2019 NZ Schools
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@Stargazer disagree with that every year the same debate is had. Although I agree some selection were a bit bizarre there was nobody who missed out that would have changed game that I can think of. Your almost taking like for like at this level or they would be in team. For me we just did not look as organised on attack and D as Aussies.
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@98blueandgold Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong is a much better first five-eighth than the 10 and 22 in this team. Game management was very average. Jordan Thompson-Dunn is also a better midfielder than what we've seen in this game. Just two examples of players who could have made a difference.
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@Stargazer they are good players but do not think they could have changed that game or are much better that Morgan and Wrampling. All I’m stating is Aussies had better systems and a few X factor that NZ just didn’t have incl players who didn’t get selected in squad.
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@98blueandgold And I clearly disagree with you. We won't know whether they would have changed the game, but in the end the difference was only 4 points. So with better players (I'm convinced that these two are - particularly Smiler-Ah Kiong) and a few other different selections, we could have won.
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@Stargazer watching this I’m so glad the hurricanes got Aidan Morgan and we get to keep Ollie Lewis. A shame Lewis only got 10 mins at first five in the 2 games. What did you think of Zach Gallagher.
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I was at both games and sat next to some of the parents of the NZ Schools team, and plenty of Aussies. Interesting to overhear some of the gossip.
Anyway, it was noticeable that the Aust backs were quick off the line and NZS struggled to cope with that. Sound familiar. The Aust team were more urgent around the field and tended to be able to play on the front foot when in possession. For most of the game NZ was passing well behind the advantage line and tried to go wide before going forward. The NZS midfield was too similar but I don't think that was the winning or losing of the game.
As far as selection goes, there is a heavy Chch contingent in the squad which won't be a surprise because 2 of the 3 coaches are from the region.
I don't know if this was mentioned in the commentary but there were 2 brothers playing in the main game - one from each team.
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@Stargazer said in 2019 NZ Schools:
@Bovidae Yes, that of the two brothers was mentioned (I forgot their name).
That would explain the hug between the Kiwi and the Aussie I noticed after the haka.
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@Bovidae in today’s starting team there was 2 from Christchurch. Admittedly there was 5 on the bench. Apart from the dropped kick off Gardiner was solid when he got on there. Hughes was definitely the better halfback and Ollie Lewis didn’t get much game time. The 2 St Andrews props meh average
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Hughes was definitely the better halfback
I thought Paea played better than Hughes against Fiji so can understand why he started in this game.
The 2 St Andrews props meh average
One picked for his name?
Disappointed Vincent Green must still be injured because he is a very strong scrummager and good around the field. Calder was the beneficiary of his injury. -
@Stargazer said in 2019 NZ Schools:
FT: NZ Schools Barbarians 52 - 22 Fiji Schools
To me, the best forward was no. 8 Sosaia Moala and the best back Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong.
The 10-12 combo between Smiler-Ah Kiong and Cook-Savage worked well. The latter kicked well.
Saia is an absolute beast. I'm really surprised that he didn't make the NZ schools team.
He is quick (could easily play winger) and it's surprising that he was a prop.
If the Blues don't look after him, he could be off to league. I hear the Roosters (as well as other teams) are after him.
If NZRU are smart, they'll fast track him in the NZ Sevens team like they do with all the other promising talents.
