Nonu
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="538933" data-time="1446549754">
<div>
<p>Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yep. I can think of 1 or 2 who would challenge Conrad - e.g. Bruce Robertson & Bunce (no reflection on Conrad, we were blessed with those two and he still shades it) - but can't think of anyone who comes near to Ma'a as a 12.</p> -
Wondering if / when we will again have a midfield from the same Super team. Combos, bro.
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="539077" data-time="1446597652">
<div>
<p>Ngatai/<strong>SBW</strong></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Will he play any 15s next year? If so that midfield has lots of potential. I'm hoping Ngatai is over the injury/indifferent form/invisible to selectors hump now that he's picked up an AB cap.</p> -
<p>was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking to Ardie and Jane, Ardie will play the first 10 games and will miss the finals series (if the canes make it) should he be selected for Rio.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="539084" data-time="1446599064">
<div>
<p>Will he play any 15s next year? If so that midfield has lots of potential. I'm hoping Ngatai is over the injury/indifferent form/invisible to selectors hump now that he's picked up an AB cap.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>SBW was interviewed today and was asked if he would be playing for the ABs again. His answer was that he definitely wanted to and wants to play 50 tests (currently on 33). The problem next year will be to balance sevens commitments with games for the Chiefs/ABs. </p> -
<p>Hopefully he's eyeing the Lions tour.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="539143" data-time="1446606850">
<div>
<p>Hopefully he's eyeing the Lions tour.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>A Smith, Cruds, SBW, Ngatai - I'd be happy (in theory) with that combination against the Lions.</p> -
<p>I'm also interested in seeing more of Ngatai and surely SBW is the next 12 in line (but tough on Fekitoa).</p>
<p>And now for howls of outrage from Safe White Boys fans south of Kaikoura...</p>
<p>I'm actually a fan of Crotty but what little I saw of him in 2015 I thought his form had dipped ever so slightly..</p> -
<p>both sbw and fekitoa started to show signs of developing an improved wide passing game recently, which is such an important thing at 12 and has become such a hallmark of nonu's game.</p>
<p>if sbw was going to stick around and concentrate on 15s he would be a very straightforward selection at 12. but odds on it'll be 7s, then who knows what, at best a short contract, which isn't an easy way to build a team. a massive part of our success is the long-term guys that you can build around. </p>
<p>fekitoa i think has a touch more pace and is a bit smaller, which lends itself to centre a bit more. sbw isn't going to take many outside breaks, whereas his size and strength coming up against the fatties in close is a real asset.</p>
<p>the amount of ruck work done by nonu is the other thing we'll miss. he'd hit the most breakdowns out of all the backs on the field in a lot of games he plays.</p>
<p>as far as combos go, the 10-12 and 13/wing/15 ones are important too. fekitoa/naholo/smith did some great things down south this year, while sbw playing with cruden has an inside track there. but then of course, sopo'aga or barrett may win the race for 10, exciting times.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="539830" data-time="1446842817">
<div>
<p>Just realised from the Nonu side of things he will play outside Quade Cooper next year at Toulon. I'll be curious to see how effective he is under that chemistry. Will have Basteraued though so not losing much in his Centre partner.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Or how much better he might make Kwaiyde look, potentially lethal backline, although, MIchalak at 9?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12191786_937141063044417_1584099977646319333_n.png?oh=beb18042d1a327e45ee9f2f3ee7bf546&oe=56F42CEB&gda=1459070713_9da5e8c1d1510104f657df73e2a61daa" alt="12191786_937141063044417_158409997764631"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="539834" data-time="1446844856">
<div>
<p>Surely Giteau will play in Toulon's midfield. Basteraud probably not even in the matchday 23. Alarming for a national team player.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Not really, he's French, no place in a French club side for a Frenchman! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="539832" data-time="1446843502">
<div>
<p>Or how much better he might make Kwaiyde look, potentially lethal backline, although, MIchalak at 9?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/12191786_937141063044417_1584099977646319333_n.png?oh=beb18042d1a327e45ee9f2f3ee7bf546&oe=56F42CEB&gda=1459070713_9da5e8c1d1510104f657df73e2a61daa" alt="12191786_937141063044417_158409997764631"></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>No wonder French rugby is fucked.</p>
