New Zealand under 20
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<p>Wow no Emerson. Umaga Jensen is out inured and it hasnt been mentioned so maybe Emerson picked up something in that first game aswell.</p>
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<p>Really disappointed for Emerson. He was on the bench for the second game and came on quite late (making immediate impact). He was outstanding it the first game. I really can't believe that he has not been named, especially because Tuitama was terrible in that second game and also Caleb Makene wasn't that great (despite his try).</p>
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<p>Crazy considering Emerson's first game dominance. He would have provided us with much needed pace as well. I guess that just shows the depth coming through age grade rugby. Quality players will always miss out. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also by the sounds of Scott Robertson in the interview he sees Va'a as the first choice first five over Perofeta. </p> -
<p>Id say the top team from the squad selected would look something like this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)</p>
<p>2. Leni Apisai (Wellington)</p>
<p>3. Alex Fidow (Wellington)</p>
<p>4. Hamish Dalzell (Canterbury)</p>
<p>5. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)</p>
<p>6. Luke Jacobson (Waikato)</p>
<p>7. Mitchel Jacobson (Waikato)</p>
<p>8. Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p>9. Sam Nock (Northland)</p>
<p>10. TJ Va'a (Wellington)</p>
<p>11. Jonah Lowe (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p>12. Scott Barrett (Canterbury)</p>
<p>13. Sio Tomkinson (Otago)</p>
<p>14. Shaun Stevenson (Waikato)</p>
<p>15. Jordan Trainor (Waikato)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="578483" data-time="1462841987">
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<p>Id say the top team from the squad selected would look something like this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>10. TJ Va'a (Wellington)</p>
<p>11. Jonah Lowe (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p><strong>12. Scott Barrett (Canterbury)</strong></p>
<p>13. Sio Tomkinson (Otago)</p>
<p>14. Shaun Stevenson (Waikato)</p>
<p>15. Jordan Trainor (Waikato)</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I've heard of showing versatility to try and crack the ABs but this would be next level....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="578485" data-time="1462842680">
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<p>I've heard of showing versatility to try and crack the ABs but this would be next level....</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>At least, he didn't put Karl Lowe on the left wing ...</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="578485" data-time="1462842680">
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<p>I've heard of showing versatility to try and crack the ABs but this would be next level....</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Haha my bad. Jordie Barrett would probably suit second five better.</p> -
No mason Emerson is a huge mistake! Best player in 1st test against aus yet can't make the squad. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<p>He looks pretty classy, but at this level it doesn't necessarily mean he will kick on (Bleyendaal carved up at this level, but apparently had issues with confidence and never kicked on. Kirkpatrick too had issues). I'd say he has the potential to be better, though.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="578505" data-time="1462849262">
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<p>No mason Emerson is a huge mistake! Best player in 1st test against aus yet can't make the squad.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Scott Robertson placed a huge emphasis on versatility when talking about the backline selections. Perhaps Emerson was considered only a contender for the wing spot, and so was left out for this reason? Given he looks to be the best winger, I think it is a poor excuse, but I don't really rate Scott Robertson, and it wouldn't surprise me if he had some bizarre reason.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="578508" data-time="1462849433">
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<p>He looks pretty classy, but at this level it doesn't necessarily mean he will kick on (Bleyendaal carved up at this level, but apparently had issues with confidence and never kicked on. Kirkpatrick too had issues). I'd say he has the potential to be better, though.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Bleyendaal had more issues than just confidence</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="578514" data-time="1462849978">
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<p>Bleyendaal had more issues than just confidence</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>So did Cruden, but he worked on those. Bleyendaal definitely had talent, and could have been very good, too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="578508" data-time="1462849433">
<div>
<p>He looks pretty classy, but at this level it doesn't necessarily mean he will kick on (Bleyendaal carved up at this level, but apparently had issues with confidence and never kicked on. Kirkpatrick too had issues). I'd say he has the potential to be better, though.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Li has looked a class above at this level....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="578517" data-time="1462850411">
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<p>So did Cruden, but he worked on those. Bleyendaal definitely had talent, and could have been very good, too.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Cruden has always had speed, Bleyendaal did not have that top end speed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, Cruden has always been an extremely hard worker. I know that Bleyendaal was warned more than once by Crusaders management about his attitude.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I also know how hard it was to get him to play for his club at all, contrast that with Cody Taylor who plays at the same club and has to be told he's not allowed to play.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="578521" data-time="1462850710">
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<p>Cruden has always had speed, Bleyendaal did not have that top end speed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, Cruden has always been an extremely hard worker. I know that Bleyendaal was warned more than once by Crusaders management about his attitude.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I also know how hard it was to get him to play for his club at all, contrast that with Cody Taylor who plays at the same club and has to be told he's not allowed to play.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps he did lack speed, but you can still have slow first-fives playing well at SupeRugby level.</p>
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<p>I don't know much about him not wanting to play club rugby, all I know is that I had a chat with someone who worked closely with him who made reference to confidence issues being the reason he didn't kick on. It doesn't mean that other factors didn't play a part, though. Either way, he didnt reach his potential as he didn't play anywhere near as well as he did at U20 level. Which was the point of using him as an example. Perofeta may or may not have similar issues when making the step up, so we will have to see how he goes.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="578483" data-time="1462841987">
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<p>Id say the top team from the squad selected would look something like this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Ayden Johnstone (Waikato)</p>
<p>2. Leni Apisai (Wellington)</p>
<p>3. Alex Fidow (Wellington)</p>
<p>4. Hamish Dalzell (Canterbury)</p>
<p>5. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)</p>
<p>6. Luke Jacobson (Waikato)</p>
<p>7. Mitchel Jacobson (Waikato)</p>
<p>8. Marino Mikaele Tu'u (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p>9. Sam Nock (Northland)</p>
<p>10. TJ Va'a (Wellington)</p>
<p>11. Jonah Lowe (Hawkes Bay)</p>
<p>12. Scott Barrett (Canterbury)</p>
<p>13. Sio Tomkinson (Otago)</p>
<p>14. Shaun Stevenson (Waikato)</p>
<p>15. Jordan Trainor (Waikato)</p>
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<p>.</p>
<p>Whats the strengths and weaknesses of TJ Va'a</p> -
From what ive seen of him playing college rugby he has a very good passing game and he is excellent when he has a go at the line. <br><br>
Negatives would be that he doesnt have the biggest boot and his defense still needs to be proven at a higher level. <br><br>
Physically he is probably a similar size to Cruden and id say the way he plays is similar to Cruden in that he is cool, calm and collected.
