The Silver Fern

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="600044" data-time="1469419390">
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<p>And yes, that is the same Afa Fa'atau. He was in the Blues wider training squad but didn't see any game time.</p>
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<p>Partly because he was injured most the season, I think.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Counties Manukau team has been named, and includes Cameron Skelton and So'otala Fa'aso'o among others</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://steelers.co.nz/news/article/1570/'>http://steelers.co.nz/news/article/1570/</a></p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>2016 Steelers Mitre 10 Cup Squad</p>
<p>Jarred Adams (Prop) Pukekohe *</p>
<p>Sam Aiono (Prop) Bombay</p>
<p>Sean Bagshaw (Prop) Onewhero</p>
<p>Nathan De Thierry (First Five-Eighth) Pukekohe</p>
<p>Hika Elliot (Hooker)</p>
<p>Sootala Fa’aso’o (Loose Forward) North Shore *</p>
<p>Sione Faletau (Prop) Patumahoe *</p>
<p>Sione Fifita (Outside Back) Pukekohe</p>
<p>Piers Francis (First Five-Eighth) Bombay</p>
<p>Joseph Ikenasio (Midfield) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Richard Judd (Halfback) Onewhero</p>
<p>Luteru Laulala (Outside Back) Ardmore Marist *</p>
<p>Orbyn Leger (Midfield) Karaka *</p>
<p>Fotu Lokotui (Loose Forward) Patumahoe *</p>
<p>Matiaha Martin (Lock) Bombay *</p>
<p>Sione Molia (Outside Back) Karaka *</p>
<p>Augustine Pulu (Halfback) Karaka</p>
<p>Toni Pulu (Outside) Bombay</p>
<p>Viliame Rarasea (Lock) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Joe Reynolds (Outside Back) Pukekohe *</p>
<p>Cameron Skelton (Lock) Pukekohe *</p>
<p>Sherwin Stowers (Outside Back) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Gafatasi Su’a (Hooker) Pukekohe</p>
<p>Suliasi Taufalele (Hooker) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Jordan Taufua (Loose Forward) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Viliami Taulani (Loose Forward) Patumahoe</p>
<p>Jonathan Taumateine (Halfback) Ardmore Marist *</p>
<p>Kalolo Tuiloma (Prop) Bombay *</p>
<p>Jimmy Tupou (Lock) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p>Cardiff Vaega (Midfield) Karaka</p>
<p>Sam Vaka (Midfield) Bombay</p>
<p>Sonny Bill Williams (Midfield)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Five players who are contracted, but unavailable due to injury:</p>
<p>Glen Fisi’iahi (Outside Back) Bombay *</p>
<p>Sam Henwood (Loose Forward) Pukekohe</p>
<p>Nepo Laulala (Prop) Ardmore Marist *</p>
<p>Pauliasi Manu (Prop) Karaka</p>
<p>Maama Vaipulu (Loose Forward) Pukekohe</p>
<p>Players contracted for pre-season:</p>
<p>Harry Fitzsimons (Loose Forward) Karaka</p>
<p>Kalione Hala (Outside Back) Karaka </p>
<p>Lolohea Loco (Outside Back) Ardmore Marist</p>
<p> </p>
<p> New Steelers</p>
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<p>Yep, I'm a big fan of Patty T, but he missed a couple of tackles that led to tries for the Hurricanes.</p>

<p>According to Grant Fox on The Breakdown, they are picking 32 players for the RC</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="592253" data-time="1467001237">
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<p>Not sure I trust your measurements C4L. I'd have him 6 4 at best.</p>
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<p>Nah, there was another photo of him doing the rounds a year or two back, next to Waratahs play Tala Grey (I think). Grey is 6'4" and Logan towered over him.</p>

<p>James Tucker isn't mentioned as being injured, but hasn't made the list to travel to Fiji. Does anyone what is happening with him?</p>

<p>I also don't think there is any need to rush Tuipulotu, but the selectors seem to view the bench as their own positions now. For example, Beauden Barrett is pretty much a specialist supersub (though whether this will continue is debatable - though I think it should and will). Same goes for Charlie Faumuina. I think, if you pick the squad with the specialist bench lock position in mind, then you have to go for Tuipulotu.</p>
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<p>Another alternative is two loosies (Squire and Savea?) with Read going to lock. However, this perhaps leaves us a bit light on experience in the loose forwards, and they didn't try it out against Wales, so I wouldn't expect it for the RC.</p>

<p>The World Rugby site has Isaia Walker-Leawere at 19 and Moala-Liava'a at 20. Which would seem to make more sense.</p>
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<p>Maybe they were hoping Jonah Lowe would come right before the game? Either way, glad that Peter Umaga-Jensen is getting a start.</p>
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<p>What was the point of bringing Leger along? I don't think they've even used him?</p>

<p>I believe he was named in one of the Counties Manukau training squads, recently. Someone posted that he wasn't wanted in Waikato, so he moved over there.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="590741" data-time="1466645908"><p>Did they fly him over just for that one game? Must mean Trainor is not available either. Or maybe he was brought over to cover for Trainor?<br>
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Yes, Lowe ended up at the bottom of a pile of bodies after being tackled and stayed on the ground - grabbing his leg - afterwards. Looked like hamstring injury, but haven't read/heard anything.</p></blockquote>
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I forgot about Trainor. That could make more sense.

<p>Peter Umaga-Jensen has joined the side (I think because Lowe injured himself?), so Tuitama's suspension should mean he gets some game time</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="590450" data-time="1466564162">
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<p>Maybe, but not at no. 8. Mikaele-Tu'u was clearly the best forward during the pool games and fully deserved his starts.</p>
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<p>Agree about Mitch Jacobson.</p>
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<p>Agreed, but there is always the blindside spot. I don't think Luke Jacobson showed very much either. Even if Luke did a bit behind the scenes, he could always move to openside ahead of Mitch.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="589975" data-time="1466405248">
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<p>Why? He is a full time Super Rugby contracted professional and has been for two seasons. Theoretically he should be head and shoulders above the rest of his team.</p>
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<p>Because there may be circumstances that we don't know about. For example, he may be injured, and Robertson is still selecting him anyway. I know this was the case for Joe Edwards when he played for the U20s, and wasn't quite a star, as was predicted before the start of the tournament.</p>
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<p>I think he has still shown that he can play well in the past. I'd wait and see if his performances improve in the Mitre 10 Cup.</p>

<p>Yep, I would've thought that Luke Jacobson would be the one to move, if they wanted to give Moala-Liava'a a chance. Though Mikaele Tu'u might need a bit of a rest, after starting every game.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="588859" data-time="1466124176">
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<p>Scott Robertson is an excellent appointment. He has worked his way up through the system from club level, and has won two ITM Cup titles. That's more than the rest of the current Super Rugby head coaches combined. <strong>Sure, this year's NZ U20s campaign wasn't flash, but give him some credit he did win the tournament last year for goodness sake.</strong> To posters who are underwhelmed by Robertson's appointment, I would simply ask; what more do you want from a rookie Super Rugby coach?</p>
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<p>With one of the best teams we've seen in years (and some pretty good coaches around him, too). </p>
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<p>This year, with a team that has a reasonable amount of talent, they looked terrible. He basically decided that we should run at all costs, from all areas of the field, despite the torrential rain. It is all well and good wanting to play expansive rugby, but at least try and go about it smarter than that.</p>

<p>I'd go easy on Apisai, a little. I was disappointed with him too, but he was pretty good in last years ITM Cup and in last years U20 tournament, if I remember correctly. There could be a number of factors affecting his performance, including focusing too much on the captaincy rather than his own game.</p>

<p>I think it would've been ideal if Colin Cooper was the U20 coach. He isn't interested in a SupeRugby contract at this stage, but obviously he has been thereabouts and will have a heck of a lot of knowledge he could pass on to his assistants as they come through, as well as the players. It won't happen next year, as he'll be with the NZ Maori against the Lions, but I think it'd be really positive moving forward for the development of our players and our up-and-coming coaches to learn a bit from him.</p>

<p>Personally, I quite like Perofeta. I think he is a classy player (more well-rounded than Va'a), and I think he has generally been pretty good this tournament. I also like Barrett at 12, as it means we have an extra kicker (and an extra playmaker), so he can take a bit of pressure off the 10. He can also hit it up effectively. I'd like to see:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>10.Perofeta</p>
<p>11.Reece</p>
<p>12.Barrett</p>
<p>13.Umaga-Jensen, T.</p>
<p>14.Ioane</p>
<p>15.Umaga-Jensen, P.</p>
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<p>I understand if people don't like the idea of Ioane on the wing. But I like the idea of having him in a bit more space and he can also be told to get involved and come in off his wing a bit.</p>
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<p>Either way, we have a few different options, and they'll all look pretty deadly.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="588491" data-time="1466028820">
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<p> Ofa T has been in squads but not yet an AB, but he was diabolically bad at U20 level in 2012.<br><br>
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<p>He was bad, but to be fair to him, they kept playing him at loosehead prop.</p>

<p>I'm not sure what we take away from that. This has shown that we need to have props that able to scrummage well, first and foremost... yet we knew that from 2012 and 2013. It also showed that it might be an idea to pick our best team, regardless of their age... yet we knew that from 2012. I don't think that these factors are what lost us this tournament, but they certainly don't help.</p>
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<p>During the first few years of the JRWC, teams were poorly coached and our backs had all the time in the world, so we could just run rings around them. However, there isn't that space anymore, and the defenses are rushing up, cutting down our options. We've put much more of a focus on conditioning recently, with Robertson trying to put an extra few kgs on all his forwards. And I think this is largely a good move, and has been positive. We can now chuck the ball to a forward, who drives the ball forward, and (sometimes) makes ground. </p>
<p>However, we don't really seem to be able to do much beyond this, besides giving the backs the ball and just hoping for the best, in the face of a strong defense. It doesn't seem that we are able to build up pressure on attack, phase after phase, unless someone makes a break from broken play. The fact that we are under pressure at every scrum, definitely isn't helping in keeping the pressure on the opposing team.</p>
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<p>If we're under pressure, I'd like to see us try kicking in behind the other team more often (especially when things are that wet). I'm not saying we don't want to be running with the ball, but when we're under pressure in the rain, it might just be an idea to settle things down a bit. We have players who can kick well (Perofeta, Barrett), and we can put pressure back on the other team with a good chase (just like when Nock kicked and Barrett followed it up and put a big hit on). We have a bit of pace too, and if players like Barrett, Tuitama and Emerson (who should've been picked - did they even give Leger a shot?) can chase hard, we might even be able to get the ball back (particularly if they mix the kicking up a bit, with a few grubbers/chips in behind the attack if they're rushing forward).</p>
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<p>Another tactic that the All Blacks often use is they stand up in the tackle and get the arms free for an offload. If the supporting player gets the ball past the line of defense, then it is generally pretty hard to stop. I don't know if this team had anyone available who could stand up effectively in the tackle, and offload, but it would probably pay to get them at least trying. They are going to want to make the ABs in a few years, and they'll likely be expected to be able to do this. I guess this is where a stronger midfield might have been useful.</p>
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<p>As mentioned before, the selections are a bit baffling at times. The coaches would've known we were playing in England, so the decisions to pick props more based on their running ability is a bit bizarre. We didn't even get to see some of our backs with a bit of space, let alone the forwards. It is possible that they thought these guys are more likely to make the All Blacks in the future, though, so picked them for their own development (though many of the props we've picked in the past who have struggled to hold up a scrum haven't even made it to ITM Cup level, yet). There are also the non-selections of the likes of Emerson, Umaga-Jensen and I'd like to throw in Apikotoa too, who has played prop for Wellington, and would likely have been a heck of a lot better than Fidow.</p>
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<p>For next year, I'd like to see the best team selected, regardless of age. I'd like to see props picked primarily for their scrummaging ability (let's hope Fidow can improve here, because if he does he will be a handful for the opposition), and I'd like to see our team play to the conditions, and handle pressure a lot better, as well as putting pressure back on to the opposing side.</p>
<p>The following players have been involved at some point this year, and are available again next year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1.Pouri Rakete-Stones (not sure if he plays loosehead)<br>
2.Asafa Aumua<br>
3.Alex Fidow<br>
4.Isaia Walker-Leawere<br>
5.Sam Caird<br>
6.Luke Jacobson<br>
7.Dalton Papali'i<br>
8.Marino Mikaele-Tu'u<br>
9.Ere Enari<br>
10.Stephen Perofeta/Orbyn Leger/Josh McKay<br>
11.<br>
12.Jordie Barrett<br>
13.<br>
14.<br>
15.Peter Umaga-Jensen</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When you add the likes of Sevu Reece (wing - played well for Waikato in their first Ranfurly Shield match), Rieko Ioane (unless he is with the All Blacks), Thomas Umaga-Jensen (midfield), Sione Asi (a big, solid prop) and Samisoni Taukei'aho (hooker - came off the bench for Waikato in their RS game) then I think there is good reason to feel a lot more positive about next year's squad.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="588046" data-time="1465942756">
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<p>HA Ha </p>
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<p>Beauden Barrett will never be the longterm starting 10 for the All Blacks. They will go Sopango when Cruden is injured. If he hasn't developed the skills to direct and fire a backline and set the tempo of the game after this long at the top level he never will. His biggest asset at 10 is his burst of acceleration that catches teams off guard, sadly as he gets older this will fade. He is a great supersub out wide though and can provide passable cover at 10 in a pinch but this is all he is going to be in regards to the All Blacks.</p>
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<p>He could set a record though for the first All Black to reach 100 caps with 90-85% of them off the bench.</p>
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<p>I did not say that Beauden Barrett would be the longterm starting 10, and I largely agree with you (though I think if he works on his weaknesses he could get there - I don't expect him to, though). Though I don't think he'd be willing to hang around long enough to reach 100 caps without ever securing a starting spot.</p>