Conrad Smith out of first part of RC

[FrankLind]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...rad-Smith-to-miss-start-of-Rugby-Championship

Big blow.

Helps the Aussie chances in the Bledisloe. I think he has been the best player in NZ this year.

 

[p.Tah]

Now when we win the Kiwis will claim it wasn't a true victory because they didn't have their 1st XV

 

[No4918]

Now when we win the Kiwis will claim it wasn't a true victory because they didn't have their 1st XV

I've stopped caring already.

Big loss though. No SBW on top of this and they are missing the 2 form centres in there conference. Who is next in line? Fruean? Is Kahui gone for the season?

 

[Jiggles]

I would love it if they picked Fruean. He is a liability.

 

[Richo]

Now when we win the Kiwis will claim it wasn't a true victory because they didn't have their 1st XV

Our captain is out for the year. I reckon that evens things out.

 

[ACR]

I would love it if they picked Fruean. He is a liability.

I don't think so (him getting picked), Tamati Ellison is a much better option and more than capable of playing All Black rugby.

 

[Jiggles]

Ellison has had a very fine season thats for sure. You'd expect him or Ben Smith for a dark-horse selection.

 

[Gagger]

Good luck on his op. May explain how he's kept ending up on the wrong side of every ruck

 

[qwerty51]

Our captain is out for the year. I reckon that evens things out.

and JOC (James O'Connor) will be out for as long as Conrad

 

[Antony]

Excuse me for being hopelessly parochial for a moment. Ryan Crotty? Only slightly out of position?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

That is a big loss. I'm a huge fan of what Smith brings at test level. I think he's one of the most underrated international players I've seen in my time watching the game.

 

[Dan54]

Antony, can't see Crotty getting in unless they decide to move Nonu out one, I would be comfortable with Ellison or Ben Smith there.

 

[vismyr]

Huge loss -- Smith has been the best centre in the world for several seasons now and he almost single handedly dragged the Hurricanes into the playoffs himself. A true gentleman and credit to the sport...he will be missed in the Wallaby matches. I'd play Ellison before Fruean.

 

[FrankLind]

Now when we win the Kiwis will claim it wasn't a true victory because they didn't have their 1st XV

I think you are confusing us with Reds supporters.

Could be worse though, Pat McCabe and Rob Horne could be our preferred starting options....

 

[Athilnaur]

Don't underestimate McCabe he has only been playing inside centre for what, 15 months? He may not be a Nonu or SBW, Smith or Fourie yet, but he just keeps getting steadily better.

Horne and McCabe are not slicers in attack, but they can and do chop people in defense. Pretty important with so many sides playing off pick and goes.

The ABs can go wide nicely, as per ireland test1, but even Cruden + SBW would have to work hard to break our backrow /centre defensive coverage in the middle.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I think you are confusing us with Reds supporters.

Could be worse though, Pat McCabe and Rob Horne could be our preferred starting options..

I don't know that they are the preferred pairing.

 

[Jiggles]

Horne and McCabe are not slicers in attack, but they can and do chop people in defense. Pretty important with so many sides playing off pick and goes..

McCabe yes, but Horne?

 

[barbarian]

Urgh, here we go again...

 

[Braveheart81]

I hope Horne and Timani get picked again just for the forum vitriol it creates.

 

[Richo]

How good would it be if Tom Carter got a run?