AB Depth Chart 2020
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@Crazy-Horse Parkinson and Dickson are both 2m+.
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@Bones said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@kiwiinmelb pffft...Sopoaga killed it for the ABs. Mounga has a way to go to be superior. Him in form is pretty much what @Crucial described.
But went to Wasps and was absolutely terrible. NZR let Sops go at the right time perhaps?
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@Tim said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Hooker
A big issue for Foster's team. NZ really only has one international quality hooker, Codie Taylor, and he has probably been over played over the past two seasons, and isn't dominant at test level. Coles has okay as backup, but has been below desired quality for the past two years, and has discipline problems. Showed some signs of life on Sunday, but much of his game was of lesser quality to Parsons. Time to drop him.
Contenders:
First thing to note is that all the next level of hookers (Parsons isn't in contention for the ABs) have problems with their throwing. This can be exacerbated by lack of lineout targets (Chiefs, Hurricanes).
Taukei'aho - has a very good mix of power in the loose and tight roles, and a good work rate. Throwing needs a lot of work.
Aumua - dynamic player with good speed, brutal ball carrier, can put in some big hits on defence. Has improved his work rate. Skills will continue to develop. Poor lineout thrower.
Coltman - excellent "jackler", poor thrower, rest of game not international standard.
Makalio - big guy, pretty powerful, decent thrower. Different type of player than the ABs have used in the past, possible stopgap.
Hooker is arguably the problem position for Foster's ABs. Coles in his last year or 18 months from retirement. Taylor might no be around for next RWC. It's a step down to Coltman and Aumua who have reliability issues then a step down again to any other options.
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@sparky said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Bones said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@kiwiinmelb pffft...Sopoaga killed it for the ABs. Mounga has a way to go to be superior. Him in form is pretty much what @Crucial described.
But went Wasps and was absolutely terrible. NZR let Sops go at the right time perhaps?
Yeah EP form is definitely indicative of how a player's form would be in/for NZ.
We all know Heinz and Flutey are the ones that got away. Gopperth would've overtaken Carter.
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@Bones Would have liked that lad who played for King Country in the early 90s, Martin Johnson, to have hung around after making the NZ Colts. Went well against John Eales in 1990 Colts games. Might have helped ABs lineout woes in late 1990s/early 2000s
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@Duluth said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Tim said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Contenders:
Dunshea, Strange, Walker-Leawere.
I would add Josh Dickson to that list. He's looks like a better prospect than Dunshea and Strange
I liked the look of him last season, but Walker-Leawere has not really done much this year. Another talent the Hurricanes coaches are not really bringing on.
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@Bones said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@pakman said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Faiane is a thinking 12, with some great skills.
Lee Stensness is back baby!
Faiane's defence is much better than $20 Stensness'.
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@cgrant said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
6 and 8, for which the cupboard looked bare a few months ago, are now filled with many young talents. There is more concern for the halfback position where no promising youngster has emerged for a few years now. Fakatava is nowhere to be seen while Enari takes more time than expected to hatch. Let's hope Smith and Perenara keep on playing well till the next RWC.
If only Willi Heinz had stayed in NZ.
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@mofitzy_ said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Ash Dixon is "only" 31. No reason he can't play for another 3 years in his position, especially if their are no standout up and coming candidates.
Ash Dixon going well this year. Very solid player. He'd bring experience, reliability and leadership to the national team too. But he's never going to be a world-beater.
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@mofitzy_ said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
I wonder if any players will be returning for next season e.g. Hemopo. Only 26 years old and an underrated 6/lock option.
How long is Jackson Hemopo tied into his Japan contract? He'd be a great signing for the Hurricanes.
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@sparky said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@mofitzy_ said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Ash Dixon is "only" 31. No reason he can't play for another 3 years in his position, especially if their are no standout up and coming candidates.
Ash Dixon going well this year. Very solid player. He'd bring experience, reliability and leadership to the national team too. But he's never going to be a world-beater.
He doesn't need to be a world beater - he needs to play a role, the main features of which are (a) hitting his line out targets and (b) holding his own in the scrum so our No. 8 and backs have quick clean ball to play with.
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@junior said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@sparky said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@mofitzy_ said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Ash Dixon is "only" 31. No reason he can't play for another 3 years in his position, especially if their are no standout up and coming candidates.
Ash Dixon going well this year. Very solid player. He'd bring experience, reliability and leadership to the national team too. But he's never going to be a world-beater.
He doesn't need to be a world beater - he needs to play a role, the main features of which are (a) hitting his line out targets and (b) holding his own in the scrum so our No. 8 and backs have quick clean ball to play with.
Unless the patterns change, over the past few years we have used Coles and Taylor to great effect out wide. Both are pretty skilled with their hands and like to run with the ball. Dixon will have to show at least something in that regard.
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@ACT-Crusader actually you reminded me - thought Laulala looked very good ball in hand in the weekend, I don't recall him being that dynamic before.
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@cgrant said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
I liked what I saw from Slater against the Crusaders last Sunday. His throwing was rather good (with one notable exception), he has a good workrate and he looks big for a hooker. At just 21, he is one to watch closely.
If there is an AB EOYT it might be worth taking Slater as their apprentice.
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@cgrant said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
I liked what I saw from Slater against the Crusaders last Sunday. His throwing was rather good (with one notable exception), he has a good workrate and he looks big for a hooker. At just 21, he is one to watch closely.
Trust me, that is the best I have ever seen Slater throw, going back to 1st XV rugby where he was also very inaccurate. He was worse than Taukei'aho in SR.
