AB Positions up for grabs
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3rd Halfback
Smith and Perenara are obviously the top two. Kerr-Barlow has gone, and there are no players with significant international experience left. This is wide open.
Contenders:
Hall and Drummond at the Crusaders. Both good but not much more. Hall is faster around the field and looks a little bit sharper, not very consistent though. Was preferred for the playoffs last year. Was injured at the end of the year and Drummond got a chance with the ABs.
Brad Weber - has the pass and speed to the ruck, but does he have the game for test rugby? He's rather small, and has struggled on defence. Is returning from a serious injury.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (T3) - Looks in good shape, looks faster too. Another small player. Has looked really good at times in lower grades.
Pulu - would make a good impact sub. Very physical. Would you want this man starting for your team? Pass is often too slow, not great at getting to rucks quickly.
Pity that Enari is injured. Looked really good for NZ U20.
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Backup 1st 5
Sopoaga won't play unless there's an injury problem, and Hansen has named three players they're watching: Mo'unga, McKenzie, and Perofeta.
Contenders:
Mo'unga - developing a good all-round game, improving on defence. Pretty small. Likely to be picked.
McKenzie - brilliant in open space, but erratic and has a high error rate. Small. AB coaches are enthusiastic, but he could struggle for consistency.
Perofeta - young but a lot of potential. Questions over kicking game and defence. Can he control a game at the top level? Looked sharp against the Chiefs. Completely dominant at U20 World Cup last year. Has had a bad run of injuries.
Otere Black is injured; Tiaan Falcon is too young yet (promising player though); Gatland is steady and has a good kicking game, but probably lacks the speed and skill level for test rugby; Hunt wouldn't disgrace himself, and performs well under pressure, but probably lacks the overall quality for test rugby.
We lack depth compared with recent seasons, but at least we're not Australia.
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@nepia On Bird, don't think so.
Last year (March) he signed a two year contract with the Chiefs through to the end of 2018.
Only a 1 yr contract with the Chiefs so I'd say he is keeping his options open. Bird got a sniff as an extra on the EOYT so isn't completely out of contention. Bird needs to perform for the full season as, like @Tim said, he did fall away towards the end, when Brown was preferred as the starter ahead of him.
The obvious starting AB postions up for grabs are 14 and the midfield mix. There is more uncertainty with the backups at hooker (minus Coles), LH prop, lock, 1st 5 and winger/fullback. And plenty of questions for wider squad postions.
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@muddyriver said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@seu cooper looks to be trying him at 8 will be interesting i think they lack depth at 8 at the chiefs
I found that an interesting choice. Based on my observations in Te Kuiti that move wasn't a success. Seu is very athletic but does have a tendency to run too upright, which isn't ideal when you are so tall and skinny.
As for the Chiefs, Messam and Brown are the best options at no.8. Ardron too, when he (finally) makes an appearance. But Cooper (and Barnes) may have completely other ideas.
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Midfield
There are two certainties, SBW and Crotty, but Crotty is constantly injured. Could see five midfielders + Ioane being used this year.
Contenders:
Anton Lienert-Brown - very skillful player, not physically dominant. Accurate defender. Had a case of the "2nd season blues" last year, and looked to have dropped some speed. Likely to be picked, the question is how well he establishes himself at the top level.
Jack Goodhue - very accurate and skilful player, with a good all-round game. Has the classy look and "time" of a classic NZ centre. Will be heavily marked and studied in his second season - how will he respond? How will his physicality develop for test rugby? Likely to be picked.
Laumape - physically dominant player, big defender and ball carrier. Lacks the skill and accuracy of the other players. AB backline didn't look great with him at 12. Will his skill level develop further? Unlikely to start, but a handy bench option. Most at risk of missing out.
Jordie Barrett - big, skilful player. Young and raw, but could offer the combination of accuracy, skill, and physicality that is needed at the top level. Will he play at 12 or 15? The wildcard of the midfield.
Others: TJ Faiane is promising and skilful player, but does he have the physical ability? Rob Thompson is tidy but doesn't seem to offer test level ability. Matt Proctor could be a bolter.
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Wing
Ioane has the left wing locked down. Right wing is up for grabs, as are the back up positions.
Naholo is probably a certainty to be picked, but other than that the position is wide open. I would imagine than Ben Smith will be primarily a fullback this year.
A second fullback type would be desirable, and another power wing. Aso looked good in the "power wing" role last year, but there are questions about his defence and all-round game. Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it? Duffie, Nanai, Alaimalo, and Stevenson all provide the second fullback ability. Proctor got smoked by Duffie in the preseason game - should probably stay at centre. Is Duffie big enough for test rugby? He has all the other skills.
Ennor could be a bolter, but probably needs another year or so to bulk up.
There really are a lot of contenders for a couple of spots.
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@tim think Dagg will have inside running for that 14 spot, he was in good form when he last played and we know these coaches are loyal, Naholo is yet to show the game breaking form consistently he shows at super rugby, NMS is another who will be in the mix.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it?
Also, will the selectors start getting spooked by the age? Dagg will be 30 and Ben Smith 32 just before the first Test this year. Thats geriatric in AB outside back terms.
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@duluth said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it?
Also, will the selectors start getting spooked by the age? Dagg will be 30 and Ben Smith 32 just before the first Test this year. Thats geriatric in AB outside back terms.
All good, move them to the midfield, they're the perfect age ;).
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Bird is horribly overrated. I just don’t get the love from some posters.
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@billy-tell said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Bird is horribly overrated. I just don’t get the love from some posters.
What has Romano got that he hasn't though?
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@bones said in AB Positions up for grabs:
I'm not sure if it's been raised, but it seems strange to me there's such a massive size difference between Gibson and poor old puny Todd. I mean, no stats bear it out but look at their respective teams, Gibson must be HUGE.
If you talk enough about a player they become massive by default bro. Have you not heard of Ardie Savea ?
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