AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?
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@Tim said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@Bones Depends on where Rieko plays.
TBH there's not been a standout player to suggest he shouldn't be at centre. The incumbents have all been very underwhelming. His defence has been very good and his speed is an asset - something we've missed in the backline recently.
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@antipodean he's by far the form centre. Followed by PUJ. Only the Highlanders centres rate lower than the form of Goodhue and ALB...
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@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@antipodean he's by far the form centre. Followed by PUJ. Only the Highlanders centres rate lower than the form of Goodhue and ALB...
Hard not to feel the Goodhue is an excellent 13 but mediocre 12. I feel much more comfortable for ABs with Rieko on wing, albeit covering 13. ALB seems to be a bit like Crotty, good at both 12 and 13, but not outstanding at either.
I expect ALB and Jack would be the likely 12/13 picks if team named on Thursday.
I like the look of PUJ. Does he cover 12 for Canes?
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@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Nonu started as a winger, missed RWC selection and further developed his skill set.
Always thought Nonu had a high skill level but didn't quite know how and when to use them. He used to regularly be shite to average in Super Rugby, but once he pulled the black jersey on he was at another level.
Dunno about Laumape though - he's developed a lot this year but is way behind where Nonu was at the same stage of his career.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Nonu started as a winger, missed RWC selection and further developed his skill set.
Always thought Nonu had a high skill level but didn't quite know how and when to use them. He used to regularly be shite to average in Super Rugby, but once he pulled the black jersey on he was at another level.
Dunno about Laumape though - he's developed a lot this year but is way behind where Nonu was at the same stage of his career.
Here's one to put cat among pigeons: I think Caleb Clarke has many of the attributes to make a very good 12.
Outstanding at second receiver a couple of times today, in particular in first Blues try.
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@pakman said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@Victor-Meldrew said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@antipodean said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Nonu started as a winger, missed RWC selection and further developed his skill set.
Always thought Nonu had a high skill level but didn't quite know how and when to use them. He used to regularly be shite to average in Super Rugby, but once he pulled the black jersey on he was at another level.
Dunno about Laumape though - he's developed a lot this year but is way behind where Nonu was at the same stage of his career.
Here's one to put cat amoug pigeons: I think Caleb Clarke has many of the attributes to make a very good 12.
Outstanding at second receiver a couple of times today, in particular in first Blues try.
Nice... actually when running in traffic he does actually remind me of that big munter they had at the Lions a year or so ago.
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Nonu far too often mailed it in playing Super Rugby - his spot was largely guaranteed at Second First Five for majority of his career
He was a tiger for the ABs and a pussycat for Landers, Canes
To be fair he fronted up for the Blues
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@Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@ravens88 said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Second First Five
Waaaaait a miiinute....
He was excellent for the canes throughout the noughties.
Agree but he was special in that he seemed to peak for the ABs with his final year being perhaps his finest.
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@cgrant said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Who is the form 2nd 5/8 ? I would be tempted to say Nankivell or TJ Faiane but none of them is AB material IMO. So I guess the midfield combo should be ALB - Goodhue or ALB - Ioane.
I think Fozzie is looking to win right now, anyone expecting a form XV will be disappointed IMHO. I’m guessing ALB and Goodhue will be top of the list for first 2 or 3 tests.
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@DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@cgrant said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Who is the form 2nd 5/8 ? I would be tempted to say Nankivell or TJ Faiane but none of them is AB material IMO. So I guess the midfield combo should be ALB - Goodhue or ALB - Ioane.
I think Fozzie is looking to win right now, anyone expecting a form XV will be disappointed IMHO. I’m guessing ALB and Goodhue will be top of the list for first 2 or 3 tests.
He's got a 2 year contract with a lot to prove, winning this year (if there are any games) will mean nothing, too. Hell want a nailed down team for hopefully a proper/more extensive session next year
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@ravens88 said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Nonu far too often mailed it in playing Super Rugby - his spot was largely guaranteed at Second First Five for majority of his career
He was a tiger for the ABs and a pussycat for Landers, Canes
> To be fair he fronted up for the Blues
the second time round.
The first time it seems he refused to play outside Gareth, then pulled the pin on a handshake and shot off to the Clan. Wonderful All Black, but not the finest human being at times.
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@Machpants said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@cgrant said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Who is the form 2nd 5/8 ? I would be tempted to say Nankivell or TJ Faiane but none of them is AB material IMO. So I guess the midfield combo should be ALB - Goodhue or ALB - Ioane.
I think Fozzie is looking to win right now, anyone expecting a form XV will be disappointed IMHO. I’m guessing ALB and Goodhue will be top of the list for first 2 or 3 tests.
He's got a 2 year contract with a lot to prove, winning this year (if there are any games) will mean nothing, too. Hell want a nailed down team for hopefully a proper/more extensive session next year
Agree to disagree, the fact it’s a 2year contract will make it all the more imperative to get it done now. He not screwing around with a new midfield or totally new back 3 for the Bledisloe, it would put him on the backfoot for rest of his contract, and its not like the incumbents are that old, I am guessing he is going to go the super conservative route.
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J Barrett has improved massively on last year, and absolutely should be in the frame. Does he have the wheels to play wing?
Clark and 2 Barrets back 3
Reiko at centre, with laumape
Mounga at 10Rock star backline.
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@DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@Machpants said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
@cgrant said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
Who is the form 2nd 5/8 ? I would be tempted to say Nankivell or TJ Faiane but none of them is AB material IMO. So I guess the midfield combo should be ALB - Goodhue or ALB - Ioane.
I think Fozzie is looking to win right now, anyone expecting a form XV will be disappointed IMHO. I’m guessing ALB and Goodhue will be top of the list for first 2 or 3 tests.
He's got a 2 year contract with a lot to prove, winning this year (if there are any games) will mean nothing, too. Hell want a nailed down team for hopefully a proper/more extensive session next year
Agree to disagree, the fact it’s a 2year contract will make it all the more imperative to get it done now. He not screwing around with a new midfield or totally new back 3 for the Bledisloe, it would put him on the backfoot for rest of his contract, and its not like the incumbents are that old, I am guessing he is going to go the super conservative route.
I disagree - pick on form and trust your coaching. I see no value in picking people clearly out of form and hoping that they'll magically come good at a higher level.
This is a great opportunity to stamp your mark as head coach/ selector.
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@Crucial said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:
I’m thinking that this thread is getting rather redundant and we will only be seeing an AB training camp at most.
Bloody Aussies and their diseases.Indeed. There's some bloody good articles written in the Wisden cricket page I follow on FB about the tour to Australia by India in December which I bet won't even happen.
