AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?
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Def 2011. In hindsight having some rugby brain in Jane and Kahui on the wings (coupled with their skill levels) was great. The visibility of the game from either side and ability to communicate to Dagg on whether to be up or back was critical.
In 2015 and 2019 we relied on the fullback to do all the vision.
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@mofitzy_ amazing how short a career Savea had. For a few years, he was a freak - could just run through a set backline, much like Prime Jonah. Really not sure what happened, wonder if his mental game faded, but he just stopped being a force. Honestly, by France Quarter in 2015 he was a busted flush, and a few sparks in that game didn't cover the dross that was being served up.
Amazing on form, but the back three is a tough place to live as an All Black; so much competition and talent running around.
I sometimes wonder if being a big fast powerful athlete ,When that level of raw athleticism is Your main weapon of what sets you apart,
If that’s type of rugby player has a more limited lifespan due to the body simply not being able to maintain that level of athleticism as long
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@mofitzy_ amazing how short a career Savea had. For a few years, he was a freak - could just run through a set backline, much like Prime Jonah. Really not sure what happened, wonder if his mental game faded, but he just stopped being a force. Honestly, by France Quarter in 2015 he was a busted flush, and a few sparks in that game didn't cover the dross that was being served up.
Amazing on form, but the back three is a tough place to live as an All Black; so much competition and talent running around.
2013 and 2014 he was close to our best player - consistently playing well by running great lines, beating defenders, constant involvement in matches, strong under the high-ball and generally providing a great outlet for go forward ball.
2015 he just dropped off a cliff and I wonder if that drop in the 2015 SR final haunted him a little bit
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@mofitzy_ amazing how short a career Savea had. For a few years, he was a freak - could just run through a set backline, much like Prime Jonah. Really not sure what happened, wonder if his mental game faded, but he just stopped being a force. Honestly, by France Quarter in 2015 he was a busted flush, and a few sparks in that game didn't cover the dross that was being served up.
Amazing on form, but the back three is a tough place to live as an All Black; so much competition and talent running around.
I sometimes wonder if being a big fast powerful athlete ,When that level of raw athleticism is Your main weapon of what sets you apart,
If that’s type of rugby player has a more limited lifespan due to the body simply not being able to maintain that level of athleticism as long
Not sure if Savea was ever quite at the Jonah/Cullen level of freakness but definitely in and around guys like Umaga/Rokocoko/Ioane. I'd also rate Hosea Gear somewhere round there not that he got many chances to show it at for the All Blacks.
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@MN5 said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
If that’s type of rugby player has a more limited lifespan due to the body simply not being able to maintain that level of athleticism as long
I've cut up the quote , so apologies if mis quoting.
I actually think the body is able to maintain that level of athleticism for longer, but it takes years of consistent extreme dedication at home-diet, rest, family support, high-level training and stretching....and due to these factors, the Bus did not make the most of his opportunity IMO.Early Cullen was amazing. I wish we knew his fitness details from 15- when he destroyed Scotland. Then replicate that for every promising 15 year old.
Does anyone know what numbers Cullen was hitting during those years? -
@Wairau said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Does anyone know what numbers Cullen was hitting during those years?
The challenge is that the game has moved on massively from that. Cullen numbers probably don't work as well any more, as the defence is also stronger, faster, fitter and harder to break down.
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@Wairau said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Does anyone know what numbers Cullen was hitting during those years?
The challenge is that the game has moved on massively from that. Cullen numbers probably don't work as well any more, as the defence is also stronger, faster, fitter and harder to break down.
The eye test tells me he would have been a freak in any era. As pure a stepper as anyone I've ever seen with no drop in pace when doing it. And fearless
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Just like to mention a few random ideas
- The AB captain has to be an automatic selection. That makes it one of B Barrett, S Whitelock or A Smith.
- B Barrett is a rugby genius. His best position is not 10.
- N Laumape has to start at 12.
- H Sotutu if you're good enough you're good enough. You start. Has McCaw like fortitude.
- J Barrett has to start somewhere. Probably on the wing. (His brother should start at 15). Best vision and passer off either hand for an outside back I've seen in years.
- Patrick Tuipulotu is a starter.
- Cant remember better mid field backs ever. Ennor, Laumape, ALB, Goodhue. No worries.
- Have enjoyed Super Rugby Aotearoa. The rugby talent from a small country is unreal.
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@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
N Laumape has to start at 12
Laumape doesn't pass, kinda important skill for second five-eighth.
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@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
N Laumape has to start at 12
Laumape doesn't pass, kinda important skill for second five-eighth.
which is a bit of a bugger, because all our others can pass, and have nice light feet, but aren't physical units. So we give a bit somewhere no matter what.
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@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
- B Barrett is a rugby genius. His best position is not 10.
love your work generally, but you need 'was'. He hasn't shown much recently, but I agree -w as a better 15 than 10. Best rugby player in the world for a while, but I don't think controlled games like great 10s do.
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@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
N Laumape has to start at 12
Laumape doesn't pass, kinda important skill for second five-eighth.
Nonu needs to get in his ear and show him how he developed that skill. Could be awesome if he develops a passing game - you could see how he attracts defenders to him
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@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
N Laumape has to start at 12
Laumape doesn't pass, kinda important skill for second five-eighth.
Nonu needs to get in his ear and show him how he developed that skill. Could be awesome if he develops a passing game - you could see how he attracts defenders to him
yeah, i can't see it happening
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@mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
N Laumape has to start at 12
Laumape doesn't pass, kinda important skill for second five-eighth.
Nonu needs to get in his ear and show him how he developed that skill. Could be awesome if he develops a passing game - you could see how he attracts defenders to him
yeah, i can't see it happening
Unlikely, but goddamn how good would he be...
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@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Cant remember better mid field backs ever. Ennor, Laumape, ALB, Goodhue. No worries.
This makes no sense, two decent test players, one dude everyone says can't pass, and then a guy who seems to go well at Super level and dunce at NPC - you think they're better than when we had Nonu, Smith, SBW and Crotty running around? (Or do you have an extremely short memory?)
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@Nepia said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@BerniesCorner said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Cant remember better mid field backs ever. Ennor, Laumape, ALB, Goodhue. No worries.
This makes no sense, two decent test players, one dude everyone says can't pass, and then a guy who seems to go well at Super level and dunce at NPC - you think they're better than when we had Nonu, Smith, SBW and Crotty running around? (Or do you have an extremely short memory?)
or even 2011 - Kahui and good SBW:
Richard Kahui Waikato (12)
Ma’a Nonu Wellington (58)
Conrad Smith Wellington (48)
Sonny Bill Williams Canterbury (7) -
@KiwiMurph said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@nzzp Isaia Toeava
I was a massive fan of Ice v2.0. What an amazing player, brutally mismanaged by Ted and Wayne-O
