ABs considering Nonu on the Wing

[Gnostic]

If the All Blacks were ever forced to make the decision, then Ma'a Nonu is more likely to play on the wing than Sonny Bill Williams.




That was the word from All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who said he was interested in a newspaper article in which former All Black selector Earl Kirton said Williams should be moved to the wing.



"Yep, I did [read it] and I have a lot of time for Earle," Smith told The Dominion Post.



"He's someone who thinks outside the square, but we avoided that sort of thinking with Sonny Bill because he was settling in as a midfielder and we wanted to make sure he was comfortable in that role.



"But we have thought about Ma'a [Nonu] as a multi-purpose player. He's played at centre and on the wing for the Hurricanes, and if they were both in great form it's something we could consider. I'm surprised he [Earle] didn't suggest that instead," he added.



Kirton believes that Williams could be used in a similar way to Jonah Lomu, who kept defenders busy while gaps opened up for his team-mates.



Nonu has played on the wing for the Hurricanes and can also slot in at outside centre, and Smith believes a midfield with Williams at inside centre and Nonu in the number 13 jersey, is more likely than either of them playing on the wing.



"Right now Ma'a can also play at 13 well and wing is not exactly a weak point - in fact it's quite the opposite.



"We probably won't go down that track, but it was an interesting article," Smith said.

Well not just on the wing but I had to use the sensationalist headline as well.

Interesting that such a move would exclude the two best 13's in NZ (Smith and Fruen).

 

[Sandpit Fan]

Well not just on the wing but I had to use the sensationalist headline as well.

Interesting that such a move would exclude the two best 13's in NZ (Smith and Fruen).

Big call to label Fruen as the 2nd best 13 I would have thought Gnostic?

Smith for sure, then Kahui I would have thought. Reckon Fruen needs a bit more time yet, benefiting from SBW's offloads makes him look a bit better than he actually is I think.

 

[Gnostic]

Sorry Kahui went missing a lot this year. If he was consistant he would be in front of Fruen. Fruen however has the raw potential and was a consistant performer this year.

Main point though is the Firm seems to be fixated on playing SBW at 12 and keeping Nonu. That would mean losing Smith who is without doubt the best 13 in Kiwi land.

 

[light]

Amen, they have weird fixations. I doubt we would find room for him in our Australian XV if he'd ran across the ditch.

 

[Groucho]

The ABs back division is just one pace shy of being slow. Cowan and Carter are just about OK. SBW has some pace when he winds up but is certainly no livewire. Smith is slower then the average 13. Mils isn't what he was. Put Nonu on a wing and suddenly it all starts to look quite sluggish.

 

[Blue]

Misleading thread title.

"Nonu has played on the wing for the Hurricanes and can also slot in at outside centre, and Smith believes a midfield with Williams at inside centre and Nonu in the number 13 jersey, is more likely than either of them playing on the wing."

Sounds like it's not even a remote possibility.

He's never played wing in a test. The Cartel ain't going to start experimenting now. Kahui is more likely to play on the wing before either of these two because he has done so with some success before.