AB EOYT 2018
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Matt Todd's selection for the upcoming northern tour doesn't set a dangerous precedent, All Blacks coach Steven Hansen insists.While South Africa allows players to represent foreign clubs and still play for their country, NZR requires players to remain in the country to be eligible for the All Blacks. However, Todd's name was the 27th called at the Prebbleton club rooms near Christchurch, joining fellow openside flankers Ardie Savea and uncapped Dalton Papalii in the 32-man squad to play the bulk of the tour. Todd's contract with the Robbie Deans coached Panasonic outfit didn't include a clause which catered for a short-term release to the All Blacks, but Sam Cane's serious neck injury prompted the All Blacks to approach the NZR board, Todd, and Panasonic. Hansen said no compensation was paid to Panasonic, and picking Todd was about having the best players on deck less than a year out from the World Cup in Japan. "No, I don't think so," Hansen said when asked if picking Todd set a precedent. "The big thing that swung it in our minds, and for the board, is that he's contracted [to NZR and the Crusaders] next year. We just really saw him as being on a holiday, and we've asked him to come back from holiday." Todd, who was not named in the All Blacks initial squad for the June test series, signed a short-term deal with Panasonic the same month, and joined the Ota-based side after helping the Crusaders win their ninth title in August. He will be available to play Australia, England and Ireland, before skipping the final match of the tour - against Italy - and returning to Japan to finish his contract with Panasonic.Savea is expected to form a loose forward trio with captain and No 8 Kieran Read, and blindside flanker Liam Squire, when the All Blacks tackle the Wallabies in Tokyo Saturday week. Todd, who has played 14 tests, is likely to be named on the bench over Papalii, Hansen indicated. "The reason we've gone for Matty is because we need some serious experience to back Ardie up in the three big tests, against Australia, Ireland, and England. That was our thinking. Some people may disagree with it, but I think most people will see he's worthy of being there." While Hansen and his coaching staff discussed letting Todd be in Japan and relying on someone like Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes or Gareth Evans as cover, they quickly realised they needed experience. "It wasn't something we did without a lot of thought," Hansen said. "At the end of the day, he's a big contender for the World Cup. With Sammy injured, Ardie is going to have a big workload. We need another seasoned, experienced guy to be able to do that. "It's not a job for a young pup, so to speak. Matty is your man, so happy to go there." -
According to Fox, BBBR will most likely not be available for the Aussie game but should be ok for Japan. Goodhue won't be going to Japan as he is still recovering from glandular fever and will join the team in Europe. Hope he can recover in time to face England and Ireland, glandular fever can take a long time to fully get over.
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What did we expect when we named a team of 80 to tour! the ones who missed out would always be more than unlucky, I'm not sure if there is a word to describe it.
As for O'Neill followed him since he was at NPBHS and has looked decent, I guess with guys like Moli out somebody had to make it, could be a good selection.
Watched Cameron for a few years and when he first came in thought he could be an All Black prospect looks to have a bit of control but not sure he has outperformed Hunt and a number of others (hope Highlanders sign him!!!). Glad to hear they would have picked Perofeta as think he has a future.
EDIT MOD: Unfortunately we don't even joke about such stuff here, as we don't want to get sued.
anyway lets see how it goes...... -
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@tim Pretty sure Tom Franklin will be back next year, so we'll have....
Retallick, Whitelock...........Barrett, Tuipulotu, Romano, Franklin.
We obviously can't afford either of the top 2 to get injured - but, we've got quite good depth in the second tier.
I don't think we needed to blood anyone new at this point.
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@tim and you have to assume he's now had it since the SA test, apparently some symptoms (lethargy) can continue for several weeks after as well.
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@taniwharugby Three to six months can be typical. A pro athlete might well recover quicker though.
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@tim yea it doesn't really add up when you consider how loyal the coaches are to players it means they potentially plan on dropping someone for Akira next year when he can play more...and yea what would you prefer, 80 mins v Brazil or 15 v England (taking Brazilian women out of the equation...assuming he is single)
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So what now for Akira? League? NH/Japanese rugby? Maybe he's just happy to keep winning Blues player of the season awards?
I can see why NZR were in such a hurry to sign Reiko though ... don't want the little bro pissed off after the naming of this team of everyone in NZ (and some in Japan) except Akira.
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@act-crusader said in AB EOYT 2018:
@cgrant said in AB EOYT 2018:
Has Rayasi a chance to be among the 18,5 players heading to Japan ? He's having an awsome M10 Cup.
Every player with two legs and a pair of footy boots are a chance
Some have more chances than the others.
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@stargazer said in AB EOYT 2018:
@nepia I assume he can also play for Samoa?
He's played 7s for NZ so assume he's ruled out unless he the 7s changeover route still exists? Japan also.
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@nepia Yep, he'd have to play sevens via that Olympic loophole. At least 5 of the 10 tournaments of the 2018-2019 Series, I believe, if he wants to play for Samoa. Not going to happen. I assume Japan, as the host of the Olympics, is automatically qualified, so I'm not sure how the loophole works in that case.
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FFS Akira is only 23. When did Kaino become a regular starter?
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Well if it's true he's a dickhead, no amount of coaching will fix that.
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
So what now for Akira? League? NH/Japanese rugby? Maybe he's just happy to keep winning Blues player of the season awards?
I can see why NZR were in such a hurry to sign Reiko though ... don't want the little bro pissed off after the naming of this team of everyone in NZ (and some in Japan) except Akira.
I’m not sure, but chin up son, as the 52nd player I’m certain there are plenty of options out there for you.
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@antipodean said in AB EOYT 2018:
Well if it's true he's a dickhead, no amount of coaching will fix that.
Dickheads generally aren’t popular in the teams they play for. Akira gets the players awards.
This is why it sucks that the coaches aren’t being clearer about why they aren’t selecting him, it opens the doors to people just making shit up.
He and his brother top the defensive and attacking stats for Blues, and have done for a couple of years. If he has thinks to work on they should back themselves as coaches to fix them. In other words, treat him like they are with several other players in the squad.
All them with less shown upside than this player.
Says it all that Foster didn’t want Rieko either. Remember he only got in because of injury and Hanson overruling Foster about Naholo playing 11.
They get stuck in their ways, and certainly play favourites.
To put a 90s spin on it, they are favouring Arron Pene over ZinZan Brooke.
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I think the selectors ARE being clear on Akira. Just because you don't believe them doesn't they aren't explaining clearly.
IF he was to be in the main squad he would be there as training field fodder and a green backup 8. Hardly likely to get gametime as Read plays out the game if not injured.
IF he was to be in the extras going to Japan then again, I think the plan is to use Luke W at 8 for experience and leadership. He may get a bench run.
IF he goes with the Maori AB he will be a starter and important part of the pack.Pretty simple decision if the idea is to give him playing opportunities.
