All Blacks Squad for France
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Matt Duffy was seen as the new Ben Smith but I think George Bridge offers more similarities with his ability to beat the first tackle and to run good lines. He's definitely more strongly built than Duffy and does not fear to tackle big men. The 125 kg Waratahs winger was stopped neatly while he was at full speed. He is having a very strong season and has not put a foot wrong in everything he did in every game. He might be worth a look.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Remember the Crusaders-BIL game? Bridge got badly exposed under the high ball so Murray just kept kicking it to him.
He has improved a lot since that game
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@cgrant said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Matt Duffy was seen as the new Ben Smith but I think George Bridge offers more similarities with his ability to beat the first tackle and to run good lines. He's definitely more strongly built than Duffy and does not fear to tackle big men. The 125 kg Waratahs winger was stopped neatly while he was at full speed. He is having a very strong season and has not put a foot wrong in everything he did in every game. He might be worth a look.
I take it you didn't see the start of the Tahs-Crusaders game? He made a lot of errors early.
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When I see bridge I sort of think Ralph and Hamilton. He’s having a decent season but I’m not yet buying the next Ben smith.
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Wow I wonder what those players have in common?
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@canerbry said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Wow I wonder what those players have in common?
Both massively over-rated?
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I have to laugh about these comments. Every time someone brings up a player that may (or may not) be worth considering for the ABs, esp if it's a Crusaders' (or MABs') player, someone who doesn't agree brings up that one game against the BILs, conveniently forgetting that the Crusaders were the first team to play a test-strength BILs team with that quick line-speed that they hadn't shown in the other games, with the yelling over the line-out calls, the awkward refereeing (particularly of the scrum) etc. It's ridiculous to judge a player on one game in general; it's even more ridiculous to judge a player who has never played a test match on one game against a team like the BILs.
Personally, I don't see Bridge as the next Ben Smith. At this stage, I also can't see him as a test player. He has potential though. A wait-and-see case for me.
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I'm just curious why Bridge was mentioned at all. I assume it is because of the Cully article. Personally, I don't believe any of Bridge, Alaimalo, Duffie or Lam will make the AB squad. NMS can also play wing/FB and will be in the squad ahead of those 4 players.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm just curious why Bridge was mentioned at all. I assume it is because of the Cully article. Personally, I don't believe any of Bridge, Alaimalo, Duffie or Lam will make the AB squad. NMS can also play wing/FB and will be in the squad ahead of those 4 players.
Yep, hundred percent
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm just curious why Bridge was mentioned at all. I assume it is because of the Cully article. Personally, I don't believe any of Bridge, Alaimalo, Duffie or Lam will make the AB squad. NMS can also play wing/FB and will be in the squad ahead of those 4 players.
I think you're right - but, NMS isn't a complete lock-in - to the extent that I'd be flabbergasted if he missed out. But, I'd be "pretty surprised" if they picked Bridge ahead of him.
George has been going well this year, though - not undeserving of a mention in the discussion.One suggestion I've seen mentioned is that they might pick five midfielders and only four outside backs (or just two halfbacks).
I'll be a bit annoyed if this happens. It's fuzzy thinking - selecting to accommodate individuals ahead of the team. The team only needs four midfielders, so that's what should be picked.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I have to laugh about these comments. Every time someone brings up a player that may (or may not) be worth considering for the ABs, esp if it's a Crusaders' (or MABs') player, someone who doesn't agree brings up that one game against the BILs, conveniently forgetting that the Crusaders were the first team to play a test-strength BILs team with that quick line-speed that they hadn't shown in the other games, with the yelling over the line-out calls, the awkward refereeing (particularly of the scrum) etc. It's ridiculous to judge a player on one game in general; it's even more ridiculous to judge a player who has never played a test match on one game against a team like the BILs.
Personally, I don't see Bridge as the next Ben Smith. At this stage, I also can't see him as a test player. He has potential though. A wait-and-see case for me.
In Bridges case i mentioned that game because it is the closest thing to test rugby that we have seen him play. He completely bottled it. Not saying he should never be considered because of it but it does count against him in my calculations.
I also don't think he has been a standout this year either. Decent but not standout.
I would pick a long list of guys ahead of him for the ABs. I wouldn't even pick him in a first choice 23 for the crusaders if everyone was available. -
@canerbry said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Wow I wonder what those players have in common?
They all like Weetbix for breakfast?
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I have to laugh about these comments. Every time someone brings up a player that may (or may not) be worth considering for the ABs, esp if it's a Crusaders' (or MABs') player, someone who doesn't agree brings up that one game against the BILs, conveniently forgetting that the Crusaders were the first team to play a test-strength BILs team with that quick line-speed that they hadn't shown in the other games, with the yelling over the line-out calls, the awkward refereeing (particularly of the scrum) etc. It's ridiculous to judge a player on one game in general; it's even more ridiculous to judge a player who has never played a test match on one game against a team like the BILs.
Personally, I don't see Bridge as the next Ben Smith. At this stage, I also can't see him as a test player. He has potential though. A wait-and-see case for me.
I see your "Crusader criticism" alarm is working just fine.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm just curious why Bridge was mentioned at all. I assume it is because of the Cully article. Personally, I don't believe any of Bridge, Alaimalo, Duffie or Lam will make the AB squad. NMS can also play wing/FB and will be in the squad ahead of those 4 players.
I think you're right - but, NMS isn't a complete lock-in - to the extent that I'd be flabbergasted if he missed out. But, I'd be "pretty surprised" if they picked Bridge ahead of him.
George has been going well this year, though - not undeserving of a mention in the discussion.One suggestion I've seen mentioned is that they might pick five midfielders and only four outside backs (or just two halfbacks).
I'll be a bit annoyed if this happens. It's fuzzy thinking - selecting to accommodate individuals ahead of the team. The team only needs four midfielders, so that's what should be picked.
For me a very important consideration is that they take the chance to try several up and comers where the jury is out about whether or not they'll be ready for the RWC. Third halfback would fall into the category, as would a third LH (if there was one). Third hooker another spot.
In midfield, I'd like to see a couple of combos get a run, even if only off bench -- SBW/ALB, SBW/JG. In back three, there is a surplus of reasonably proven options, so content if they pick four, knowing two or three others are readily available.
I don't think they need Cane, Todd and Savea (A).
