Positions and players to watch - 2021

[Kiwiwomble]

@KiwiMurph and that fair enough, but up to that level he is right in the conversation and on paper leading in some facets

[Chris B.]

@Tim said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@Stargazer Who was better at test or Super Level? Clearly nobody. Absolutely zero exaggeration.

I'm going to say Tom Robinson.

Didn't coaching mastermind Leon McDonald have Akira sitting on the sidelines until Tom got injured?

[Dan54]

@Tim not arguing mate, I a fan of him at 8, but just pointing out where he played at NPC.

[Bones]

@taniwharugby said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@Bones haha love it...

did you read that article after sitting on the bench that day?

but it is unclear how the injury happened

I'lll take that!

RUN AT ME

[Tim]

@Chris-B All of one game. Ditto for Gibson starting ahead of Papalii.

https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/preview-investec-super-rugby-aotearoa-chiefs-v-blues/

[taniwharugby]

@Bones TR JNr says that, then steps out of the way

[Chris B.]

@Tim Wasn't Robinson also preferred in all of the abandoned three nations Super rugby?

I seem to recall quite a bit of discussion about when Akira would get his chance.

[MN5]

@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@MN5 pfftt...umscathed.

Rugby: Nonu nurses thumb injury - NZ Herald

Typical shit herald reporting. They didn’t even mention your name.

[taniwharugby]

@MN5 I'm guessing he wanted to remain anonymous, I mean imagine the backlash after deliberately accidentally injuring a player of his stature!

[Tim]

@Chris-B Yeah, but he really took his chance, and was in vastly better condition for SRA.

[nzzp]

@MN5 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@MN5 pfftt...umscathed.

Rugby: Nonu nurses thumb injury - NZ Herald

Typical shit herald reporting. They didn’t even mention your name.

'bones' were mentioned?

[Chris B.]

@Tim said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@Chris-B Yeah, but he really took his chance, and was in vastly better condition for SRA.

He certainly took his chance for the ABs.

To be honest I can't recall much at all about who played well in SRA - except, who scored the most tries!

[MN5]

@nzzp said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@MN5 said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@MN5 pfftt...umscathed.

Rugby: Nonu nurses thumb injury - NZ Herald

Typical shit herald reporting. They didn’t even mention your name.

'bones' were mentioned?

A boxing session too. Maybe he threw a punch and his thumb got stuck in some dreadlocks ?

[sparky]

Players I'm keeping an eye on and I think the natonal selectors should do too:

Props: Tamati Williams, Fletcher Newell, Atu Moli,
Hooker: Bradley Slater, Asafo Aumua, Ash Dixon
Lock: Tupou Vaa'i, Pari Pari Parkinson, Sam Darry
Back Row: Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane, Callum Grace,Dalton Papalii, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Anton Segner
Half Back: Folau Fakatava , Xavier Roe, Bryn Hall
First Five: Josh Ioane, Bryn Gatland, Kaleb Trask
Midfield: Peter Umaga-Jenson, Braydon Ennor, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor,
Back Three: Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havaii, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam

10/12 is where there are the leanest offerings. Back Row and Back Three is where the ABs have an abundance of riches to choose from.

[shark]

Ash Dixon would be going through The Change Of Life if he were a bird, he's so fucking old.

[shark]

@sparky Sam Darry will be promising if he can ditch his Isaac Ross physique. He clearly needed to board at Christ's College in order to build muscle whilst jostling for the filet mignon and shaved truffle in the dinner queue.

[shark]

@sparky is Segner even in the core Crusaders squad??

[shark]

I agree with Trask though.

[Stargazer]

@shark Only if he's named the replacement of Tom Sanders. Haven't heard anything yet. Maybe they'll wait until after the preseason game v the Blues (if it goes ahead).

[sparky]

@shark said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:

@sparky is Segner even in the core Crusaders squad??

Not yet, but I'd be amazed if he doesn't get some game time if the injuries mount up. If he steps up, then he could become part of the ABs' 2023 plans.