AB's v Wales
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@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
It must be remembered comparing Squire playing 6 vs Akira playing 8 isn't exactly the same thing.
Akira was playing 6 for the Maori (and for the Blues v Lions) as opposed to number 8 which is where he was playing in Bordeaux. Akira also came on at 6 for the ABs in Lyon and looked better than he did in Bordeaux. I can't remember the last time Squire played 8.
I think an argument can be made Akira is better suited to playing 6 at this point in his career than 8.
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Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
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@billy-tell said in AB's v Wales:
@gunner said in AB's v Wales:
We’re in serious danger of losing this one.
Wales I’m not sure. If it was England or Ireland I’d have us as underdogs which is a bit sickening.
Ooh a second one! Keep ‘em coming. 😉
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I've whacked $10 on Wales at $7.50. Seems a good bet given our form, injuries, and we often suck in the last game of the year
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@mariner4life I'd do the same, except I never bet against the All Blacks.
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@mariner4life said in AB's v Wales:
I've whacked $10 on Wales at $7.50. Seems a good bet given our form, injuries, and we often suck in the last game of the year
Those look to be very good odds, bookies know something we don't obviously. Or perhaps we are just too harsh on our beloved team.
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@mariner4life thats a nice return but you won't see it. This is the statement game. Wales are going to get raped.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
The two bolded comments seems to contradict. He played 8 in Bordeaux.
Yes I am suggesting Akira is better suited to 6 than 8 at this stage of his career - it's a less complex position to play and he can just get stuck in. I don't think it's a coincidence Akira's best performances this year have come at 6.
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@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
@no-quarter said in AB's v Wales:
I'd really like to see Akira get some game-time in this one. Fifita and Squire are both flat track bullies, and are not the answer long term. Neither of them could put in a performance like Akira did for the Maori vs the Lions while the rest of the pack got their asses handed to them. I see him as our long term 6 following Kaino's retirement.
I think this is nonsense.
I am not a long term Akira watcher, but went to the NZ Maori v French Barbarians game in Bordeaux, and was staggered by how much of the time Akira was walking around behind the play as a passenger. Was also in Rotorua so have some idea of the Akira upside.
Squire is streets ahead of Akira currently, and has the potential to be a great AB 6 IMHO.
Wouldn't want to quote the AB selectors in my defence, as we seem to disagree on other selections, but they seem to be with me on this one.
I remember thinking Akira seemed half hearted in that match. Wondered if he was thinking he wanted to get through injury free so as to make it into the NZ XV game and get his AB jersey.
From the Blues games I saw this year I think he's currently better at 6, but against that he doesn't have the tackling impact which Squire brings and I think the ABs are looking for in their 6s.
All said and done though, other than at scrum time, does the number on their back make much difference?
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@kiwimurph said in AB's v Wales:
@infidel said in AB's v Wales:
Thanks for the clarifications here.
From what I saw in Bordeaux, I wouldn't be changing my opinion on Akira.
As you are saying Akira is better suited at 6, I would still say Squire is a mile ahead of Akira at 6 currently.
Not saying Akira can't make it as either 6 or 8, but my thinking is he needs to lift his workrate/attitude over current output. Would love to see him in the mix. It is possible Akira could be a better option at 8?
The two bolded comments seems to contradict. He played 8 in Bordeaux.
Yes I am suggesting Akira is better suited to 6 than 8 at this stage of his career - it's a less complex position to play and he can just get stuck in. I don't think it's a coincidence Akira's best performances this year have come at 6.
Also means that he can play on the front foot more. Moving forward to tackle or to support/clean out. Number 8 usually has to carry the role of forward sweeper as well meaning you need to make good decisions on whether to go in, hold behind or drop back.
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@pakman said in AB's v Wales:
From the Blues games I saw this year I think he's currently better at 6, but against that he doesn't have the tackling impact which Squire brings and I think the ABs are looking for in their 6s.
Bullshit. He has more physical impact on the tackle by far. Watch Squire against Australia in Brisbane this year. He no impact - so often he was second tackler and added nothing. Combine with his ruck inspecting. Then watch the semifinal against the Crusaders - he did nothing.
Very low work rate player who was dumped from the Chiefs for it. The most overrated player in NZ by far.
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One news reporting Read in doubt and Ardie with mumps
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@taniwharugby said in AB's v Wales:
One news reporting Read in doubt and Ardie with mumps
NZ Herald suggesting Read will play. If not, the word is that Luke Whitelock, whom I had assumed had gone home until I spied him at training in an AB TV snippet, will get the place. Also sounds as though Pat T may get the start.
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@taniwharugby said in AB's v Wales:
One news reporting Read in doubt and Ardie with mumps
I saw a video post from David Havili on instagram yesterday, showing Ardie "in isolation". Havili brought Ardie takeaway and left it at Ardie's door and walked away a few metres before Ardie opened the door, checked nobody was nearby, and picked up the plastic bag with the food. All smiles, by the way, but clearly "not to be approached".
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@stargazer yep same clip shown on 1 News
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In this day and age it’s fùcking ridiculous to lose 3 players to mumps. New rule please NZRU: no vaccination no black jersey.
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@billy-tell Ardie was vaccinated.That's probably the reason why he only has a "mild dose of mumps" and is "recovering quickly".
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@stargazer said in AB's v Wales:
@billy-tell Ardie was vaccinated.That's probably the reason why he only has a "mild dose of mumps" and is "recovering quickly".
Here's hoping he doesn't go down with a touch of polio.
