All Blacks vs Wales
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="574860" data-time="1461630341">
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<p>Also a fan of the backline that Unco put out. The only possible change could be if Naholo is not ready and B. Smith goes to wing and Dagg comes into fullback.</p>
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<p>I'm a little surprised by the Luatua to cover lock calls when we have other specialist locks available and playing well. It was done previously I think because of injuries. My thoughts are that Cane will cover 6 if they want Todd or Savea on the bench.</p>
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<p> I think if a specialist lock is selected on the bench , he will need to be a high impact type ,which is why the hybrid types seem to fit the bill , </p>
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<p>With Shag seeming to put a lot of emphasis on using the bench as a weapon to lift the tempo of the game </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="574893" data-time="1461637523">
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<p>Too much information.</p>
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<p>I don't think Savea literally takes shits on Todd in real life. It's just another one of C4L's Savea-related fantasies.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="574928" data-time="1461645055">
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<p>R Ioane seems to get rated really highly for a fella who's had a couple of handy super games.</p>
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<p>I think part of the reason is there aren't a heap of 14s around putting their hand up.</p>
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<p>But you have to remember he's only just turned 19, only played a handful of ITM Cup games last year and within the space of 4 Super Rugby games he's already become a danger man for opposition. The growth in his game even from ITM Cup last year is quite something. </p>
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<p>He has caught the eye of Hansen too.</p>
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<p><span style="color:rgb(29,29,29);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ngatai is playing really well (and) Rieko Ioane's best position is probably going to be centre. He's going to be involved with the sevens but will be free later in the year," Hansen added.</span></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="574884" data-time="1461634674">
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<p>Haha good joke mate!! Savea shits on Todd. </p>
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<p>......just not from as great a height as you think</p>
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<p>#Saveaisntsixfoottwo</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="574882" data-time="1461634293"><p>I'm not talking starting position, nor first test match if the season. But this year, with NMS out and Smith being the next best RW, it would be a good time to get minutes into a young FB.<br><br>
Because both Smith and Dagg are borderline for 2019.</p></blockquote>
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My opinion only, but I don't think they are worrying about 2019 options at this early stage. Perhaps next year, but now is the time for establishing combinations post the McCaw-Carter-Nonu-Smith-Mealamu era. Some of those questions have been answered in some part but others not. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="574990" data-time="1461653790"><p>
My opinion only, but I don't think they are worrying about 2019 options at this early stage. Perhaps next year, but now is the time for establishing combinations post the McCaw-Carter-Nonu-Smith-Mealamu era. Some of those questions have been answered in some part but others not.</p></blockquote>
Yeah, I'd agree, not likely., will be attempting a smooth transition. <br><br>
I actually thought I was posting in the bolters thread. Proposing a reason for promoting a bolter.<br><br>
But still, with NMS out and all the other RWs being meh or on 7s it would be a good opportunity. Rather than waiting a year and having to sacrafice Smith and NMS minutes. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="574865" data-time="1461631180">
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<p>Well yeah I know but.....they're a proud rugby nation, even 2-0 down in the series when fatguts ( always preferred that name over Shag ) decides he might "blood" a few new players it could potentially be a perfect time to strike. 3-0 in the series is probable but far from fucken definite....</p>
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<p>Catching NZ cold in the 1st test is our only chance.</p>
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<p>And that's with our best 23 fit and on the team sheet and playing to their best ability.</p>
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<p>So, three defeats it is then :(</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="575086" data-time="1461676754">
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<p>Catching NZ cold in the 1st test is our only chance.</p>
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<p>And that's with our best 23 fit and on the team sheet and playing to their best ability.</p>
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<p>So, three defeats it is then :(</p>
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<p>3-0 is probably what will happen but I'm just sensing a bit of the whole "Moff Tarkin not getting ready to evacuate in his moment of triumph" theme here.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="574928" data-time="1461645055">
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<p>R Ioane seems to get rated really highly for a fella who's had a couple of handy super games.</p>
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<p>I think he's the real deal to be honest.</p>
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<p>Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575164" data-time="1461727042"><p>I think he's the real deal to be honest.<br><br>
Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.</p></blockquote>
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Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times. <br><br>
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575164" data-time="1461727042">
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<p>I think he's the real deal to be honest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just has that rare combination of qualities that you get in only that very top bracket of young players. Very similar to J Rok and J Savea in that regard.</p>
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<p>Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.</p>
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<p>Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.</p>
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<p>Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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<p>Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times.<br><br>
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.</p>
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<p>Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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<p>Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times.<br><br>
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.</p>
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<p>Not so sure on Savea IMO, but agree on Rok.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
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<p>Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.</p>
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<p>Didn't Rok only score 4 tries for the Blues that year? I remember he was hardly banging down the door to be selected for the All Blacks and to many he was a surprise when he was.</p>
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<p>However once he was given the 11 jersey for the All Blacks he was dynamite.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="575170" data-time="1461728102">
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<p>Yeah I think his performances in some of these games has been better than just 'handy'.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Going by stats on NZ Herald, Damien Mckenzie, who is having a masterful season, has beaten 36 defenders, made 15 clean breaks and run for 621 metres. In comparison, Rieko Ioane, in half as many games, has beaten 18 defenders, made 10 clean breaks and run for 300 metres.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Obviously these particularly three stats are only looking at ball-in-hand attack, but I think it's still impressive from someone's first 4 games of Super Rugby, and in a team that is struggling on attack.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Savea's first Super Rugby season was 2011 and he was anything but assured, in fact he was quite poor at times and from memory he might have even been dropped at one point. It was year 2 of Super Rugby 2012 that he made the big leap. Rokocoko was excellent in 2003 (although was second fiddle as a winger in the team to Caucau and I don't think he was any further ahead after 4 games into the 2003 season than Rieko is now), <strong>but he did have arguably the best ever Super Rugby backline surrounding him</strong>, a fair difference from Rieko and this Blues team.</p>
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<p>Shit those were the days, Super Rugby was just awesome to watch then and fuck a duck that backline was incredible. Was Tuitupou at 2nd five most of the time ? I remember Mils being centre and Howlett playing at the back and the two Fijians ripping everyone to shreds ( but Rok was definitely the lesser of the two ). Carlos Spencer playing "World class without brain explosions" ( copyright Canes4life ) was a thing of beauty too.</p> -
Man I remember Savea as a 19-20 year old tearing it up in his first year of ITM Cup. Scored 9 tries that season and everyone was talking straight to ABs from Provincial rugby for the 2010 EOYT. <br><br>
He made the Canes squad in 2011 despite the Canes having a bit of talent in the backs and had a good season I thought. What I recall is that there was a bit of rotation in the Canes backs that season as there was with the Blues in 2003. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="575186" data-time="1461731758"><p>Shit those were the days, Super Rugby was just awesome to watch then and fuck a duck that backline was incredible. Was Tuitupou at 2nd five most of the time ? I remember Mils being centre and Howlett playing at the back and the two Fijians ripping everyone to shreds ( but Rok was definitely the lesser of the two ). Carlos Spencer playing "World class without brain explosions" ( copyright Canes4life ) was a thing of beauty too.</p></blockquote>
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Rico Gear was in that side as well. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="575169" data-time="1461728035">
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<p>Really? There was something about the young Rok and Savea and to me when they hit top grade they were very assured and knew what to do with the ball as soon as they got it. From my armchair the evidence on Reiko is that he seems to be still finding that out and has looked a little flat at times.<br><br>
A couple of very good games the past few weeks which is great signs but I wouldn't have him in the class of those two phenoms at the same point in their respective careers.</p>
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<p>I remember Savea being woeful in his first season of super rugby. I've been wise with my super rugby watching this year and thus have yet to see the blues play a full game, but from what I've read,he at least seems to be more than holding his own - more than can be said for Savea</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(unless we are talking about breakfast, lunch or dinner - but that's another convo)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="575183" data-time="1461731509"><p>
Didn't Rok only score 4 tries for the Blues that year? I remember he was hardly banging down the door to be selected for the All Blacks and to many he was a surprise when he was.<br><br>
However once he was given the 11 jersey for the All Blacks he was dynamite.</p></blockquote>
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Agree. That was my recollection.
