SBW set to sign for......
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584358" data-time="1464690440">
<div>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584347" data-time="1464687260">
<p>Great to have SBW commit to NZ Rugby. He was superb throughout the 2015 RWC and proved lots of doubters including myself wrong. The Charlie Lines incident and his work with UNICEF in Lebanon give him a media profile way beyond New Zealand and established Rugby fans. I'm sure he could have got a lot more money in NRL, France or English Club Rugby.<br>
<br>
I know some Chief fans will be disappointed he's off to the Blues, especially after his "I'll come back to the Chiefs and play for free" comments. Obviosuly being with the Blues suits him now personally and he thinks Tana Umaga is the coach to help him achieving his personal goals at the moment.<br>
<br>
Competition for the All Blacks 12 jersey is going to be fierce. Hansen has described SBW as along with Gareth Thomas as one of the two best athletes he worked with as athletes. Ngati and Crotty are getting better and better and Jordie Barrett looks like an exciting prospect.<br>
<br>
SBW is one of those players (Martin Johnson and Michael Jones were others) whose athleticism you appreciate a helluva more watching them at the stadium than on TV. His passing skills in contact and vision awareness are sublime. Hopefully lots of Auckland-based Blues fans will take the opportunity to see a world class player in action for their team and lots of seats in Eden Park will be filled. Exciting times.</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>SBW fanboy stuff aside, I'm interested how you view Martin Johnson as a superb "athlete".....great player obviously but to the naked eye looked as nimble and athletic as a bag of spuds.</p> -
I loved watching Martin Johnson play even though he was English. Best I saw him play was a England-Ireland game at Twickenham in 2002 which England won easily. Wilkinson and Greenwood had big games too. Highlight for me was watching Johnson beat up the Irish forwards.<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/1824353.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/1824353.stm</a><br><br>
Johnson could really shift bodies at the breakdown. Think Brad Thorn but possibly a bit better. Also his tackles were big hits, would line up the opponents best players and smack, could turn a game, a bit like Umaga or Kaino I guess. His lineout work was impressive too, great timing of his jumps like John Eales, Ian Jones or Sam Whitelock. Had a thuggish, imposing element about him too which is important in a lock forward.<br><br>
Back on topic, I'm a reluctant SBW fan boy. I never cared much for the circus around him and always rated Nonu as the better player. But I respect his professionalism and he won me over with his performance against Argentina at Wembley in RWC. Argentina were playing well in that game and in a sniff of an upset until SBW came on and took the game away from them. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584362" data-time="1464691383">
<div>
<p>I loved watching Martin Johnson play even though he was English. Best I saw him play was a England-Ireland game at Twickenham in 2002 which England won easily. Wilkinson and Greenwood had big games too. Highlight for me was watching Johnson beat up the Irish forwards.<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/1824353.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/1824353.stm</a><br><br>
Johnson could really shift bodies at the breakdown. Think Brad Thorn but possibly a bit better. Also his tackles were big hits, would line up the opponents best players and smack, could turn a game, a bit like Umaga or Kaino I guess. His lineout work was impressive too, great timing of his jumps like John Eales, Ian Jones or Sam Whitelock. Had a thuggish, imposing element about him too which is important in a lock forward.<br><br>
Back on topic, I'm a reluctant SBW fan boy. I never cared much for the circus around him and always rated Nonu as the better player. But I respect his professionalism and he won me over with his performance against Argentina at Wembley in RWC. Argentina were playing well in that game and in a sniff of an upset until SBW came on and took the game away from them.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I don't recall Johnson ever making any big hits when he played, not saying he wasn't an all time great but his partner in crime Danny Grewcock looked a much better "athlete". Unfortunately for his reputation his dirty shit made Troy Flavell look cunning....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway back on topic before Bones accuses me of living in the past, SBW is back in NZ, the All Blacks are officially saved, I just hope they can scrape through 2016 as best they can.</p> -
<p>is great for the Blues and him, some stability in his career, although I expect anytime he holidays in Sydney the media will speculate about him trying to get out of his contract.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With a decent period of stability for him, will be interesting if he will now realize his potential and go on to claim the 12 jersey as his own</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Funny some guy on RS this morning was trying to claim he wasn't a professional athlete anymore cos he is always injured in rugby but never was in league...or words to that effect</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="584388" data-time="1464732339"><p>
Confirmed SBW to the Blues. 3 year deal. Good for NZ Rugby all around.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Excellent news for the Blues and NZ rugby. By excellent I mean excellent. By news, I mean news. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584358" data-time="1464690440"><p>Otere Black could well be first five for the Blues next year.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Given that he is contracted to the Hurricanes next year, I think it is highly unlikely. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584400" data-time="1464734169">
<div>
<p>is great for the Blues and him, some stability in his career, although I expect anytime he holidays in Sydney the media will speculate about him trying to get out of his contract.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With a decent period of stability for him, will be interesting if he will now realize his potential and go on to claim the 12 jersey as his own</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Funny some guy on RS this morning was trying to claim he wasn't a professional athlete anymore cos he is always injured in rugby but never was in league...or words to that effect</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>My mate is a big Rugby fan but a HUGE league fan so whilst he loves seeing SBW with a 12 on his back he wishes it was in the 13 man code. He quite rightly points out that SBW isn't a "great" in anything he has done and for him to have this title bestowed on him his best bet would be to go back to league. I disagree though, a prolonged period in union and he might get there especially with Nonu gone and no one looking like they're gonna take a grasp of that jersey.</p> -
<p>well that's the thing, he hasn't hung about long enough in one to really stake a claim on any 'great' titles...3 years is enough time for him to certainly give it a crack, and we know SBW being around seemed to push Nonu on in black, so hopefully it drives those about him also</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="584403" data-time="1464734432">
<div>
<p> with Nonu gone and no one looking like they're gonna take a grasp of that jersey.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm quite excited by Ngatai, great combination of brains, skill and speed. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="584405" data-time="1464734814">
<div>
<p>I'm quite excited by Ngatai, great combination of brains, skill and speed. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Fair call, as a like for like replacement for Nonu I thought Moala looks a better bet but neither is a sure thing.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="584405" data-time="1464734814">
<div>
<p>I'm quite excited by Ngatai, great combination of brains, skill and speed. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah - with all due respect to Ryan Crotty, who looks like a safe pair of hands - Ngatai offers much the same in what seems to be a bigger and faster package.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm looking forward to seeing what a Ngatai/Fekitoa pairing can do.</p> -
It will be interesting to see how the Blues backline plays out. A lot of power but maybe lacking in facilitators.<br><br>
But a good chance for SBW to go to the next level as a midfielder. He'll have to be the guy putting others into space rather than just carrying into contact and then throwing the odd offload. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">My mate is a big Rugby fan but a HUGE league fan so whilst he loves seeing SBW with a 12 on his back he wishes it was in the 13 man code. He quite rightly points out that SBW isn't a "great" in anything he has done and for him to have this title bestowed on him his best bet would be to go back to league. I disagree though, a prolonged period in union and he might get there especially with Nonu gone and no one looking like they're gonna take a grasp of that jersey.
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p>Is a great only defined by longevity? Remove longevity and SBW is a great of league. From about his second year in bar the odd year he was the best player in the game. He went away and came back the best player in the game. At any rate, it appears the fans care more about 'great' than he does. He clearly likes playing, being good at whatever he's playing, and winning shit - while making decent coin on the side. I think he'll sit back and look at his career and be disappointed he didn't win a league World Cup, be disappointed with how the Bulldogs played out, but be pretty happy with his career.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="584347" data-time="1464687260">
<div>
<p><br>
SBW is one of those players (Martin Johnson and Michael Jones were others) whose athleticism you appreciate a helluva more watching them at the stadium than on TV. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah, the first league game of SBW's I saw live was a revelation. I didn't click how good he was to then.</p>
