Best players in SR this week
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@kiwi_expat said in Best players in SR this week:
@KiwiMurph Yes, although 12 months ago (according to boardies on here...) the Chiefs back three options were useless, I remember it very clearly, we have no quality finishers they said, it's the reason we lost to Razor's mob they said, the poor performances nothing to do with the coaches, we simply don't have the cattle, they said.
Funny thing is they didn't introduce anyone new to the squad & the sentiment has changed completely, it turns out that developing existing players and improved detail in coaching (Paul Feeney's work with Chiefs outside backs in pre-season) can make a difference. The Chiefs' back three are outperforming everyone this season.
Narawa is our best 14 on show, he is almost the complete package at just 23, I'd personally take him over Telea.
Your recollection may be somewhat dimmed. Chiefs had used Trask, Tiatia and Ioane at fullback, and Narawa once, and they were not up to scratch in 15. Stevenson was not used in the latter half of season. Lowe, Nankivell and Tupaea were used on the wing. ENS was horribly inconsistent - but is improved now. Narawa and Stevenson were always the best choices in my view, but were under-utilised. The complaints last year were valid. Having a consistent back three, with a suitably qualified fullback has brought out the best in all of them.
I take it you were just being facetious about the lack of Crusaders backs in the All Black XV, given they were mostly in the main AB's squad or headed overseas. Regardless, Crusaders have 30 players in their 2023 squad who have either been called into All Black or AB XV squad or played for another international team. Blues have 19, Chiefs have 22 - but 4 have not played this season. Hurricanes have 17 and Highlanders 15.
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@kiwi_expat why are you so butt hurt about people being mean towards the crusaders?
there are currently 2 NZ teams playing better than them and higher up the ladder....and so their players aren't CURRENTLY being talked up as much as others....thats makes sense doesn't it?
I legititmately dont get whats got you so worked up
a couple of things from that article
moody DOWN to a 100% chance of going?
Harmon has been very good....but 100% chance of going?
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
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@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
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@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
@mariner4life thats exactly where i am...all fun chat aside...i just cant see fozzie trying anything new unless he's forced too through injury
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There is still room for a prop to force their way in after the season-ending injuries to Bower and Newell. Whether that is a LH or TH will depend on how TuΚ»ungafasi is classified. It's the backend of the SR season that the AB selectors focus on.
@Bovidae I think Newell is only confirmed as done for Super and still a possibility for RWC. At least I haven't seen any update confirming he's not.
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@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
@mariner4life said in Best players in SR this week:
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
It looks to me that this might be an ongoing series of, basically, player power rankings. Gives Richard Knowler a pretty easy column to write every few weeks! I'd do it!
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
Otherwise, I agree with all your points.
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@mariner4life said in Best players in SR this week:
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
It looks to me that this might be an ongoing series of, basically, player power rankings. Gives Richard Knowler a pretty easy column to write every few weeks! I'd do it!
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
Otherwise, I agree with all your points.
@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
it's an easy article to write because too many people still think of the ABs as a rep team like the old days. It's not. It's another team like any other at pro level. You play well enough at a lower grade to get brought in. Once you're in it's hard to get out. The coaches have their guys, and Super rugby is a glorified preseason for them, as they back themselves to use their players "properly" come test rugby.
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@mariner4life said in Best players in SR this week:
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
It looks to me that this might be an ongoing series of, basically, player power rankings. Gives Richard Knowler a pretty easy column to write every few weeks! I'd do it!
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
Otherwise, I agree with all your points.
@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
@mariner4life said in Best players in SR this week:
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
It looks to me that this might be an ongoing series of, basically, player power rankings. Gives Richard Knowler a pretty easy column to write every few weeks! I'd do it!
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
Otherwise, I agree with all your points.
Wait, is all the whining about the poor Crusaders in this thread about a Knowler piece?
The guy probably just puts down the entire Crusaders squad first and keeps going backwards and forwards with his editor removing some of them until they get a publishable piece.
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@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
@mariner4life said in Best players in SR this week:
@ARHS said in Best players in SR this week:
@Kiwiwomble I thought the detail in that article was quite random or whimsical - just looking to stir up readers. The Rayasi, Harmon and Choat %'s were crazy to name just a few. And there were a lot of crazy omissions.
The Herald article seemed on the money to me: Stevenson, Roigard, Norris, Harmon, Aumua as uncapped challengers. I would add Narawa and Ainsley - and the possibility of a 6/8 coming through (Lakai, Flanders, Finau, Mikaele Tu'u, Gardiner) To me, those are the players who have pushed themselves forward on their Super rugby form.
of all of those i can only see Roigard making the WC, and only if they decide against experience for the 3rd halfback (i still sort of expect them to take TJ).
And i think Stephenson makes it only if injuries strike. I can see the fullbacks being BB and DMac, and the wings still being Clarke, Jordan and Telea. And they'll fill the rest of the spots with midfielders. Which is why i see Havili making it too.There will be no new loose forwards.
It looks to me that this might be an ongoing series of, basically, player power rankings. Gives Richard Knowler a pretty easy column to write every few weeks! I'd do it!
If he just picks the team that really will be going he'd have to largely recycle the same article and they won't pay him for that.
Otherwise, I agree with all your points.
Wait, is all the whining about the poor Crusaders in this thread about a Knowler piece?
The guy probably just puts down the entire Crusaders squad first and keeps going backwards and forwards with his editor removing some of them until they get a publishable piece.
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@Nepia Richard knows this article has nothing to do with the real team. He's flying all sorts of kites from the lesser teams.
His last in the series - the day before the squad is named - will be chock full of Crusaders!
@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
@Nepia Richard knows this article has nothing to do with the real team. He's flying all sorts of kites from the lesser teams.
His last in the series - the day before the squad is named - will be chock full of Crusaders!
Yep. Touche
Open question. Do we expect selectors to name a tight squad of 33 for the games prior to RWC or do we go the way other countries have gone and have an enlarged squad that includes those pencilled in AND the first line of reserves. I. E. A squad of up to 43. If an uncapped player is seen as first reserve then it makes sense to bring them in as part of the preparations and test them out sooner than later.
I think Roigard is a must as our Dupont equivalent. The prop injuries suggests a newbie gets tested. And I think we have an enlarged contest at 6 and wing. I may be way off but I think we could see 4 or 5 new players capped prior to RWC but only one or two going.
What do others think?
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@Bovidae I think Newell is only confirmed as done for Super and still a possibility for RWC. At least I haven't seen any update confirming he's not.
@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
@Bovidae I think Newell is only confirmed as done for Super and still a possibility for RWC.
Yes, Foster has confirmed that. "Out for the season" is such an ambiguous term used by the media. Stuff, in this instance.
Foster also mentions the form of Stevenson and Narawa in the same article below.
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@Chris-B said in Best players in SR this week:
@Bovidae I think Newell is only confirmed as done for Super and still a possibility for RWC.
Yes, Foster has confirmed that. "Out for the season" is such an ambiguous term used by the media. Stuff, in this instance.
Foster also mentions the form of Stevenson and Narawa in the same article below.
@Bovidae said in Best players in SR this week:
Foster also mentions the form of Stevenson and Narawa in the same article below.
I hope Foster has as much of a man crush on Narawa as I do, he's like a bigger & better looking Sevu Reece, the other Fijian pocket-rocket right winger. Emoni offers a very identical skillset to Sevu and brings greater versatility since he can cover anywhere between 11-15 comfortably, that aspect could potentially determine his selection.
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Back to the main topic. The form centre this week was Curtis Rona, IMO. He has improved a lot and could keep Nankivell off the 13 jersey when the latter comes back from injury.
@cgrant said in Best players in SR this week:
Back to the main topic. The form centre this week was Curtis Rona, IMO. He has improved a lot and could keep Nankivell off the 13 jersey when the latter comes back from injury.
Daniel Rona?
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Back to the main topic. The form centre this week was Curtis Rona, IMO. He has improved a lot and could keep Nankivell off the 13 jersey when the latter comes back from injury.
@cgrant said in Best players in SR this week:
Back to the main topic. The form centre this week was Curtis Rona, IMO. He has improved a lot and could keep Nankivell off the 13 jersey when the latter comes back from injury.
Really? I thought he had a mare this week. Made some awful decisions ball in hand and helped shut down a couple of very good opportunities for his own team.
It was disappointing after being so good in his last outing.
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@Bovidae said in Best players in SR this week:
Foster also mentions the form of Stevenson and Narawa in the same article below.
I hope Foster has as much of a man crush on Narawa as I do, he's like a bigger & better looking Sevu Reece, the other Fijian pocket-rocket right winger. Emoni offers a very identical skillset to Sevu and brings greater versatility since he can cover anywhere between 11-15 comfortably, that aspect could potentially determine his selection.
@kiwi_expat said in Best players in SR this week:
he can cover anywhere between 11-15 comfortably
He comfortably covers the midfield? First I've heard he even plays there
