2019 Rugby Championship

[Bones]

@taniwharugby said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

So that's a no to Sam/Ardie 6/7 but there is a chance they sub the captain off to play Sam/Ardie 7/8...???

Seems a bit silly to rule it out like that.

Or they will just play them at 6/7 and they're just foxing a bit.

[ACT Crusader]

I don’t think it really matters what positions they are at when it comes to closing the game out. We know both Read and Ardie can handle the back of the scrum at test level and that’s probably the most important issue.

If only Hansen saw the light and had Ardie as the midfield reserve we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

[taniwharugby]

I agree it doesnt matter greatly, just find it odd they would say they wont play 6/7 (not sure we'd see Read/Cane/Savea at 6/7/8 either)

IMO running Cane at 6 potentially solves one of the biggest issues we have in our 15.

[MN5]

I think Cane is even taller than Ardie too, potential lineout problems solved then and there.

[Chris B.]

Makes perfect sense if you're not too rigid in your thinking.

Five loose forwards in the squad, with Scott Barrett providing some cover for 6 from the bench.

In the big games - 6. e.g. Squire; 7. Cane; 8. Read; 20. Ardie. Plus e.g. Frizell.
For the last 20 minutes it's quite possible that we will see Cane move to blindside and Ardie at openside.

In the less big games: 6. Frizell; 7. Cane; 8. Ardie; 20. Squire
AND/OR 6. Frizell; 7. Ardie; 8. Squire; 20. Cane

What we won't see in the big games is Sam Cane starting at 6 with Ardie playing 7. We need a big munter in 6 who can dominate forward collisions and provide lineout height, plus Sam at 7 who is pretty big and dominant for a 7 - like McCaw.

Think Kaino - a big and tall 6; McCaw a big 7; and Read a tall 8.

[Canes4life]

@MN5 Ardie's much taller.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Yes, metres taller!

[Canes4life]

Forget Scott Barrett, the All Black's should be considering Ardie as lock cover.

[MN5]

@Canes4life said in 2019 Rugby Championship:

@MN5 Ardie's much taller.

Hair doesn't count

[Canes4life]

@MN5 Forget Ardie Savea, the All Black's should be considering Sam Cane as locking cover.

[Canes4life]

I'd like to see the All Blacks be bold and give the captaincy to Whitey and go with a Cane 7, Ardie 8 combo.

[98blueandgold]

@Canes4life I agree. Gives us dynamic ball runner/ turnover specialist on field at same time. Our props just are not dynamic enough, having Coles/Taylor at hooker, Barrett or bench with Whitelock-BBBR locks and ardie-cane on field makes us dangerous in forwards.

[Canes4life]

This post is deleted!

[Canes4life]

@98blueandgold Yeah I agree, like Sonny Bill Williams - Kieran Read was amazing in his prime but he hasn't been anywhere near that for the last year or so. I just feel having that Cane - Savea combination gives us a point of difference that no other team in the world can match.

[98blueandgold]

@Canes4life yeah against teams last year our forwards just did not have enough impact against excellent defence. We need ball runners and turnover specialists. Even Hansen has mentioned how props have fallen behind NH counterparts. That is not changing anytime soon but this makes us dangerous.

[Canes4life]

I think having both Coles & Taylor in the same 23 this year will allow us to play with more width as they both like to roam wide and cause havoc. Having Ardie and Cane as our prime loose forward combination will even further that notion where we can run our opposition off the park, especially in the late stages of games. Mobility is key.

[Stargazer]

Just in case you missed it:

The first All Blacks squad of 2019 will be named next Tuesday on the Breakdown (Sky Sport 1, 8.30pm).

[Siam]

When's the team named?

Anyone...?

[taniwharugby]

@Siam tomorrow at 5am

[Siam]

@taniwharugby I shall set the alarm