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AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?

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  • SnowyS Snowy

    @booboo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @Nepia said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @booboo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    Braydon Ennor has an ACL rip. Out for 9 months.

    Pooh.

    There goes my proposal to test a future 12 ...

    He doesn't look like a test 12 to me ... why do you think he does?

    Dunno.

    Just a thunk.

    Just get this impression he could straighten a line and create some space for a 13 outside him.

    But frankly ignore me. I know nothing about back play ... rugby ... anything much.

    Overly self deprecating there.

    He does have some skills.

    Does the 13 have to be a white boy? Apparently that is an issue.

    boobooB Offline
    boobooB Offline
    booboo
    wrote on last edited by
    #1167

    @Snowy said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @booboo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @Nepia said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @booboo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    @sparky said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

    Braydon Ennor has an ACL rip. Out for 9 months.

    Pooh.

    There goes my proposal to test a future 12 ...

    He doesn't look like a test 12 to me ... why do you think he does?

    Dunno.

    Just a thunk.

    Just get this impression he could straighten a line and create some space for a 13 outside him.

    But frankly ignore me. I know nothing about back play ... rugby ... anything much.

    Overly self deprecating there.

    He does have some skills.

    Does the 13 have to be a white boy? Apparently that is an issue.

    Well he would be in my selection. With s couple if poly wingers ...

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • sharkS shark

      @Nepia Didn't someone mention that as a piss-take and then someone else picked it up and ran with it as if it was a possible scenario? Don't give it any more air, please. Ennor is a wing/centre.

      I would however like to see J Barrett at 12.

      boobooB Offline
      boobooB Offline
      booboo
      wrote on last edited by
      #1168

      @shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

      @Nepia Didn't someone mention that as a piss-take and then someone else picked it up and ran with it as if it was a possible scenario? Don't give it any more air, please. Ennor is a wing/centre.

      I would however like to see J Barrett at 12.

      Wasn't a piss take.

      He just moves like a 12. It's the vibe.

      And I think there's a fair amount of traffic in front of him at 11, 13 & 14.

      sharkS 1 Reply Last reply
      1
      • boobooB booboo

        @shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

        @Nepia Didn't someone mention that as a piss-take and then someone else picked it up and ran with it as if it was a possible scenario? Don't give it any more air, please. Ennor is a wing/centre.

        I would however like to see J Barrett at 12.

        Wasn't a piss take.

        He just moves like a 12. It's the vibe.

        And I think there's a fair amount of traffic in front of him at 11, 13 & 14.

        sharkS Offline
        sharkS Offline
        shark
        wrote on last edited by
        #1169

        @booboo Not anymore there ain't

        boobooB 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • ACT CrusaderA ACT Crusader

          What I think they’ll go with

          9 Smith
          10 B Barrett
          11 Reece
          12 ALB
          13 Goodhue
          14 Ioane
          15 J Barrett

          21 Perenara
          22 Mo’unga
          23 doesn’t matter anyone of Clarke, Jordan, DMac, Bridge etc

          That starting lineup has specialists with versatility.

          M Offline
          M Offline
          Machpants
          wrote on last edited by Machpants
          #1170

          @ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

          What I think they’ll go with

          9 Smith
          10 B Barrett
          11 Reece
          12 ALB
          13 Goodhue
          > 14 Ioane
          15 J Barrett

          21 Perenara
          22 Mo’unga
          23 doesn’t matter anyone of Clarke, Jordan, DMac, Bridge etc

          That starting lineup has specialists with versatility.

          Umm...
          Midfielders
          Braydon Ennor (23, Crusaders, Canterbury, 1)
          Jack Goodhue (25, Crusaders / Northland, 13)
          Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
          Anton Lienert-Brown (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 44)

          ACT CrusaderA 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • M Machpants

            @ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

            What I think they’ll go with

            9 Smith
            10 B Barrett
            11 Reece
            12 ALB
            13 Goodhue
            > 14 Ioane
            15 J Barrett

            21 Perenara
            22 Mo’unga
            23 doesn’t matter anyone of Clarke, Jordan, DMac, Bridge etc

            That starting lineup has specialists with versatility.

            Umm...
            Midfielders
            Braydon Ennor (23, Crusaders, Canterbury, 1)
            Jack Goodhue (25, Crusaders / Northland, 13)
            Rieko Ioane (23, Blues / Auckland, 29)
            Anton Lienert-Brown (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 44)

            ACT CrusaderA Offline
            ACT CrusaderA Offline
            ACT Crusader
            wrote on last edited by
            #1171

            @Machpants don’t believe everything you read...

            1 Reply Last reply
            1
            • sharkS shark

              @booboo Not anymore there ain't

              boobooB Offline
              boobooB Offline
              booboo
              wrote on last edited by
              #1172

              @shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

              @booboo Not anymore there ain't

              Maybe not in front on reflection, but at least in competition with.

              13 Goodhue & Rioane (ALB)

              11,14 Rioane, Clarke, Jordan, Reece, Bridge, JB

              And as you Saders insisted on am Ennor/Goodhue midfield I would have like to see the combo tested with Jack in his best position. Seems the way it was played compromised both 12 and 13, rather than just 12 with my thought experiment. (However your Championship win puts my argument on its place.)

              sharkS 1 Reply Last reply
              1
              • boobooB booboo

                @shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                @booboo Not anymore there ain't

                Maybe not in front on reflection, but at least in competition with.

                13 Goodhue & Rioane (ALB)

                11,14 Rioane, Clarke, Jordan, Reece, Bridge, JB

                And as you Saders insisted on am Ennor/Goodhue midfield I would have like to see the combo tested with Jack in his best position. Seems the way it was played compromised both 12 and 13, rather than just 12 with my thought experiment. (However your Championship win puts my argument on its place.)

                sharkS Offline
                sharkS Offline
                shark
                wrote on last edited by
                #1173

                @booboo Who insisted on a Goodhue / Ennor midfield? Not I. But don't let the truth get in the way of another Ferner trying to perpetuate a bad stereotype.

                boobooB 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • R Offline
                  R Offline
                  reprobate
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #1174

                  ALB has been really mediocre all year. Goodhue at least showed a few nice touches still, in an out of position AB building up slowly sort of a way.
                  Poor old Laumape was far and away the best 12 before injury.

                  BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
                  3
                  • R reprobate

                    ALB has been really mediocre all year. Goodhue at least showed a few nice touches still, in an out of position AB building up slowly sort of a way.
                    Poor old Laumape was far and away the best 12 before injury.

                    BonesB Offline
                    BonesB Offline
                    Bones
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #1175

                    @reprobate said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                    ALB has been really mediocre all year. Goodhue at least showed a few nice touches still, in an out of position AB building up slowly sort of a way.
                    Poor old Laumape was far and away the best 12 before injury.

                    Thought both ALB and Goodhue showed glimpses of the old spark in NvS, but ALB was slightly better at 12. Ennor hasn't exactly set the world on fire at 13, so I just can't get my head around why they'd play 2 guys out of position instead of just 1. If he wants to go to the midfield, why not have a crack at 12?

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    2
                    • voodooV voodoo

                      I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                      How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                      We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                      And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                      I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                      BonesB Offline
                      BonesB Offline
                      Bones
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #1176

                      @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                      I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                      How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                      We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                      And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                      I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                      So much blah. The captain is easily world class at full fitness. Who's touting Barret and Ennor as great options? Yeah woe is us having to choose from Barrett or Mounga at 10, oh no! We have a great core loose forward unit. What are you waffling on about there with cohesiveness? What's your solution to that "issue"?

                      I could see this team toasting SA if we played them tomorrow. Or do you know something no-one else does about how well the Saffa squad is going?

                      voodooV 1 Reply Last reply
                      3
                      • BonesB Bones

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        So much blah. The captain is easily world class at full fitness. Who's touting Barret and Ennor as great options? Yeah woe is us having to choose from Barrett or Mounga at 10, oh no! We have a great core loose forward unit. What are you waffling on about there with cohesiveness? What's your solution to that "issue"?

                        I could see this team toasting SA if we played them tomorrow. Or do you know something no-one else does about how well the Saffa squad is going?

                        voodooV Offline
                        voodooV Offline
                        voodoo
                        wrote on last edited by voodoo
                        #1177

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        So much blah. The captain is easily world class at full fitness.

                        Would you have him in the top 5 opensides in the world? Top 3? I wouldn't. The fact that many don't think he is the best 7 in NZ is also telling.

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        Who's touting Barret and Ennor as great options? .>

                        My point is that where the fuck are all the natural 12's running around? Guys that played their whole career at 12 or at least the last few seasons?

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        Yeah woe is us having to choose from Barrett or Mounga at 10, oh no!

                        I'm obvs OK with this dilemma

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        We have a great core loose forward unit.

                        We do? Who is is? Have they ever played together?

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        What are you waffling on about there with cohesiveness? What's your solution to that "issue"?

                        You don't rate experienced combinations? That seems an odd position. I certainly don't have a solution for it, other than settling on a few combinations and sticking to them.

                        @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                        I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                        How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                        We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                        And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                        I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                        > I could see this team toasting SA if we played them tomorrow. Or do you know something no-one else does about how well the Saffa squad is going?

                        Do you really? I think that SA RWC side knew exactly who they were, what their strengths were, and how they wanted to play in both attack and defense.

                        I don't believe we do. Yet.

                        BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • voodooV voodoo

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          So much blah. The captain is easily world class at full fitness.

                          Would you have him in the top 5 opensides in the world? Top 3? I wouldn't. The fact that many don't think he is the best 7 in NZ is also telling.

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          Who's touting Barret and Ennor as great options? .>

                          My point is that where the fuck are all the natural 12's running around? Guys that played their whole career at 12 or at least the last few seasons?

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          Yeah woe is us having to choose from Barrett or Mounga at 10, oh no!

                          I'm obvs OK with this dilemma

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          We have a great core loose forward unit.

                          We do? Who is is? Have they ever played together?

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          What are you waffling on about there with cohesiveness? What's your solution to that "issue"?

                          You don't rate experienced combinations? That seems an odd position. I certainly don't have a solution for it, other than settling on a few combinations and sticking to them.

                          @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                          I'm almost thankful that we have no games this year, or at most, a couple against the Aussies. Because this team is pretty uninspiring to me. Not for a lack of talent, but for how "messy" it feels. So few guys picking themselves as automatic selections, too many being touted to play out of position, and a new captain that is injury prone and probably not world class even at full fitness.

                          How can we have gone through another season and still have no idea what our midfield should look like? How is it that we have no natural 12's any more? We are touting Jordie Barret or Ennor (pre-injury) as great options, WTF?

                          We are still debating who to play at 10, who our best wings are, who to play at 15. We have no standout at 6, even 8 (maybe Sotutu), and arguably our best 7 will need to come off the bench.

                          And what we absolutely don't have is an cohesiveness in the combinations across the park. Tight 5? Nah. Loosie combination? No. Number 8/9 combo? Nope. Midfield? Maybe of they go back to ALB/Goodhue, but people seem to think this is unlikely. Back 3? Nuh uh.

                          I could see this team getting toasted by SA if we played them tomorrow.

                          > I could see this team toasting SA if we played them tomorrow. Or do you know something no-one else does about how well the Saffa squad is going?

                          Do you really? I think that SA RWC side knew exactly who they were, what their strengths were, and how they wanted to play in both attack and defense.

                          I don't believe we do. Yet.

                          BonesB Offline
                          BonesB Offline
                          Bones
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #1178

                          @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                          voodooV 1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • BonesB Bones

                            @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                            voodooV Offline
                            voodooV Offline
                            voodoo
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #1179

                            @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                            @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                            Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                            also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                            BonesB MN5M taniwharugbyT 3 Replies Last reply
                            1
                            • voodooV voodoo

                              @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                              @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                              Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                              also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                              BonesB Offline
                              BonesB Offline
                              Bones
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #1180

                              @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                              @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                              @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                              Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                              also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                              Ok so you're not serious, understood.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • voodooV voodoo

                                @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                                Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                                also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                                MN5M Online
                                MN5M Online
                                MN5
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #1181

                                @voodoo said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                                Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                                also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                                Don't be so hard on yourself. That's a more thought out post than anything I've managed in 14 or so years on here

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                3
                                • sharkS shark

                                  @booboo Who insisted on a Goodhue / Ennor midfield? Not I. But don't let the truth get in the way of another Ferner trying to perpetuate a bad stereotype.

                                  boobooB Offline
                                  boobooB Offline
                                  booboo
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #1182

                                  @shark said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                  @booboo Who insisted on a Goodhue / Ennor midfield? Not I. But don't let the truth get in the way of another Ferner trying to perpetuate a bad stereotype.

                                  Not you specifically.

                                  You Crusaders.

                                  What's got into the water in this thread.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  2
                                  • voodooV voodoo

                                    @Bones said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                    @voodoo wait what? Oh we're playing them last year? Well let's go with last years results then....

                                    Yeah, I'm comparing AB squad against the SA team from last year, i don't have anything else to go on and they were the standard

                                    also, fuck my formatting is a disgrace

                                    taniwharugbyT Offline
                                    taniwharugbyT Offline
                                    taniwharugby
                                    wrote on last edited by taniwharugby
                                    #1183

                                    @voodoo You belong in the ultimate NPC threads with that thinking 😉

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    2
                                    • F Offline
                                      F Offline
                                      Frank
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #1184

                                      Peter Umaga Jensen should be the second-five.

                                      Actually has played there and has real size.

                                      P 1 Reply Last reply
                                      3
                                      • P pakman

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        I think half the problem is, up until the start of last year, the ABs thought they were perfectly positioned. And then they got muddled in their thinking, panicked, and left us in a mess. And a few chickens came home to roost as well with regards to developmental processes.

                                        Lost faith in their senior players who fell off a cliff, didn't keep experience on the paddock, had terrible luck with injuries, missed a strong leader, and you get the volatile performances that wind up in a semifinal spanking.

                                        In a world cup year it's a bit much to
                                        change your back 3
                                        constantly shuffle your midfield
                                        change your 10
                                        change your thinking at 6. twice.

                                        In my mind way simpler than that, our three workhorses Rettallick, Whitelock and Read all came up empty. Read probably stuck around 2 years too long, Rettalick underdone and Whitelock nothing left in the tank.

                                        that was massive for us. But i can only blame the coaches for 1 of those. And in reality, those were the "development" things i was talking about, we did not have a back up 8 or lock of any substance.

                                        There is also the overseas money. Hard to keep a capped player who is set to ride the pine when there’s huge bucks available. Assuming Read was recognised as having just taken too much damage — back in particular — Steve Luatua would have been great to have had in squad. Charlie F, too.

                                        D Offline
                                        D Offline
                                        DMX
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #1185

                                        @pakman said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                        I think half the problem is, up until the start of last year, the ABs thought they were perfectly positioned. And then they got muddled in their thinking, panicked, and left us in a mess. And a few chickens came home to roost as well with regards to developmental processes.

                                        Lost faith in their senior players who fell off a cliff, didn't keep experience on the paddock, had terrible luck with injuries, missed a strong leader, and you get the volatile performances that wind up in a semifinal spanking.

                                        In a world cup year it's a bit much to
                                        change your back 3
                                        constantly shuffle your midfield
                                        change your 10
                                        change your thinking at 6. twice.

                                        In my mind way simpler than that, our three workhorses Rettallick, Whitelock and Read all came up empty. Read probably stuck around 2 years too long, Rettalick underdone and Whitelock nothing left in the tank.

                                        that was massive for us. But i can only blame the coaches for 1 of those. And in reality, those were the "development" things i was talking about, we did not have a back up 8 or lock of any substance.

                                        There is also the overseas money. Hard to keep a capped player who is set to ride the pine when there’s huge bucks available. Assuming Read was recognised as having just taken too much damage — back in particular — Steve Luatua would have been great to have had in squad. Charlie F, too.

                                        Add to that anxiety related issues for Squire and Iaone, the cupboard was pretty bare. They tried to get Fritzell up to speed but just to early.

                                        BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
                                        1
                                        • D DMX

                                          @pakman said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          I think half the problem is, up until the start of last year, the ABs thought they were perfectly positioned. And then they got muddled in their thinking, panicked, and left us in a mess. And a few chickens came home to roost as well with regards to developmental processes.

                                          Lost faith in their senior players who fell off a cliff, didn't keep experience on the paddock, had terrible luck with injuries, missed a strong leader, and you get the volatile performances that wind up in a semifinal spanking.

                                          In a world cup year it's a bit much to
                                          change your back 3
                                          constantly shuffle your midfield
                                          change your 10
                                          change your thinking at 6. twice.

                                          In my mind way simpler than that, our three workhorses Rettallick, Whitelock and Read all came up empty. Read probably stuck around 2 years too long, Rettalick underdone and Whitelock nothing left in the tank.

                                          that was massive for us. But i can only blame the coaches for 1 of those. And in reality, those were the "development" things i was talking about, we did not have a back up 8 or lock of any substance.

                                          There is also the overseas money. Hard to keep a capped player who is set to ride the pine when there’s huge bucks available. Assuming Read was recognised as having just taken too much damage — back in particular — Steve Luatua would have been great to have had in squad. Charlie F, too.

                                          Add to that anxiety related issues for Squire and Iaone, the cupboard was pretty bare. They tried to get Fritzell up to speed but just to early.

                                          BonesB Offline
                                          BonesB Offline
                                          Bones
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #1186

                                          @DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @pakman said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @DMX said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @nzzp said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          @mariner4life said in AB squad for the Bledisloe Cup?:

                                          I think half the problem is, up until the start of last year, the ABs thought they were perfectly positioned. And then they got muddled in their thinking, panicked, and left us in a mess. And a few chickens came home to roost as well with regards to developmental processes.

                                          Lost faith in their senior players who fell off a cliff, didn't keep experience on the paddock, had terrible luck with injuries, missed a strong leader, and you get the volatile performances that wind up in a semifinal spanking.

                                          In a world cup year it's a bit much to
                                          change your back 3
                                          constantly shuffle your midfield
                                          change your 10
                                          change your thinking at 6. twice.

                                          In my mind way simpler than that, our three workhorses Rettallick, Whitelock and Read all came up empty. Read probably stuck around 2 years too long, Rettalick underdone and Whitelock nothing left in the tank.

                                          that was massive for us. But i can only blame the coaches for 1 of those. And in reality, those were the "development" things i was talking about, we did not have a back up 8 or lock of any substance.

                                          There is also the overseas money. Hard to keep a capped player who is set to ride the pine when there’s huge bucks available. Assuming Read was recognised as having just taken too much damage — back in particular — Steve Luatua would have been great to have had in squad. Charlie F, too.

                                          Add to that anxiety related issues for Squire and Iaone, the cupboard was pretty bare. They tried to get Fritzell up to speed but just to early.

                                          alt text

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