Positions and players to watch - 2021
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@Tim said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
2nd Five-Eighth
A big one this year, as our midfield really underperformed last year, lacking penetration and defensive muscle. Distribution from 12 was often mediocre too. This may also be the position with least depth, with some AB options better suited to centre.
ALB - seems more like a centre to me. Classy player, can run good lines outwide, accurate defender, decent distributor, not direct or physical enough at 12.
Jack Goodhue - not the fastest, doesn't have a good long passing game from 12, better suited to centre where he is an accurate player and very good off-loader.
Laumape - not suited to test rugby. Too small to play his direct, physical game at that level. Poor distribution, running lines aren't adequate at that level.
TJ Faiane - probably too small.
Peter Umaga-Jensen - does he have the distribution to play 12? Might be worth trying.
Havili - need to see a full season at 12 in Super Rugby.
Will be interesting to see if "2nd five-eighth" rather than an inside centre type puts their hand up.
Cough cough Jordie cough cough.
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@MN5 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@mariner4life said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
He's less.than 100kg. At best he's Sam tuitupou
Players don't magically get better in their late 20s
I'll just leave this here.
If that doesn't convince you I'll get my mate to ask his future step son in law ( who is in the Hurricanes ) to get him to jump on the scales at pre season training.
He’s not a tall man but he’s built like a brick shit house. Farking tree trunk legs. He may lack certain skills but it’s pretty strange to say he doesn’t have the physical attributes. It’s not like he needs to jump in line outs.
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@Tim said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@gt12 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
As is Jacobson.
Hasn't he played more rugby at 6? When in form he's a pretty damn good defender. Haven't seen the ball carrying from him that an 8 would need.
Yep, but I think he has played better rugby at 8. He's probably a bit Masoe-ish in that he can play anywhere (less at 7 of course), but at the next level he's probably a bit small for a six.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@MN5 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@mariner4life said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
He's less.than 100kg. At best he's Sam tuitupou
Players don't magically get better in their late 20s
I'll just leave this here.
If that doesn't convince you I'll get my mate to ask his future step son in law ( who is in the Hurricanes ) to get him to jump on the scales at pre season training.
He’s not a tall man but he’s built like a brick shit house. Farking tree trunk legs. He may lack certain skills but it’s pretty strange to say he doesn’t have the physical attributes. It’s not like he needs to jump in line outs.
He's a bit odd, in that comparatively, his torso looks tiny compared to his legs. He's about 5' of legs and 8" of torso/head (no neck).
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@Crucial said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Very surprised that halfback hasn’t entered the conversation. Weber is a stopgap measure as number 2 (although we do need him if AS falls over). Still looking for the next cabs off the rank.
I know sometimes @Tim's posts are a bit cryptic, but his OP discussing halfbacks was pretty clear!
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@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Crucial said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Very surprised that halfback hasn’t entered the conversation. Weber is a stopgap measure as number 2 (although we do need him if AS falls over). Still looking for the next cabs off the rank.
I know sometimes @Tim's posts are a bit cryptic, but his OP discussing halfbacks was pretty clear!
You expect us to actually read previous posts? This is the fern!
Actually I did read that. My comment was more that no one picked up in it and carried it on. I think halfback and hooker are by far the most worrisome spots given their critical contribution to playing style.
I think 3T still has the potential, just needs a decent run of games to show it. None of the others mentioned has a fast pass.
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@gt12 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Tim said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@gt12 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
As is Jacobson.
Hasn't he played more rugby at 6? When in form he's a pretty damn good defender. Haven't seen the ball carrying from him that an 8 would need.
Yep, but I think he has played better rugby at 8. He's probably a bit Masoe-ish in that he can play anywhere (less at 7 of course), but at the next level he's probably a bit small for a six.
Anyone's guess where Jacobson will play for the Chiefs (6 or 8). That will depend on the balance of the loose forward trio, and what McMillan wants from his blindside and no.8.
When Jacobson has played at no.8 he has been an effective ball carrier with the ability to slip tacklers and offload in contact.
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with the right guys around him, I think Laumape is up to it going forward, but I'm not sold on his defence at Super let alone at International.
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@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Crucial yeah, agree on 3T, Roe and Fakatava seemed to have a slick pass though, I'm looking forward to Nock building on last year too, very similar to TJP on attack I think but also a bit more deft at the breakdown.
I watched Roe closely at Maidstone the other day as all I had really heard about him was his eye for a chance.
I thought he had good running lines/anticipation to the breakdown and was quick to assess options. Didn’t think that his actual pass was all that snappy though. It was accurate and flat but was lacking a few kph -
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@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
It's pretty funny how Frizzel is left off that list completely...
The forgotten man is Tom Robinson. He wasn't mentioned either.
He has a bad habit of getting injured just before a squad is named.
Hopefully the Blues rotate well. Each week one of Sotutu, Ioane or Robinson probably misses out on the 23. If they get it right that's a positive, keeping everyone fresh and competing against each other
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@KiwiMurph said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Crucial That matches with his Mitre 10 Cup form. Ratima had the better pass for Waikato. Roe a very strong sniper.
Roe's strength is getting to the breakdown quickly and clearing the ball. Speed of pass isn't so important then. Obviously we all want the next Smith but he is unique amongst NZ halfbacks, past or present.
