Highlanders 2019 Discussion
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@Chris-B said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
Liam's had some terrible luck with injuries.
Before he even played for the Mako, he fractured some vertebrae and over the years he's missed plenty of time for the Mako with injuries. Same with the Highlanders and probably the Chiefs and ABs as well.
He's like a combined SBW/Crotty in the forwards.
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It’s definitely time for him to cash in overseas. So, how about his place in this year’s side? Does he have enough time or is he now the most under threat? I think Frizzel has looked an AB and we’ll need a back-up starting option, at the least.
Of course my preferred option is to have Akira there. I’d love it if the Saders asked Read to play one game at blindside- this place would go mad.
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@Machpants said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
Scott Barrett is the best backup ATM
too slow. Not hard enough.
Decent bench lock, or starter if we are playing Australia
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@mariner4life Kaino wasn't fast, not needed. SB has been smashing people as much as anyone in ABs EOYT and this season. Frizzell has the flash, but not the grunt,depends what the coaches want. So I see him as a great bench option, covering 456. SW and BBBR should play 80 mins unless the games a foregone conclusion anyway.
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Have you watched the Landers game where Frizzel has played? Very little flash and heaps of grunt- tackles, ball-running, with a few reasonable passes too. It’s early days, but he’s been very physical with the chances he’s had this year.
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Yeah I think he's the AB current 6, he's no Kaino but has extras. I still feel SB has more enforcer about him, so far this year, but then again he's playing in a dominant saders pack. I'm not saying SB should be our starting 6, Frizzell should be, and certainly not Squire!
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@gt12 I'm a fan of Frizzel and felt he was excellent on debut against Argentina last year. Was there a reason why he was dropped?
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@Chris-B said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
Shouldn't forget about Jordan Taufua, either. We've got a shitload of options at 6 - just nobody that's nailed it to the extent that they've shut everyone else out.
My comments; glass half empty:
Squire - always injured
Frizell - too raw
Barrett - not physical enough (yet?)
Fifita - too loose
Taufua - too short
Savea - Better at 7/8
Ioane - Goes missing
Evans - Not sure has the upside
Dixon - Ditto -
@Nepia said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
@Chris-B said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
Liam's had some terrible luck with injuries.
Before he even played for the Mako, he fractured some vertebrae and over the years he's missed plenty of time for the Mako with injuries. Same with the Highlanders and probably the Chiefs and ABs as well.
He's like a combined SBW/Crotty in the forwards.
It's amazing how some people manage to get through their careers with minimal damage and others are continuously broken.
Did Ma'a Nonu ever get injured - compared to Conrad Smith, especially in his early years?
Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett have been immensely durable - but, Joe Moody and Tim Perry seem to be from the glass factory.
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@Chris-B said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
@nzzp It's all relative to Kaino, which is setting the bar high. We have to be weakest in one position - blindside flanker isn't the worst to choose.
I actually like Scott Barrett or Sam cane. The second is a flier, a bit like Hayman to eight, but not beyond the realms of possibility
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@nzzp I wouldn't mind Scott Barrett at 6, but I'm a bit worried that he might occasionally lack a yard of pace off the scrum that will allow the offence to skirt him. Plus, he's our best bench option for lock and covering six, so I think I prefer that utility in the 19(?) jersey.
I still reckon Cane is a fucking good openside and want to see him played there. Though in fairness, Todd and Ardie are both excellent cover. But is say Cane-Todd > Taufua-Cane (and I've purposely gone with the Crusaders) if we're playing a short blindside? I'd go with Taufua-Cane.
I reckon the top four choices will be from Squire, Frizell, Ioane and Taufua.
Taufua the short safety.
I'm pretty sure Steven Harris' story from last year is right on the money and if Akira keeps his nose clean, it won't surprise me to see him in the picture.
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@Chris-B aparently Ma'a was a yoga master and is the very reason why alot of All Blacks swear by yoga today. He started it way back in his early playing days and is probably why he was rarely injured. On the other hand some players just have rotten luck.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:
@gt12 I'm a fan of Frizzel and felt he was excellent on debut against Argentina last year. Was there a reason why he was dropped?
For the tour later on? He wasn't. He was injured.
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@Canes4life More than likely a useful tool to protect muscles and ligaments- though probably won't help with broken bones and concussions.
