TRC squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="602327" data-time="1470108272">
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<p>Nice! I had a Sheilds/Squire moment!</p>
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<p>Nothing to see here!</p>
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<p>If someone could write a nice detailed analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of Dixon/Squires/Luatua I'd be most appreciative. A virtual beer is an option, or a real one if they're in the Hurricanes cachement area.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="602332" data-time="1470109543"><p>If someone could write a nice detailed analysis of the relative strengths and weaknesses of Dixon/Squires/Luatua I'd be most appreciative. A virtual beer is an option, or a real one if they're in the Hurricanes cachement area.</p></blockquote>
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Here's the Fern's "analysis" on these three: <br><br>
Dixon - not sure about him; love his workrate; lose the hair band thing; try scoring loosie; does dumb stuff; got shown up in finals footy; best 6 last two years<br><br>
Shields - error prone; dumb stuff; runs upright; better this year; stupid penalties; well involved; heaps of tackles<br><br>
Luatua - at the bakery; on fire in the second half of the year; goes missing; tall rangey forward the ABs need; covers lock; not a lock; can play 6/8; not really a 6; he's from Auckland.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="602340" data-time="1470110894">
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<p>Here's the Fern's "analysis" on these three:<br><br>
Dixon - not sure about him; love his workrate; lose the hair band thing; try scoring loosie; does dumb stuff; got shown up in finals footy; best 6 last two years<br><br>
Shields - error prone; dumb stuff; runs upright; better this year; stupid penalties; well involved; heaps of tackles<br><br>
Luatua - at the bakery; on fire in the second half of the year; goes missing; tall rangey forward the ABs need; covers lock; not a lock; can play 6/8; not really a 6; he's from Auckland....</p>
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<p>Very good. I said Squires not Shields though.....who are you....Hooroo ?</p> -
<p>Great news: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/82725250/charlie-ngatai-included-in-taranakis-npc-squad'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/82725250/charlie-ngatai-included-in-taranakis-npc-squad</a></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="602344" data-time="1470111446">
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<p>Very good. I said Squires not Shields though.....who are you....Hooroo ?</p>
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<p>Squire without an "S"...who are you...Hooroo? :)</p>
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<p>He's from Ta$man, so almost certain to be a good guy - except he came from Manawatu originally.</p>
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<p>Big, fast, physical - somewhat injury prone.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="602340" data-time="1470110894"><p>Here's the Fern's "analysis" on these three:<br><br>Dixon - not sure about him; love his workrate; lose the hair band thing; try scoring loosie; does dumb stuff; got shown up in finals footy; best 6 last two years<br><br>Shields - error prone; dumb stuff; runs upright; better this year; stupid penalties; well involved; heaps of tackles<br><br>Luatua - at the bakery; on fire in the second half of the year; goes missing; tall rangey forward the ABs need; covers lock; not a lock; can play 6/8; not really a 6; he's from Auckland....</p></blockquote><br>Better analysis than you'll get anywhere else.
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<p>Insightful analysis you say?</p>
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<p>Most boganic: 1. Squire 2. Dixon 3. Luatua.</p>
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<p>Best full name: 1. Dolph Steven Luatua. Either his family mingled with the Germans a few generations ago, or they love them some Dolph Lundgren. </p>
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<p>If Game of Thrones is to believed, a squire is a loyal servant to a knight. And that squire Podrick Payne is / was hung like a horse. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="602453" data-time="1470124872">
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<p>Insightful analysis you say?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Most boganic: 1. Squire 2. Dixon 3. Luatua.</p>
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<p>Best full name: 1. Dolph Steven Luatua. Either his family mingled with the Germans a few generations ago, or they love them some Dolph Lundgren. </p>
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<p>If Game of Thrones is to believed, a squire is a loyal servant to a knight. And that squire Podrick Payne is / was hung like a horse. </p>
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<p>Is Podrick hung like a horse? They never explained how he managed to satisfy 5 whores to the point where they wouldn't accept payment. Must be more to it then just that..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="602471" data-time="1470126372">
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<p>Is Podrick hung like a horse? They never explained how he managed to satisfy 5 whores to the point where they wouldn't accept payment. Must be more to it then just that...</p>
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<p>Naaaa, Bronn and Tyrian were pretty concerned he was but turns out he was just very good in the sack.</p>
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<p>Fuck Squire and Dixon, I want Luatua in the team based on his name alone !</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi2g5PPqaLOAhWCjpQKHcs-DtwQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcoolmenshair.com%2F2012%2F03%2Fdolph-lundgren-hairstyles.html&psig=AFQjCNHw2_l9IBbsSW6I-rZ9bI8MD9MGPA&ust=1470213302465132'><img height="393" src="http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee136/suwarnaadi/hair/Dolph-Lundgren-militaryflattop.jpg" width="414" alt="Dolph-Lundgren-militaryflattop.jpg"></a></p> -
<p>Just tweeted by the All Blacks account:</p>
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<p>UPDATE: Chiefs prop Kane Hames has been called up as a wider training player for the All Blacks camp in Auckland.</p>
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<p>UPDATE: Highlanders players in All Blacks have also been excused from All Blacks camp after long travel home from South Africa.</p> -
<p>NMS is unlikely to play for the Poo or be available for the EOYT. </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11687346'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11687346</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="602979" data-time="1470285638">
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<p>NMS is unlikely to play for the Poo or be available for the EOYT. </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11687346'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11687346</a></p>
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<p>This could open up a spot on that end of year tour - Melani Nanai or Rieko Ioane perhaps.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="602990" data-time="1470287992"><p>This could open up a spot on that end of year tour - Melani Nanai or Rieko Ioane perhaps.</p></blockquote>
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Ioane as a 'trainee' or whatever they are called (seriously, what is it?) sounds like a starter. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="603029" data-time="1470297015">
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<p>Ioane as a 'trainee' or whatever they are called (seriously, what is it?) sounds like a starter.</p>
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<p>Yeah, they like him & he'd be a solid candidate to go along for the experience, they've done that in the past with guys to get them into the culture</p> -
<p>They tend to reserve it for someone they REALLY rate & have had an eye on for a while, Hansen has mentioned Reiko a few times in the last year. For Nanai to go he'd need to nail a spot in the actual squad for mine, its not enough just to be a possible fringe pick.</p>
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<p>And with 5 outside backs in the EOYT squad there probably only 1 spot going & you'd assume Dmac or one of the centre / wings (Moala, Tamavalu) have the inside running on that</p> -
<p>Yeah - the apprentice role is meant to be for young players ho are future super stars. Nanai is 23 now. He's still young and could be a very good All Black but he will need to make the squad on merit. Also the NZRU don't want Hansen to be taking too man players to Europe.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="602252" data-time="1470093038"><p>Clearly there is no character test (when they feel like it). Savea has turned up fat two years running, has had one good game (against France in a walkover) and is still in the ABs.<br></p></blockquote>
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I agree with you totally and it really bothers me. His form has been lousy in test and super rugby, he shows up out of shape, we are told you can't lose your place through injury, so what exactly do you have to do to lose your place? It sends such a bad message to the other guys busting there butts off. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="603585" data-time="1470490618">
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<p>I agree with you totally and it really bothers me. His form has been lousy in test and super rugby, he shows up out of shape, we are told you can't lose your place through injury, so what exactly do you have to do to lose your place? It sends such a bad message to the other guys busting there butts off.</p>
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<p>Maybe it's just a case of the replacements aren't good enough. Piutau may have been but he fucked off so they rightly didn't spend any time developing him. Naholo was seen as a 14 at first in a race with NMS. NMS just played better then Naholo got injured.</p>
<p>The only other alternative that people on here are bringing up is Lowe and by his absence from even the extended squad you can see how much they don't rate him. Rightly so IMO.</p>
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<p>I would also say they probably back themselves to work with a player to get them to their peak (which in the case of Savea is pretty high, he has proven that multiple times). In the absence of a decent alternative player the I back this approach.</p>
<p>It would be silly if they limited themselves to only players peaking in lower levels. If that was the case plenty of AB greats would have been dropped.</p>
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<p>I would also dispute that Savea was bad during the RWC. He wasn't at his peak but he wasn't as bad as lots of people made out. He was playing a very different role carrying the ball in midfield and around the ruck. He was getting plenty of go forward and he was scoring tries. IMO one of the reasons the French game was seen as a walk over was because Savea was unstoppable and scored a three tries. </p>
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<p>Im hoping he lifts his game soon though. But I suspect some people won't acknowledge it if he does. Both Saveas seem to be players that some people just like to stick the boot into.</p>