AB Test Team v France.
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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.
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@dmx You would really have him over Robshaw?
I definitely wouldn'tAnyway that point is probably moot as England last played Itoje at 6 and now they have got the emerging Underhill and Simmonds who are both going to end up better than LW if not already.
You are probably one of those guys who say that the best 30 players in the world are 1st and 2nd All Black XV and refuse to acknowledge that cohesion, game plan, coaching, combinations etc.. play any part in a team sport.
And yeah I do agree that many All Blacks would walk straight in to any team, but thinking that a 4th stringer would, is just delusional.
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@cantab79 said in AB Test Team v France.:
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.
If that was the case AC why was Ioane called into the squad for the Dunedin test this year instead of Whitelock to his home Super franchise park?
I'm pretty sure the coaches have given a halfback a run in the Maori ABs instead of having them hold tackle bags with the ABs in past.
At any rate, at least this call up to the squad is deserved this time.
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Come on fellas we all know Luke has made the ABs because of family reputation. It’s finally nice to see him come out of Adam’s shadow....
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@act-crusader said in AB Test Team v France.:
Come on fellas we all know Luke has made the ABs because of family reputation. It’s finally nice to see him come out of Adam’s shadow....
I feel genuinely sorry for Adam, if he hadn't have decided he would be a back in a loose forwards body back in the day he too would likely have been an AB as well.
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@pakman said in AB Test Team v France.:
The Whitelocks, the Barretts and the Clarkes (five of whom played for Waikato in one sixties match) would go close to being able to field a first class XV between them!
I kind of doubt the Clarkes could keep up with the pace of the game nowadays
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