How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Cane to 6 and Todd to start? Probably not, but Cane is one of the few guys that can match Kaino's physicality for 80 minutes.
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Is this the first we've heard about this injury? Seemed to come out of nowhere but 4--6 weeks isn't terrible, so hopefully he'll make it back with plenty of time. Probably won't make the Blues vs Lions game but that's not the priority.
Either way, I can't see Luatua having much of a chance . Hansen didn't seem too happy with him when he signed with Bristol, so I suspect he's well down the pecking order no matter how he plays over the next few weeks.
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@ACT-Crusader Yeah. Given he'll be 36 when the next RWC comes around, he's probably a marginal proposition for that, so a good chance that the Lions are what he's been targeting as his last hurrah for the ABs.
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@ACT-Crusader said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
I reckon Kaino will be keen as also given he missed out in 05. Only thing missing from his personal rugby bucket list
I saw this mentioned on TV3 last night. Kaino did come off the bench in the Auckland-Lions game in 2005 but obviously wasn't part of the ABs in that series.
My point being that I would have thought winning a Super title was also on Kaino's bucket list. He does play for the Blues, however...
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Did Kaino win a Super title in 2003 with the Blues?
Anyways, replacements?
Cane to 6, Todd or Savea to 7?
Squire? Don't think Dixon or Messam are up to it.
Brad Shields? (I thought he was an 8, but started at 6 vs Brumbies - could this be his time?)AB's really like their 6 smashing people in the tight, and also like Read being free to roam so they need that balance.
To be honest, Kaino will get back, and fresh, and then belt Warburton, Faletau, O'Brien, Itoje, anything in red, and then retire. Actually, he might belt a few aussies just for shits & giggles and then retire.
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Both teams walking or recovering wounded...
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Yeah reading the quotes by Steve Jackson seems like Kaino returning in time for Lions is very much the plan.
I'd say that Blues Lions game is the marker Kaino is aiming towards. As has been said the Lions test series for Kaino must be a huge focus to cap off his career so i'd say he'll be doing everything in his power to be back and ready in time.
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@westcoastie As i may have mentioned on the 'canes thread, I find Shields to be a very ordinary player.
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I don't think they will consider using two openside flankers. Many have tried that tactic and it has rarely worked - and then only in the short-term.
Especially when the obvious plan for the Lions is to try to out-muscle us up front.
I'm going to work on the assumption that JK will be fit, well-rested and ready to play - with Plan B. being Messam or Squire.
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@Chris-B. nah remember that time it worked and everyone got scared that we needed to change everything to combat it!
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@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Did Kaino win a Super title in 2003 with the Blues?
No, he debuted the following year.
I think Squire is better as an impact sub. He was poor in Chicago when he started. I'm sure Kaino will be fine but Messam is an experienced replacement if required. Like @mariner4life, I don't see Shields as an international quality loose forward.
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@taniwharugby I do remember that, now you mention it.
The most infamous version I remember is Smith and Waugh at the 2003 RWC, but I think it's worked against us since, as well. Pocock and Hooper?
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@Chris-B. said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
I don't think they will consider using two openside flankers. Many have tried that tactic and it has rarely worked - and then only in the short-term.
Especially when the obvious plan for the Lions is to try to out-muscle us up front.
I think a combination of Cane and A. Savea is unlikely to be out-muscled.
Cane's height is pretty much the only thing that stops him being a pure #6 anyway, since he's ordinary in the "fetcher" stakes by international standards. And we've seen that Ardie can make a decent fist of #8.
Ritchie McCaw played successfully on the opposite side of the scrum from Matt Todd on many occasions for the Crusaders.
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@Chester-Draws Yes, but none of your examples are test rugby.
Just last year we thought we could field Kaino as a small lock against Ireland and it backfired badly.
There's a reasonable chance of the Lions edging us up front even with Kaino playing. I reckon we will get significantly out-muscled if we try fielding Cane and Savea, but I don't think Hansen will consider it.
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I cant see them playing 2 7s against the Lions ,
thats the type of thing you can get away with against the aussies , not this lot who present a more physical challenge
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You have to look at the role Kaino plays in the set up. He is tasked to straight line carry in close and to drive attacks backward with dominant tackles.
Who is the closest we have to that?
Is it worth looking at Scott Barrett to do that job? Could help with the bench set up as well meaning 2 loosies to come on for impact. -
Dare I throw a Whitelock into the mix?!
