NZ First Five Crisis
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@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
Smith??
Pollard is overrated as a 10 - does the basics very well
Given Pollard has won back-to-back World Cups I would say he is underrated and doing the basics very well is what being an international Number 10 is all about.
He is the Glenn McGrath of rugby just going about his business doing the basics, nothing too flashy or high risk.
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@reprobate said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
When has Mo'unga ever taken a test against a big opponent by the scruff of the neck?
Also he's reliant on pace, McKenzie can actually pass as well as run.maybe here
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@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
Really? He has better all round skills than them. Having to shorten his approach by 20 seconds may have impacted his kick accuracy slightly, but both those misses were posters, so minimally out. You are rather harsh in my view
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@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
Smith??
Pollard is overrated as a 10 - does the basics very well
Given Pollard has won back-to-back World Cups I would say he is underrated and doing the basics very well is what being an international Number 10 is all about.
he's very much a cog in the Springboks machine.
You say that like it's a bad thing. That's exactly how our players used to see themselves. Cogs in the Black Machine. Then the agents got involved and encouraged players to big themselves up and disaster struck.
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@Nevorian said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
Smith??
Pollard is overrated as a 10 - does the basics very well
Given Pollard has won back-to-back World Cups I would say he is underrated and doing the basics very well is what being an international Number 10 is all about.
He is the Glenn McGrath of rugby just going about his business doing the basics, nothing too flashy or high risk.
Give me 23 "Glenn McGraths of Rugby" and we'll conquer the world.
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@Crazy-Horse said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
It beggars belief to me that the All Blacks' exit work has been consistently appalling since 2016. It's as though successive coaches don't see this basic, fundamental part of the game as terribly important.
Game after game after game poor exit work has put their sides under needless pressure.
What do you suggest they do to improve the exits? I think they are incredibly hamstrung in this department from a lack of a consistently accurate long punter.
If everyone else has failed so far, why is there so much resistance to Plummer? His kicking game was pretty solid for the Blues' IIRC
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@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@sparky said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Mr-Fish said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@nzzp said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
neither of them are close to that superstar level though
hah! Just set the bar at GOAT level please!
They are not close to that; DMac probably has the potential with his speed and long passing game ... but they can do a job for the ABs.
Maybe it is reactionary, but that loss in Cape Town felt big for McKenzie's ABs career. I'd expect him to hold onto the jersey for now, so he has a chance to work his way back, but he failed to take that game by the scruff of the neck, and I really just see Mo'unga coming back and taking the jersey.
I'm also unsure how well McKenzie will age as a player - quite heavily reliant on pace?
What I really mean, is who is our next World Class 10, the next ABs 10 who is in the best in the world category? Maybe I am harsh, but I think at best McKenzie is a Top 5 in the world. I have Pollard, Sacha, Russell and Smith (at the very least) ahead of him.
Smith??
Pollard is overrated as a 10 - does the basics very well
Given Pollard has won back-to-back World Cups I would say he is underrated and doing the basics very well is what being an international Number 10 is all about.
he's very much a cog in the Springboks machine.
You say that like it's a bad thing. That's exactly how our players used to see themselves. Cogs in the Black Machine. Then the agents got involved and encouraged players to big themselves up and disaster struck.
It's not a bad thing - it totally suits the Springboks game. That doesn't mean he's a fantastic player. More a Derick Hougaard than a Dan Carter - and that's largely worked for the Boks.
Pollard had oodles of potential and could've been world-class with more ambitious coaching.
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RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
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@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
I agree. I don't know if he is the answer. But
There is little downside, and far more upside in the context of the search for the 10 to take us forward
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@Dan54 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Crazy-Horse Genuinely wonder if there not an argument for Stevenson to be looked at , although I have tended to never be a huge fan, I think hos boot etc would strengthen us at 15?
Watch the game vs Northalnd on Saturday and you will quickly dismiss teh idea of Stevenson being in black
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@Machpants said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Dan54 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Crazy-Horse Genuinely wonder if there not an argument for Stevenson to be looked at , although I have tended to never be a huge fan, I think hos boot etc would strengthen us at 15?
Watch the game vs Northalnd on Saturday and you will quickly dismiss teh idea of Stevenson being in black
Yep nate, said same to my Mrs, I always thought he would make a few cock ups that were costly, but had hoped he got over them. But certainly reminded me in that game!
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@Dan54 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Machpants said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Dan54 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Crazy-Horse Genuinely wonder if there not an argument for Stevenson to be looked at , although I have tended to never be a huge fan, I think hos boot etc would strengthen us at 15?
Watch the game vs Northalnd on Saturday and you will quickly dismiss teh idea of Stevenson being in black
Yep nate, said same to my Mrs, I always thought he would make a few cock ups that were costly, but had hoped he got over them. But certainly reminded me in that game!
I also watched outside what the camera would've been, no effort and sulky attitude the whole time once they were under the pump
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A shame as Stevenson has the talent if not the application.
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@frugby there's seems to be too many road blocks to players playing. If Super Rugby doesn't expand with top teir teams to give more game time then I would like to see a development grade, just to keep these guys playing, ready for a step up to too SR or Tests.
Too me guys like Sullivan, Burke, Godfrey, have been delayed to develop first five ability with limited Game time.
Also reduce the ABs squad and put those in the ABXV, really get that level going against other countries. -
This is an area the All Blacks have been exposed at this year. I personally thought DMAC kicked well, his goalkicking yesterday was great and he did clear better than before. I wonder how far away we are to getting Richie back.
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Burke, J Ioane, and Aidan Morgan all made their debuts up north this weekend. Ioane and Morgan both scored tries and Burke kicked 10 points for their teams.
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It is alarming how many tens are simply not getting enough game time at Super level and simply being snapped up by clubs in the Northern Hemisphere. Massive issue, we need to be bringing some of this offshore talent home. Richie Mo is the most extreme example, the three mention by Trig is a real concern.
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@BorderJB said in NZ First Five Crisis:
Godfrey
Are you a @Canes4life multi?
Godfrey looked bloody average at 10 when he played there this year, fullback is his current best position. The Canes need to put him in their development team as a 10 to get him more experience.
@Trig None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs. Of the 3 only Burke appears a real loss outside of depth as someone who could develop into a test 10. Morgan was dross and since making the ABs Ioane has just got shitter and shitter.
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@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@BorderJB said in NZ First Five Crisis:
Godfrey
Are you a @Canes4life multi?
Godfrey looked bloody average at 10 when he played there this year, fullback is his current best position. The Canes need to put him in their development team as a 10 to get him more experience.
@Trig None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs. Of the 3 only Burke appears a real loss outside of depth as someone who could develop into a test 10. Morgan was dross and since making the ABs Ioane has just got shitter and shitter.
I'm more concerned about the development of the 10s that stay. No one apart from Plummer could be considered an orthodox 10. Unorthodox is the NZ orthodoxy right now
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@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs.
I agree. If all three were still playing NPC in NZ currently Plummer would still be ahead of them in ABs conversations. However, they will look set to get plenty of game time as their teams first 5s and I don't think it'll be long before Burke puts his Scottish or English passports to use because of this.
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@canefan said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@BorderJB said in NZ First Five Crisis:
Godfrey
Are you a @Canes4life multi?
Godfrey looked bloody average at 10 when he played there this year, fullback is his current best position. The Canes need to put him in their development team as a 10 to get him more experience.
@Trig None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs. Of the 3 only Burke appears a real loss outside of depth as someone who could develop into a test 10. Morgan was dross and since making the ABs Ioane has just got shitter and shitter.
I'm more concerned about the development of the 10s that stay. No one apart from Plummer could be considered an orthodox 10. Unorthodox is the NZ orthodoxy right now
Of those one's who've left only Burke seems orthodox. McClutchie is fairly orthodox and he can't get a run at the Canes, so maybe you're right.
Even if Mo was still here we'd have two unorthodox 10s to complain about and Plummer likely wouldn't get a look in.
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@Trig said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs.
I agree. If all three were still playing NPC in NZ currently Plummer would still be ahead of them in ABs conversations. However, they will look set to get plenty of game time as their teams first 5s and I don't think it'll be long before Burke puts his Scottish or English passports to use because of this.
Considering Burke is from the Crusaders maybe he got the word from Razor that he was unlikely to get a shot? Seems a weird time for him to go otherwise.
Why don't the Crusaders 10s like Razor, they both ran away from him.
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@Nepia Fox had massive mental fortitude and intelligence, could land the ball on a dime.
Only thing missing top end speed. -
What about Zarn Sullivan and Collin Millar?
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@BerniesCorner said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Nepia Fox had massive mental fortitude and intelligence, could land the ball on a dime.
Only thing missing top end speed.Laser like accuracy when kicking from goal too
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@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
McClutchie is fairly orthodox and he can't get a run at the Canes, so maybe you're right.
A shame as McClutchie is a great name for an international 10.
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@BerniesCorner said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Nepia Fox had massive mental fortitude and intelligence, could land the ball on a dime.
Only thing missing top end speed.and um tackling. And physicality. And elusiveness. And agility. But apart from that, all good!
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Fox missed his share of goal kicks but we tend to forget with time.
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@Nepia haha nah nah, I was just using them as examples, I guess Ruben Love would be another as he could have gone 10 instead of 15 in another team. But had Godfrey had playing time in a B team his only game in the top level may not have been bad.
We just need them as a pocket 10 not Fullback 10. -
Chester Drawsreplied to frugby on 23 Sept 2024, 00:48 last edited by Chester Draws 23 Sept 2024, 00:50
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
If Plummer, at 26, is "the one", I'll eat my hat. I'm not unhappy that Plummer is in the squad, because he would be the next best, but that's it. There's no upward path from where he is now. We've all seen him play, and it's solid.
Every good first-five (or halfback for that matter) gets to their peak young. Usually very young. I remember watching Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and DMc all standing out at age 21.
So when we get a decent replacement for DMc, it will be some tyro, barely out of the Under 20s. Like all the other decent first-fives (and halfbacks) we've had. Mo'unga took a long time to crack the ABs, relatively, and he was in the squad at 23.
The idea that we are going to spend a couple of years displacing DMc so a guy who is never going to be close to as good as him can get game time is risible.
The guy Plummer reminds me of is Stephen Donald. Who looked really good at SR level, but also took a long time to get international duty, because that was his level -- and really only played when multiple injuries struck.
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@Chester-Draws said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
If Plummer, at 26, is "the one", I'll eat my hat. I'm not unhappy that Plummer is in the squad, because he would be the next best, but that's it. There's no upward path from where he is now. We've all seen him play, and it's solid.
Every good first-five (or halfback for that matter) gets to their peak young. Usually very young. I remember watching Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and DMc all standing out at age 21.
So when we get a decent replacement for DMc, it will be some tyro, barely out of the Under 20s. Like all the other decent first-fives (and halfbacks) we've had. Mo'unga took a long time to crack the ABs, relatively, and he was in the squad at 23.
The idea that we are going to spend a couple of years displacing DMc so a guy who is never going to be any better than him can get game time is risible.
The guy Plummer reminds me of is Stephen Donald. Who looked really good at SR level, but also took a long time to get international duty, because that was his level -- and really only played when multiple injuries struck.
You may be right about Plummer. But wouldn't you take the chance just in case he can be good, and start him for a half in a dead rubber vs Aussie on Saturday?
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@canefan said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Chester-Draws said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
If Plummer, at 26, is "the one", I'll eat my hat. I'm not unhappy that Plummer is in the squad, because he would be the next best, but that's it. There's no upward path from where he is now. We've all seen him play, and it's solid.
Every good first-five (or halfback for that matter) gets to their peak young. Usually very young. I remember watching Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and DMc all standing out at age 21.
So when we get a decent replacement for DMc, it will be some tyro, barely out of the Under 20s. Like all the other decent first-fives (and halfbacks) we've had. Mo'unga took a long time to crack the ABs, relatively, and he was in the squad at 23.
The idea that we are going to spend a couple of years displacing DMc so a guy who is never going to be any better than him can get game time is risible.
The guy Plummer reminds me of is Stephen Donald. Who looked really good at SR level, but also took a long time to get international duty, because that was his level -- and really only played when multiple injuries struck.
You may be right about Plummer. But wouldn't you take the chance just in case he can be good, and start him for a half in a dead rubber vs Aussie on Saturday?
I don't think this is a dead rubber at all. The ABs need to fix their end of game issues, and they can only do that by taking games seriously. Aussie also desperately need a win, so will go in all fired up.
I've no issues if Plummer starts in a minor game on the end of year tour. We can't leave him on ice forever.
But the idea that he has any chance of being substantially better than DMc is rather wishful thinking.
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@Chester-Draws said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@frugby said in NZ First Five Crisis:
RE-OPENS THREAD
I can't believe I'm saying this but Plummer just has to have a crack. DMac is not the one.
If Plummer, at 26, is "the one", I'll eat my hat. I'm not unhappy that Plummer is in the squad, because he would be the next best, but that's it. There's no upward path from where he is now. We've all seen him play, and it's solid.
Every good first-five (or halfback for that matter) gets to their peak young. Usually very young. I remember watching Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and DMc all standing out at age 21.
So when we get a decent replacement for DMc, it will be some tyro, barely out of the Under 20s. Like all the other decent first-fives (and halfbacks) we've had. Mo'unga took a long time to crack the ABs, relatively, and he was in the squad at 23.
The idea that we are going to spend a couple of years displacing DMc so a guy who is never going to be close to as good as him can get game time is risible.
The guy Plummer reminds me of is Stephen Donald. Who looked really good at SR level, but also took a long time to get international duty, because that was his level -- and really only played when multiple injuries struck.
Hold on.
So he’s only as good as the guy who kicked the winning goal to win a WC?
No running down beaver, those days are gone.
If that is your argument, he needs to be trialled and gently rissoled so he is in peak ‘make a shitty movie about this’ form come 2027 when he saves our bacon.
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I'd be happy with Plummer just getting a decent crack from the bench to see if he can help our second half woes.
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@KiwiMurph said in NZ First Five Crisis:
I'd be happy with Plummer just getting a decent crack from the bench to see if he can help our second half woes.
Distributes well and kicks well from hand, and we can move Dmac out to FB to take advantage of his running game late in the game.
If we aren't starting BB, it is the logical choise as then at least our 4-3 bench starts to make sense as well.
I'm not worried about first five - if you look back to 2004 we had Carlos (who was on the way out) and Aaron Mauger as the two first fives at the AB trial.
Carter was still at 2nd five (at AB level, anyway) until the end of year tour.
I think we'll turn up a youngster in the next two-three years who will play behind Dmac or Mo'unga (I'm sure not both), while we still have Perofeta and Plummer. BB hasn't retired yet either. We may not have a DC but we have plenty of talent - our problems are elsewhere.
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@gt12 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
move Dmac out to FB to take advantage of his running game late in the game.
i am not so sure in our current set up that does anything.
Our pattern has him taking the ball on a loop and running a heap. And then when the opposition has the ball he's back for counter-attacking opportunities. As i said elsewhere, we have him doing fucking everything at the moment it's crazy. We're trying to use his running on every second phase, and we have loops created to get him in wide channels as well.
A "game manager" 10 is going to change the entire team, there is no way that is happening in a week
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That's fair, but I see it from the other side.
We agree that he's doing plenty right now (likely too much). I think criticism of him is missing that.
For that reason I'd like a bit more from our starting 15 (or 12, hello Jordie!) and whoever we bring on late.
My feeling is that this focus on the run needs balance, especially late in the game. What's interesting to me is that in the first half of the last game, we didn't play in our own half, we got down their end then built phases.
That went missing later. To be honest, I'd like Weepu on the bench - he was excellent at helpin to drive change in approach off the bench, despite limitations. Barrett might be able to do that as well.
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@SBW1 said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@canefan Fox was pint size in comparison to today's tens. A different game.
For sure. It doesn't mean that the skills he had wouldn't be desirable in our current 10s
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@canefan said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@Nepia said in NZ First Five Crisis:
@BorderJB said in NZ First Five Crisis:
Godfrey
Are you a @Canes4life multi?
Godfrey looked bloody average at 10 when he played there this year, fullback is his current best position. The Canes need to put him in their development team as a 10 to get him more experience.
@Trig None of those 10s have looked AB level, even Ioane who played for the ABs. Of the 3 only Burke appears a real loss outside of depth as someone who could develop into a test 10. Morgan was dross and since making the ABs Ioane has just got shitter and shitter.
I'm more concerned about the development of the 10s that stay. No one apart from Plummer could be considered an orthodox 10. Unorthodox is the NZ orthodoxy right now
its like we afraid....we're afraid everyone will get injured and so we would rather have second string people who can play multiple positions than first string specialists
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