All Blacks vs England 2
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Hotham may turn out to be a very good player for the ABs but what worries me about his selection at this point is how long it took him to look like he belonged at Super Level. Up to that point I was wondering if the Saders got themselves a dud. For that reason I would have waited a bit longer to pick him to make sure his good form wasn't a fluke.
On the other hand Funaki is probably in the same boat and Fakatava hasn't looked like an AB for a while.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks vs England 2:
Hotham may turn out to be a very good player for the ABs but what worries me about his selection at this point is how long it took him to look like he belonged at Super Level. Up to that point I was wondering if the Saders got themselves a dud. For that reason I would have waited a bit longer to pick him to make sure his good form wasn't a fluke.
On the other hand Funaki is probably in the same boat and Fakatava hasn't looked like an AB for a while.
I thought for a 19-20 year old last season when he got albeit some limited chances, he showed plenty of promise with how he played. Looked pretty good. Had a bit of the second season blues this year but his running game was solid and his pass is very strong both ways. So yes it’s been up and down, but I can see why they like him given his size relative to other halfbacks in NZ - 5’11 and 90+ kgs.
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@chchfanatic only thing I remember about Hotlham was getting pushed of like a little school boy, and ended up over the touch line by Funaki, think he did same to McLeod as well.
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@Tim is a blitz defence different to a rush defence...
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@taniwharugby but how do they relate to the umbrella defence?
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@Kirwan no worries mate I’ll pass it onto him today when I see him.
If he shaved his head would you still comment on his hair. Who gives a fuck that he’s trying to save the last bit of hair he has. -
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@African-Monkey I’m anti blues in super rugby. This is the All blacks. They are All
Blacks. Doesn’t matter where they came from.
I was merely stating that some of the worst players were from the blues.
Are we going to comment on every crusaders player that gets selected from now on. It’s tedious. They are selecting who they believe are the best players.
It’s not like he’s selecting Tom Christie and Mitch Drummond. In a shit crusaders season , Hotham was a shining light.I not a Blues man by any means, chch, but you sure you watched the same test as rest of us? I thought Pat T was pretty good, won a fair bit of lineout ball, was one of our best ball carriers in forwards. Didn't thimk Papali'i was bad that I noticed, and as for Christie, I thought it was noticeable our kicking game etc from base of ruck was more accurate when he came on, I really don't understand the Christie hate on here (apaprt from it's seemingly trendy?), Reiko I didn't think was flash, but I really surprised you would point out Blues players as being poor.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks vs England 2:
Hotham may turn out to be a very good player for the ABs but what worries me about his selection at this point is how long it took him to look like he belonged at Super Level. Up to that point I was wondering if the Saders got themselves a dud. For that reason I would have waited a bit longer to pick him to make sure his good form wasn't a fluke.
On the other hand Funaki is probably in the same boat and Fakatava hasn't looked like an AB for a while.
I think Hatham may of struggled with Crusaders for most of year because of what was in front of him? Basically a pack that looked almost NPC level at best for a good part of season. They just seemed to struggle to put a decent pack on field for much of season.
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@Bones said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Bones said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks vs England 2:
Not sure if you understand the idea of speaking for a sport's body.
Ironing out the creases there.
Yep probably mate, as I said ,really didn't think I needed to almost draw pictures. Hey but no probs, my bad, I keep assuming some things are fairly clear cut to most people, and one or 2 need things a bit simpler.
Only a true grass roots rugby fan would understand
I must admit you lost me Bones, perhaps I need the pictures? What has grassroots got to do with a NZR person speaking on up and coming players?
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@reprobate said in All Blacks vs England 2:
No offence meant to the young man, but i fucken hate coaches picking pet young players. it's the ABs not a development squad, pick people on merit and if you want to bring a kid you like to training - fine, do that but don't pick him. you are just blowing smoke up his arse and disappointing the more deserving players who are more likely to go overseas and erode our depth.
Agree. Who has the greater merit?
Honestly, is it that clear cut? It's not as of the bypassed Aaron Smith.
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@chchfanatic said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Kirwan no worries mate I’ll pass it onto him today when I see him.
If he shaved his head would you still comment on his hair. Who gives a fuck that he’s trying to save the last bit of hair he has.I just think it's funny a guy with the nickname "Razor" has a comb over. Most guys these days (like me) just shave their head and get on with life.
But back to rugby. Robertson is the All Black coach now, and when 50/50 calls all seem to be going to journeymen Crusaders it's worthy of comment (Bell, Blackadder, Hotham, Havilli). ABs are for players ready now, not project players or improving the depth/development of the struggling Crusaders.
Stick or switch? All Blacks ponder changes for England rematch
