New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Twoilms]

I can't decide who would be the first name penciled in on the AB forward pack team sheet, Whitelock or Retallick. I'd be writing them down ahead of precious Franks and the captain and his designated heir in #7, that's for sure.

Of course the team for the Lions completely picks itself and has been etched in stone for fucking months now. Getting a wee bit edgy over the overall complacent safeness of it all though, virtually NO challenges for starting spots. They aint gonna biff the youngest Barrett out there when he’s never even kicked in a test match. Surely not.

Re:midfield, ALBrown at Soup Level seems to be just a solid invisible glueman. As is Crotty. Fekitoa is an embarrassing dogs bollox on attack and Her Royal Highness SBW is lost at fucken sea in his 1.5 games so far this season. Starting to get anxious re:Lions and this semi-shitty array of choices. IhOmo, Faddes and Buckman look better than any of them. Even Jack Goodhue has already shown 20x the straight running draw-and-pass instincts Fekitoa ever has

Regarding your midfield 'problem'. I thought Matt Proctor has been playing some pretty good rugby for the Hurricanes pre-injury. Certainly better than Fekitoa who seems to get a spot in your squad entirely due to being built like a brick shithouse.

 

[Dan54]

Geez and now Liam Squires has broken his thumb, are the Saffas on a bonus from the Lions if they can do in our No8s??

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Barbarians match confirmed for 4 November at Twickenham:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11851169

Fitting match to mark NZR's 125th, World XV's being just about impossible to assemble these days. I read that Dan Carter had been invited to play for Barbs v England, I wonder if they'll ask him to play v AB as well, and if they do whether he'd accept.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

SBW back on the injured list after failing his HIA last night.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11851191

Fortunately we've got midfield options galore so it's nowhere near as worrying as the Coles situation.

Aaron Cruden also has some concussion-like symptoms, hence not playing v Reds, but Rennie's upbeat about his prospects for the CruSadists match in Suva:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ie-does-not-think-cruden-will-be-out-for-long

If things don't pan out he's less of a loss than Coles IMO but moreso than SBW.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Izzy got throughout 40 mins for Uni yesterday & declared himself good to go to Suva.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...comeback-in-club-footy-following-knee-surgery

I'd probably want to see him play at least another half for Uni first, no sense rushing him back in when they don't really need to as Havili's really stepped up in Dagg's absence.

SBW will travel to SA.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11855372

 

[Brumby Runner]

WOB, Havili has been very impressive. Another strong game yesterday v the Canes.

 

[ACT Crusader]

A real pleasant surprise this season has been the form of Havili. He looks quicker and makes good decisions. Confidence seems sky high.

If Dagg's AB chances seem destined for the wing (where he played very well last year along side Bender), perhaps Dagg to the wing and keep Havili at full back.

Bridge and Tamanivalu have also been very good, but Dagg will bring that extra bit of class and finishing polish, which I thought we missed against the Canes to capitalise on the good breakouts we made.

 

[Braveheart81]

Willie Heinz, Jason Woodward and Denny Solomona are in the England training squad for a camp prior to their upcoming tour.

It's only 26 players so good chance they'll make the tour.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Anton Lienert-Brown & Nathan Harris have re-signed with Chiefs & NZRU, AL-B turning down an offer from the CruSadists (he's a Christchurch boy BTW) which perhaps suggests there's an imminent vacancy in their midfield.........

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-harris-sign-multiyear-extensions-with-chiefs

EDIT: Dane Coles & Nehe Milner-Skudder on the comeback trail:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...week-if-coles-and-milnerskudder-make-roadtrip

Shag will be relieved............

 

[Dan54]

Anton Lienert-Brown & Nathan Harris have re-signed with Chiefs & NZRU, AL-B turning down an offer from the CruSadists (he's a Christchurch boy BTW) which perhaps suggests there's an imminent vacancy in their midfield...

Actually WOB, will be interested to see how Harris goes after his injury, I suspect he the kind of hooker that Shag is pretty keen on, and wouldn't be overly surprised to see him in Black again this year

 

[da_grubster]

Actually WOB, will be interested to see how Harris goes after his injury, I suspect he the kind of hooker that Shag is pretty keen on, and wouldn't be overly surprised to see him in Black again this year

If he can spend more than 5 mins away from the physio table that is.

He must be the most highly paid player in NZ on a minutes played basis!

There is a great opportunity for a NZ hooker to get that 3rd spot. Taylor has the 2nd spot behind Coles but doesn't really have a mortgage on it.

I am not sure why we have struggled with hookers recently....chunky/squat rugby players around 5/10 - 6ft is a typical body shape in NZ!

 

[Dan54]

If he can spend more than 5 mins away from the physio table that is.

He must be the most highly paid player in NZ on a minutes played basis!

There is a great opportunity for a NZ hooker to get that 3rd spot. Taylor has the 2nd spot behind Coles but doesn't really have a mortgage on it.

I am not sure why we have struggled with hookers recently..chunky/squat rugby players around 5/10 - 6ft is a typical body shape in NZ!

True Grubs, but I think Harris' injuries have tended to be bad luck and you would hope he put them behind him now. I just think he more of the physical type No 2 that will fit in ABs.

By the way I hear there is the makings of a mini Waiopehu College reunion in London for first Lions test?? Sure with those in attendance there will be very little drinking?

 

[ACT Crusader]

True Grubs, but I think Harris' injuries have tended to be bad luck and you would hope he put them behind him now. I just think he more of the physical type No 2 that will fit in ABs.

By the way I hear there is the makings of a mini Waiopehu College reunion in London for first Lions test?? Sure with those in attendance there will be very little drinking?

I think what they like about Harris is that he likes to play a little wider similar to Coles. Codie Taylor isn't really that guy but has that physical edginess where he throws himself into the tackle and ruck with plenty of mustard. More akin to a seasoned Mealamu.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Thoughts on the hooker pecking order?

1. Coles (by some margin)
2. Taylor
3. ?????
4. ?????

Could be important if Coles' concussion symptoms persist too much longer........

Similarly with the props:

1. Franks
2. Moody
3. Faumuina
4. Crockett
5. Tu'ungafasi (?)
6. ?????

 

[cyclopath]

Thoughts on the hooker pecking order?

1. Coles (by some margin)
2. Taylor
3. ?????
4. ?????

Could be important if Coles' concussion symptoms persist too much longer....

Similarly with the props:

1. Franks
2. Moody
3. Faumuina
4. Crockett
5. Tu'ungafasi (?)
6. ?????

Unusual to see a player who can play prop and hooker well at Test level.

 

[Braveheart81]

Unusual to see a player who can play prop and hooker well at Test level.

That's why they're keeping the player's name a closely guarded secret.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Unusual to see a player who can play prop and hooker well at Test level.

That's why they're keeping the player's name a closely guarded secret.

You guys are so funny you could write the next Adam Sandler movie..............

 

[cyclopath]

You guys are so funny you could write the next Adam Sandler movie......

How do you know I didn't write all the other ones?

 

[zer0]

Because 'Happy Gilmore' was funny.....

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This is fantastic news:

"Charlie Ngatai will make his return to rugby this weekend after almost a year on the sidelines with concussion symptoms."

Short-lived return, not travelling up to Suva due to pulling up with a headache after training on Monday.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...ch-super-rugby-game-against-crusaders-in-fiji

I think he should take the rest of the season off, it's just not worth him risking his long-term health.