Yeah Kerevi is probably our go to ball runner now.
Thinking about it, our best period of form as a team coincided with Izzy losing his. He was not very productive during our RWC run. Losing him is a blow to be sure, but i still think these guys can put together a good RWC run without him.
I watched an interview with Mark Gerrard and he made a similar comment: at RWC15, Izzy was crocked and didn't score any tries, so maybe the world doesn't end without him in the backline.
It also coincided with some other players producing some of the best form of their careers.
If Izzy had been firing as well, we might have won the whole thing.
I agree with the premise that we still have the potential to be good without him but I do think the task is more difficult. I don't think those other players shone brighter because Folau was playing poorly and they were required to.
Agreed on all counts. The fact is that Izzy's absence is the reality now, Cheik is going to have to work out a way to win without him and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. It might make the attack a little less one dimensional.
Frank i see a small problem with your proposed team.
Actually, a few
Not least the spelling. Who is Skeleton? The source doesn't keep up with recent news either. And is Phibbs still playing?
Not sure Skeleton has enough meat on his bones to be playing in the starting team.Not least the spelling. Who is Skeleton? The source doesn't keep up with recent news either. And is Phibbs still playing?
So i reckon in order of preference right now it looks something like:
15. DHP, Beale then Banks (maybe Hunt sneaking in as an option).
11. Koroibete or Naivalu
14. Maddocks or Hodge (second fullback role).
We are only an injury or two away from someone like CFS or Newsome getting a chance which is not ideal really.
Good thing the forwards seem to be pretty clear atm, with two pretty top line options in each position.
1. Slipper/Sio
2. Fainga'a/BPA/Rangi
3. AAA/Thor
4. Rodda/Tui
5. Coleman/Arnold
6. Jones/Dempsey
7. Hooper/Pocock
8. Naisirani/McCaffrey
Cant wait to see that much potential handed off to Cheika's 'mate that he played with 25 years ago' to lay the platform for a WC summit attempt.
Parents are AusHow would Pulu qualify? I googled him and it looks like hes an American born Kiwi.
Parents are Aus