Beaver's all time NZ Super sides
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Beaver named his top Highlanders all time XV last night. Debate away Landers supporters.
- Carl Hoeft
- Anton Oliver
- Carl Hayman
- Simon Maling
- James Ryan
- Taine Randell
- Josh Kronfeld
- Isitolo Maka
- Aaron Smith
- Lima Sopoaga
- Waisake Naholo
- John Leslie
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Jeff Wilson
- Ben Smith
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Beaver named his top Highlanders all time XV last night. Debate away Landers supporters.
- Carl Hoeft
- Anton Oliver
- Carl Hayman
- Simon Maling
- James Ryan
- Taine Randell
- Josh Kronfeld
- Isitolo Maka
- Aaron Smith
- Lima Sopoaga
- Waisake Naholo
- John Leslie
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Jeff Wilson
- Ben Smith
@Canes4life I'm too young to have seen Kronfeld and Randell play in real time however their names are etched into the folklore of Otago/Landers rugby but their loose forward mate Maka at 8 I'm sadly unfamiliar with! Newby the 1st 8 I remember but Nasi Manu was inspirational so would be in my XV
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The 2007 season Evans had at 10 for the Highlanders was excellent and probably the best individual season by a Landers 1st 5 ever. His super form was better than Carters and even had some calling for him to start for the ABs that year.
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The 2007 season Evans had at 10 for the Highlanders was excellent and probably the best individual season by a Landers 1st 5 ever. His super form was better than Carters and even had some calling for him to start for the ABs that year.
@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
The 2007 season Evans had at 10 for the Highlanders was excellent and probably the best individual season by a Landers 1st 5 ever. His super form was better than Carters and even had some calling for him to start for the ABs that year.
But only 30-odd games for the Landers compared to Sopoaga's 80+ (and a Super Rugby title to go with it).
Don't doubt that Evans was the better player, but longevity definitely has to play a role.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
The 2007 season Evans had at 10 for the Highlanders was excellent and probably the best individual season by a Landers 1st 5 ever. His super form was better than Carters and even had some calling for him to start for the ABs that year.
But only 30-odd games for the Landers compared to Sopoaga's 80+ (and a Super Rugby title to go with it).
Don't doubt that Evans was the better player, but longevity definitely has to play a role.
@Mr-Fish definitely and in this exercise I would have Lima at 10 and Mapusua at 12.
More an example of what can be remembered about players when considering players in the mix.
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Beaver named his top Highlanders all time XV last night. Debate away Landers supporters.
- Carl Hoeft
- Anton Oliver
- Carl Hayman
- Simon Maling
- James Ryan
- Taine Randell
- Josh Kronfeld
- Isitolo Maka
- Aaron Smith
- Lima Sopoaga
- Waisake Naholo
- John Leslie
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Jeff Wilson
- Ben Smith
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Beaver named his top Highlanders all time XV last night. Debate away Landers supporters.
- Carl Hoeft
- Anton Oliver
- Carl Hayman
- Simon Maling
- James Ryan
- Taine Randell
- Josh Kronfeld
- Isitolo Maka
- Aaron Smith
- Lima Sopoaga
- Waisake Naholo
- John Leslie
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Jeff Wilson
- Ben Smith
Hard for me to look past Nasi Manu at 8. Absolute inspiration in his years with the team, most notably the 2015 championship year.
Pita Alatini over Leslie at 12. Could even make an argument for Mapusua.
10 - Id say majority would lean Tony Brown but again hard to look past what Lima achieved in his years with the team. Pretty cool that his best years were when Brownie was coaching the side.
Hayman or Meeuws, take your pick. Can’t go wrong either way but I’ll stick with Hayman.
There have been a bunch of good and solid locks but none that really went on and became household names. Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Donnelly, Jarrod Hoeata. Let’s just steal Brad Thorn and add him to the list
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@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Beaver named his top Highlanders all time XV last night. Debate away Landers supporters.
- Carl Hoeft
- Anton Oliver
- Carl Hayman
- Simon Maling
- James Ryan
- Taine Randell
- Josh Kronfeld
- Isitolo Maka
- Aaron Smith
- Lima Sopoaga
- Waisake Naholo
- John Leslie
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Jeff Wilson
- Ben Smith
Hard for me to look past Nasi Manu at 8. Absolute inspiration in his years with the team, most notably the 2015 championship year.
Pita Alatini over Leslie at 12. Could even make an argument for Mapusua.
10 - Id say majority would lean Tony Brown but again hard to look past what Lima achieved in his years with the team. Pretty cool that his best years were when Brownie was coaching the side.
Hayman or Meeuws, take your pick. Can’t go wrong either way but I’ll stick with Hayman.
There have been a bunch of good and solid locks but none that really went on and became household names. Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Donnelly, Jarrod Hoeata. Let’s just steal Brad Thorn and add him to the list
@Landers92 I would have Donnelly ahead of James Ryan. Donnelly was a mainstay and at Super level was a dominant player. Plus his longevity for the landers prior to moving to a couple of other franchises should have him ahead of a number of others.
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And you can see why he’s leaving the Saders (best) to last. Far too difficult to just pick 15. Crusaders 3rd XV would beat these other squads.. .
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And you can see why he’s leaving the Saders (best) to last. Far too difficult to just pick 15. Crusaders 3rd XV would beat these other squads.. .
@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
And you can see why he’s leaving the Saders (best) to last. Far too difficult to just pick 15. Crusaders 3rd XV would beat these other squads.. .
Mate you’re dreaming, those Blues and Canes backlines would tear the Crusaders a new one.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
And you can see why he’s leaving the Saders (best) to last. Far too difficult to just pick 15. Crusaders 3rd XV would beat these other squads.. .
Mate you’re dreaming, those Blues and Canes backlines would tear the Crusaders a new one.
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
And you can see why he’s leaving the Saders (best) to last. Far too difficult to just pick 15. Crusaders 3rd XV would beat these other squads.. .
Mate you’re dreaming, those Blues and Canes backlines would tear the Crusaders a new one.
Thats why those two teams have more trophy's than us.
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Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
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Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
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@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Canes/Blues first five in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest probably fall short man for man.
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@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Canes/Blues first five in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest probably fall short man for man.
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
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@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
You have Merhtens as well to consider.
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@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
Had a sip of my coffee and had a rethink. Marshall was maligned a bit as a player ( and even more so as a commentator ) but he matches up comparatively to Weepu and Tonu'u.
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@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
Had a sip of my coffee and had a rethink. Marshall was maligned a bit as a player ( and even more so as a commentator ) but he matches up comparatively to Weepu and Tonu'u.
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
Had a sip of my coffee and had a rethink. Marshall was maligned a bit as a player ( and even more so as a commentator ) but he matches up comparatively to Weepu and Tonu'u.
Yep, Marshall and Carter definitely stack up but the rest of the backline not so much. You could probably argue Will Jordan but then again Mils had a great career, and Cully, well he's the GOAT in that position.
Unfortunately for the Saders, arguably three of their most influential backs all played 10 in Mehrtens, Carter and Mo'unga and you can only pick 1.
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@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
Had a sip of my coffee and had a rethink. Marshall was maligned a bit as a player ( and even more so as a commentator ) but he matches up comparatively to Weepu and Tonu'u.
Yep, Marshall and Carter definitely stack up but the rest of the backline not so much. You could probably argue Will Jordan but then again Mils had a great career, and Cully, well he's the GOAT in that position.
Unfortunately for the Saders, arguably three of their most influential backs all played 10 in Mehrtens, Carter and Mo'unga and you can only pick 1.
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@MN5 said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Shekou-man said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Hang on a minute how many titles have the Canes won with the backlines that tear us a new one every time they faced us?
Our backline would have torn you to shreds in the one final that we played you in, however you decided to make it impossible for anyone to know where the bloody ball was.
Most of the titles the Crusaders have won are due to your boring brand, scrum and set piece dominance in freezing conditions. No one wants to watch that rubbish.
If these sides faced each other on a dry track, the Crusaders are getting ripped apart. Those Blues and Canes backlines are far superior to anything the Crusaders could put out. Let's be honest.
The only individual who is better than any Cane/Blue in history would be DC ( admittedly in a key position )
The rest fall well short man for man.
Will Carter even make the Crusaders top side based on Richie Mo's results? You could pop him at 12 maybe? That's probably the most heavily debated position out of any side.
Had a sip of my coffee and had a rethink. Marshall was maligned a bit as a player ( and even more so as a commentator ) but he matches up comparatively to Weepu and Tonu'u.
Yep, Marshall and Carter definitely stack up but the rest of the backline not so much. You could probably argue Will Jordan but then again Mils had a great career, and Cully, well he's the GOAT in that position.
Unfortunately for the Saders, arguably three of their most influential backs all played 10 in Mehrtens, Carter and Mo'unga and you can only pick 1.
Just shows how important 10 is to the success of a team.
Crusaders would still beat the Blues backline. Tuitupou and Rieko aren't exactly renowned distributors, and with Mehrts/Carter/Mounga kicking game, the two lethal wingers aren't getting much to counter-attack from.
Canes backs would stuff them though, even with the somewhat limited BB at 10 you've got Nonu and Smith feeding those outsides.
