Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="608077" data-time="1471851470">
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<p>Coltman is lucky, that's for sure. Was he injured in the latter stages of Super Rugby or had Pleasants Tate taken his place on merit on the Highlanders bench ?</p>
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<p>He was injured from the last week or so of April and only returned to full fitness in mid-July.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="608078" data-time="1471852350"><p>
On the other hand - the top four NZ Super sides finished on 53,52,51 and 50 points respectively - and the Hurricanes had the worst points differential of the lot.<br><br>
The cards ended up falling you guys' way - three finals games against teams travelling from South Africa - well done for winning the competition, but I don't think you really dominated the competition.<br><br>
I realise you are just joking - but, I thought I'd just point out a reality for the LCDs.<br></p></blockquote>The Hurricanes didn't dominate the competition that is for sure. They were awful in the first game against the Brumbies and mediocre in their second against the Highlanders. The NZ conference went down to the final weekend with four sides in with a shot of topping the conference. The Hurricanes hit form at the right time.<br><br>
I disagree with the assertion that the Hurricanes won because the cards fell their way. They won the competition because of a helluva of lot hard work by the squad and excellent coaching by Boyd and Plumtree. We were fortunate to have two of the best players in the world right now in Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles, aided by the very experienced Victor Vito and Cory Jane who were hungry for success having tasted much disappointment with the franchise over the years. TJP, Ardie Savea and Brad Shields played perhaps the best Rugby of their careers so far in the business end of the season.<br><br>
The Hurricanes had a star squad rather than a squad of stars. There were no weak links in the player roster and everyone played their part during the campaign at some stage. Injuries happened to first-choice players but other players slotted in and did very well. The spirit in the squad was excellent.<br><br>
The key to the successful campaign in so many ways was the 35-10 win over the Crusaders in Christchurch at the end of the regular season. Not only did it put the Hurricanes top of the NZ conference, but IMHO the quality of the performance gave them huge belief going into the knock out games. It is many years since I have seen the forward pack of a NZ team get the better of the Crusaders forwards on their own turf like that. Awesome stuff and a welcome change from some of the beatings the Hurricanes have received from the Crusaders over the years that is for sure. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="608104" data-time="1471858458"><p>The Canes just are not represented and our players are clearly paying the price<br>
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Yeah, Beauden Barrett's All Blacks career is really failing to take off because of his association with the Canes.<br><br>
I suggest arranging a protest against Shag, Foster, Fox and Smith at public training in Welly this week. You might get all of four people joining you. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="608107" data-time="1471858811">
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<p>What's the price exactly?</p>
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<p>Three fiddy.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="608109" data-time="1471858945">
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<p>Yeah, Beauden Barrett's All Blacks career is really failing to take off because of his association with the Canes.<br><br>
I suggest arranging a protest against Shag, Foster, Fox and Smith at public training in Welly this week. You might get all of four people joining you.</p>
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<p>As long as the Abs keep on winning things will be fine. And Aust is so pathetically weak they will do. Our B team would be better. But one loss .. But its unlikey to happen. The other teams are weak at present. The only team that might beat NZ is England</p>
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<p>Shag is winning due to NZ player strength. And lack of in many other countries</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="608115" data-time="1471859394"><p>
Shag is winning due to NZ player strength. And lack of in many other countries</p></blockquote><br>
And Shag's teams keep winning because they score more points than the opposition too. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="608119" data-time="1471859736">
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<p>How do you explain Riccitelli being overlooked. Its not as if the selected hookers are that great. even Proctor. Is he worse than the chiefs centre</p>
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<p>um, because he is a bench super player, is young as shit, and because they have 2 hookers who they could pick who had already been part of the squad and are semi up to speed on how the lineout etc functions already. kinda handy when you want a short-term replacement.</p>
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<p>likewise all the backs except ioane had been part of the squad previously. and ioane is clearly in a similar basket to ardie savea - you remember, that young guy who was taken away on tour despite having not earned shit. oh, where was he from again?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="608115" data-time="1471859394"><p>
Shag is winning due to NZ player strength.</p></blockquote>
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Sounds like the selections are going alright if that is the case aye Winger.... -
Was PT injured or omitted in the last test?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="608146" data-time="1471866849"><p>Was PT injured or omitted in the last test?</p></blockquote>
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Wasn't on the injured list. -
<p>From a neutral point of view, these Shag's selections do not seem picked on provincial bias. Proctor could have been chosen instead of Tamanivalu but the latter has already in the AB's environment so it will be easy and quick for him to adjust. This is exactly what is required for a temporary replacement.</p>
<p>Riccitelli is in the same case.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the question was certainly more accute when the initial squad was given : Fatialofa vs Romano, Shields vs Squire or Dixon were the only cases where the non selection of Hurricanes players could have been discussed. I don't see any other Hurricanes player who could have been in the squad : Marshall ? Not good enough. Jane ? Too old. Proctor ? maybe. Halaholo ? He's heading north and does light the world on fire. Vito ? Leaving. Fifita ? Not big enough for an international lock. May ? Old journeyman. Uhila ? Not elligible.</p> -
<p>Loni Uhila has never played for an overseas team that ties him to that country and he has definitely met the three year residential requirements thus there appears to be no impediment, other than ability, selectorial whim or his personal preference, to being selected for the All Blacks.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="608123" data-time="1471860531"><p>um, because he is a bench super player, is young as shit, and because they have 2 hookers who they could pick who had already been part of the squad and are semi up to speed on how the lineout etc functions already. kinda handy when you want a short-term replacement.<br>
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likewise all the backs except ioane had been part of the squad previously. and ioane is clearly in a similar basket to ardie savea - you remember, that young guy who was taken away on tour despite having not earned shit. oh, where was he from again?</p></blockquote>
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I think Coltman is overdue, could have been picked last year after Highlanders outstanding season and was unlucky with injuries this year. I would have had Hika as well. Riccatelli's time will come if he continues performing but my understanding is that he started season down the depth charts at Hurricanes. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="608078" data-time="1471852350"><p>
On the other hand - the top four NZ Super sides finished on 53,52,51 and 50 points respectively - and the Hurricanes had the worst points differential of the lot.<br><br>
The cards ended up falling you guys' way - three finals games against teams travelling from South Africa - well done for winning the competition, but I don't think you really dominated the competition.<br><br>
I realise you are just joking - but, I thought I'd just point out a reality for the LCDs.</p></blockquote> How are those grapes tasting? Bit sour? -
<p>The Chiefs won back to back titles and were still in the bottom two contributors to the All Blacks. When the Highlanders won Super Rugby title last year they still contributed very few players to the World Cup squad.</p>
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<p>Considering the lack of Hurricanes success over the years and high number of All Blacks, have they been over represented up till now? They must have been if the reverse is now true.</p>
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<p>But seriously, when people are up in arms that Matt Proctor and Ricky Riccitelli aren't in the All Blacks, someone is taking the piss. Riccitelli will probably be an All Black one day, but as of now he is a 21 year old with 9 Super Rugby games (2 or 3 starts?). And Proctor? Piss off.</p> -
<p>Maybe what Shag the wise one , is telling us </p>
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<p>they fluked winning the competition and have no chance of going back to back . </p>
