Positions and players to watch - 2021
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@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!
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@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.
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 ?
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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 Lam10/12 is where there are the leanest offerings. Back Row and Back Three is where the ABs have an abundance of riches to choose from.
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@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.
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@shark said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Ash Dixon would be going through The Change Of Life if he were a bird, he's so fucking old.
Played the best Rugby of his life in 2020. He might be one of those who matures late. Tom Brady is still going in his 40s, so why not Ash Dixon in his mid-30s?
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@Bones said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@sparky said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Billy Proctor,
National selectors no. Canes might want to see a return on investment though.
Billy Proctor is not knocking on the door of national selection yet, but I liked his work at the end of the 2020 season for Wellington and the NZ Maori. Worth keeping an eye on him as an AB bolter for 2022 or 2023, but as you say he'll need to string some strong performances for the Hurricanes together before that.
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@shark Excellent post, I agree with a lot of that apart from:
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I think Akira Ioane, Cullen Grace, Dalton Papalii and Tom Robinson are all better options at 6 than Frizzell, Squire and Fifita. Fifita looked done to me in 2020.
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If he can build on his form in 2020, Hoskin Sotutu should be the first-choice All Black 8 for a long time.
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I think Aaron Smith will be around in 2023 but as the second or third Half Back.
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@KiwiMurph said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
Akira did not put a foot wrong in his 1.5 tests - he was excellent.
Yeah, he was impressive, and I'd like to see him start a few more tests before I'm 100% convinced his dickhead inclinations have been laid to rest.
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@shark said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@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.
That's what happens when your mother is the AB nutritionist. Quality of food over quantity.
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@Bovidae All possibly true, it was basically my list of guys with a handful or no caps who I think might develop into International-quality players by 2023. Slater will come really good in time I suspect. I don't expect all of that lot to be knocking on the door of AB selection this year.
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@sparky I'm picking Devan Flanders to have a huge year. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he features as a 6/8 option for the All Blacks later this year.
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@Canes4life said in Positions and players to watch - 2021:
@sparky I'm picking Devan Flanders to have a huge year. Wouldn't be surprised at all if he features as a 6/8 option for the All Blacks later this year.
He may do but there is a backlog of other good, already identified, talent there that is waiting for a chance. There may not be room.
Rugby: Nonu nurses thumb injury - NZ Herald
