Positions and players to watch - 2021
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@Nepia said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@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.
That cough sounds bad, best you go get a Covid test.
I can’t help it if everyone is wearing masks over their eyes as well as their mouths.
In all seriousness, the guy played age grade at 12, was Mitre 10 player of year in that position while at Canterbury and made up a pretty damn good midfield combo together with Goodhew. Why he isn’t at least being considered there and has been played on the goddam wing is beyond me.
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@Bones haha love it...
did you read that article after sitting on the bench that day?
but it is unclear how the injury happened
I'lll take that!
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@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@MN5 pfftt...umscathed.
Former All Black centre Ma'a Nonu is in a cast with a possible broken thumb, but it is unclear how the injury happened or how long it will keep him off the field.
The 22-year-old turned up to Wellington representative training yesterday in a "precautionary cast" as medical staff assess whether he has suffered a break.
Bit premature
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@Canes4life I a Canes man , and really like Flanders, but prefer him at 8 where Ardie is blocking his way. I suspect thatGrace has inside running behind maybe Akira if he can keep finger pulled out. Saw Blues on news last week and trimmest I have seen Akira at this time of year, so he could possibly at last make me eat my words and prove he can play!
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@delicatessen said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@MN5 pfftt...umscathed.
Former All Black centre Ma'a Nonu is in a cast with a possible broken thumb, but it is unclear how the injury happened or how long it will keep him off the field.
The 22-year-old turned up to Wellington representative training yesterday in a "precautionary cast" as medical staff assess whether he has suffered a break.
Bit premature
thank you, that was one of the first things I spotted, trying to remember if he was particularly shit in his first season to justify being written off
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@Stargazer said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Geez. The bandwagon is riding again.
What's the issue exactly?
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@Stargazer said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@KiwiMurph The exaggeration in @Tim 's statement that Akira was better than anyone else in NZ at all levels last year.
So, name sometime who was better?
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@Stargazer Who was better at test or Super Level? Clearly nobody. Absolutely zero exaggeration.
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@Stargazer said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@nzzp @Tim I think Akira, Cullen Grace and Shannon Frizell all had strong SR seasons; Frizell and Akira were both good at test level, but still have a lot to prove. Grace is possibly the most promising of the three, but didn't get a decent opportunity at test level.
I don't think that's accurate .
Akira did not put a foot wrong in his 1.5 tests - he was excellent.
Frizell on the other hand was a real mixed bag for the ABs.
Big fan of Grace - he's still so young - just hope he avoids injury and can keep gaining experience at Super and test level.
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@KiwiMurph said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Frizell on the other hand was a real mixed bag for the ABs
and that mixed bag was adequate down to ordinary. He just doesn't appear to have it.
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ABs aside as yes akria outshone him, but Frizell had a great super season, top offloads in the comp from memory and top five for tackles, lineout takes, carries
he may not have taken his chances in the Black jersey and so may not deserve more until AI has had a good go at the spot but he's still a bloody good player
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@Kiwiwomble to me Frizell's game suits Super Rugby more than test rugby as the game play in Super Rugby is less attritional and more wide open and this is where his strengths can show out more (speed, athleticism etc).
Rugby: Nonu nurses thumb injury - NZ Herald
