EOYT 2017
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I quite like the squad. Only quibbles I have is I'd like a young 3rd young halfback and i'd like to see Mo'ouga get AB minutes soon (but as a 38th pick rather than at expense of any of the others).
But it is more valuable to see Mo'ouga (and Drummond) get game time for the BaaBaas. I'm going to be very interested in Moli's efforts for the BaaBaas.
This BaaBaas game is proving to be really useful; huge payday, plus 5 fringe players get to play against ABs plus, plus expenses paid reserves for the midweek game .....
Halfback and LHP are the areas of obvious weakness. Drummond willl get games for BaaBaas, TTT & Webber for Maori (although not sure if they have any hard games?). Pulu for BaaBaas v Wallabies. I like Finlay Christie out of all them though at the moment.
Delighted for Duffie.
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@shark yup the extra five are in the match-squad for the French XV game.
If 37 are on tour, with the extra 5 making 42 - I would think no-one playing the French test will be backing up for the French XV game, certainly none of the starters.
I think a prop would have to, and maybe a loosie? from the test 23 will have to go to the bench -
@bovidae Eves and Hodgman both played well in the NPC.
Hodgkin was exposed at scrum time in a few games. He hasn't earned a call up
Edit.... Sorry Hodgman
Perry offers nothing to the Team very often MIA. Hodgman and Eves had excellent NPC campaigns and deserved a call up. Hodgman's 's scrum technique is getting a lot better with Canterbury dominating Harbour last week. Hodgman and Eves have excellent stats around the field they play like looseforwards. Perry is terrible around the field.
My boy Mitch Graham has also played better than Perry.Mitch graham is laughable... was never in the frame down here in Canterbury. Didn't even shine at club level.
Razor was pretty reluctant to even select him for npc duties.
Perry is a better scrummager than the 2 others you mention..., so offers that at least. Props aren't loose forwards
Perry offers nothing else but that and on an inconsistent basis, of course Props aren't loose forwards haven't you noticed that this is the changing face of the game. Props need to be more mobile than back in yesteryear. As for Razor he always gave Hodgman 35 minutes, it is called impact off the bench, there is a reason why Canterbury and the Crusaders have been successful under his tenure and it has everything to do with player management.
As for Mitch, he can easily fit in a Crusader environment he has proven it at all levels. -
Perry? Probably no surprise as he was called into the AB squad but he doesn't even make the Crusaders 23. I guess being a Crusaders prop means you're halfway to the ABs.
The only other option was Manu, a better player I believe. There aren't any young LH props around that would be good enough.
With various injuries, the loosehead pool must be for paddling only.
Perry is quite strong at NPC level, but inexperienced at Super level and I saw him take a hammering against one of the Oz Super teams this year.
Maybe it was one of those games where his opposite was cheating and made him look bad, but I think he's a big step down from Kane Hames.
Good luck to him - a chance he probably never expected, but I hope he's not required for any of the big games.
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@sammyc How has Tim Perry improved since his days in Auckland where he would come on for the last 10 and give up a couple of penalties. A human accordion at scrums time. Can't understand this and he is 29? Yes props are not loose forwards but they are becoming more dynamic and have to be.
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Has Apisai played much for Wellington this year to warrant his inclusion? Any other hookers out there?
Good question. I've only watched one Wellington game all year (vs Waikato) and Apisai was on the bench. Royal was also in the Maori squad last year.
According to the stats on the Mitre 10 Cup website, Apisai has only played in 5 games, with a total game time of 120 minutes. I think he started the season injured, then he played those 5 games (including two starts against Ta$man and Otago) and then he suffered a shoulder injury early in that Otago game on 1 October.
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@broughie Not convinced about him and his age doesn't help either. Would have rather seen Manu get the nod. I think loosehead is our weakest position. We have Moody who is the best in the world imo but not much after him. Hames is meh and Crockett is well past his best. Missed a crucial tackle on Hooper which resulted in Folau scoring in the next phase and also missed an easy tackle on McMahon in the 2nd half.
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Tim Perry seriously? One of the worst selections of all time and it really shows our lack of depth up front.
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@african-monkey said in EOYT 2017:
Tim Perry seriously? One of the worst selections of all time and it really shows our lack of depth up front.
Good thing Canterbury are busy training Irishmen and Australians then.
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@sammyc How has Tim Perry improved since his days in Auckland where he would come on for the last 10 and give up a couple of penalties. A human accordion at scrums time. Can't understand this and he is 29? Yes props are not loose forwards but they are becoming more dynamic and have to be.
I thought that was Tim Perry, then I assumed I must be wrong and I'm thinking of another player, but I guess I'm right.
@Chris-B What's your thoughts on him? Has he looked the goods for the Mako?
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Happy that they have included Aumua, Duffie and Goodhue. Harris isn't really up to it, midfield is still a big question mark and the right wing is looking pretty thin with the list of guys that are out. Seta deserves his recall too. He looked finished 12 months ago.
Don't understand the TKB thing. He is fucking off after this tour and is only 3rd choice. Sure there might not be an obvious new 3rd in line but by keeping TKB around none of the possiblities are getting developed within the squad. Why not let TKB play for the Maori so he can cover on short notice and get a new 9 in the squad?
Not thrilled about the props but this demonstrates the stupidity of the NZRU allowing so many foreign props to be selected at super level.
Was hoping they would take A Ioane. He is clearly quality. I wonder if he fails the no dickheads policy assessment. Are they going to play Squire at 8 for the game Read misses?
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Here's Cully's squad. He's gone with a 20-17 split - one less prop and one more outside back.
For the reasons above, it would surprise me if they'd take both Seta and Duffie, but I've been surprised before!
Seems Cully got the good oil on Seta and Duffie!
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@pukunui probably give Ardie a go at number 8 given he played the most in that position during Super rugby.
I quite like the squad. Some out of the box selections, but that shouldn't really come as a surprise, especially up front and out wide where we've had a number of 'shock' selections. Laulala and Moody rose quickly and it's amazing Hames is an AB.
The most interesting selection for me is Kaino. What will his role be? He must run a mean water bottle
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seta has been really excellent all year, thoroughly deserves his place. aumua may be something special. disappointed they took harris as well to be honest, dubious throwing and nothing outstanding to justify putting up with that.
clearly scraping the bottom of the prop barrel, but there are pros and cons to that.
that might just be my best work. thanks everyone, i'll see myself out.
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@reprobate said in EOYT 2017:
seta has been really excellent all year, thoroughly deserves his place. aumua may be something special. disappointed they took harris as well to be honest, dubious throwing and nothing outstanding to justify putting up with that.
clearly scraping the bottom of the prop barrel, but there are pros and cons to that.
that might just be my best work. thanks everyone, i'll see myself out.
The 4 hookers thing is quite odd, however on previous tours Aumua would have been an 'apprentice' anyway.
Not sure what you are basing the Harris critique on. The guy is so light on game time at the moment he must think putting boots on is playing dress ups. -
@act-crusader said in EOYT 2017:
@pukunui probably give Ardie a go at number 8 given he played the most in that position during Super rugby.
I quite like the squad. Some out of the box selections, but that shouldn't really come as a surprise, especially up front and out wide where we've had a number of 'shock' selections. Laulala and Moody rose quickly and it's amazing Hames is an AB.
The most interesting selection for me is Kaino. What will his role be? He must run a mean water bottle
More amazing Perry is about to be an AB - Hames has been in the frame for a couple of years now, Perry looked nothing more than a journeyman.
Kaino will start at least two tests at 6 - is my prediction.
