AB EOYT 2018
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My understanding is that he's not under contract now though. I could be wrong about that.
he is definitely coming back and that was cited as a reason. Very ARUish.
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@taniwharugby He'll just have to wait I guess. Most know that he deserves a run but who knows, maybe Shag is hiding him for next year's world cup? I certainly have no idea what the situation is with him. Does anyone lol?
@SammyC The Crusaders make it easy for him where he can do what he likes where he's always playing with front foot ball. For other teams (North Harbour/Blues) he has to get in, create more from the base and play more physically which he doesn't like. In cricketing terms he's nothing more than a flat track bully.
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I'm happy with the main squad, especially because Matt Todd is in it. IMO he's the best back-up for Cane, despite Ardie's good performance against SA.
Out of the main squad are:
Not picked:
Tim Perry, Laumape, Coltman, NMS, who are all in the wider squadUnavailable:
Cane, Frizell, TaufuaOf the newbies in the wider squad, I agree with all except O’Neill and Cameron, although I'm disappointed for Weber, who has been in good form for Hawke's Bay. Agree that Hunt is much better than Cameron. I don't understand these selections at all.
About Akira, I can only guess, but there just must be something we don't know of why he isn't picked. Maybe they have given him a list of work-ons, and he hasn't delivered on those points. Or there's a character issue we don't know of.
IMO, Papali'i is taking the spot that would otherwise have gone to Akira; not Evans. Evans is a completely different player and much more versatile than Akira, which makes him an excellent bench player. Evans absolutely deserves his call-up.
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@mariner4life said in AB EOYT 2018:
I have no idea what is happening, are they naming the giant squad? It's so exciting to hear names being selected who i genuinely have no idea who they are.
Welcome to my last 10 years of All Black support.
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Personally, I think they should have taken Dalton and Evans in the main squad, with Todd not selected. I agree about Evans’ versatility.
I’m so surprised to see Fifita back - how does he fit in to a squad with four locks, one of who can cover 6 from the bench? I don’t get it. Having Akira there in his place looks the ticket to me.
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@gt12 Todd's selection says something about how high they rate Todd compared to the other options and how much importance they attach to having a specialist openside in the squad to replace Cane; Papali'i is more a 6 and Evans is more an 8 and utitlity loosie.
Maybe they consider Fifita as a direct swap for Frizell?
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@stargazer said in AB EOYT 2018:
About Akira, I can only guess, but there just must be something we don't know of why he isn't picked. Maybe they have given him a list of work-ons, and he hasn't delivered on those points. Or there's a character issue we don't know of.
Getting in at 4pm in the Morning at a recent training when the head coach was informed and was waiting for you to arrive probably does not help your cause..Akira is a talent no question,but until you get your shit together in and around off field and training ethic,you don’t catch too many breaks let me give you the tip..!
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@stargazer said in AB EOYT 2018:
@gt12 Todd's selection says something about how high they rate Todd compared to the other options and how much importance they attach to having a specialist openside in the squad to replace Cane; Papali'i is more a 6 and Evans is more an 8 and utitlity loosie.
Maybe they consider Fifita as a direct swap for Frizell?
Clearly. But, I think that's dangerous, given that Squire will be healthy for about 5 minutes.
Edit: I strongly disagree about Dalton being a better 6. He is the most Cane-like flanker we've had since Cane was the most Richie-like flanker around. Tackles like mad, is built, and can carry.
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@virgil said in AB EOYT 2018:
Does the Japanese RU realise they are getting the All Blacks C team for their test?
D?
D is even pushing it.
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Finally something to post about aye fullas.
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@act-crusader said in AB EOYT 2018:
Finally something to post about aye fullas.
Are we looking into a Foster future here?
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I laughed out loud when I read the squad, especially the add on 19. Most left field squad since 2003?
As a die hard Canterbury fan I can't understand how Cameron makes it. Never mind Frizzel getting Isacc Rossed, and Akira getting Hika Ellioted. I assume Frizzell, Akira, Weber and Hemopo (and maybe a few others) are going to be playing for the Māori which makes sense for the fringe guys that might only have been the plus 19 or a couple of bench opportunities but not for Akira. I'd love a candid assessment of why not from Hansen. Is this a conspiracy to perform poorly and improve the case for government funding?
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@cyclops said in AB EOYT 2018:
I laughed out loud when I read the squad, especially the add on 19. Most left field squad since 2003?
As a die hard Canterbury fan I can't understand how Cameron makes it. Never mind Frizzel getting Isacc Rossed, and Akira getting Hika Ellioted. I assume Frizzell, Akira, Weber and Hemopo (and maybe a few others) are going to be playing for the Māori which makes sense for the fringe guys that might only have been the plus 19 or a couple of bench opportunities but not for Akira. I'd love a candid assessment of why not from Hansen. Is this a conspiracy to perform poorly and improve the case for government funding?
It would certainly stop the character assassination fantasy stories that get posted here about him.
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@steven-harris is the sauce for this legit? Would really suck if it was his own behaviour sinking his chances. Or maybe he was on a bender after finding out he didn't make the cut.