How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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@Chester-Draws said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
How does 6. Squire 7. Cane 8. Savea look to everyone...?
Luatua on the bench?Experimental much?
I wouldn't mind this in the future, but it's a massive gamble for the Lions. Ardie has been excellent at 8 so far this season and I can definitely see him playing there in black. The trouble is that we have a relatively small front row and can't really afford to sacrifice size in the loose.
I think with Read injured they have to seriously consider Barrett at 6. He has the combo of size and ball skills that will be gold against the Poms and Paddies.
You think playing Ardie at #8 is a "massive gamble" but playing a youngster with very little Super experience, let alone AB games under his best, in the wrong position isn't?
I don't get the Barrett thing. He looks fine to me, but not so awesome that he's pushing anyone out of the way. (I can't help feeling that the most awesome thing about him is his surname.)
Very little Super experience? He debuted for the Saders in 2014.
IMHO, at the moment Barrett at 6 is less of a gamble than Ardie at 8. And I say that as a Yuge Ardie fan.
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Yup, little Super experience. Less that three years, given the first was July 2014. 22 games, with a lot as reserve.
That's not insurmountable -- ALB has about the same experience as S. Barrett, though I think he's started more games.
Why not play Taleni Seu if we want a promising blind-side with lineout ability who can cover lock? He's at least playing in position. Yeah, that's right, he's massively green.
But he's only played 5 games less than Barrett.
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there are some players and some positions that the selectors seem ok with bringing straight into the mix, not sure 8 is one, so wil be interesting to see what they do should both Kaino & Read be out, certainly a huge test for Hansen & Co now.
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@Chester-Draws said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Yup, little Super experience. Less that three years, given the first was July 2014. 22 games, with a lot as reserve.
That's not insurmountable -- ALB has about the same experience as S. Barrett, though I think he's started more games.
Why not play Taleni Seu if we want a promising blind-side with lineout ability who can cover lock? He's at least playing in position. Yeah, that's right, he's massively green.
But he's only played 5 games less than Barrett.
If you want to discuss this properly then I'm happy to oblige, but if you want to put up "arguments" like that then count me out.
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Squire, Cane, Luatua.
Squire and Cane to whack blokes, Luatua to terrorise in the wide channels. All 3 quick enough to make life hard for the Lions on both sides of the ball. Good height too.
Ardie and PT on the bench for huge impact. Series sorted.
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Haha, those thinking Read and Kaino won't play the first test are surely having a larfff.
Luatua at no8, no thanks. He's a better blindside IMO. I actually don't think he'll make the squad andI'd rather they picked Messam.
Squire will make the squad but he's an impact player still.
Ardie Savea starting? I don't think he's ready. Last year Hansen had Todd start more tests than him. Savea showed he was a decent impact player, but I think he has a ways to go in his accuracy in the tackle.
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@mariner4life Yeah - you'd think we didn't have any 6/8 options some of what's being talked here.
I'd pick also Messam, Dixon, Taufua and perhaps even Luke Whitelock, before I'd start thinking about converting a 7 or lock.
Not sure about PT on the bench. I'd be somewhat inclined to go with Romano.
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@Billy-Tell said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
And now read has had thumb surgery...
I wouldn't worry about it. Some bloke on the Stuff.co.nz comments section said there are plenty of better No 8s in NZ than Read. That's good enough to put my mind at ease.
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You cantabs are hilarious
Todd, whitelock and Taufua? Jesus.
Bunch of Mark Carters
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@mariner4life Hey - it's not us suggesting to play Cane at 6 or 8 to accommodate Todd!
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I've never been on the Taufua bandwagon. I like his game at Super level and what he brings for the Saders, but he's not test material in my eyes.
Todd has the tackling, stamina and support game that the AB coaches seem to really like. So I'm not surprised he's there or thereabouts. Just ask Canes4Life....
S. Whitelock to blindside, nup no need.
On those pushing Scott Barrett, he's developing nicely but I think just like last year he'll only get in if there are injuries to our four frontline locks. He has some work ons.
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Ladbrokes are paying $1.20 for an ab series win still
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The one positive about the injuries to Read, Kaino and Coles and the likely suspension of Whitelock is that our forwards will be bloody fresh going into the first test. If these guys can recover in time for the first test, I think their freshness will give them an edge over what must be a jaded Lions pack.
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So who are we most likely to see in the first test, should injury recoveries not go to plan?
- Moody
- Coltman
- Franks
- Retallick
- Whitelock
- Squire
- Cane
- Luatua
- TJP
- Barrett
- R Ioane
- Crotty
- ALB
- J Savea
- Smith
Reserves:
- Taylor
- Crockett
- Faumuina
- S. Barrett
- A. Savea
- A. Smith
- A. Cruden
- SBW
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
So who are we most likely to see in the first test, should injury recoveries not go to plan?
- Moody
- Coltman
- Franks
- Retallick
- Whitelock
- Squire
- Cane
- Luatua
- TJP
- Barrett
- R Ioane
- Crotty
- ALB
- J Savea
- Smith
Coltman? Hmmm
I'd swap 6 and 8
Dagg not expected back?
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