TRC squad

Bones

Why is Lowe being ramped up when they're obviously more interested in Nanai? And rightly so.

Wurzel

Yup, Nanai is their man. The selectors have a got a good track record of tacking standout Super Rugby fullbacks and turning them into Test quality wings (Jane, Smith, NMS)

DMX

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="603645" data-time="1470531642">
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Savea has been bottling it two seasons, and was bottling it the season he made the ABs, but the ABs took the raw talent and ironed out the issues (for four seasons or so before he lost his form) - that was all fans of Lowe were asking. 
 
Going by your comments looks like you're advocating for Jason Woodward to be starting because it appears he's currently a better 11 than Savea.
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I am a fan of Lowe, but I would acknowledge two errors late in season hurt him, but still clearly has a wider skillset and workrate, than Savea. If Savea had had the same season as Lowe we would not even talk about Savea. Lowe and Nanai are viable options and Moala as a wing option means you could find room for MacKenzie in the squad. Would also say that Sam MacNicol could be banging on the door very soon. Really think about it how bad do you have to be to be dropped from a Championship team and be one of the highest scoring ABs of all time?

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="603760" data-time="1470557743">
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I am a fan of Lowe, but I would acknowledge two errors late in season hurt him, but still clearly has a wider skillset and workrate, than Savea. If Savea had had the same season as Lowe we would not even talk about Savea. Lowe and Nanai are viable options and Moala as a wing option means you could find room for MacKenzie in the squad. Would also say that Sam MacNicol could be banging on the door very soon. Really think about it how bad do you have to be to be dropped from a Championship team and be one of the highest scoring ABs of all time?
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I think everyone would - worst time for it, although he may not even be on the selectors radar. I think most people would think Nanai is a good option. As for McNicol I'd like to see a storming NPC and then a whole good super season first, because he was pretty average for much of the first half, but you tend to forget how young he is.
 
As for Savea, it would be nice if he could get back into form, but he's well off it at the moment.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="603645" data-time="1470531642">
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Savea has been bottling it two seasons, and was bottling it the season he made the ABs, but the ABs took the raw talent and ironed out the issues (for four seasons or so before he lost his form) - that was all fans of Lowe were asking. 
 
Going by your comments looks like you're advocating for Jason Woodward to be starting because it appears he's currently a better 11 than Savea.
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Savea was really good in the 2012 Super Rugby season, if a bit raw. 2011 he was terrible but that was a bad year for the 'canes.
 
I agree with you in regards to Lowe. He could have helped his chances but he was at least considered good enough to start for his team.

pukunui

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="603825" data-time="1470567009">
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Savea was really good in the 2012 Super Rugby season, if a bit raw. 2011 he was terrible but that was a bad year for the 'canes.
 
I agree with you in regards to Lowe. He could have helped his chances but he was at least considered good enough to start for his team.
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Does that matter? All of Cane, TKB, Romano, Faumuina, Moala, Crockett, Crotty, Moody, Harris, Ofa and Squire have had extended periods, either this season or in recent ones, where they haven't be automatic starters yet they are selected without too much fuss. 
I don't think Hansen gives a shit what a lower level coach does with selections if he thinks he can get the best out of a player.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="603846" data-time="1470574568">
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Does that matter? All of Cane, TKB, Romano, Faumuina, Moala, Crockett, Crotty, Moody, Harris, Ofa and Squire have had extended periods, either this season or in recent ones, where they haven't be automatic starters yet they are selected without too much fuss. 
I don't think Hansen gives a shit what a lower level coach does with selections if he thinks he can get the best out of a player.
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He would need the power of a god to get Ofa Tuungafasi competitive against the better props going round.

pukunui

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="603847" data-time="1470576152">
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He would need the power of a god to get Ofa Tuungafasi competitive against the better props going round.
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Well yeah, some of those selections are debatable but more for the player quality rather than the fact that they aren't starting for their Super teams.

pakman

When the AB's reassemble on Thursday, wouldn't be surprised to see Todd and Hames there as back up/ potentially in Sydney 23, and Seta/DMac to make up numbers.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="603846" data-time="1470574568">
<div>
Does that matter? All of Cane, TKB, Romano, Faumuina, Moala, Crockett, Crotty, Moody, Harris, Ofa and Squire have had extended periods, either this season or in recent ones, where they haven't be automatic starters yet they are selected without too much fuss. 
I don't think Hansen gives a shit what a lower level coach does with selections if he thinks he can get the best out of a player.
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The problem being even he hasn't been able to get the best out of Savea for a while now.

pakman

Looks like SBW a write off for 2016. Seta T back in squad? Get well soon, Charlie!

Bovidae

We can assume that the midfield combo selected in Sydney will be the favoured duo for the year now. Hansen and co will have to revise their plans now.

Wurzel

Apparently Leinert-Brown will be brought into the full squad, leapfrogging Seta. Wayne Smith's a massive fan. Was instrumental in getting him from Canterbury to the Chiefs; and the All Blacks had intended to take him away as an apprentice on an end of year tour a few seasons back but he got injured in the NPC.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="604557" data-time="1470786143">
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Apparently Leinert-Brown will be brought into the full squad, leapfrogging Seta. Wayne Smith's a massive fan. Was instrumental in getting him from Canterbury to the Chiefs; and the All Blacks had intended to take him away as an apprentice on an end of year tour a few seasons back but he got injured in the NPC.
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I'm happy with that, I prefer Leinert-Brown to Tamanivalu.

antipodean

Leinert-Brown made the SANZAAAAAAR Super Rugby team. I like the look of him; he never seems flustered and executes very well. That way you could put Moala on the left wing...

KiwiMurph

Yep big fan of ALB - prefer him over Tamanivalu as well - he can also slot in at 12 or 13 which is handy. Very happy with that.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="604572" data-time="1470787268">
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Yep big fan of ALB - prefer him over Tamanivalu as well - he can also slot in at 12 or 13 which is handy. Very happy with that.
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I was going to say that same thing. Made his Super debut on the wing too.

pakman

No point in waiting for Shag -- the Fern has spoken?!
As an aside, Fekitoa just maybe will settle outside an ALB (or CN for that matter). He has an instinctive X-factor which seems to be negated when he has to think too much.

Wairau

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pakman" data-cid="604503" data-time="1470776847">
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Looks like SBW a write off for 2016. Seta T back in squad? Get well soon, Charlie!
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Seems a mistake, in retrospect, for him to go to the Olympics. At his age, with so many miles on the clock already, especially his weight, undergoing the rigorous training for 7's was too much. His decision, and now he must do the patient recovery work for his future career and health. Wish him well.
 
The focus for 7's players should be on light, fast and young-early 20s. NZ's advantage is that we have so many instinctive, skillful and dedicated young players. Not all of them need to become Super 15 players.
 
And don't call them the All Black Sevens!

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wairau" data-cid="604707" data-time="1470815234">Seems a mistake, in retrospect, for him to go to the Olympics. At his age, with so many miles on the clock already, especially his weight, undergoing the rigorous training for 7's was too much. His decision, and now he must do the patient recovery work for his future career and health. Wish him well. 
The focus for 7's players should be on light, fast and young-early 20s. NZ's advantage is that we have so many instinctive, skillful and dedicated young players. Not all of them need to become Super 15 players. 
And don't call them the All Black Sevens!</blockquote>
 
I don't think it was a mistake at all. He was playing okay and it just seemed an innocuous sort of injury rather than a wear and tear sort of thing. 
And we've been pretty successful with the likes of Forbes in the side for a good while and he's far from a light early 20 year old.

The Silver Fern

TRC squad