Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568128" data-time="1459233947"><p>How did a Franks, and just the 'other' Franks get into this conversation? Did you have a mention of the other Franks too and then delete it? Are you pre-white knighting on the off chance someone says something negative about the Franks?<br><br>
Crotty did one awful flop at one ruck but he ran well and took the chance well. I do enjoy re-watching that over and over again though.</p></blockquote>
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Mate, you read waaay too much into posts. Mariner brought up the Ireland test. I posted the video of the final passage of play just for memories sake. Nothing more. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568199" data-time="1459251024">
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<p>Well Naholo was selected for the RWC squad off the back of a half of test rugby. That was pretty surprising given he was coming back from injury.</p>
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<p>That was very much out of character yes, but if anything thats likely to make them even more gun shy given how piss awful he was.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568201" data-time="1459251222">
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<p>Mate, you read waaay too much into posts. Mariner brought up the Ireland test. I posted the video of the final passage of play just for memories sake. Nothing more.</p>
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<p>I was merely asking a question, I'm still unsure how a Franks wound up in a discussion about a Crotty.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="568213" data-time="1459255789">
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<p>Quick note on Cruden's goal kicking. Rennie said part of the reason he hasn't been is that he's coming back from knee surgery. He expects Cruden will take back the responsibility soon.</p>
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<p>It's always bemused me that guys can be fit enough to play and therefore potentially get smashed by big scary loose forwards yet considered unfit for something is relatively leisurely as goal kicking.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="568247" data-time="1459283596">
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<p>It's always bemused me that guys can be fit enough to play and therefore potentially get smashed by big scary loose forwards yet considered unfit for something is relatively leisurely as goal kicking.</p>
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<p>Remember how a leisurely goal kick ruled DC out the world cup, and another one ruined Piri's ability to kick and that combined turned the Duck into the greatest story ever told.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="568247" data-time="1459283596">
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<p>It's always bemused me that guys can be fit enough to play and therefore potentially get smashed by big scary loose forwards yet considered unfit for something is relatively leisurely as goal kicking.</p>
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<p>Why bemusing? When you are goalkicking you are trying to go through a physical and mental process that works smoothly. If you have any minor doubts it will cause you to adjust as you kick. Not much different, I imagine, as hitting a golf ball.</p>
<p>A knee injury to your propping leg could cause major doubts or favouring.</p> -
And an injury to your kicking knee can be agitated by the flicking of your leg as you strike. At least I know mine always was.
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<p>when I injured my knee, my first game back (was playing 9) I was less keen to kick it (form base of scrum) cos my left knee was the injured one, and I am a right footer, so meant I was pivoting on the left one, but had no issues running and stepping, I just wasn't keen or confident</p>
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<p>I hear all of that but if there are any niggles do opponents think "hmmmmm better not tackle Cruden at that angle, might hurt his knee.....I'll let the cover get him from the other side...."</p>
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<p>I'm no sports statistician but I'd imagine that would be much more of a potential issue given that the knee tends to play a big part in running and side stepping.</p> -
<p>If you are Sopoaga you are thinking "tackle that bloody knee"</p>
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<p>As for the comment earlier in the thread regarding speed,</p>
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<p>Meet the fastest man in New Zealand rugby, Toni Pulu.</p>
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<p>It's a bold call to make, but Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has confidently labelled the winger as the quickest man going around. And Rennie has a few others in his squad to compare him too - think Glen Fisiiahi and Damian McKenzie for instance.</p>
<p>Pulu got his first taste of Super Rugby off the bench in the team's 53-10 thrashing of the Force in Hamilton on Saturday night, and remarkably scored with his first touch of the ball in his 25 minute cameo.</p>
<p>His pace is set to be a weapon in an already dangerous Chiefs backline, which has shot them to the top of the New Zealand conference.</p>
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<p>"Quicker than all our players, quicker than Damian [McKenzie] and Brad Weber," Rennie said of Pulu's red-hot speed.</p>
<p>"<strong>He ran a 4.78 [seconds] this year over 40 [metres]. Anything under five's quick. There'd be no-one quicker than that in the country</strong>."</p>
<p>Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane backed that observation up after Saturday's game, saying Pulu was ahead of the pack on the gadget in the gym which measures speed off the mark.</p>
<p>Pulu himself wasn't having much of Rennie's assessment, with the 1.84m, 93kg flyer modestly batting away those claims.</p>
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<p>"I've got no idea where he gets his stats from, to be honest," he laughed. "But Damian McKenzie's quick, man, he's probably the quickest guy in New Zealand rugby. I wouldn't say I'm the quickest."</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="568387" data-time="1459305010">
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<p>If you are Sopoaga you are thinking "tackle that bloody knee"</p>
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<p>Or just make the tackle! :)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568427" data-time="1459309565">
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<p>So are Tony and Augustine not related? I've always assumed they were brothers but their birth dates would suggest not.</p>
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<p>So Tony was eligible for NZ, USA, Tonga and Niue? And he chose Niue? :think:</p>
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<p>Poached from the USA eh? So I assume his parents are Tongan and Nuiean?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568427" data-time="1459309565">
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<p>So are Tony and Augustine not related? I've always assumed they were brothers but their birth dates would suggest not.</p>
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<p>So Tony was eligible for NZ, USA, Tonga and Niue? And he chose Niue? :think:</p>
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<p>Yeah. Was a late bloomer. Played one (or two) games for Niue at the Gold Coast 7s in 2012 before even getting a game at counties well into his 20s</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="569044" data-time="1459534208">
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<p>That 12 for the Crusaders looks handy. Could be worth consideration for the All Blacks midfield.</p>
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<p>Ryan Crotty Vs Charlie Ngatai for the 12 jersey is looking like one of those nice problems to have. Add SBW back in the mix from September and the ABs have strength in depth at second five.</p>
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<p>Not many challenges to Fekitoa at Centre so one of the above might shift across to the 13 jersey if there is an injury.</p>