My Nz team of round 4
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15.Ben Smith<br>
14.Cory Jane<br>
13.Malakai Fekitoa<br>
12.Charlie Ngatai<br>
11.James Lowes<br>
10.Lima Sopoaga<br>
9.TJ Perenara<br>
8.Jimmy Tupou<br>
7.Ardie Savea<br>
6.Elliott Dixon<br>
5.Sam Whitelock<br>
4.Tom Franklin<br>
3.Owen Franks<br>
2.Dane Coles<br>
1.Chris Eves<br><br><br>
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<p>Hard to select a Crusaders player as the opposition was so weak ! So I would go for Halanukonuka too who was rock solid in the set scrums and tackled without conceding ground the giant forwards who were running at him all match long.</p>
<p>Liam Squire deserves a mention too despite losing a ball in a maul which cost his team a try. He was uncompromising in defence and showed great speed for his try.</p>
<p>I wouldn't go with Aaron Smith this time. His passing was not as accurate as usual. TJP and Weber were very good this week end.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="566341" data-time="1458547708">
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<p>I wouldn't go with Aaron Smith this time. His passing was not as accurate as usual. TJP and Weber were very good this week end.</p>
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<p>Saying Smith was inaccurate and then plumping for Perenara seems rather odd to me....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="566340" data-time="1458544957"><p>3. Siosiua Halanukonuka (the Landers tighthead, had to google his name...)<br>
7. Sam Cane<br>
9. Aaron Smith<br>
14. Sam McNicol (best of a pretty weak bunch IMO but he wins out thanks to that first Chiefs try)</p></blockquote>
Halanukinuka is Tongan international though so did not pick him<br><br><br>
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Even though he got yellow carded I thought TKB was better than Weber. But Aaron Smith was very good again.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="566342" data-time="1458547841">
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<p>Saying Smith was inaccurate and then plumping for Perenara seems rather odd to me....</p>
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<p>Got to agree with this ~ I think he must have got Smith and Parenara confused ~ because one thing I noticed watching the landers after the Canes was how much better a backline can attack when the first receiver is not taking the ball above his head, at his feet, behind him etc.</p>
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<p>Sopoaga must be front runner for the 10 spot ~ added bonus is his drop goal ability ~ he used it pretty effectively last year as well.</p> -
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<p>Big Weber fan here.</p>
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<p>I think the biggest loser in the last 18 months or so has been TJP - not sure he'll see black again this season. Smith, TKB and Weber would be my picks.</p>
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<p>Also, if McKenzie keeps his attacking prowess up, I wouldn't necessarily be surprised to see Smith moved to wing. Even BB must have a few concerns about his impact bench spot.</p>
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<p>Nothing like a good midget to warm the soul.</p> -
<p>Weber has some good traits that would be useful in Test rugby however at present he is nowhere near sharp enough in his core duty of clearing quickly with a fast accurate pass. He is good but only TJP good in that aspect.</p>
<p>The reason Rennie often prefers TKB is because if you want to play a fast style you also need a strong halfback that isn't going to get bullied when he has less protection around the ruck.</p>
<p>Weber is brilliant when he gets clean ball on the go forward but average otherwise.</p>
<p>Aaron Smith has shown that you don't need to be a big halfback so there is no reason that Weber can't improve in those areas but at present TKB edges him on all round usefullness IMO.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="566408" data-time="1458592966"><p>No mention of Blade Thomson? I was impressed with him vs the Force and think he could be useful in the ABs as a bench utility (lock, 6, 8). Dixon is a great prospect too but doesn't cover as many positions.</p></blockquote>
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That raises an interesting point. Without God in the 7 jersey we need a very versatile loose forward reserve and a specialist lock or a 6/lock plus a specialist 7 with a 6/8 playing. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="566391" data-time="1458581404"><p>Big Weber fan here.<br><br>
I think the biggest loser in the last 18 months or so has been TJP - not sure he'll see black again this season. Smith, TKB and Weber would be my picks.<br></p></blockquote>
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TJP is the best running halfback in NZ I reckon. His support play is world class for a 9. There are a number of other deficiencies in his game but I can see why the AB coaches like him as a replacement. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="566409" data-time="1458593431">
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<p>That raises an interesting point. Without God in the 7 jersey we need a very versatile loose forward reserve and a specialist lock or a 6/lock plus a specialist 7 with a 6/8 playing.</p>
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<p>Nah, there's no need to reinvent the wheel, Crucial.</p>
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<p>When Graham Mourie was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards.</p>
<p>When Michael Jones was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards</p>
<p>When Josh Kronfeld was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards</p>
<p>After Richie. the AB's will continue to win afterwards.</p> -
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<p>Nah, there's no need to reinvent the wheel, Crucial.</p>
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<p>When Graham Mourie was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards.</p>
<p>When Michael Jones was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards</p>
<p>When Josh Kronfeld was God, the AB's continued winning afterwards</p>
<p>After Richie. the AB's will continue to win afterwards.</p>
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<p>Didn't say we would start losing. Just pointing out that with McCaw being a starter the bench mix could take into account his ability to play in all three back row positions if required. Cane doesn't offer that cover and nor does Reado.</p>
<p>Does that mean we need a certain lock/6 (plus a 7) on the bench with a 6/8 starting?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="566449" data-time="1458612234">
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<p>TJP is the best running halfback in NZ I reckon. His support play is world class for a 9. There are a number of other deficiencies in his game but I can see why the AB coaches like him as a replacement.</p>
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<p>Except TJP isn't their reserve halfback anymore judging by RWC selection. I don't think TJP is best suited to being an AB reserve due to his temperament. He has a tendency to try too hard when he comes on the field, often making basic mistakes. That's not to say he won't improve but he needs to relax more.</p>
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<p>I agree that TJP is the best running halfback - that's his strength. The good thing is that all three offer something a little different. Four if you include Weber in the mix.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="566457" data-time="1458613220">
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<p>Didn't say we would start losing. Just pointing out that with McCaw being a starter the bench mix could take into account his ability to play in all three back row positions if required. Cane doesn't offer that cover and nor does Reado.</p>
<p>Does that mean we need a certain lock/6 (plus a 7) on the bench with a 6/8 starting?</p>
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<p>not to mention he only didn't finish an AB test only 26 times out of his 148 tests (this includes tests he didn't start but obviously finished)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="566468" data-time="1458614320"><p>Except TJP isn't their reserve halfback anymore judging by RWC selection. I don't think TJP is best suited to being an AB reserve due to his temperament. He has a tendency to try too hard when he comes on the field, often making basic mistakes. That's not to say he won't improve but he needs to relax more.<br><br>
I agree that TJP is the best running halfback - that's his strength. The good thing is that all three offer something a little different. Four if you include Weber in the mix.</p></blockquote>
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I don't disagree that he's a clear bench replacement for Aaron Smith, but World Cups are a bit of an anomaly when it comes to selections.<br><br>
He's right there in the mix and depending on opposition and conditions will largely determine if he's in or out.
