Nonu
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The problem with Tana towards the end was that he was too inconsistent. He was player of the series against the Lions in 2005 but then had serious tits for hands on the EOYT.<br><br>
Bit hard to compare them though. Tana started off as a winger during the amateur era and switched to centre fairly late in his career. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="535602" data-time="1445999283">
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<p>I freaking loved Goldie, growing up he was one of my favourites - especially with the double international thing - but I watched back about 10 tests from the 1995-1997 era and he just wasn't as good as what I remembered. Still brilliant at times and far more solid in defence and support play than the other two.</p>
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<p>Wilson was bloody good in the 1996 SA series. Who can forget those chip and chases? It just shows we all have different opinions of former players. I'm picking Goldie over Lomu on the left wing everytime in my all-time AB XV.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="534969" data-time="1445898626">
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<p>Having seen him running up some of Wellys nastiest hills and looking like he's about to keel over at any moment I can assure the fern he must work his arse off to get in the shape that he does and the work he has done on his skills in the last few years is clearly evident.</p>
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<p>Random comment I remembered after reading this. I remember Colin Meads saying at a thing he was speaking at last year that Ritchie and Sam Whitelock were the only guys that actually ran quite a bit in terms of distance in the AB's....</p>
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<p>When did you see Nonu doing this training? wonder if he's changed it up a bit this year cause he's certainly looking trimmer.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="535629" data-time="1446002527">
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<p>Wilson was bloody good in the 1996 SA series. Who can forget those chip and chases? It just shows we all have different opinions of former players. I'm picking Goldie over Lomu on the left wing everytime in my all-time AB XV.</p>
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<p>You're picking a right wing over a left wing for your all time ABs team? Yes, we do have different opinions of former players.</p>
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<p>Did Goldie ever play on the left wing?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="535647" data-time="1446004052">
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<p>Did Goldie ever play on the left wing?</p>
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<p>Early on in the piece (once Paul Cooke was gone), he would occasionally play 11 for Otago. Not often though. Maybe 10 games at the absolute max?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="535651" data-time="1446004998">
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<p>Early on in the piece (once Paul Cooke was gone), he would occasionally play 11 for Otago. Not often though. Maybe 10 games at the absolute max?</p>
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<p>Cheers!</p>
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<p>Ya bloody almanack.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="535632" data-time="1446002765"><p>Random comment I remembered after reading this. I remember Colin Meads saying at a thing he was speaking at last year that Ritchie and Sam Whitelock were the only guys that actually ran quite a bit in terms of distance in the AB's....<br>
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When did you see Nonu doing this training? wonder if he's changed it up a bit this year cause he's certainly looking trimmer.</p></blockquote>
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Earlier in the year. Pretty sure Conrad Smith runs a fair bit too although that sorta stuff definitely comes more naturally to skinny white boys. -
Ali vs Frasier, Bruce Robertson/Bill Osbourne, in crackley black and white. Too young to appreciate, until now.
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Heard Gregan make the comment when talking about Pocock "great players make everyone else in the team play better".<br><br>
Really rams home how much we are going to miss Nonu, DC and McCaw. Not only are they great players, the confidence they must instill in the rest of the team when they are on the park would be massive. Hugely influential players for the All Blacks. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Black Paua" data-cid="535668" data-time="1446006615">
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<p>Ali vs Frasier, Bruce Robertson/Bill Osbourne, in crackley black and white. Too young to appreciate, until now.</p>
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<p>The AB backline c.1976 was also bloody good - except for full-back.where we had a decade of failed attempts to get someone even half-decent. </p>
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<p>The likes of Batty, BG Williams, Bruce Robertson and Bill Osborne were easily among the best we've ever had.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="535256" data-time="1445955325">
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<p>Not so sure about Mauger, I liked him at the time but in hindsight, not so much stood out.</p>
<p>Nonu and SBW are more than friends, bromance industrial strength.</p>
<p>But the reason I wrote was to disagree with you about Nonu's recent Super involvement, the last year or two at least he seems to have been putting in the effort.</p>
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<p>You are rightnostrildamus, I'm a dill for expressing that in the way I did.</p>
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<p>I should have said Nonu <u>on occasion</u> in Super Rugby does a little less than I anticipate he might - which really is a minor, subordinate thing in his outstanding career. When thinking about him yesterday League's Jonathan Thurston's occasional subdued performances at Club level came to mind and, on reflection, it is unrealistic to expect these champions to do magic <em>every time</em> they take the field.</p> -
I remember when there was serious debate on the fern as to whether Nonu was better than McAllister or not and this was after Nonus 2008/2009 seasons which I thought he was a standout. I think McAllister even won vote for most likely 12 at 2011 World Cup! Was a point when I thought signs of age and fatigue might be showing but seems invigorated this season looking as fast and fit as he has ever been.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="535785" data-time="1446034002">
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<p>I remember when there was serious debate on the fern as to whether Nonu was better than McAllister or not and this was after Nonus 2008/2009 seasons which I thought he was a standout. I think McAllister even won vote for most likely 12 at 2011 World Cup! Was a point when I thought signs of age and fatigue might be showing but seems invigorated this season looking as fast and fit as he has ever been.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/5452354/No-fond-farewell-for-enigmatic-Luke-McAlister'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/5452354/No-fond-farewell-for-enigmatic-Luke-McAlister</a></p>
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<p>Luke & Nonu should be shown to young guys who have huge physical talent when trying to explain what commiting yourself & being the best player you can be looks like. As opposed to being utterly disinteresed & fucking off for cash when things didn't fall your way.</p>
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<p>You could use Nonu, Toeava & Luke as a great example. All big fast, exceptional physical ability. Toeava got hamstrung by the mental block, then injuries killed off what should have been a stellar 100 test career just as he seemed to have hit the switch mentally. Nonu focused 100% on his game & never say back & relied on his basic skills, he just got better & better & saw competition as a spur. And Luke... yeah... </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="535788" data-time="1446036500"><p><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/5452354/No-fond-farewell-for-enigmatic-Luke-McAlister">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/5452354/No-fond-farewell-for-enigmatic-Luke-McAlister</a><br>
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Luke & Nonu should be shown to young guys who have huge physical talent when trying to explain what commiting yourself & being the best player you can be looks like. As opposed to being utterly disinteresed & fucking off for cash when things didn't fall your way.<br>
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You could use Nonu, Toeava & Luke as a great example. All big fast, exceptional physical ability. Toeava got hamstrung by the mental block, then injuries killed off what should have been a stellar 100 test career just as he seemed to have hit the switch mentally. Nonu focused 100% on his game & never say back & relied on his basic skills, he just got better & better & saw competition as a spur. And Luke... yeah...<br></p></blockquote>
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Totally agree on Toeava, for me he had probably the biggest upside of any young player NZ has produced but fell short mentally and was not helped by injuries. I think the weight of expectation just crushed him. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="535790" data-time="1446040303">
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<p>Totally agree on Toeava, for me he had probably the biggest upside of any young player NZ has produced but fell short mentally and was not helped by injuries. I think the weight of expectation just crushed him.</p>
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<p>I was really surprised that he didn't switch to Samoa through the7's loophole (assuming he is still good). Maybe he really just doesn't like the attention</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="535793" data-time="1446049188">
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<p>I was really surprised that he didn't switch to Samoa through the7's loophole (assuming he is still good). Maybe he really just doesn't like the attention</p>
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<p>I got the impression he was earning good money in Japan, is only just fit & is focusing 100% on being fit for 15's in club rugby before his hip falls out his arse & he's unemployed.</p>
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<p>Bit like Kahui's decision not to come back & chase the ABs for this year's cup.. Sort of "I have 107 tackles left in my shoulder, thats 3 years in Japan or 2 games for Waikato & 60 minutes for the ABs"</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Kirwan" data-cid="535807" data-time="1446057073">
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<p>Toeava wanted to come back to the Blues but the NZRU wouldn't give him dispensation to play. Disgraceful decision.</p>
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<p>Really? I missed this ... anything in the media about it?</p>
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<p>As a Blues fan, I'd welcome him back with open arms</p> -
Toeava was our best back on the 2010 EOYT and is the only AB I can think of with man of the match performances in three positions over his career.<br><br>
Toeava was an absolute beast by the end. SBW getting jammed into the side at any expense kind of messed things up in the end for him as a utility.<br><br>
His career was disappointing but he still reached a really high level of play in the end I think.
