North vs South

[Bovidae]

The AB selectors will need to strike a balance between picking the best players for AB selection and rewarding SRA form. On form, I would have Ash Dixon as the third NI hooker but Foster, Plumtree and co might prefer to look at some younger players in camp.

[pakman]

@Canes4life said in North vs South:

If I had to pick a North 28 right now it would be: (includes 10 Blues, 9 Hurricanes, 5 Chiefs, 2 Highlanders, 2 Crusaders)

Props: Karl Tu'unukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Aiden Johnstone, Alex Fidow

Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Kurt Eklund

Locks: Patrick Tuipolotu, Scott Scrafton, Isaia Walker-Leawere (could easily be someone else in that third locking position)

Loose Forwards: Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Lachlan Boschier, Hoskins Sotutu (Du'Plessis Kirifi & Marino Mikaele Tu'u unlucky to miss out here).

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Bryn Hall

First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Otere Black

Centres: Anton Leinert Brown, Reiko Ioane, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Outside Backs: Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece

Utility: Vince Aso (covers 12,13,11,14)

Ta’Avao looked very flat against Saders. Mafileo very sold scrummager. Think O’Neil can also cover TH.

For me, Cowley-Tuioti is is good form.

I’d like to see Faiane get a run at this level.

[cgrant]

Slater for Eklund for me as the head coach is Fozzie.

[KiwiMurph]

Over 32,000 tickets already sold apparently.

[Kiwiwomble]

@KiwiMurph 6sixty announced for half time, glad they seem to be making it a big event

[nzzp]

@KiwiMurph that's really cool, but I just cannot get excited about it at all. Seems way to artificial.

A trial match, on the other hand, I'd be on like kong

[Canes4life]

@nzzp agreed, it’s not a true N v S match when you have the likes of ALB & McKenzie playing for the North and The likes of Whitelock & Goodhue playing for the South. Should have just called it a trial.

[Bones]

@Canes4life said in North vs South:

Should have just called it a trial

Now you're just trying to confuse @nzzp

[Canes4life]

@Bones a probable vs possible match for a better name.

[nzzp]

@Canes4life @Bones I could get into a trial, I could get into a N v S game with decent selection criteria. The current option seems to fall between two stools though, and just be a bit artificial.

Just me though, they'll get 40k there, which is awesome.

[Bones]

@nzzp see, it's a trial!

[mofitzy_]

Should make it a case by case basis, guys like DMac would choose to represent the South if given the choice and obviously that's a more reasonable decision.

[nzzp]

@Bones wait till we see the team lists. I think it'll be close to a trial, but wait and see who misses out due to the artifical selection criteria.

Look, I've got no issue with it, I'm just not that interested in it

[Bovidae]

I'll watch but have no interest in going to the game myself. I did go to the AB trial at Eden Park back in 2004.

[Machpants]

Man I'm going. Just cos game will be high quality. Really those two teams would be ranked in the top 6 or 8 teams in the world.

[Yeetyaah]

Wasn't the first province basis how it was traditionally chosen? Minus the 2012 game.

[Number 10]

It was the province you were playing for at the time. There are a number of players who have played for both Islands over the years.

[mariner4life]

everyone is giong to be very disappointed if this is more All Star game than State of Origin

[Kiwiwomble]

@mariner4life my money is on all star, lots of fancy moves and individual brilliance and little caring about winning

[Machpants]

@Kiwiwomble said in North vs South:

@mariner4life my money is on all star, lots of fancy moves and individual brilliance and little caring about winning

Hope so, and hopefully they have Phoenix there like the blues games. Happy then