2019 Rugby Championship

[Bovidae]

Rapt for Luke Jacobson. Talked him up when he was the U20 captain.

The moral of the story is be an injury replacement. Tuinukuafe and Ta'avao last year, and Reece this year.

[pakman]

Hemopo listed as 'utlity forward', Ensor and Jordie as 'utility backs'.

[taniwharugby]

@KiwiMurph was another he was outstanding in too, was it v the Jags?

I like the way he plays though

[akan004]

@cgrant Squire made himself unavailable for selection.

[Bovidae]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

Jacobson probably played the best game at 6 of any Kiwi in Super Rugby this year (Chiefs v Highlanders in Dunedin).

There was also a Chiefs home game where he played in all 3 loose forwards positions during the match. Hansen noted his and Papali'i's versatility.

[cgrant]

I think the third best hooker this season was Makalio. He was very consistent and has incredible good hands. Maybe he is not of international standard in terms of mobility though. I am more impressed by Taukeiaho (spelling ?) than by Aumua. He is a bigger beast and has a better workrate. His LO throwing must be improved but Aumua's must too.

[cgrant]

No Lomax.

[Bovidae]

I think Coltman deserves to be the 3rd hooker so Aumua is just a squadie.

Hansen seemed to imply that Harris might be a Maori now.

[Stargazer]

@cgrant No doubt, he'll be named in the Māori All Blacks squad tomorrow, along with Akira Ioane, Jackson Hemopo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Tom Franklin.

[Mokey]

Pretty happy with that squad. Nice mix of experience and up and comers and current form. Really happy for Brad Weber. Not so thrilled with SBW being there, maybe he'll demonstrate something against Tonga. But he seems to have stretched name on past glories to absolute breaking point.

[MN5]

@Canes4life said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@pakman Akira needs to leave the Blues if he wants to be an All Black. Come and get some work ethic off Ardie Savea. 😁

Pfffft. Has hardly worked on Vaea Fifita has it ?

[pakman]

@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@cgrant No doubt, he'll be named in the Māori All Blacks squad tomorrow, along with Akira Ioane, Jackson Hemopo, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Tom Franklin.

Hemopo is utility is ABs.

[KiwiMurph]

@MN5 he's in the ABs though. As is Jordie. And Aumua. Going to the Canes is definitely the answer!

[pakman]

@MN5 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@Canes4life said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@pakman Akira needs to leave the Blues if he wants to be an All Black. Come and get some work ethic off Ardie Savea. 😁

Pfffft. Has hardly worked on Vaea Fifita has it ?

LOL.

[Stargazer]

@pakman Oh, they've seperated the utilities from the rest, yes! Should look at that list again.

[MN5]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@MN5 he's in the ABs though. As is Jordie. And Aumua. Going to the Canes is definitely the answer!

Well yeah but this was Akiras big year according to any number of posters on here.

[reprobate]

@akan004 said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@cgrant Squire made himself unavailable for selection.

i wish sbw would do that. he's played less and worse than squire.

[KiwiMurph]

@MN5 and it might have been if he had gone to the Canes....

[MN5]

@KiwiMurph said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@MN5 and it might have been if he had gone to the Canes....

Well SBWs selection contradicts that completely don't you think ?

[KiwiMurph]

@MN5 50+ test incumbent AB is not exactly in the same boat as a newbie trying to force their way in.