EOYT 2017
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What's happened to Melani Nanai? Is he actually playing for Auckland or is he injured or something? There were times in the last 18 months or so that he looked like a future AB fullback.
He actually has been pretty good since returning from injury for Auckland but not yet at his best form. Needs more rugby which he isnt going to get this year.
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@act-crusader said in EOYT 2017:
@Chris-B I reckon Savea has done his dash.
Indeed. He plays one position at international level: starting left wing. If he ain't starting, he ain't selected.
Ioane has been better than I expected, he's undroppable at the moment. The ABs hardly ever take 2 specialist 11s.
Savea must regret his long-term deal, I reckon he might even be given compassionate release. He would coin it in France especially I would think, they love a big Polynesian weapon on the wing.
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Initial thoughts.
Given the number out in back three (BFA/Dagg/NMS/Barrett (J)) and loss of Franks (O)/Moody I suspect 21 forwards and 16 backs.
Three hookers and five locks pick themselves. I expect six props, with Moli in team proper: not sure how he's traveled in Mitre 10 after foot injury healed. LH back up is wide open, with Tim Perry mentioned and Manu still around, albeit seems to be off boil. That leaves seven loosies. Cane/Savea (A)/Squire/Kaino/Fifita/Read seem certs, which leaves a straight choice between Todd, who's certainly done whatever asked of him, or Ioane (A), who's the man for the future.
In backs more open. Will TKB get send off? For me better to develop. Weber was in mix previously, but seems a big drop after top three. Is Dmac taken as third first five, or does Mo'unga get the French BaaBaa's game? Too early, but I like the look of Perofeta. Ioane (R)/Haveli/Naholo locked in. Savea (J) played versus Lions, so would be obvious choice. Think Seta T has been disgarded. Big chance for a bolter.
Midfield is the real area which needs strengthening. I'd take seven first fives/back threes, which would allow six in midfield. Four incumbents, to which I'd add Ngatai (who CAN pass) and Goodhue. -
@pakman So let's try and make a list
Prop(6): Ofa, Crockett, Laulala, Hames, +2 newcomers
Hooker(3): Coles, Taylor, Harris
Lock(5): BBBR, Whitelock, Barrett, Romano, Tuipolotu
Loose(7): Read, Cane, Kaino, Squire, Savea, Todd, FifitaHalfback(3) Smith, TJP, TKB (I don't think anyone else is beating down the door yet)
1st5 (2) BB, Sops
Midfield(6): SBW, Crotty, ALB, Laumape, +2 (Ngatai, Goodhue)
Outside backs(5): DMac, Naholo, Havili, Ioane, +1 (Savea, Seta T, Li, A N Other?)They may be thinking very hard about who else may offer a 14/15 fullback/wing option. I don't see too many around.
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@tim If we thought DMac was horrible to start with....shit oh dear.
I'd be thinking they'll lean towards one of Savea or Tamanivalu for having been in the environment, then look at a young(ish) gun like Duffie, Nanai, Alaimalo, Bridge - except Bridge isn't from the Blues region, so I probably shouldn't mention him, especially with the Crusaders bias around here.
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@crucial I really can't see Li as being anything other than waaaaaay down the list.
Yeah, I'm not pumping for him, just throwing possibilities in there.
As for Li, I assume that they have looked at him quite a bit and seen that he is frustrating in that his high level of skills in some areas are overshadowing zero improvement in others (such as workload). He is the current version of Savea without the test experience.
I wonder if, given the current injury situation, that Lowe would have come into the picture if he wasn't leaving. At least you know he works well in combination with DMac, has a great boot and offers a wing/ fullback option. -
Big fan of Duffie. Reckon he could excel at test rugby if given the chance. Would also like to see Buckmann given a crack. Another player who I think would thrive at test level.
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@rancid-schnitzel I like Buckman but his performances at wing/fullback have been a little underwhelming this year for me, he's a superb midfielder though and I guess no reason why his style wouldn't work in the AB's.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in EOYT 2017:
Big fan of Duffie. Reckon he could excel at test rugby if given the chance. Would also like to see Buckmann given a crack. Another player who I think would thrive at test level.
Duffie is certainly a possibility. I wonder if his age becomes an issue though if deciding between him and someone with more long term possibilities.
I get the feeling that whoever gets slotted into the back three options on this tour will be either an experienced player coming back in or a stop gap measure (or both).
I think DMac's performance last game has made them re-think whether he can be a long term international 15 and that maybe they should be looking for another 10 to develop such as Mounga or Perofuture.
