worth having.
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Can't believe people are seriously suggesting that Steve Hansen has not called up Akira Ioane because he is saving him for the Maori team. Is there any precedent to back up this theory? Luke Whitelock has outplayed Ioane at both Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup levels this year, and that's why he's been selected.
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Who cares, Luke Whitelock will only be holding tackle bags for the week anyway. A good job for him.
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I though L.Whitelock was a revelation for the Clan this year.
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If you have Fifita and Savea available with skills akin to Ioane, and Kaino and Squire not, then surely you want the best player to cover the latter two's skillsets in case of need, and that is Whitelock. The Maoris need Akira as a 'leader', and for me he needs to show a more consistent influence in all aspects of his game for 80 minutes. This way he gets that chance to further his claims. I think the selectors got it right.
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Whitelock v Ioane, Cantab v Orc, the new Mertz v Carlos
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@dmx said in AB Test Team v France.:
100% stand by that comment , particularly Ireland , France and England who can’t get Kiwis in their teams quick enough. He would absolutely find a place in their 2nd or back rows.
I'd be interested to know who you think he would replace. I'd say that it he's any good at 7 he might get a look in there for England, but otherwise you are talking about some very creditable players.
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For the record I did not see the Ngatai comments but I would have said the same about him too (pre concussion).I also said Aki will make Irish team as soon as he is qualified. To be fair even though I referred to Whitelock I think I could have said the same about a lot more kiwis particularly in the back row. In a world where Whitelock hadn’t played for ABs and was qualified for England Eddie Jones would ship him into the squad without a single club game. I would have him over Robshaw all day long. The fact that Hugh’s is no 8 kind of makes my point. The ease which kiwis or kiwi based players make other national teams and the record of the ABs is hardly debatable, no arrogance just facts.
