How many Crusaders in your AB 23?
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@Mackerzzzz said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
The form side so far:
- E De Groot
- S Taukei'aho
- T Lomax
- B Retallick
- S Barrett
- E Blackadder
- D Papalii
- A Savea
- B Webber
- D Mckenzie
- S Reece
- J Barrett
- A Nankivell
- M Telea
- S Stevenson
Vs what they will pick:
1.E De Groot
2. C Taylor
3. T Lomax
4. B Retallick
5. S Barrett
6. S Frizzell
7. S Cane
8. A Savea
9. A Smith
10. R Mo'unga
11. C Clarke
12. J Barrett
13. R Ioane
14. M Telea
15. B BarrettAumua surely replaces Taylor in the 23, another Crusaders All Black who's about 5 years past his best.
Impressive how Razor won the title in 2022, considering his fading, ageing or limited (now mainly fringe All Blacks) who simply pale in comparison to the dynamic talent on display in those Chiefs, Blues, Canes squads.
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@kiwi_expat Buy a new record. This is one is broken. In about a 1000 pieces.
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@Stargazer said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@kiwi_expat Buy a new record. This is one is broken. In about a 1000 pieces.
the award's sewn up at this years Fernies
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@antipodean said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
Like anyone sane Whitelock, Jordan and Reece start. Taylor, Mounga, Barrett on the bench.
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
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I take it you guys haven't been watching Aumua in last 6 months? You think Leo Crowley would prefer 32 old Taylor over a 25 year athletic peaking Asafo? Or ya just didn't notice Wellington's front row destroy everything in it's path en route to their 1st title in 22 years?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
Taylor was woeful in the Irish series so there was only one way his form could go from there. Coles is the hooker most at risk due to age, and I would select Aumua in the ABs ahead of him.
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Once Taylor got over his problems he was good and I liked the Taylor/Sami combo - thought it worked really well and gave options depending on who we were playing.
Agree on Coles and Aumua. The latter has looked good so far (only 2 games I know) and is experienced
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@Bovidae said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Victor-Meldrew said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
Taylor was woeful in the Irish series so there was only one way his form could go from there. Coles is the hooker most at risk due to age, and I would select Aumua in the ABs ahead of him.
This year Aumua seems to have cut out those stupid brain fart high or late hits which is good to see.
He has more impact than Coles now IMO. -
@Victor-Meldrew Probably our best hooker, even though ST has been great.
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@Chris said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Bovidae said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Victor-Meldrew said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
Taylor was woeful in the Irish series so there was only one way his form could go from there. Coles is the hooker most at risk due to age, and I would select Aumua in the ABs ahead of him.
This year Aumua seems to have cut out those stupid brain fart high or late hits which is good to see.
He has more impact than Coles now IMO.Think Aumua's scrummaging has come on a treat this year too Chris.
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@Dan54 said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Chris said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Bovidae said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Victor-Meldrew said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
Taylor was woeful in the Irish series so there was only one way his form could go from there. Coles is the hooker most at risk due to age, and I would select Aumua in the ABs ahead of him.
This year Aumua seems to have cut out those stupid brain fart high or late hits which is good to see.
He has more impact than Coles now IMO.Think Aumua's scrummaging has come on a treat this year too Chris.
Agreed, I would pick him now.I hated his brain fart late and high tackles which made him a liability,But he has sorted that out it seems which is great to see as he is dynamic with the ball in hand.
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@Bovidae said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Victor-Meldrew said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I'd add Taylor was arguably the most improved AB last year and the Taylor starting/Sami finishing approach we used at times worked well.
Taylor was woeful in the Irish series so there was only one way his form could go from there.
Coles is the hooker most at risk due to age, and I would select Aumua in the ABs ahead of him.With each hooker starting under Foster:
Taukei'aho: 75%
Coles: 71%
Taylor: 58%Incidentally when Papali'i has started at 7 we've won 83% of our games. When Cane has started we've won 52% of our games.
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@kiwi_expat said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
Incidentally when Papali'i has started at 7 we've won 83% of our games. When Cane has started we've won 52% of our games.
Perfectly illustrates the danger of stats - particularly off a small sample.
Paps wins have been
Oz x3 (h)
Arg (h)
Wal (a)
Sco (a)Lost to Ire (a) and drew with Poms.
In the same period the only 'easy' games Cane has started have been Italy and Japan (a) and Ozx2 Arg x2 (h)
Not saying Ppas shouldn't be picked just pointing out lies, damned lies, statistics
