How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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I understand what you are saying but I'd still be concerned if Hansen tried to manufacture a no.6 by playing Whitelock there. Even S Barrett hasn't played enough in that position to say with any confidence he could do that role for the ABs NOW. As many others have said, Squire would probably fill that spot if Kaino was unavailable.
If you want a specialist lock on the bench then Barrett might be the best option as he could move to the side of the scrum, allowing you to include Savea. But a fully fit and in form Tuipulotu gives you maximum impact.
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Shields has been a lot better than Dixon and Taufua over the last two years. Consistently better than Squire too.
He was overhyped early in his career though.
Yeah, I think he's suffering in perception a bit from the early hype. His stats in Super this year are off the charts compared to other 6s (including Kaino).
Stats never tell the full story but you wont get really good ststs from a rubbish player and vice versa.Per game against Kaino he is carrying more, making more metres, more breaks, more lineout takes, more lineout steals, more tackles, better tackle %.
His only worse stat is turnovers conceded which I guess is the tits for hands being mentioned.
Fix that and there's no reason he shouldn't be capable.
Edit: I never realised how much the Canes use Shields in the lineout. eg 18 takes and 2 steals to Squire's 0 and 2
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Do they have stats for decision making?
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@mariner4life said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Do they have stats for decision making?
No, that's why stats don't tell the whole picture, but given that his decision making isn't losing games then it isn't a fatal flaw.
One thing I think is a big plus for test rugby is involvement. The more a player gets involved at Super level the better he is fitness wise, getting of the ground, reading play etc.
I doubt Shields will get a crack, the selectors have invested in Squire and he hasn't faded enough to be discarded.
I think Dixon may be under threat as a squaddie though. -
You make some good points @Crucial, given Shields' outstanding defense if worst came to worst the ABs could get him playing a really tight game where he just smacks blokes in the tackle, hits as many rucks as possible and is a lineout option, while others pick up more of the ball running responsibility.
But as you say Squire would be the next cab off the rank given he's been in the set up for some time now, and right now I'd be more comfortable with him, but Shields could do a job if absolutely required.
Now let's all say a prayer to Joe Pesci that Kaino will be fit.
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@Crucial said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@mariner4life said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Do they have stats for decision making?
No, that's why stats don't tell the whole picture, but given that his decision making isn't losing games then it isn't a fatal flaw.
One thing I think is a big plus for test rugby is involvement. The more a player gets involved at Super level the better he is fitness wise, getting of the ground, reading play etc.
I doubt Shields will get a crack, the selectors have invested in Squire and he hasn't faded enough to be discarded.
I think Dixon may be under threat as a squaddie though.I hope shields is given another chance in the squad. He is no worse than Dixon, probably better, and I don't want him giving up and going overseas. I think it's his best season so far. I'd still start squire ahead of him but he is worth a second look.
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I reckon the lesson we learnt out of that Chicago test is that we don't mess with positions in a big game. Specialists all the way.
Squire deserves that first crack is Kaino is unavailable, Luatua is an idiot for signing to leave (but only because that 6 jersey is there for someone to claim pretty shortly)
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Ben Smith out for 2-3 weeks
c/Stuff -
was interesting that the strapping and whatever injury had no effect on him, and he took the strapping off at half time.
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@Bovidae hindsight is a wonderful thing, although surely he would have known it was a bit more serious?
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I read an article bemoaning the dire state of non NZ teams in Super rug y this year, for example, Australian teams have lost 96 % of matches against nz teams. I haven't got the article at hand, so please don't mind if I got something a little wrong.
The point is, perhaps the tackle rule change has allowed teams to offload and pass more, and since we are the best at that, we are seeing some great tries and easier wins.
If so, surely that spells trouble for the Lions. They are declawed and neutered, and ABs stand poised to turn them into meowing pussies chasing their tails. -
And now read has had thumb surgery...
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So potentially we could be without REad or Kaino, or if we have both, both will be lacking gametime...
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
So potentially we could be without REad or Kaino, or if we have both, both will be lacking gametime...
We're screwed.
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@Stargazer I think they'd most likely start Todd, Samu and Taufua, wouldn't they? Maybe Bedwell-Curtis on the bench - but, Barrett perhaps to move to 6 later in the game (as last night).
I wonder particularly, whether they might have brought Strange because they're a bit worried about Sam Whitelock being cited? Or maybe Quentin is the only non-front rower available?
In terms of Read's ABs' prospects, the 1st Lions test is still 8 weeks away, so I'm expecting him and Kaino to both be available, if slightly underdone. The positive thing about them being injured is that they're not playing - so unlikely to be re-injured in the meantime.
The real worry is the guys that we start losing two or three weeks from now.
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assume Whitelock steps up as captain if Read out?
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@taniwharugby I think Ben from Accounts is the VC - at least he was last year.
But, whether they'd go with a fullback captain is an interesting point. Whitelock, Cane and Coles all forward options.
Stuff
