All Blacks Squad for France
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@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I know we're talking "on paper" but could this be the weakest AB squad in a good number of years? Some of the names floating around are pretty average.
We're a Codie Taylor injury away from playing a couple of very ordinary hookers
Props are starting to go okay with the cantab boys coming back.
Two of the locks are only just test standard, and not really starting quality. If Patty T is next in line then, well, jesus...
In the loosies, i have faith in the opensides (not named Savea), but the rest are green as all fuck.3rd halfback is a cripple fight, and the 2nd guy isn't exactly a reliable test player despite years of experience.
At 10 our starter isn't that good, the anointed backup is definitely not up to standard, lets hope Mo'unga goes alright
The midfielders are either injured, or green (though ALB is having a better year this compared to last)
At least the back 3 look alright.Good post apart from the nonsense about the no. 10. Yes I would go gay for the guy but seriously man. While you can question the relevance and selection process, not very good players do not win back-to-back world player of the year awards.
He means as an out and out 10 not as a rugby player.
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I know we're talking "on paper" but could this be the weakest AB squad in a good number of years? Some of the names floating around are pretty average.
We're a Codie Taylor injury away from playing a couple of very ordinary hookers
Props are starting to go okay with the cantab boys coming back.
Two of the locks are only just test standard, and not really starting quality. If Patty T is next in line then, well, jesus...
In the loosies, i have faith in the opensides (not named Savea), but the rest are green as all fuck.3rd halfback is a cripple fight, and the 2nd guy isn't exactly a reliable test player despite years of experience.
At 10 our starter isn't that good, the anointed backup is definitely not up to standard, lets hope Mo'unga goes alright
The midfielders are either injured, or green (though ALB is having a better year this compared to last)
At least the back 3 look alright.Good post apart from the nonsense about the no. 10. Yes I would go gay for the guy but seriously man. While you can question the relevance and selection process, not very good players do not win back-to-back world player of the year awards.
He means as an out and out 10 not as a rugby player.
What is an 'out and out 10'? Is that Ronan O'Gara/ Jonny Wilkinson type player or a bloke whose individual brilliance and pace tears the opposition a new arse?
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@gt12 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@crucial said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mn5 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
It's probably about time I ask the same question I do every year.
What the hell does Luke Romano do to keep getting in the team?
Luke Romano is the new Todd Blackadder?
Was Todd ever a suitcase? I don't recall that -- IMO like Jon Mitchell he was a pick for a particular need at a particular time.
I'm also in the not yet that persuaded by BB at 10 (I much prefer him as a fullback). An outrageously gifted player who sadly is not good for the team when he plays 10.
Looking at all the cool things he does individually distracts from looking at how his AB backlines have been lacklustre. Thinking sides like the Rennie Chiefs and the BIL shut him down easily enough. He's won one Super series.
Our back play is far worse than under Cruden, who didn't have the athletic gifts but gave other players space and time. Carter added goal kicking, which Beauden still is erratic with.
Yeah those Chiefs really shut him down.
What a nonsense post.
In terms of this thread, you pretty much just proved @mariner4life ’s point?
Fantastic player with plenty of pace, but those highlights hardly show a first five directing play. Plenty of pace though.
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
You don't think we can find highlight reels of Cruden cutting the Hurricanes apart? For that matter I could put 15 minutes showing Ihaia West carving up sides, let alone someone like Sopoaga. Highlights reels aren't worth much as evidence.
No-one disputes his ability with ball in hand.
It's whether he can run a backline.
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@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
As I said, individual brilliance. That is not in doubt.
But Cruden directed a better backline, both at Super and AB level.
I've watched a fair few Rennie Chiefs vs Hurricanes games. Mostly BB has been average. You can pull out exceptions. It's harder for me to pull out whole games where he's been average.
He's still only won one championship.
And lost more AB games than Cruden or DC in their longer careers.
If you mean that Cruden had better players in his backlines, then yes totally agree. Nonu and Konrad shit on the combos BB has played with.
BB replaced Cruden, not because Hansen loves him because he's a much better player and 10. You're entitled to your opinion, just as I'm entitled to say it's complete garbage.
That losses argument is straight out idiotic.
How many games did Cruden have Nonu and Smith? He played with loads of other combos than merely that one. He ran some lively Chiefs backs with some very unpromising material too.
Cruden got dropped for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, he was too frequently injured. Secondly, he made a fool of when he missed that flight overseas, and as much as I think he was a great player he's a lot fond of himself as a person. The "no dickheads" rule may have been an issue.
While Cruden was fit, Beauden was always behind him.
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@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
You don't think we can find highlight reels of Cruden cutting the Hurricanes apart? For that matter I could put 15 minutes showing Ihaia West carving up sides, let alone someone like Sopoaga. Highlights reels aren't worth much as evidence.
No-one disputes his ability with ball in hand.
It's whether he can run a backline.
@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
You don't think we can find highlight reels of Cruden cutting the Hurricanes apart? For that matter I could put 15 minutes showing Ihaia West carving up sides, let alone someone like Sopoaga. Highlights reels aren't worth much as evidence.
No-one disputes his ability with ball in hand.
It's whether he can run a backline.
For me the only difference between BB and DMac is error rate. Neither classically run a backline. Both are able to take destructive advantage of opposition errors and spot opportunities. You can play either at 15 or 10 to display those attributes. DMac will go looking for opportunities a bit more often than BB, who seems happy to wait for them. Because of that DMac's error rate is higher.
For traditional play neither is a 10. -
if thats what we have got , thats what we have got ,
Good coaches will design the gameplan around , making the most of your strengths ,
Still rather be in our position than anyone elses
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@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
You don't think we can find highlight reels of Cruden cutting the Hurricanes apart? For that matter I could put 15 minutes showing Ihaia West carving up sides, let alone someone like Sopoaga. Highlights reels aren't worth much as evidence.
No-one disputes his ability with ball in hand.
It's whether he can run a backline.
@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@rancid-schnitzel said in All Blacks Squad for France:
That's reaching in the extreme. Yeah, despite carving up the Chiefs, his clearing kicks needed another metre. This is beyond ridiculous.
You don't think we can find highlight reels of Cruden cutting the Hurricanes apart? For that matter I could put 15 minutes showing Ihaia West carving up sides, let alone someone like Sopoaga. Highlights reels aren't worth much as evidence.
No-one disputes his ability with ball in hand.
It's whether he can run a backline.
Your claim was that the Chiefs easily contained him. That video clearly showed your claim was a complete load of nonsense, just like the rest of your claims.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mn5 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
It's probably about time I ask the same question I do every year.
What the hell does Luke Romano do to keep getting in the team?
Be better than any of the other options. Patty T. is the apparent next cab off the rank, so the bar isn't set that high.
But it's an interesting question as to who else might be in contention, because it's not a bad place to look for a bolter. Who is the next best available option at each of the Franchises? Strange, Allardice, Franklin? Who at the Canes and Blues?
Pity Big Bird is injured. He's got the frame to be an excellent international option.
I like Strange.
@rapido said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mn5 said in All Blacks Squad for France:
It's probably about time I ask the same question I do every year.
What the hell does Luke Romano do to keep getting in the team?
Be better than any of the other options. Patty T. is the apparent next cab off the rank, so the bar isn't set that high.
But it's an interesting question as to who else might be in contention, because it's not a bad place to look for a bolter. Who is the next best available option at each of the Franchises? Strange, Allardice, Franklin? Who at the Canes and Blues?
Pity Big Bird is injured. He's got the frame to be an excellent international option.
I like Strange.
who doesn't/didn't like a bit of Strange!
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@rapido said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I only have a complex with props and bad hair.
I guess props need to be grown-up men.
When your getting you're neck rammed back through you're ass by other 20 year-olds on a world stage .... you don't want to stand out by having plaits and beads etc ..... it sticks in the mind and forms a complex in right-thinking god-fearing folk like me.
One thing I hate at all levels is a prop with a "Man Bun".
@mikedogz said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@rapido said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I only have a complex with props and bad hair.
I guess props need to be grown-up men.
When your getting you're neck rammed back through you're ass by other 20 year-olds on a world stage .... you don't want to stand out by having plaits and beads etc ..... it sticks in the mind and forms a complex in right-thinking god-fearing folk like me.
One thing I hate at all levels is a prop with a "Man Bun".
I wondered what the Tahs loosehead thought of having the strands wrapped around his face. Not a pleasant thought!
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How many games did Cruden have Nonu and Smith? He played with loads of other combos than merely that one. He ran some lively Chiefs backs with some very unpromising material too.
Cruden got dropped for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, he was too frequently injured. Secondly, he made a fool of when he missed that flight overseas, and as much as I think he was a great player he's a lot fond of himself as a person. The "no dickheads" rule may have been an issue.
While Cruden was fit, Beauden was always behind him.
@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden got dropped for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, he was too frequently injured. Secondly, he made a fool of when he missed that flight overseas, and as much as I think he was a great player he's a lot fond of himself as a person. The "no dickheads" rule may have been an issue.
While Cruden was fit, Beauden was always behind him.
What a load of bullshit. Cruden didn't get dropped because he was injured often or missed a plane. His form dropped off and BB kept on improving. BB was clearly the better player when he overtook Cruden.
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@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden got dropped for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, he was too frequently injured. Secondly, he made a fool of when he missed that flight overseas, and as much as I think he was a great player he's a lot fond of himself as a person. The "no dickheads" rule may have been an issue.
While Cruden was fit, Beauden was always behind him.
What a load of bullshit. Cruden didn't get dropped because he was injured often or missed a plane. His form dropped off and BB kept on improving. BB was clearly the better player when he overtook Cruden.
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@chester-draws said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden got dropped for two reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, he was too frequently injured. Secondly, he made a fool of when he missed that flight overseas, and as much as I think he was a great player he's a lot fond of himself as a person. The "no dickheads" rule may have been an issue.
While Cruden was fit, Beauden was always behind him.
What a load of bullshit. Cruden didn't get dropped because he was injured often or missed a plane. His form dropped off and BB kept on improving. BB was clearly the better player when he overtook Cruden.
Personally I'd have had Cruden inside SBW all day long. But BB inside Crotty. BB was effective as a super sub. Cruden was really an injury replacement.
I think it came down to BB having such an influence that AB selectors wanted him to get as many touches as possible.
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Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
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Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
Apparently it was because he missed a plane. Hansen and co were so incensed by this that they made him starting flyhalf in 2016.
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Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
That's a long winded way to say he was dropped from the starting line up.
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@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
That's a long winded way to say he was dropped from the starting line up.
@toddy said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Cruden didn't really 'dropped', he got injured, he got reselected by the ABs as soon as he got over his injury, then he promptly got injured again and BB got his chance and found his stunning form in the test series and passed him. Then Cruden decided the writing was on the wall and signed overseas.
That's a long winded way to say he was dropped from the starting line up.
Particularly from a selection panel that is at great pains to say you can’t go backwards when you are injured. He was clearly dropped.
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Jesus you guys are pedants - yes, he lost his starting position, he wasn't dropped from the ABs.
@nepia are you new here?
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It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Cruden never blew out his ACL in 2015.
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks Squad for France:
It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if Cruden never blew out his ACL in 2015.
Or if Troy Flavell hadn't stomped on Greg Smith back in 03 and been labelled a thug and a liability...
