Forwards for the All Blacks squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="568104" data-time="1459228010">
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<p>This conversation isn't complete until Nepia nominates Ricky Riccitelli</p>
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<p>Haha I was thinking that after nominating Parsons.</p>
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<p>These ABs selection threads seem to be all about nominating players from their own sides even if they have no show of making it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567964" data-time="1459203673">
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<p>Pity you only get season totals though (unless I am driving it wrong).<br>
I was interested in seeing what Canes tackle count was against the Force which was looking huge during the first half but probably tailed off once the Chiefs blew them away.</p>
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<p>I actually did a player's <b>comparison stat in regards to Sam Cane & Ardie savea, made for some quite interesting reading. Both players have almost played the same amount of minutes so far this super rugby campaign and there defence stats are so similar...it ain't funny. Savea obviously comes out trump's in the attack stat's though, but that's to be expected with the way he plays.</b></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="567994" data-time="1459210080">
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<p>I think Nathan Harris will struggle to earn a recall to the test team. He came into the AB squad when depth at hooker was arguably at an all time low, and I don't remember him doing anything much. Codie Taylor is not close to being the finished product yet, but he can run an accurate lineout and he's by far the more athletic of the two. The beauty of Taylor is that he can play the same role as Coles, and make an impact off the bench. Harris never struck me as being an impact player.</p>
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<p>You backing Taylor now AC? Good to see as you were a Funnell fan for a long time. I think Harris will be in the mix, still young and rated by the coaches.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="568104" data-time="1459228010">
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<p>This conversation isn't complete until Nepia nominates Ricky Riccitelli</p>
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<p>Weird ass comment, I'm not a Cantabrian, I don't expect every Magpie to be an automatic selection for the ABs ... plus, I'm fluffing Taylor at the moment, see above. I'd push Hika's claims as the old duck like Oliver and Hore became over Riccitelli - he's a poach anyway. ;)</p> -
<p>I'll join in....despite struggling to get on the park for the Blues, I think Matt Moulds should be the next cab off the rank, good Northland stock! </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="568103" data-time="1459228008">
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<p>Well NQ I actually liked your quote, then I read it properly and saw your comment suggesting you wouldn't expect someone from Levin wouldn't have a good work ethic. As I from Levin , I gotta say get stuffed!! Anyway I think as Coles is Pram boy it is obvious that boys from the Nua learn a very good work ethic in the hooker's role!!</p>
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<p>Foxton is the Fox town of New Zealand, Taihape is the gumboot throwing capital, Bluff do Oysters......it's really obvious Levin needs to market itself better to compete with these high rollers......a catchy slogan wouldn't hurt....something along the lines of "Live in Levin....."</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="568119" data-time="1459231111">
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<p>The fact that those 2 are mentioned at all is confounding to me. Todd is yesterdays news and Gibson has not done anything since his first game with the Blues. Cane and Ardie have their measure.</p>
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<p>Mentioning Todd isn't too odd, because at the last point of reference (41 man squad pre-RWC) Todd was in and Ardie wasn't.</p>
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<p>Add in that Ardie's declared for Sevens this year, I'm a bit confounded that you're confounded that Todd is being mentioned. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="568119" data-time="1459231111"><p>The fact that those 2 are mentioned at all is confounding to me. Todd is yesterdays news and Gibson has not done anything since his first game with the Blues. Cane and Ardie have their measure.</p></blockquote>
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Perhaps cos Ardie is due to back to the 7s after Round 10 Super Rugby for 7s tournaments in London and Paris in the buildup to Rio - rules him out of the June series and I dont see him being available until the end of year tour. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568143" data-time="1459235944">
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<p>Perhaps cos Ardie is due to back to the 7s after Round 10 Super Rugby for 7s tournaments in London and Paris in the buildup to Rio - rules him out of the June series and I dont see him being available until the end of year tour.</p>
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<p>Ok fair enough but haven't we moved on from Todd. We are moving forward right not looking in the rear view mirror.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568143" data-time="1459235944">
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<p>Perhaps cos Ardie is due to back to the 7s after Round 10 Super Rugby for 7s tournaments in London and Paris in the buildup to Rio - rules him out of the June series and I dont see him being available until the end of year tour.</p>
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<p>On that subject, the Canes SA tour starts in Round 10, so Ardie's going to fly all the way over to SA for one game and then fly home, I guess? Seems pretty dumb, he'd be better off leaving the Canes after Round 9.</p> -
<p>so who do they look to then?</p>
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<p>Outside of Cane & Savea, you have Todd and uncapped players (Gibson, Christie)....guess we could ask Richie to shed a bit more blood! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="568144" data-time="1459236281">
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<p>Ok fair enough but haven't we moved on from Todd. We are moving forward right not looking in the rear view mirror.</p>
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<p>Don't underestimate Todd.</p>
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<p>He's an excellent player and in other eras we would have been very happy to have him as an All Black stalwart. He's just turned 28 this week, so arguably could still be in his prime at the end of this next four year cycle. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="568147" data-time="1459236738">
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<p>so who do they look to then?</p>
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<p>Outside of Cane & Savea, you have Todd and uncapped players (Gibson, Christie)....guess we could ask Richie to shed a bit more blood! </p>
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<p>There's always the option of not bothering with a backup specialist openside like they did before Cane came onto the scene in 2012.</p> -
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<p>I think Saveas specialty IF he makes it to the next level will be impact off the bench , </p>
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<p>of the 3, by far most damaging ball runner which could split open tired defences </p>
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<p>Cant see him being a starter any time soon though , maybe later </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="568159" data-time="1459239060">
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<p>I think Saveas specialty IF he makes it to the next level will be impact off the bench , </p>
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<p>of the 3, by far most damaging ball runner which could split open tired defences </p>
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<p>Cant see him being a starter any time soon though , maybe later </p>
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<p>Yep, especially if Cane's being set up to be the next AB captain.</p> -
Sold on Codie Taylor after nailing the throw for the McCaw try in SA last year. Looks the real deal.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="568113" data-time="1459230058">
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<p>Ahh the old workrate debate :)<br><br>
Smashing opposition scrums counts doesn't it?<br><br>
But yeah, the blues props and richitelli have way better workrate</p>
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<p>I don't know what is happening in the scrums (I'm a scrawny winger), so it isn't my place to comment. I do enjoy statistics, though, so where I can I bring those into the conversation. Best case scenario is I see someone with a high workrate, and they are also rated for their setpiece ability (which no statistics have really been developed (and publicly released) to accurately judge performance through.</p>
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<p>Though I would suggest that it is hard to tell whether Taylor is a good scrummager, or whether that is down to being between Moody and Franks with some pretty good locks behind them.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="568148" data-time="1459236866">
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<p>Don't underestimate Todd.</p>
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<p>He's an excellent player and in other eras we would have been very happy to have him as an All Black stalwart. He's just turned 28 this week, so arguably could still be in his prime at the end of this next four year cycle. </p>
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<p>Or alternatively don't overestimate Todd, he seems to be more of the Marty Holah than a genuine long term pick.</p>
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<p>I actually think his age counts against him at this stage, he's 28 and he's behind a guy who's 24 with a 22 year old for competition.</p>
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<p>I'm struggling to think of what era he would have been an AB stalwart though, I don't want to rain on your parade too much but our eras kind of went like this - McCaw, Kronfeld, MJ, Hobbs, Mourie with the odd guy in between. An odd guy in between seems about right, either a Holah, Robertson or Ginge Henderson type player. </p>
