AB Positions up for grabs
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Midfield
There are two certainties, SBW and Crotty, but Crotty is constantly injured. Could see five midfielders + Ioane being used this year.
Contenders:
Anton Lienert-Brown - very skillful player, not physically dominant. Accurate defender. Had a case of the "2nd season blues" last year, and looked to have dropped some speed. Likely to be picked, the question is how well he establishes himself at the top level.
Jack Goodhue - very accurate and skilful player, with a good all-round game. Has the classy look and "time" of a classic NZ centre. Will be heavily marked and studied in his second season - how will he respond? How will his physicality develop for test rugby? Likely to be picked.
Laumape - physically dominant player, big defender and ball carrier. Lacks the skill and accuracy of the other players. AB backline didn't look great with him at 12. Will his skill level develop further? Unlikely to start, but a handy bench option. Most at risk of missing out.
Jordie Barrett - big, skilful player. Young and raw, but could offer the combination of accuracy, skill, and physicality that is needed at the top level. Will he play at 12 or 15? The wildcard of the midfield.
Others: TJ Faiane is promising and skilful player, but does he have the physical ability? Rob Thompson is tidy but doesn't seem to offer test level ability. Matt Proctor could be a bolter.
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Wing
Ioane has the left wing locked down. Right wing is up for grabs, as are the back up positions.
Naholo is probably a certainty to be picked, but other than that the position is wide open. I would imagine than Ben Smith will be primarily a fullback this year.
A second fullback type would be desirable, and another power wing. Aso looked good in the "power wing" role last year, but there are questions about his defence and all-round game. Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it? Duffie, Nanai, Alaimalo, and Stevenson all provide the second fullback ability. Proctor got smoked by Duffie in the preseason game - should probably stay at centre. Is Duffie big enough for test rugby? He has all the other skills.
Ennor could be a bolter, but probably needs another year or so to bulk up.
There really are a lot of contenders for a couple of spots.
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@tim think Dagg will have inside running for that 14 spot, he was in good form when he last played and we know these coaches are loyal, Naholo is yet to show the game breaking form consistently he shows at super rugby, NMS is another who will be in the mix.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it?
Also, will the selectors start getting spooked by the age? Dagg will be 30 and Ben Smith 32 just before the first Test this year. Thats geriatric in AB outside back terms.
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@duluth said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Dagg is coming back from injury, will he still have it?
Also, will the selectors start getting spooked by the age? Dagg will be 30 and Ben Smith 32 just before the first Test this year. Thats geriatric in AB outside back terms.
All good, move them to the midfield, they're the perfect age ;).
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Bird is horribly overrated. I just don’t get the love from some posters.
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@billy-tell said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Bird is horribly overrated. I just don’t get the love from some posters.
What has Romano got that he hasn't though?
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@bones said in AB Positions up for grabs:
I'm not sure if it's been raised, but it seems strange to me there's such a massive size difference between Gibson and poor old puny Todd. I mean, no stats bear it out but look at their respective teams, Gibson must be HUGE.
If you talk enough about a player they become massive by default bro. Have you not heard of Ardie Savea ?
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@bones Todd is a better link player and better over the ball. Gibson is a better tackler.
Todd is never going to be a particularly good test player, and has been acceptable at best. The step down from Cane in terms of physical impact is huge.
Eh? Todd is already a particularly good test player.
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If Moody comes back Crockett should go. He's become a complete liability
