What’s out there at Second Five?
-
I don’t think anyone saw him as a 12 did they? He was just a poor man’s Umaga at 13. Nobody could have predicted that he’d develop one of the best passes in the business and become a GOAT 12.
But iirc he still had plenty of doubters on here, even post 2011.
-
@chris-b said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate it may take us a long time to fill the void of a GOAT conversation MF combo like Snake and Nonu
Yep - Nonu's the one we miss the most out of all those greats I reckon, we have pretty decent quality options in the other positions. I guess it's hard to pick a combo and stick with it so it can develop when you don't have 2 quality players to pick in the first place.
As has been said before, Nonu was far from a consensus pick when he first started. But for one reason or another the coaches stuck with him and Smith and were duly rewarded
The Fern consensus on Nonu in 2007 was that he was useless. The last two guys arguing for him to be in the RWC squad that year were me and a guy called Mojo.
Then he played a test off the bench - I think on the wing - and had a mare and even we had to give up on him.
At that stage no-one would have cared if he'd gone overseas and I distinctly recall someone writing, Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out, Nonu".
On that basis, maybe we should have a "Bring back George (Moala) campaign?!
Yeah he was well out of it in 07. I think most still saw him as a winger / 13 utility and rightly so as he hadn't settled into a position for the ABs in five years At that stage. Plus we had Mauger and McAlister vying for 12. But from 2008...wow...
-
@nostrildamus said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@chris-b said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate it may take us a long time to fill the void of a GOAT conversation MF combo like Snake and Nonu
Yep - Nonu's the one we miss the most out of all those greats I reckon, we have pretty decent quality options in the other positions. I guess it's hard to pick a combo and stick with it so it can develop when you don't have 2 quality players to pick in the first place.
As has been said before, Nonu was far from a consensus pick when he first started. But for one reason or another the coaches stuck with him and Smith and were duly rewarded
The Fern consensus on Nonu in 2007 was that he was useless. The last two guys arguing for him to be in the RWC squad that year were me and a guy called Mojo.
Then he played a test off the bench - I think on the wing - and had a mare and even we had to give up on him.
At that stage no-one would have cared if he'd gone overseas and I distinctly recall someone writing, Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out, Nonu".
On that basis, maybe we should have a "Bring back George (Moala) campaign?!
What was wrong with George?
So much unfulfilled potential. Very annoying.
-
@chris-b said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@canefan said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@reprobate it may take us a long time to fill the void of a GOAT conversation MF combo like Snake and Nonu
Yep - Nonu's the one we miss the most out of all those greats I reckon, we have pretty decent quality options in the other positions. I guess it's hard to pick a combo and stick with it so it can develop when you don't have 2 quality players to pick in the first place.
As has been said before, Nonu was far from a consensus pick when he first started. But for one reason or another the coaches stuck with him and Smith and were duly rewarded
The Fern consensus on Nonu in 2007 was that he was useless. The last two guys arguing for him to be in the RWC squad that year were me and a guy called Mojo.
And me.
-
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
-
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
Doesn't want to be there, doesn't have a leg to stand on, doesn't last a game.
How long will your joke go on for?
I think you'd get more support if you mentioned who should be AB coach.. -
@nostrildamus said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
Doesn't want to be there, doesn't have a leg to stand on, doesn't last a game.
How long will your joke go on for?
I think you'd get more support if you mentioned who should be AB coach..I am deadly serious.
-
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@nostrildamus said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
Doesn't want to be there, doesn't have a leg to stand on, doesn't last a game.
How long will your joke go on for?
I think you'd get more support if you mentioned who should be AB coach..I am deadly serious.
Then we are fucked
-
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@nostrildamus said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
Doesn't want to be there, doesn't have a leg to stand on, doesn't last a game.
How long will your joke go on for?
I think you'd get more support if you mentioned who should be AB coach..I am deadly serious.
ALB if you had any depth perception at all...
-
-
@nostrildamus said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@act-crusader said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
2nd 5 options for the ABs in my view, Havili, Goodhue, Ennor.
Doesn't want to be there, doesn't have a leg to stand on, doesn't last a game.
How long will your joke go on for?
I think you'd get more support if you mentioned who should be AB coach..When has Havili said he doesn't want to be at 12 for ABs? I think he obvious choice along with Laumape at moment, because sure as hell we will need at least 2 for this year alone.
-
@pakman said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
It’s almost last man standing, so Laumape and Havilli. Perhaps Gregory as a bolter: has a nice long pass.
We're struggling if we're talking Gregory. He has been all over the backlines, and interspersed flashes of brilliance with absolute howlers.
It's going to be ALB and asking Havili nicely I suspect... happy to be proven wrong, but they'll pick specialists who actually ahve time in the position. Remember, ALB played at 12 for us in the RWC 2019, including That Semi. I think he'll be a lock
-
@nzzp said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
I think he'll be a lock
ALB is probably tall enough to play there for the 'Canes, but yeah he will be there in the midfield somewhere, likely at 12.
Gregory has been good at 12. Nowhere near ready to be an AB I wouldn't have thought though. His bad games have all been in the back three haven't they? Now that he is where he should be, he does look like he has potential. I would have liked him to stick to sevens for a while where he was becoming a bit of a star.
-
@nzzp said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@pakman said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
It’s almost last man standing, so Laumape and Havilli. Perhaps Gregory as a bolter: has a nice long pass.
We're struggling if we're talking Gregory. He has been all over the backlines, and interspersed flashes of brilliance with absolute howlers.
It's going to be ALB and asking Havili nicely I suspect... happy to be proven wrong, but they'll pick specialists who actually ahve time in the position. Remember, ALB played at 12 for us in the RWC 2019, including That Semi. I think he'll be a lock
With Goodhue out I’d want ALB at 13 against decent oppo.
Injury has significantly reduced the options at 12. Hopefully by EOYT one of the up and comers has emerged from the pack. -
@pakman said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@nzzp said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@pakman said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
It’s almost last man standing, so Laumape and Havilli. Perhaps Gregory as a bolter: has a nice long pass.
We're struggling if we're talking Gregory. He has been all over the backlines, and interspersed flashes of brilliance with absolute howlers.
It's going to be ALB and asking Havili nicely I suspect... happy to be proven wrong, but they'll pick specialists who actually ahve time in the position. Remember, ALB played at 12 for us in the RWC 2019, including That Semi. I think he'll be a lock
With Goodhue out I’d want ALB at 13 against decent oppo.
Injury has significantly reduced the options at 12. Hopefully by EOYT one of the up and comers has emerged from the pack.and 12 pages in we are back at the start of the thread
-
@nzzp said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@pakman said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
It’s almost last man standing, so Laumape and Havilli. Perhaps Gregory as a bolter: has a nice long pass.
We're struggling if we're talking Gregory. He has been all over the backlines, and interspersed flashes of brilliance with absolute howlers.
It's going to be ALB and asking Havili nicely I suspect... happy to be proven wrong, but they'll pick specialists who actually ahve time in the position. Remember, ALB played at 12 for us in the RWC 2019, including That Semi. I think he'll be a lock
If Havili had any sense he would grab the opportunity with both hands.
I know he likes playing 15 and is good in that position but he isn't going to be selected there unless a run of injuries happen when DMac, JB, BB and Jordan are around. -
@dan54 said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
When has Havili said he doesn't want to be at 12 for ABs? I think he obvious choice along with Laumape at moment, because sure as hell we will need at least 2 for this year alone.
After the preseason game of three halves, in which he got a head knock only a few minutes into the game and was taken off the field, he made a frustrated comment to Israel Dagg after the game that he didn't want to play twelve. At least, that's what Izzy mentioned on tv afterwards and that comment started to live a life of its own, with people assuming he really doesn't want to play at 12.
In interviews, however, he has said that while he prefers playing at fullback and had to learn a few things and adapt his game (particularly defence) while playing at 12, he's starting to feel really comfortable in the 12 jersey (and enjoying it). And watching him play at 12 every week, it's clear he's the form 12 in NZ at the moment. And - according to Razor - becoming very Crotty-esque in his skillset (communication, distribution, supporting his 10).
Post-2015, the Crotty-ALB combo was our best midfield. Unfortunately, for various reasons (Crotty's injuries, selection of SBW), that combo was rarely seen after 2016. I'd like to see a Havili-ALB combo in 2021, and if it works well, I want them to stick with it. I'm pretty sure Havili will be very keen.
-
@stargazer said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
@dan54 said in What’s out there at Second Five?:
I'd like to see a Havili-ALB combo in 2021, and if it works well, I want them to stick with it. I'm pretty sure Havili will be very keen.
Starting with that combo and changing the picture in the last 30 to ALB/Ioane would be my planned approach. That allows Ioane either on the bench covering wing/centre or starting on a wing and moving in.
The wing/centre role has never been used well since Kahui, mainly due to not having the right players.
With 10/15s being quite interchangeable these days I would rather see a wing/centre on the bench than a wing/fullback. -
