What is the best AB Midfield?
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@bones said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
Yeah that's some interesting stuff, nice @infidel
@chimoaus perhaps it's Foster going back to his tried and true, just minus one Sivivatu?
Interesting to see those attacking "moves" also and think back to the brilliant inter-linking between ALB and Crotty last year, most notably on quick, flat ball. So we know they're both capable.
As often noted, I can't see how this season has been anything other than "reserved" play. Has been a very limited and stunted attack we've shown, often with a real reluctance to create and use space in the wider channels.
It's hard to believe the ABs aren't keeping things back. For me, the suspicion was increased by the SBW/DMac/BB move, which seemed to be several notches up from anything else we saw on Saturday.
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Analysis: How the All Blacks unleashed Sonny Bill Williams against Scotland
Analysis: How the All Blacks unleashed Sonny Bill Williams against Scotland
The reality is the role Williams plays in the All Blacks midfield has changed. He is being asked to do different things, most of which go unnoticed.
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@pukunui said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
I have definitely been noticing a similar trend this season. So often good attacking ball from a set piece is wasted by a simple hit up at first or second reciever with very little deception or use of extra space. SBW has been used like that, Laumape has been used like that and one of the worst examples was Dagg being used to hit it up in the final minutes of third (was it third?) Lions test.
The other one that has been over used this season is Read taking it off the back of the scrum and doing some silly little 8-9 move that usually ends up in a knock on or spilled pass because of all the traffic.
Yep that Dagg hit up was a low point of that series. Terrific field position, attacking scrum, some of the best attacking players in rugby, and they farking get Dagg to run a crash ball.
As mentioned, it's incredibly frustrating watching other teams use space and get the ball wide. I truly hope this bash and crash bullshit is only a phase. It's a massive waste of some terrific talent.
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@nepia said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@milk said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@gt12 said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
he's probably the only senior AB who's reputation is growing. Whitelock and (mostly) Cane are staying steady
I think Cane's reputation has increased massively this year. At the beginning of the year there were plenty of people saying he shouldn't be starting (Ardie should have been). I don't hear many people disputing his place in the team anymore.
People who don't ever watch rugby? What sane rugby watcher would ever think Ardie would start over Cane?
Those ‘sane’ watchers that like 5 minute compilation highlight reels on YouTube with accompanying hip hop music i.e certain Canes supporters
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@milk said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@gt12 said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
he's probably the only senior AB who's reputation is growing. Whitelock and (mostly) Cane are staying steady
I think Cane's reputation has increased massively this year. At the beginning of the year there were plenty of people saying he shouldn't be starting (Ardie should have been). I don't hear many people disputing his place in the team anymore.
I don't think Canes reputation has grown.. It's just the Ardies has dropped.. Cane has had his fair share of shit games.. But he has been a lot more solid than Ardie..
Ardie has been so bad this year in black that he has been surpassed by Todd (which is great to see)
Todd may even surpass Cane, if he can add physicality to his game.. -
@act-crusader said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@nepia said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@milk said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@gt12 said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
he's probably the only senior AB who's reputation is growing. Whitelock and (mostly) Cane are staying steady
I think Cane's reputation has increased massively this year. At the beginning of the year there were plenty of people saying he shouldn't be starting (Ardie should have been). I don't hear many people disputing his place in the team anymore.
People who don't ever watch rugby? What sane rugby watcher would ever think Ardie would start over Cane?
Those ‘sane’ watchers that like 5 minute compilation highlight reels on YouTube with accompanying hip hop music i.e certain Canes supporters
haha snap!!
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@mimic said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@milk said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@gt12 said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
he's probably the only senior AB who's reputation is growing. Whitelock and (mostly) Cane are staying steady
I think Cane's reputation has increased massively this year. At the beginning of the year there were plenty of people saying he shouldn't be starting (Ardie should have been). I don't hear many people disputing his place in the team anymore.
I don't think Canes reputation has grown.. It's just the Ardies has dropped.. Cane has had his fair share of shit games.. But he has been a lot more solid than Ardie..
Ardie has been so bad this year in black that he has been surpassed by Todd (which is great to see)
Todd may even surpass Cane, if he can add physicality to his game..haha what? jesus mimic you're better than that.
I'm not ragging on Todd, who is a fantastic player, probably the best breakdown and link openside in the country.
But Cane has been about the best AB over the course of the season. He's had a massive year. Some of his performances have been absolutely top draw. His effort in the 2nd Lions test when he took on their vaunted flankers single handedly after Kaino went to the bench was fucking incredible.
Cane has definitely advanced his position this year, he's in zero danger of being replaced. He's probably one of the first on the team sheet.
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Best AB over the course of the season? Wow.. I'm surprised he didn't get voted as player of the year..
You mention that Todd is the best breakdown and link openside in the country, and if he can add physicality to his game, what will Cane be the best at?
I call bullshit on "probably one of the first on the team sheet".
He wouldn't make my top 5. -
@mimic said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
Best AB over the course of the season? Wow.. I'm surprised he didn't get voted as player of the year..
You mention that Todd is the best breakdown and link openside in the country, and if he can add physicality to his game, what will Cane be the best at?
I call bullshit on "probably one of the first on the team sheet".
He wouldn't make my top 5.who was player of the year? I missed that award.
and Matt Todd is 29, at what point does he completely change the make-up of his game? 31?
It's highly, highly unlikely that a guy loses his spot to a bloke 4 years older than you, who you've played 6 times as many tests as, after a massive season.
In short, you're talking shit.
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@mariner4life said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
It's highly, highly unlikely that a guy loses his spot to a bloke 4 years older than you, who you've played 6 times as many tests as, after a massive season.
A guy who is being talked about as potential AB captain as well.
There's zero chance Todd will overtake Cane, except by injury.
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Add me to the 'wrong about Cane' list. I think he has cemented his spot in a position that only a few months back was pretty hotly contested on here if not the general media. I thought Ardie would leap him before the WC, can't see that happening now barring serious injury to Cane and maybe Todd too.
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@wairau said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
I don't want Cane playing in the midfield, sorry. Nor Todd. Savea, maybe
Just my opinion, but it’s not the dumbest idea of Ardie playing 2nd 5.....
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@mariner4life said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@mimic said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
Best AB over the course of the season? Wow.. I'm surprised he didn't get voted as player of the year..
You mention that Todd is the best breakdown and link openside in the country, and if he can add physicality to his game, what will Cane be the best at?
I call bullshit on "probably one of the first on the team sheet".
He wouldn't make my top 5.who was player of the year? I missed that award.
and Matt Todd is 29, at what point does he completely change the make-up of his game? 31?
It's highly, highly unlikely that a guy loses his spot to a bloke 4 years older than you, who you've played 6 times as many tests as, after a massive season.
In short, you're talking shit.
I just threw it out there that Todd may surpass Cane if he added physicality to his game. Whether he does or not is a different story. So yes, I agree that those chances are slim to none.
Reex and BB were nominated for the IRB POTY award. I guess that's what I was alluding to. But yeh, if you didn't know, they were the only 2 AB's nominated. The winner will be named soon. Keep an eye out for it.
In truth, Cane should be standing out, as the AB's are missing half (some would argue more) of their best forward pack when fit.
I still stand by my comment, I call bullshit on "probably one of the first on the team sheet".
He wouldn't make my top 5. He wouldn't even make my top 3 forwards. And no, in that part I'm not talking shit. You are. -
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@nepia said in What is the best AB Midfield?:
@mimic Sheesh man, you've lost the plot on this one. Cane has easily been one of the best ABs this year.
I'm not sure why you're talking about player of the year, the fact that BB is nominated shows that it has little resemblance to fact.
I was talking about the player of the year because people bring up Cane being the best AB this year.
He could very well be one of the better performing ABs this year, but with the number of injuries/unavailable, he's one of the few 'starters' in the team, so he should be one of the better performers this year.But even still, when everyone is available, it would be hard to put his name down before BBBR, Sam W, and Read.
If you believe otherwise, then I guess we will agree to disagree.
