AB EOYT 2018
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@pakman said in AB EOYT 2018:
@crucial Are you suggesting Ofa gets a run at LH?
Only if the powers that be see value in that with an eye to RWC.
It is handy in a RWC squad to have a prop that plays both sides (Ben Franks) especially given a possible hard 3 game finals run (at least a hard 2 games).Usually 5 Props. 2 specialists each side plus one versatile.
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@pakman Hames is out all year, some sort of concussion injury. As is his right details are not being made public.
Also "Hames is Hames, he likes to do things his way," said Hansen.
"I don't know that he helps his progress by wanting to do it the way he wants to do it."Maybe hames is some sort of alternative therapy believer, or traditional medicine, or aromatherapy. So I don't think we'll see him for a while!
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@machpants said in AB EOYT 2018:
@pakman Hames is out all year, some sort of concussion injury. As is his right details are not being made public.
Also "Hames is Hames, he likes to do things his way," said Hansen.
"I don't know that he helps his progress by wanting to do it the way he wants to do it."Maybe hames is some sort of alternative therapy believer, or traditional medicine, or aromatherapy. So I don't think we'll see him for a while!
According to his instagram he has been doing a keto diet to help with symptoms. Despite whether you think that is woo or not, it indicates that he has symptoms.
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@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:
It is handy in a RWC squad to have a prop that plays both sides (Ben Franks) especially given a possible hard 3 game finals run (at least a hard 2 games).
Big Karl could also do that. Remember he became the reserve TH prop in the 1st test vs Aust when Ofa was a late withdrawal.
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@bovidae said in AB EOYT 2018:
@crucial said in AB EOYT 2018:
It is handy in a RWC squad to have a prop that plays both sides (Ben Franks) especially given a possible hard 3 game finals run (at least a hard 2 games).
Big Karl could also do that. Remember he became the reserve TH prop in the 1st test vs Aust when Ofa was a late withdrawal.
Still need Ofa to show that versatility if we want our best 5 props in the squad come rwc time.
E.g Karl T being the utility prop means LHP Perry in squad ahead of probably THP Laulala.
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@rapido said in AB EOYT 2018:
Still need Ofa to show that versatility if we want our best 5 props in the squad come rwc time.
E.g Karl T being the utility prop means LHP Perry in squad ahead of probably THP Laulala.
There are still a few questions over the balance of the 5 props. Does Hames make a successful return from his concussion? Someone like Moli could be a wildcard too as a LH/TH, but what side of the scrum will the Chiefs play him with Laulala and Ta'avao at TH.
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@cgrant Bolters..... Makalio, Lomax, Parkinson, Havili, Alaimalo, Jordan... you'll become a Ta$man fan if you're not careful!
I guess the question is "How much are they focusing on keeping people they've already used in the mix - e.g. Vaia Fifita - compared with, how much are they wanting to have a look at a bunch of new people, especially where we appear to have deficiencies.
Most gaping holes appear to be on the wings and at hooker - although Coles coming back will hopefully plug the latter.
But, if you look at Taylor, Coles, Harris, Coltman, Aumua - have they already got enough people in the frame and can Makalio jump over several of these?
At wing, we've got Rieko and Ben Smith, but we might want to play Ben at fullback, so we've got Naholo who is OK, but not- to my mind - one of the great All Black wings. And then NMS, who looks to have lost his edge. So - I'd take several wings to look at.
My first choice would be George Bridge. But, I'd also take Ben Lam who's probably the biggest offensive threat - though he seemed to go off the boil when he missed out on the June test squad. Alaimalo has the physical attributes to be an international wing/fullback, though I'm not convinced he's ready.
Will Jordan has been more impressive for the Mako than Alaimalo and could readily play wing. Having not yet played Super rugby, it's probably too big of a jump and he's still got plenty to work on before he's the finished article - but he's worth a mention as a potential bolter - though maybe as an apprentice.
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@chris-b I think Lock is a bit of an issue too.
Looking beyond 2019, are Barrett (24) or Pat (25) genuine options to take over if/when SW (29) or BBBR (27) head off shore or age starts taking it's toll?
I think they need to bring in some f the younger guys now, we have seen the effects having no BBBR and/or Whitelock makes to our game.
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@chris-b Alaimalo has been impressive at Super level, so probably as qualified to be a bolter than someone who's been impressive for Ta$man. It would go Alaimalo, Bridge and then Jordan for me. At the risk of coping some flack from the Canes fans I think Lam has missed his chance. He had a number of years of being average then 5 months of being awesome and then back to average again.
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@akan004 said in AB EOYT 2018:
@cgrant Agree with Pari Pari Parkinson, he looks really promising. Don't get the hype about Strange, Parkinson has been a lot more impressive imo.
Strange had a very impressive super season. Apparently the Crusaders coaches are convinced he’ll be a long term All Black.
Parkinson has had a great NPC, agree with you on this one.
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@chris-b Alaimalo has been impressive at Super level, so probably as qualified to be a bolter than someone who's been impressive for Ta$man. It would go Alaimalo, Bridge and then Jordan for me. At the risk of coping some flack from the Canes fans I think Lam has missed his chance. He had a number of years of being average then 5 months of being awesome and then back to average again.
Alaimino has been very disappointing in the NPC though. I did rate him above Bridge after super rugby tho.
Ben Lam consistently goes missing in the big games.
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@chris-b Alaimalo has been impressive at Super level, so probably as qualified to be a bolter than someone who's been impressive for Ta$man. It would go Alaimalo, Bridge and then Jordan for me. At the risk of coping some flack from the Canes fans I think Lam has missed his chance. He had a number of years of being average then 5 months of being awesome and then back to average again.
Yeah - and I can see why you'd argue that. But, Alaimalo has been a bit underwhelming for Ta$man, where Jordan has been outstanding. Head-to-Head on current form Jordan wins easily.
But, as noted - Jordan is still just 20, so probably more an apprentice than a fully fledged pick -and if they're taking 51 players then they're probably not going to require apprentices!
I also can't really see them taking a gamble on him in a RWC squad next year, regardless of how he might go in Super Rugby, so probably no need to rush with him.
You might well be right about Lam.
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@sammyc said in AB EOYT 2018:
@akan004 said in AB EOYT 2018:
@cgrant Agree with Pari Pari Parkinson, he looks really promising. Don't get the hype about Strange, Parkinson has been a lot more impressive imo.
Strange had a very impressive super season. Apparently the Crusaders coaches are convinced he’ll be a long term All Black.
Parkinson has had a great NPC, agree with you on this one.
They probably said the same about Sam Broomball as well
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@chris-b said in AB EOYT 2018:
@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
@chris-b Alaimalo has been impressive at Super level, so probably as qualified to be a bolter than someone who's been impressive for Ta$man. It would go Alaimalo, Bridge and then Jordan for me. At the risk of coping some flack from the Canes fans I think Lam has missed his chance. He had a number of years of being average then 5 months of being awesome and then back to average again.
Yeah - and I can see why you'd argue that. But, Alaimalo has been a bit underwhelming for Ta$man, where Jordan has been outstanding. Head-to-Head on current form Jordan wins easily.
But, as noted - Jordan is still just 20, so probably more an apprentice than a fully fledged pick -and if they're taking 51 players then they're probably not going to require apprentices!
I also can't really see them taking a gamble on him in a RWC squad next year, regardless of how he might go in Super Rugby, so probably no need to rush with him.
You might well be right about Lam.
Most of these young guys don’t last a full and long season without tailing off. I wouldn’t be looking at them for this gig.
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@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:
@chris-b I think Lock is a bit of an issue too.
Looking beyond 2019, are Barrett (24) or Pat (25) genuine options to take over if/when SW (29) or BBBR (27) head off shore or age starts taking it's toll?
I think they need to bring in some f the younger guys now, we have seen the effects having no BBBR and/or Whitelock makes to our game.
I guess it depends on whether they're looking beyond RWC with this squad - or not. At lock, we're not really going to do any better than what we have before RWC, so:
Retallick, Whitelock, Barrett, Tuipolotu, Romano, Franklin - we've got a reasonable amount of depth - just there's a big gap between the top two and the rest that we're not going to solve by calling in new guys.
I like the look of Parkinson in terms of physique. He's got height that not many others have. Strange has been going pretty well in M10 Cup as well though.
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@chris-b I think in this 51 man squad, surely this is a look beyond 2019?
