TRC squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="602123" data-time="1470036426"><p>
These selectors have always had a soft spot for players from a certain team. Its not quite as bad as the Hart Wylie days yet but if the Crusaders ever won the title it likely would be.</p></blockquote>
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Suggest you add "h" as the 2nd letter of your username. <br><br>
Painful. -
<p>What? A conspiracy to give Crusaders players preference for AB selection? Gosh, it's not like Winger to believe in a conspiracy. So out of character. Must have some merit.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="602133" data-time="1470038642">
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<p>What? A conspiracy to give Crusaders players preference for AB selection? Gosh, it's not like Winger to believe in a conspiracy. So out of character. Must have some merit.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thankfully in the Henry and Smith days the selections seemed to fairly represent the performance of the teams. Now its gone back to a Crusaders bias. They have 9 players in this team. Every other team has less. Romano is a joke selection for one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Its very clear bias. I hoped this crap was finished after we got rid of Hate and Wylie but it seems not.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="602125" data-time="1470036783"><p>THese selectors have a fine track record with selections and winning, so I'm prepared to believe they select on more than just the Super colours, but thats just me!<br></p></blockquote>
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NZRFU Shill -
I know we shouldn't question these guys, and they have more info than we do, and are tasked with creating culture, but<br><br>
Not taking Luatua is mystifying. He's been a dominant player who obviously sorted out what got him dropped in the first place. <br><br>
Have we reached the point where super form only counts if you are new? That's a dangerous proposition -
Those lineout and metres per run stats for Dixon would be pretty appealing to the AB selectors. Plus he has good leadership credentials from what I hear. <br><br>
Not overly surprised with the Luatua omission given he's been on the fringe for a while now and Dixon and Squire haven't yet done anything to say they aren't up to test level. There are always one or two players that "miss out" from a fan's perspective. <br><br>
I've been critical of Romano over the years, but he was better this season. There must be some key stats at test level that they like about his game which warrants continued selection. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Username" data-cid="602076" data-time="1470024972">
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<p>The stats, if interested:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Shields / Dixon</p>
<p>Games</p>
<p>15 / 15</p>
<p>Minutes</p>
<p>1064 / 1112</p>
<p>Tries</p>
<p>2 / 4</p>
<p>Carries</p>
<p>112 / 69</p>
<p>Metres</p>
<p>219 / 299</p>
<p>Clean Breaks</p>
<p>5 / 12</p>
<p>Defenders Beaten</p>
<p>5 / 12</p>
<p>Offloads</p>
<p>4 / 11</p>
<p>Passes</p>
<p>29 / 59</p>
<p>Lineout Catches</p>
<p>15 / 63</p>
<p>Lineout Steals</p>
<p>0 / 11</p>
<p>Tackles</p>
<p>141 / 103</p>
<p>Missed Tackles</p>
<p>25 / 16</p>
<p>Tackles Success</p>
<p>84.8 / 86.6</p>
<p>Turnovers Conceded</p>
<p>16 / 11</p>
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<p>where are these from? wouldn't mind seeing luatua as well.</p> -
<p>I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="602171" data-time="1470046062">
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<p>where are these from? wouldn't mind seeing luatua as well.</p>
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<p>There are a few places doing decent stats now. You could try</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/statscentre.cfm</a> or download the app called 'Vodacom Rugby'.</p> -
<p>Luatua struggles a bit in that he only really works as a 8, he's probably the second best 8 in NZ right now, but a specialist 8 is not really a lot of use in a squad for the TN's with Read in there. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before people jump on the idea he is a 6, in super rugby yes, but he doesn't play like an All Black 6 - he very much plays like a AB 8, even when he is playing 6... It wouldn't surprise me to see him straight into statrting if Read got long term crocked.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
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<p>I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Same every year, the Cheifs press / fans talk up some Super player who does not look a test player to anyone else, then are shocked when he is never getting capped. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
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<p><strong>I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from,</strong> or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.</p>
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<p>Some posters like Lowe (clearly not you and Gollum), he's been a good player for the Chiefs the last couple of years (presumably for the North Christchurch Mako$ as well), so his AB chances are speculated on - the call for Lowe for higher honours has been going on much longer than 2 weeks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But then again, I'm a big fan of Nanai too - and it's not a zero sum game for a fan - so I'm happy that he's close to selection.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="602174" data-time="1470047062">
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<p>I don't know where all the love for James Lowe comes from, or quite why some posters believe he's on the fringe. There was a single speculative story in the Waikato rag a few weeks ago talking him up, based purely on opinion. Nanai has been impressive and warrants a look in a training camp, so I'm pleased to see him named as cover. I'm also a big Moala fan, so am rapt to see him there.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Partially a game of maths - if you look at the 10 starting wings in the Super sides.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Naholo and Savea are in.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nadolo is ineligible and McNicholl is off overseas.</p>
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<p>Jane is too old.</p>
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<p>Osborne's on the fringe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lowe's the best at the Chiefs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nanai and Tevita Li.</p> -
Lowe is worth being in the conversation. But he's behind those that Chris B listed and there are players mot mentioned by Chris B that further muddy the issue for Lowe: NMS and Rieko Ioane.<br><br>
He's probably the 4th choice wing/fullback. <br><br>
I don't think he'd be out of place. Just there's better options currently.<br><br>
And as mentioned he's been in the conversation for at least a year. Slightly more seriously this year. Not sure anyone is surprised or outraged by his ommisdion though?<br><br><br>
Also I agree with Mariner re Luatua. -
I get the feeling Lowe will end up being one of those guys that continuously gets close to selection , but finds himself outside looking in more than the other way around,<br><br>A bit like an Anthony Tuitavake
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="602178" data-time="1470048655">
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<p>Luatua struggles a bit in that he only really works as a 8, he's probably the second best 8 in NZ right now, but a specialist 8 is not really a lot of use in a squad for the TN's with Read in there. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before people jump on the idea he is a 6, in super rugby yes, but he doesn't play like an All Black 6 - he very much plays like a AB 8, even when he is playing 6... It wouldn't surprise me to see him straight into statrting if Read got long term crocked.</p>
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<p>could say the same about how dixon plays i reckon though, he's a lot more read than kaino.</p>
