Players to build the team around?
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OK, so the question is who's going to be there over the next two cycles. I'll assume that's about 6 years or so, and we assume they can do a Conrad/Ma'a/DC/McCaw and get into their mid 30's.
The obvious six year candidates are
- Cane
- ALB
- BBBR
- Mo'unga
- ...? Hos? Akira?
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@nzzp said in Players to build the team around?:
@canefan said in Players to build the team around?:
@nzzp BBBR is 29
eh, we should get at least 4-5 years out of him, and a mid career break could extend. Locks can still perform into their mid 30's I reckon ... look at AWJ for instance.
His current sabbatical should help
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@nostrildamus said in Players to build the team around?:
@Bones yes I liked him, always went forward, and same height as Brad Thorne who went alright at lock.
he may not have been super tall but he was a solid lineout option, strong in the air
how i'd love to have seen PPP maybe getting a run, could do with a bit more bulk but showing some good signs i think
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@pakman said in Players to build the team around?:
It's very frustrating. First few games of SRA he was looking like the beast we thought he'd be. But seemed to lose impact over course of SRA. hasn't really regained that early SRA form for ABs?
It doesn't look like Tuitpulotu is 100%
From memory, he had an injury after the North/South match and missed the opening rounds of the NPC.
They were going to put him straight into the Bledisloe match and he said he wasn't ready and requested to play in round 3 of the NPC.
Then he pulled out of the last Bledisloe on match day with an illnessNot massive issues but I do question if he would be playing if the other locking options weren't a rookie and a retard.
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@Duluth said in Players to build the team around?:
Not massive issues but I do question if he would be playing if the other locking options weren't a rookie and a retard.
quality
Top 5 locks for a squad then would be (when fit and playing)
- BBBR
- SW
- Daylight... but PT
- Va'ai
- Scott of the B's (or maybe PPP or A N Other)
damn, looks so thin right now
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surely there is someone standing out at lock in the NPC
not to come straight in or anything, but to watch in next years SR
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@Kiwiwomble said in Players to build the team around?:
surely there is someone standing out at lock in the NPC
Jacob Pierce is easily the next best
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The way Romano is playing I think he deserves another opportunity
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@family-man 34 is pretty late for a second shot though isn't it
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@Kiwiwomble said in Players to build the team around?:
@family-man 34 is pretty late for a second shot though isn't it
that's before you mention he was barely to standard in his prime. Hugely overrated.
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NZ haven't great player now. Clarke looked promising but only for one match
We were spoiled in the recent past. Starting with Carter and McCaw. But add in Brodie Allan Retallick and the likes of Nonu and Smith etc. Also Coles at his best. I'm sure they will come but not yet
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i thought clarke has still only put one step wrong, the kick from the mark on the weekend
hes been solid under both attacking and defensive high ball and hasn't shied away for graft, the only think he hasn't done is some rampaging run but we havent really given him the ball to do that so not his fault
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@Winger said in Players to build the team around?:
NZ haven't great player now. Clarke looked promising but only for one match
We were spoiled in the recent past. Starting with Carter and McCaw. But add in Brodie Allan Retallick and the likes of Nonu and Smith etc. Also Coles at his best. I'm sure they will come but not yet
Aaron Smith is a great player.
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@nostrildamus said in Players to build the team around?:
@Winger said in Players to build the team around?:
NZ haven't great player now. Clarke looked promising but only for one match
We were spoiled in the recent past. Starting with Carter and McCaw. But add in Brodie Allan Retallick and the likes of Nonu and Smith etc. Also Coles at his best. I'm sure they will come but not yet
Aaron Smith is a great player.
And some would say Whitelock. But for me they are a level below Carter, McCaw and Brodie. We have the young one coming through but they are not in the team yet. Clarke might make it but maybe he's inconsistent
