2019 Rugby World Cup
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Surely Sonny Bill is the greatest Foodbill in the pro era.
Crotty and Kahui have got nothing on Sonny Foodbill Williams.
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Steve Hansen obviously knows a thing or two about winning Rugby World Cups.
But if the All Blacks come back from Japan without the trophy, then Shag's manlove obsession with Sonny Bill and his offloads will look very strange indeed given SBW's dreadful form since doing his hamstring in 2016. There are IMHO better midfield options available (Crotty, Goodhue, ALB, Ennor, Laumape, Thompson and even a 36-year-old Ma'a Nonu).
But if he produces the goods in Japan, I will drink to Steve Hansen's persistence and genius.
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Is it just me or does SBW play better when he used as a sub?
He might be a game-winner but for every miracle off-load there always seems to a brain-fart or two.
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Sparky is right, that’s what the coaches get paid for.
So, if it goes tits up, bye Shag - a good size dent on your rep too- and probably bye to Foster.
This year will help us understand whether Shag is a god of coaching and selecting or was just lucky to have had Richie, DC, Whitelock, Read, BBBR, Nonu, and the Smiths at one time. Plus Franks too I guess.
It’s probably somewhere between the two anyway, But how close he gets to the WC really matters, because after the Lions and with the quality of some players allowed to leave, there is doubt about this coaching group.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Is it just me or does SBW play better when he used as a sub?
He might be a game-winner but for every miracle off-load there always seems to a brain-fart or two.
He definitely was a good impact when we had Nonu and Smith starting.
He was also a very good starter after the above two retired from the ABs. But 4 years is a long time and there are massive question marks IMO over him being able to remain fit for top level rugby and then perform at the level needed.
It may come as a surprise to many but I think Crotty and Goodhue should start and ALB is the best bench option covering both positions and his impact will be essential.
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
It may come as a surprise to many but I think Crotty and Goodhue should start and ALB is the best bench option covering both positions and his impact will be essential.
I have a lot of sympathy for the SBW attraction. He can be physically dominant - and that's hard to have at the top level. The combo I wanted to see last year (ruined by injury) was SBW-Goodhue ... but that ship may have sailed.
ALB is playing out of his skin at the moment. Absolutely quality - seems to have a very strong game that (like Goodhue) is built for Tests. Suffered from second season syndrome I think but has really stepped up again.
All that, and we're not talking about Laumape who has done some freakish stuff this year on the field. Do they take 5 midfielders? If not, who misses out?
Crotty
Goodhue
ALB
SBW
Laumape -
While some see a physically dominant SBW, I see a SBW who, for a midfielder, runs bad lines, passes inaccurately, kicks at the wrong time, and very rarely puts a player into space by drawing the defender and timing the pass. In my opinion he is not physically dominant enough to beat the rush defence, and he is not skilled enough in the art of backline manipulation to beat the rush defence.
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@nzzp 5 midfielders seems like overindulgence. It will come down to whether there is enough versatility in the squad. Every one of the 5 (including SFBW) have upsides but maybe other than ALB none of them are a genuine shot to play on the wing at test level.
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
maybe other than ALB none of them are a genuine shot to play on the wing at test level.
Laumape would be a shot for that surely?
Edit: as cover, not as a starter obviously
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Top three midfielders IMHO are clearly Ryan Crotty, ALB and Jack Goodhue.
Choosing the 4th to make up the squad is hard. SBW and Maa Nonu bring experience and impact but are past their prime. Nonu's passing game remains a joy to watch. SBW can still manage the occasional offload, although midfielders' shovel kicks tend to be more the way to split defences these days. Ngani Laumape is an excellent bulldozer but hasn't really developed his defensive, passing or kicking game. Really impressed with Braydon Ennor this season, he has come on leaps and bounds. Lacks experience, but the 21 year old's ability to play Wing perhaps gives him the edge.
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@nzzp said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
maybe other than ALB none of them are a genuine shot to play on the wing at test level.
Laumape would be a shot for that surely?
Edit: as cover, not as a starter obviously
Not sure he has the arial skills that the ABs like our wingers to have.
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Happy with Crotty/Goodhue starting but even happier - with Crotty's injury luck- with ALB & Goodhue getting some serious game time together.
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Not sure he has the arial skills that the ABs like our wingers to have.
...I did keep telling people we'd miss Charlie Ngatai one day
(Calls taxi, gets coat)
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@nzzp said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
maybe other than ALB none of them are a genuine shot to play on the wing at test level.
Laumape would be a shot for that surely?
Edit: as cover, not as a starter obviously
Not sure he has the arial skills that the ABs like our wingers to have.
Are you saying he needs a re-calibri-ation of his catching skills?
(steals Victor's coat from the rack)
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@Smudge said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@nzzp said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
maybe other than ALB none of them are a genuine shot to play on the wing at test level.
Laumape would be a shot for that surely?
Edit: as cover, not as a starter obviously
Not sure he has the arial skills that the ABs like our wingers to have.
Are you saying he needs a re-calibri-ation of his catching skills?
(steals Victor's coat from the rack)
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Not sure he has the arial skills that the ABs like our wingers to have.
...I did keep telling people we'd miss Charlie Ngatai one day
(Calls taxi, gets coat)
Even if this is a joke I'm still triggered by this post
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Sean O'Brien goooorne
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@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Sean O'Brien goooorne
that's a big blow, bummer. Ireland's running into NZ or SA in the QF, and that's a damn tough game already, that is getting harder.
I want to see the best players at this RWC; we're starting to lose some. Izzy, Dmac, SOB... do we need an injury list somewhere to grieve on?
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@nzzp said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
@booboo said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:
Sean O'Brien goooorne
that's a big blow, bummer. Ireland's running into NZ or SA in the QF, and that's a damn tough game already, that is getting harder.
I want to see the best players at this RWC; we're starting to lose some. Izzy, Dmac, SOB... do we need an injury list somewhere to grieve on?
That's only three players out of twenty teams. Two actually considering one of those mentioned shoulda kept his trap shut so no sympathy there. I don't think we should be "grieving" just yet.....
