AB EOYT 2018
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@taniwharugby Yeah. Were you the one that hinted that he isn't entirely happy at Ta$man?
@kiwimurph thats what I had heard through the rugby grapevine.
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@kiwimurph cant recall m/any comments about Alaimalo missing out either.
@taniwharugby said in AB EOYT 2018:
@kiwimurph cant recall m/any comments about Alaimalo missing out either.
I guess it was him or Bridge - I think most people are 50/50 on that? I'd like to see Alaimalo in thre but I only have enough man rage to focus on Akira at the moment.
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If they're going for a Ben Smith type of player, Bridge makes more sense than Alaimalo. Bridge has also been more consistent in his performance throughout the year. I think Alaimalo is a good prospect for the future, but I think that will be after the RWC at the earliest. Bridge is basically taking Duffie's spot from last year, who is also similar (in role and in built), but has been very average this year.
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@kirwan said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones said in AB EOYT 2018:
Jesus, every hour Akira gets more and more legendary as the most amazing player in the world ever. Poor old Gibson, so easily forgotten.
Perfectly valid to want to see what he could with an AB forward pack in front of him. The same chance that Whitelock, Frizzel, Fifita, Squire, Savea and now bloody Evans have had.
I agree wholeheartedly. However, that's not what my post was aimed at - the hype being built up around a player that occasionally looks very good at super level is ridiculous. This is blowing the Ngatai nonsense clean outta the water.
Edit: The coaches have different plans for him - at least they have plans. As I said earlier, I really won't be surprised if they break him out for the RWC, when no bugger has had a chance to have a good look at him and see how he's being used.
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones very unlikely that they would use him in the World Cup. This is not there MO.
Probably wouldn't use a fresh as winger from another code either?
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At the risk of offending @Billy-Tell I'm going to continue the "WTF where's Akira?" theme.
His non selection in either of these squads is put in perspective by the selection of Gareth Evans. I’m a huge fan of Evans, he’s a Hawkes Bay boy born and bred and is a class attacking player. Emphasis on the attacking player part. He’s not a stand one off from the ruck and make tackle after tackle kind of guy like Whitelock, he’s not a toil away in the rucks ‘all game’ type of guy like – you know what, who is an example of this type of player? He’s a runner out wide, he’ll do some hit ups and he’ll make some tackles. Evans is a white version of Akira and if you compare them head to head in the Super comp (where Evans was considered to be on fire) and at the stuff you select an Evans for (attack) then Akira comes out on top every time.
I don't know how any of the selectors stand up in a press conference and defend the Evans selection over Akira - although I know they'll probably trot out he can play 7.
In saying all that I hope Evans a. gets a run in Japan and b. carves up ... because if they're not going to select Akira then they may as well select more Magpies in the team.
@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
At the risk of offending @Billy-Tell I'm going to continue the "WTF where's Akira?" theme.
His non selection in either of these squads is put in perspective by the selection of Gareth Evans. I’m a huge fan of Evans, he’s a Hawkes Bay boy born and bred and is a class attacking player. Emphasis on the attacking player part. He’s not a stand one off from the ruck and make tackle after tackle kind of guy like Whitelock, he’s not a toil away in the rucks ‘all game’ type of guy like – you know what, who is an example of this type of player? He’s a runner out wide, he’ll do some hit ups and he’ll make some tackles. Evans is a white version of Akira and if you compare them head to head in the Super comp (where Evans was considered to be on fire) and at the stuff you select an Evans for (attack) then Akira comes out on top every time.
I don't know how any of the selectors stand up in a press conference and defend the Evans selection over Akira - although I know they'll probably trot out he can play 7.
In saying all that I hope Evans a. gets a run in Japan and b. carves up ... because if they're not going to select Akira then they may as well select more Magpies in the team.
Not offending. Just boring. Which is a worse sin...
‘‘Tis ok. When I can’t get to sleep at night, I just read the Akira posts and I’m out in no time at all
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones very unlikely that they would use him in the World Cup. This is not there MO.
Probably wouldn't use a fresh as winger from another code either?
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@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
At the risk of offending @Billy-Tell I'm going to continue the "WTF where's Akira?" theme.
His non selection in either of these squads is put in perspective by the selection of Gareth Evans. I’m a huge fan of Evans, he’s a Hawkes Bay boy born and bred and is a class attacking player. Emphasis on the attacking player part. He’s not a stand one off from the ruck and make tackle after tackle kind of guy like Whitelock, he’s not a toil away in the rucks ‘all game’ type of guy like – you know what, who is an example of this type of player? He’s a runner out wide, he’ll do some hit ups and he’ll make some tackles. Evans is a white version of Akira and if you compare them head to head in the Super comp (where Evans was considered to be on fire) and at the stuff you select an Evans for (attack) then Akira comes out on top every time.
I don't know how any of the selectors stand up in a press conference and defend the Evans selection over Akira - although I know they'll probably trot out he can play 7.
In saying all that I hope Evans a. gets a run in Japan and b. carves up ... because if they're not going to select Akira then they may as well select more Magpies in the team.
Not offending. Just boring. Which is a worse sin...
‘‘Tis ok. When I can’t get to sleep at night, I just read the Akira posts and I’m out in no time at all
@billy-tell said in AB EOYT 2018:
@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
At the risk of offending @Billy-Tell I'm going to continue the "WTF where's Akira?" theme.
His non selection in either of these squads is put in perspective by the selection of Gareth Evans. I’m a huge fan of Evans, he’s a Hawkes Bay boy born and bred and is a class attacking player. Emphasis on the attacking player part. He’s not a stand one off from the ruck and make tackle after tackle kind of guy like Whitelock, he’s not a toil away in the rucks ‘all game’ type of guy like – you know what, who is an example of this type of player? He’s a runner out wide, he’ll do some hit ups and he’ll make some tackles. Evans is a white version of Akira and if you compare them head to head in the Super comp (where Evans was considered to be on fire) and at the stuff you select an Evans for (attack) then Akira comes out on top every time.
I don't know how any of the selectors stand up in a press conference and defend the Evans selection over Akira - although I know they'll probably trot out he can play 7.
In saying all that I hope Evans a. gets a run in Japan and b. carves up ... because if they're not going to select Akira then they may as well select more Magpies in the team.
Not offending. Just boring. Which is a worse sin...
‘‘Tis ok. When I can’t get to sleep at night, I just read the Akira posts and I’m out in no time at all
See, why are you complaining then? you should be thanking us.
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@kiwimurph said in AB EOYT 2018:
@broughie Michael Jones? (note - not comparing Akira with the Iceman).
And Zinny that year as well.
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones very unlikely that they would use him in the World Cup. This is not there MO.
Probably wouldn't use a fresh as winger from another code either?
@bones said in AB EOYT 2018:
@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones very unlikely that they would use him in the World Cup. This is not there MO.
Probably wouldn't use a fresh as winger from another code either?
Or a wet behind the ears winger against the Lions
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@kiwimurph Ok how about under this coaching regime so we are comparing apples to apples.
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We've also seen a guy playing 12 in the NPC and who had never played Super rugby selected as a 15 mid RWC.
@nepia We had some fat bloke plucked from whitebaiting sent into the RWC final!
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@taniwharugby I think Todd was more ringing Hansen informally to seek advice and not pull a Steven Luatua. But, who knows - the story could be bullshit for all I know.
Does seem a bit odd the newbies only finding out when everyone else does. Usually, they know a day or so ahead of time and "only told mum and dad!".
Mind you - if I thought I had any chance of being picked I'd be glued to the live stream.
@chris-b said in AB EOYT 2018:
@taniwharugby I think Todd was more ringing Hansen informally to seek advice and not pull a Steven Luatua. But, who knows - the story could be bullshit for all I know.
Does seem a bit odd the newbies only finding out when everyone else does. Usually, they know a day or so ahead of time and "only told mum and dad!".
Mind you - if I thought I had any chance of being picked I'd be glued to the live stream.
I think it's deliberate - you find out at the same time as everyone else. I reckon it's pretty cool -- getting yoru name read out as a surprise must be awesome
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones perhaps a back but any history of a forward?
To counter that - any history of a player being so involved behind the scenes and never brought in to be shown in actual gameplay?
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I reckon Jordie will cover 10 from bench v Japan, but the starting 10 will play full 80. Inshallah.
Havili also in bench, or starting, to cover for Jordie if he does actually have to move into 10 during the game.
I think starting 10 will be Mo-ouga, with the 2 10/15s going to England the week early with the 23.
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones skips my memory. Do you have someone in mind to make your point?
Is there a player that has been in more camps (or just behind the scenes involvement) than Ioane, ever?
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@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones skips my memory. Do you have someone in mind to make your point?
Is there a player that has been in more camps (or just behind the scenes involvement) than Ioane, ever?
@bones said in AB EOYT 2018:
@broughie said in AB EOYT 2018:
@bones skips my memory. Do you have someone in mind to make your point?S
Is there a player that has been in more camps (or just behind the scenes involvement) than ever?
So I am missing your point. He has been i nvolved in a lot of camps and overlooked for game time. So he gets a participation trophy and a place in the Maoris team for a exotic adventure to the US, Chile and Brazil. Excellent opportunity to work on his work ons whatever they are.
