AB Positions up for grabs
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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
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@mariner4life said in AB Positions up for grabs:
If Moody comes back Crockett should go. He's become a complete liability
I agree. Time to move on from a 35 yr old reserve and develop a player who will be there in 2019.
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I thought Hames really came right as an International prop by the end of last year. What I find interesting about him is that he shows the difference between Super Rugby and International rugby. I mean, from my point of view, the guy kind of sux for the Chiefs. Our scrum doesn't seem that good and he gets penalized ALL the bloody time.
I know the cupboard was bare and they desperately needed someone to fill a gap, but Cron must have seen something in his scrummaging that would translate better to International rugby than Super rugby. I'm sure they are asking him to develop his game around the park, so maybe we'll see signs of that this year.
I like his selection backstory though, and how he is an example of people not coming through the traditional pathways and getting rewarded for sticking around and working hard.
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Crockett has been bloody good for a long time. He currently holds the world record of consecutive Test wins - 45. Time has caught up? Maybe but let`s see what happens in Super Rugby before the usual call for his replacement from the cheap seats should be acted on. His dynamism around the park and work ethic will be sorely missed.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Backup 1st 5
Perofeta - young... Completely dominant at U20 World Cup last year. Has had a bad run of injuries.
...; Tiaan Falcon is too young yet (promising player though);
Didn't Perofeta miss most of the RWC as the Blues held him back? Pretty sure he only played the final (flown in specially) when Falcon was injured.
Whilst Perofeta seems to be rated higher difficult to use the "too young" argument for one but not the other.
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@booboo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Backup 1st 5
Perofeta - young... Completely dominant at U20 World Cup last year. Has had a bad run of injuries.
...; Tiaan Falcon is too young yet (promising player though);
Didn't Perofeta miss most of the RWC as the Blues held him back? Pretty sure he only played the final (flown in specially) when Falcon was injured.
Whilst Perofeta seems to be rated higher difficult to use the "too young" argument for one but not the other.
Yes, I found that a strange comment, too. Falcon is only 3 months younger than Perofeta and had a great JWC.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Backup Openside Flanker
Cane is an excellent player, but he's frequently injured, so we need a good backup for him. In reserve we have some good but not great players, some younger than others. Most need to improve their physical impact, which is easier for the young.
Contenders:
Todd - excellent Super Rugby player, lacks size and physical impact at test level, especially on defence. Still gets turnovers though.
Savea - very fast, good link player, but lacks size. Did not impress last year, where his defence (especially around the ruck) was exposed by Australia, and his lack of physicality by the Lions. How much weight has he put on in the off-season? Didn't notice him in the preseason game against the Blues. 24 years old.
Gibson - very good defender, wins turnovers, high workrate. Needs to work on link play, ball carrying, and general physical impact. Makes dominant tackles but not as often as Cane. Chances curtailed by injury so far. Could be in for a breakout season. Only 22 years old.
Dillion Hunt - fine all-round player, not outstanding in any aspect, but young (22) and has potential to develop.
Lachlan Boshier - good player but not a standout. 23.
Dalton Papali'i is the dark horse here. Physically imposing, he's one of the best young players I've seen recently. Was good against the Hurricanes in limited game time.
Todd is well ahead of the rest in this list. He's a proven test player and much more than an "excellent Super Rugby player". The drop-off is not behind Cane in the queue, but behind Todd and an in-form Savea.
I don't think Dalton Papali'i is a contender yet. Has only played 4 NPC games. Oh, and if Falcon is "too young", than Dalton Papali'i definitely is (5 months younger). Hard to see Boshier as a contender at this stage, too, although he has shown some promise in SR.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Backup Number 8
Much the same contenders as blindside flanker. Add Whitelock, who has an excellent workrate and is an accurate defender. Ioane is the outstanding contender here. Luatua would've been a shoo-in. Should be getting that Julian Savea money.
I'd add Gareth Evans to the list of backup number 8s. One to watch is Marino Mikaele-Tu'u. Just turned 20, but has two JWCs under his belt and now signed by the Landers. Strong lad. Hope he gets game time at either 6 or 8 this season.
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@stargazer said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@booboo said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Backup 1st 5
Perofeta - young... Completely dominant at U20 World Cup last year. Has had a bad run of injuries.
...; Tiaan Falcon is too young yet (promising player though);
Didn't Perofeta miss most of the RWC as the Blues held him back? Pretty sure he only played the final (flown in specially) when Falcon was injured.
Whilst Perofeta seems to be rated higher difficult to use the "too young" argument for one but not the other.
Yes, I found that a strange comment, too. Falcon is only 3 months younger than Perofeta and had a great JWC.
I think Perofeta has an advantage in 2018 over Falcon in that Perofeta has already had a year in the Super Rugby environment and seems to be the preferred starting 10 whereas I think this will be more a development year for Falcon (as last year was for Perofeta). However, first off Perofeta will need to be playing and not injured and this has been a real problem of his so far.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
3rd Halfback
Smith and Perenara are obviously the top two. Kerr-Barlow has gone, and there are no players with significant international experience left. This is wide open.
Contenders:
Hall and Drummond at the Crusaders. Both good but not much more. Hall is faster around the field and looks a little bit sharper, not very consistent though. Was preferred for the playoffs last year. Was injured at the end of the year and Drummond got a chance with the ABs.
Brad Weber - has the pass and speed to the ruck, but does he have the game for test rugby? He's rather small, and has struggled on defence. Is returning from a serious injury.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (T3) - Looks in good shape, looks faster too. Another small player. Has looked really good at times in lower grades.
Pulu - would make a good impact sub. Very physical. Would you want this man starting for your team? Pass is often too slow, not great at getting to rucks quickly.
Pity that Enari is injured. Looked really good for NZ U20.
If TTT makes the list, and Enari gets a mention, than Jono Ruru deserves one, too. If Pulu weren't the Blues captain, Ruru would really be able to challenge him for the Blues starting spot.
Surprised about the comments about Weber. He was generally seen as the 4th halfback (he was capped against Samoa for that very reason) before his horrible injury last year. Due to that injury, he could only play a few NPC games for the Bay this year and missed the opportunity to progress this year. If he comes back well, he'll probably be the main contender with maybe Hall and Drummond.
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@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
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.
Buckman, dammit!
TJ Faiane, meh. Proctor, yes.
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@stargazer said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:
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.
Buckman, dammit!
TJ Faiane, meh. Proctor, yes.
No mention of Matt Faddes? Could he be a real option ?
