Hurricanes v Lions
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I'd hope Coles would be back for EOYT, so he'll be there, esp as we play some easier games. But man the Canes forwards need a long hard look at themselves about core work at the ruck an scrum, they were tripe. Even an average effort would have meant a Try Bonus and much bigger win.
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What a shit last 20 mins.
Canes replacement front row sucked arse. Lam certainly can finish a chance. Unlucky not to get 4 after that kick ahead.
I think Jules must have been taking Lam's mojo pills for the last few weeks. He looked strong and busy and took a few good high balls. Great sign.Not sure Lam is making the ABs just yet. Ioane and Naholo are ahead of him for the left wing and i don't think he suits the type of player they want for the right.
He would be competing with Savea for the next power winger if they need to bring someone in though.BB kicks better in howling wind. Maybe they should install big fans at every ground in NZ and turn them on when he lines one up.
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What a shit last 20 mins.
Canes replacement front row sucked arse. Lam certainly can finish a chance. Unlucky not to get 4 after that kick ahead.
I think Jules must have been taking Lam's mojo pills for the last few weeks. He looked strong and busy and took a few good high balls. Great sign.Not sure Lam is making the ABs just yet. Ioane and Naholo are ahead of him for the left wing and i don't think he suits the type of player they want for the right.
He would be competing with Savea for the next power winger if they need to bring someone in though.BB kicks better in howling wind. Maybe they should install big fans at every ground in NZ and turn them on when he lines one up.
@pukunui I don't buy the argument that Lam couldn't play right. He's a much more rounded player than Naholo, great in the air, great vision and not a ball hog, plus has a surprisingly effective boot.
I can't see how the selectors can ignore him but I fear it might happen. Unless they just wanted to see if NMS and Savea could change their minds in camp and they've already decided to select him? NMS looks even more average than Savea at the moment...
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Wasn't that TJ Perenara they were talking to in the intro who said he's hoping to play club rugby next weekend?
All Blacks are surely going to pick five outside backs of whom four will be Ben Smith, Jordie, Rieko and Naholo.
Fifth one - well, I can't see them picking Israel because he's barely touched the ball this year. It's too early for Mataele or Alaimalo. I can't see them going back to Savea - so it's basically a shootout between Lam and NMS.
Two very different wingers, but I can't really see why you wouldn't pick Lam for the squad.
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Wasn't that TJ Perenara they were talking to in the intro who said he's hoping to play club rugby next weekend?
All Blacks are surely going to pick five outside backs of whom four will be Ben Smith, Jordie, Rieko and Naholo.
Fifth one - well, I can't see them picking Israel because he's barely touched the ball this year. It's too early for Mataele or Alaimalo. I can't see them going back to Savea - so it's basically a shootout between Lam and NMS.
Two very different wingers, but I can't really see why you wouldn't pick Lam for the squad.
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@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:
@chris-b you counting DMac as a 10 now?
Aren't you?
He's a certainty as a 10. They'll be sitting him on the bench to cover first five and fullback.
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Well when you spell it out like that, with logic and reason, maybe he will be there. I had forgotten they have played Naholo on the right and Lam would be a similar style.
Can't see Duffie or Havili being selected at this stage given their form and the fact that Smith and Jordie are back.
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@chris-b I guess he'd have to be number 3 at 10 if you take Sops out. Wouldn't be on my bench tough.
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I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.
Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.
WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.
Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.
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I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.
Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.
WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.
Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.
@gunner said in Hurricanes v Lions:
I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.
Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.
WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.
Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.
Yup
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I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.
Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.
WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.
Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.
@gunner said in Hurricanes v Lions:
I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.
Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.
WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.
Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.
And he has red hair.
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I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".
@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:
I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".
Im wondering if Taufua gets a chance at Ardie's expense. The 7 cover is needed less with Todd around. Ardie's career to date has been pretty disappointing. After tge RWC I had predicted that both Saveas would be the stars of that Lions tour. Both were pretty much a flop. Hopefully the Ioanes can become what they should have as a pair.
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@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:
I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".
Im wondering if Taufua gets a chance at Ardie's expense. The 7 cover is needed less with Todd around. Ardie's career to date has been pretty disappointing. After tge RWC I had predicted that both Saveas would be the stars of that Lions tour. Both were pretty much a flop. Hopefully the Ioanes can become what they should have as a pair.
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Well, got the job done in the end. Mixed some high quality periods of play with some utterly braindead stuff - that's been a bit of a trend this year and I can't help but think we'll be punished in our remaining away derby matches for the dumb stuff. We basically gifted the Lions their first two tries, very frustrating.
I'm usually pretty relaxed about the reffing as it's a tough job, but bloody hell I felt like I was watching a different game to him at times. Some baffling calls, against both sides to he fair.
Our wingers were the MOTMs. Lam is such a classy finisher, makes it look easy at times when he has no space - that screams test quality to me, give that man a black shirt. Jules also had a very strong game, not back in AB contention but happy to see him playing well again.
Was disappointed we couldn't ram home he advantage in the final 20. Eves was getting utterly muched in the scrums and we just made silly mistakes.
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I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".
@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:
I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".
I'm expecting that they'll pick six loose forwards - though it's possible that they'd pick five or even seven if they decided to pick Fifita as the fourth locking option. But assuming it's six, then the only absolute cast iron certainty is Sam Cane - though they'll pick the other five from six (maybe seven) contenders.
I think Fifita is highly likely, especially since he played the last couple of tests. Squire should get picked as long as he's fit and has a game or two under his belt.
If you assume those three, then I'd choose Todd, Ioane and Whitelock - and that would be two each of openside, blindside and No. 8 - with a fair bit of crossover utility.
Other contenders would include Ardie and Taufua and just maybe Frizzell, but I think it's too early for him. Might be someone else I'm overlooking? Ardie's realistically the only one with much shot of pushing out one of these six - if he would get picked ahead of Todd, or if the selectors really wanted his test experience on the bench.
However, if Squire isn't fit (and I am correct), it becomes a lot more interesting. To retain the balance, you'd theoretically pick another 8/6, which should be Taufua or Frizzell (or someone else) ahead of Ardie.
