All Blacks vs England 2
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@Kiwiwomble My memory of the Breakdown last night is they were favouring Hotham - which is an independent assessment from the AB selectors.
They discussed Fakatava and the nub seemed to be that his key strength is running, but almost certainly if the new halfback had to be used he'd come off the bench - and if we were well ahead it wouldn't matter, but in a tight test you'd want a different skillset.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks vs England 2:
Noah Hotham?
I suspect he may be close to getting picked. Not saying I would select him, but when he started looking like he belonged in Super Rugby this year he showed a handy running game, a crisp pass and the ability to clear under pressure.
He could be the backline selection version of Bell.
Yep NZR said begiining of last year they had tabs on Hotham!
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@Frank said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Kirwan I still don't understand why Funaki was replaced.
the much maligned Christie made some big plays in the playoff run. His pass isn't top drawer but he brings other things to the table. Just like Marshall back in the day
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@Frank said in All Blacks vs England 2:
He wasn't outstanding, just solid.
Huge for us defensively and at the ruck.
Watch the big turnover at the end of the game - he comes into the line, pushes the defender out to make the tackle and is right there for the TO. Same thing happened at least once that I saw in the Test at the weekend.
I'm not a massive fan, but he isn't the donkey people make him out to be. He ain't Aaron Smith, but no-one is. Brings a different game to the table ... and the reservation is the core role (passing).
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Far too early for Hotham.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack to be 3rd choice? so basically baring injury in training this is work experience for him?
given the injury to our clear first choice (CR)....second and third are really relying on experience to be there (TJP and FC)....your other options with experience is fakatava...who has gone a bit off the boil....or picking between the two young inexperienced guys....it make some sense to me
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@george33 said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Chris-B probably 3 better options, coaches need to look out of there comfort zone on this 1 , anyway it is what it is.
I can only think of one who isn't injured.
I enjoy irritating Saders fans as much as the next person, but Hotham clearly has promise.
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im not saying he would have been my first choice....but as someone thats starting regularly for a super team and given our injuries....hes obviously an option....its not like theyve named the 2nd grade 9 from Sumner Rugby Club
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You can understand the Hotham decision but by god it gives the punters even more ammunition when it comes to the bias debate… we knew it was going to be interesting when it came to fringe/future players but this really comes across a bit fishy. From Razor and Hansons perspective, Knows the player = safe selection.
Hotham is a good player, but hopefully this is just as it’s stated(injury cover for now). It certainly leads you to believe he will be picked either on the end of year tour or next season though, the TJ injury just accelerates that process.
I do feel for Funaki and Fakatava. One thing is for sure though, there is a shit load of halfback depth in the country right now. You could even add Pledger coming through in the u20’s to that list.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@george33 said in All Blacks vs England 2:
@Chris-B what's he done, crusaders didn't make top 8, yet Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders did , think there is a bit of bullshit hold your hand going on.
This is a new and stupid argument that we didn't hear much of when the Crusaders won seven titles in a row.
What contribution did Hotham make to those titles?
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