AB EOYT 2018
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Dane Coles pulls out of captaincy race for Japan test
Returning hooker Dane Coles has withdrawn himself from consideration for the All Blacks captaincy against Japan this weekend. Coles' experience among a team that will be composed of promising provincial rookies had him earmarked as a frontrunner for the role in Yokohama. But after a lengthy injury-enforced hiatus from the international fold, Coles said he wasn't interested in the additional pressure and responsibilities that come along with being skipper of the All Blacks. "Just because of the year I've had, I've got to be little bit selfish here and it's probably not the best thing for me to do," Coles said. "Whoever that is, I'll support him. I've still got a lead role, if I play, in this team to help.That will likely see the captain's armband worn by Highlanders forward, Luke Whitelock. -
@sparky Well you can count Harris and Coltman out. They provide no impact whatsoever.
If Aumua can have a big year the Hookers will be Taylor, Coles & Aumua.
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@canes4life Harris and Coltman are strong scrummagers, not so sure about Aumua.
All three of those hookers have problems with lineout throwing. Kind of important for a hooker.
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@bovidae Yeah but Aumua who is in his development phase of his career is already on par with Coltman and Harris, so can only see him getting better within the next year. He could be a real weapon for the All Blacks off the bench come World Cup if he can get back to peak fitness. However if Taylor & Coles stay fit they are pretty much a lock for our top 23.
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imagine the added bonus Coles will bring to the squad if he can get back to his best ,
He has been out for so long and they have learnt to play without him ,
to come in now will be like the discovery of a new gun player
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB EOYT 2018:
imagine the added bonus Coles will bring to the squad if he can get back to his best ,
He has been out for so long and they have learnt to play without him ,
to come in now will be like the discovery of a new gun player
He'd make a damn good super sub
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@canefan said in AB EOYT 2018:
@kiwiinmelb said in AB EOYT 2018:
imagine the added bonus Coles will bring to the squad if he can get back to his best ,
He has been out for so long and they have learnt to play without him ,
to come in now will be like the discovery of a new gun player
He'd make a damn good super sub
Taylor - Coles 1 -2 punch
Would probably be better than Hore - Mealamu , and that was a bloody good one
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@canes4life said in AB EOYT 2018:
@sparky Well you can count Harris and Coltman out. They provide no impact whatsoever.
If Aumua can have a big year the Hookers will be Taylor, Coles & Aumua.
No way (barring a run of injuries) will that happen.
Way too early for Aumua. 2023 will be his aim. -
@crucial So you're saying Harris will be there. What does he actually offer?
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@canes4life said in AB EOYT 2018:
@crucial So you're saying Harris will be there. What does he actually offer?
He's good on the wing.
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Well that was an unfun little jaunt through Europe, for the most part.
Hardly inspiring performances and more questions posed than answered. So I'm not going to bother cluttering up my wee brain with what the hell we're up to and why our rugby was so vanilla this year, and less successful than previous, (worst defence by us for 18 years, let in 19 per game apparently).
It's cricket season, and I'll never know for sure what the ABs have up the sleeve tactically so as I drifted off to sleep, beginning my 6 months All Blacks hibernation, a vision came to me in form of a dream that settled my bothered wee mind.
It was a vivid dream:
The date was November 6 2018, the venue was a suite at a nice hotel in London. In the room were Shag and Fozzie and all the AB backs:
(Shag talks then the backs talk)
G'day lads, last meeting about tactics this tour and a chance for all you fullas to ask questions about our backline strategies so you all understand them. Ok? Fozzie pass me a donut mate
Hey boss what do we do with the first attacking ruck ball we get?
Kick it
What about the next two phases?
Kick it
First possession in second half?
Kick it
I make a break, beat the line, but my winger is still half marked?
Kick it
A quick tap penalty, I make 20 yards but I nearly run out of support?
Kick it
Weve got an overlap through the hands in their 22?
Kick it
A forward, say a hooker, makes a break and has a winger outside?
Kick it
It's raining and the last 3 kicks have slid too far, what do I do next possession?
Kick it
We've been chasing the game all day, what to we do for the first 70 minutes?
Kick it
I got the ball static cos we had no pick and go to suck in defenders, I'm behind the gainline again what do I do?
Kick it
The front left tyre on my rainbow painted Ford Explorer might be a bit flat, how can I tell
Kick it
(whispered by another back - yeah my "All men's behaviour must change, Black Lives Matter, I decide my own gender thank you very much, end toxic masculinity" Ranger has a slightly flat tyre too)
Right. No more questions? Everything very very clear for the next 3 weeks?
Good.
Now let"s finish up with the tour song. Fozzie put on my Devo cassette tape from when I could fit into an airline economy seat and fast forward it to the good bit
Everybody...!
*When a problem comes along
You must Kick it
Before the cream sits out too long
You must Kick it
When something's going wrong
You must Kick itNow Kick it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
It's not too late
To Kick it
Kick it good*I love this song Fozzie
Me too boss....you finished with that donut? -
@siam said in AB EOYT 2018:
Well that was an unfun little jaunt through Europe, for the most part.
Hardly inspiring performances and more questions posed than answered. So I'm not going to bother cluttering up my wee brain with what the hell we're up to and why our rugby was so vanilla this year, and less successful than previous, (worst defence by us for 18 years, let in 19 per game apparently).
It's cricket season, and I'll never know for sure what the ABs have up the sleeve tactically so as I drifted off to sleep, beginning my 6 months All Blacks hibernation, a vision came to me in form of a dream that settled my bothered wee mind.
It was a vivid dream:
The date was November 6 2018, the venue was a suite at a nice hotel in London. In the room were Shag and Fozzie and all the AB backs:
(Shag talks then the backs talk)
G'day lads, last meeting about tactics this tour and a chance for all you fullas to ask questions about our backline strategies so you all understand them. Ok? Fozzie pass me a donut mate
Hey boss what do we do with the first attacking ruck ball we get?
Kick it
What about the next two phases?
Kick it
First possession in second half?
Kick it
I make a break, beat the line, but my winger is still half marked?
Kick it
A quick tap penalty, I make 20 yards but I nearly run out of support?
Kick it
Weve got an overlap through the hands in their 22?
Kick it
A forward, say a hooker, makes a break and has a winger outside?
Kick it
It's raining and the last 3 kicks have slid too far, what do I do next possession?
Kick it
We've been chasing the game all day, what to we do for the first 70 minutes?
Kick it
I got the ball static cos we had no pick and go to suck in defenders, I'm behind the gainline again what do I do?
Kick it
The front left tyre on my rainbow painted Ford Explorer might be a bit flat, how can I tell
Kick it
(whispered by another back - yeah my "All men's behaviour must change, Black Lives Matter, I decide my own gender thank you very much, end toxic masculinity" Ranger has a slightly flat tyre too)
Right. No more questions? Everything very very clear for the next 3 weeks?
Good.
Now let"s finish up with the tour song. Fozzie put on my Devo cassette tape from when I could fit into an airline economy seat and fast forward it to the good bit
Everybody...!
*When a problem comes along
You must Kick it
Before the cream sits out too long
You must Kick it
When something's going wrong
You must Kick itNow Kick it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
It's not too late
To Kick it
Kick it good*I love this song Fozzie
Me too boss....you finished with that donut?Hahaha. #fatcunts
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Positives for the tour? Coles back running, a bit more depth created, players learned what shitfight test feels like, and how to deal with adversity. Our set piece is still good, and we don't give up many points.
The negatives have been done to death
Big winner of the tour i am naming DMac. Reckon he has converted most to his value now, and can go home happy with his personal work.
Heaps of sliders.
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@mariner4life said in AB EOYT 2018:
Positives for the tour? Coles back running, a bit more depth created, players learned what shitfight test feels like, and how to deal with adversity. Our set piece is still good, and we don't give up many points.
The negatives have been done to death
Big winner of the tour i am naming DMac. Reckon he has converted most to his value now, and can go home happy with his personal work.
Heaps of sliders.
Definitely. Hardly any squeaks in the past few weeks about how he is always on the verge of a calamitous error. Upside v downside etc.
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Not many talking about DMac at 15, so he's definitely gone up.
Mo'unga hasn't done his chances any harm, despite not really achieving much.
Goodhue has quietly become first choice 13, and looked well at home against the Irish.
Papali'i has looked OK, from very limited opportunities, as has Ta'avao, while Ofa has seen some tests at LH, which is quite valuable for next year. Nepo has come back and looks good too.
Plus Coles, who looks on a positive course to be useful, if not world class, again.
Apart from that, Read has been up and down, as has Brodie, while SW looks tired. Even Taylor finished untidily, while Karl finally got a taste against the best in the world, and Owen Franks is looking like a role player - for probably the first time I can remember, I'd pick another TH ahead of him, and possibly even another from our squad.
Midfield still a problem, so that's unresolved, and halfback is suddenly a decision, and not because of lifetime form by TJP. And at six, it's Squire, yikes.
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