William18
First XV
Piutau was MotM in the last test match he played.
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All Blacks final World Cup squad?
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Piutau was MotM in the last test match he played.
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Agree, but Dagg?
As much as I am a fan of Israel Dagg, I think NMS just has it all over him at this point. My picks for the wingers/fullbacks was
B. Smith
Savea
Milner-Skudder
Piutau
I can't see any reason to waver from that. Those are the four that I think Shag will pick
Kiwi_
First XV
Some of the arrogant self proclaimed rugby "experts" on this board operate solely of favouritism and obscure stats instead of actually looking at what's right in front of them on the park.
Was that in reference to anything specific, or just another rant?
Kiwi_
First XV
I heard Corey Jane played well against the womens touch team today, we should definitely take him.
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Well Played indeed, Mr. Jane
TobesHodges
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When's this squad due to be announced?
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sunday evening NZ time
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my picks
prop: Woodcock, Franks, laulala, Franks, Crockett
Hooker: Coles, Mealamu, Taylor (I would have gone for Hika but he hasn't really been given a chance even though he was a dead set form hooker in super rugby)
locks: Retalick, Whitelock, Romano
Loosies: McCaw, Kaino, Read, Cane, Messam, Vito
9: Smith, Perenara, TKB
10: Carter, Barrett, Sapoaga
midfield: Nonu, Smith, SBW
back 3: Smith, savea, Dagg, Skudder
Utility: Piutau (cover 13 wing, probably have a pool game at 13)
observations/concerns
Toss a coin to seperate Slade and Sapoaga.
I would like to drop Dagg for Fekitoa but I can't see the selectors dropping dagg after sticking by him through patchy form for four years only to drop him on the eve of a world cup.
Naholo being available for the 3rd game is an interesting proposition but it's hard to see him being selected after only 50min of test footy.
I have major concerns over savea, he's well down on form and lost a yard of pace that has skuttled his finishing and ability to take the outside option, limiting him to just hitting the ball up and I dont think he's doing the right things to get his mojo back. This IMO that makes piutau a very important player, currently he's a much better option at 11 than Savea. And I think he's a better option for the finals than Skudder.
Skudder has x-factor but that almost never helps in RWC finals, Piutau's extra size, skills, experience and defensive ability will be more important at that time.
I'm not sold on Vito, good game against Aussie but he always looks good in strong/dominant team performances like that. He completely vanishes when games get tough. To his credit he's a superb option at the front of the lineout but that doesn't make up for the fact when the going gets tough he can vanish and go almost whole games unnoticed and only get credit for 2-3 tackles.
Only 3 locks, would have been 4 but Thrush looks slow and out of form to me and Broadhurst only got 40min of test rugby and he didn't do enough which sucks. And our established 3rd lock Tuipulotu is injured. Vito to get gametime at lock during pool play.
Slade, Crotty & Fekitoa very unlucky but it will be unlikely that we go the whole WC without injury, they will be on speed dial. At this point Cruden is the only big name injury we have for the backs.
Other players who really should be in consideration but aren't.
Hika Elliot - IMO on form he is our #2 hooker behind coles. superb and physical around the field and good lineout throwing this year. Should be in the mix but I think his past issues are still haunting him a bit.
Moala - didn't get to play in a good super rugby side but on individual form his year has been right up with Naholo & Skudder, Moala stood out like a lighthouse in a really shabby blues team. Superb and very important try against Samoa. Was an absolute beast in the MAB vs baba's game, like Hika he has a bit of red on his record that may be tipping the finely balanced scales.
Broadhurst - should have been given more than 40min....
prop: Woodcock, Franks, laulala, Franks, Crockett
Hooker: Coles, Mealamu, Taylor (I would have gone for Hika but he hasn't really been given a chance even though he was a dead set form hooker in super rugby)
locks: Retalick, Whitelock, Romano
Loosies: McCaw, Kaino, Read, Cane, Messam, Vito
9: Smith, Perenara, TKB
10: Carter, Barrett, Sapoaga
midfield: Nonu, Smith, SBW
back 3: Smith, savea, Dagg, Skudder
Utility: Piutau (cover 13 wing, probably have a pool game at 13)
observations/concerns
Toss a coin to seperate Slade and Sapoaga.
I would like to drop Dagg for Fekitoa but I can't see the selectors dropping dagg after sticking by him through patchy form for four years only to drop him on the eve of a world cup.
Naholo being available for the 3rd game is an interesting proposition but it's hard to see him being selected after only 50min of test footy.
I have major concerns over savea, he's well down on form and lost a yard of pace that has skuttled his finishing and ability to take the outside option, limiting him to just hitting the ball up and I dont think he's doing the right things to get his mojo back. This IMO that makes piutau a very important player, currently he's a much better option at 11 than Savea. And I think he's a better option for the finals than Skudder.
Skudder has x-factor but that almost never helps in RWC finals, Piutau's extra size, skills, experience and defensive ability will be more important at that time.
I'm not sold on Vito, good game against Aussie but he always looks good in strong/dominant team performances like that. He completely vanishes when games get tough. To his credit he's a superb option at the front of the lineout but that doesn't make up for the fact when the going gets tough he can vanish and go almost whole games unnoticed and only get credit for 2-3 tackles.
Only 3 locks, would have been 4 but Thrush looks slow and out of form to me and Broadhurst only got 40min of test rugby and he didn't do enough which sucks. And our established 3rd lock Tuipulotu is injured. Vito to get gametime at lock during pool play.
Slade, Crotty & Fekitoa very unlucky but it will be unlikely that we go the whole WC without injury, they will be on speed dial. At this point Cruden is the only big name injury we have for the backs.
Other players who really should be in consideration but aren't.
Hika Elliot - IMO on form he is our #2 hooker behind coles. superb and physical around the field and good lineout throwing this year. Should be in the mix but I think his past issues are still haunting him a bit.
Moala - didn't get to play in a good super rugby side but on individual form his year has been right up with Naholo & Skudder, Moala stood out like a lighthouse in a really shabby blues team. Superb and very important try against Samoa. Was an absolute beast in the MAB vs baba's game, like Hika he has a bit of red on his record that may be tipping the finely balanced scales.
Broadhurst - should have been given more than 40min....
Mcfadden
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For anyone interested in the back three situation: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...gg-cory-jane-waisake-naholo-or-charles-piutau
Looks like Skudder will get through but leaves an extra spot between Piutau, Dagg and Naholo. Article sets out some pluses and minuses of each player. Like Dagg or not, he has some skills suited to adverse conditions and he's a specialist fullback. I wouldn't mind them taking a gamble and taking Piutau for reasons already given, and I think his style is more suited to finals footy as Larksea points out. I'm not sure if there will be as much leeway for that tremendous step of Skudder's in a very tight final. When it comes to returning the ball back with kicking, Piutau has more experience at fullback at international level to have confidence doing it. Naholo is too much of a risk at this stage, although I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
Looks like Skudder will get through but leaves an extra spot between Piutau, Dagg and Naholo. Article sets out some pluses and minuses of each player. Like Dagg or not, he has some skills suited to adverse conditions and he's a specialist fullback. I wouldn't mind them taking a gamble and taking Piutau for reasons already given, and I think his style is more suited to finals footy as Larksea points out. I'm not sure if there will be as much leeway for that tremendous step of Skudder's in a very tight final. When it comes to returning the ball back with kicking, Piutau has more experience at fullback at international level to have confidence doing it. Naholo is too much of a risk at this stage, although I look forward to seeing more of him in the future.
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The Jones Boy
First XV
If Dagg is in form he's a shoe in, if not, well... what sort of form is he in because Piatau has been on fire.
Ben Smith is a charismatic player who is comfortable at test level.
I would very much like to see Fekitoa in the squad, he ALWAYS looks good coming on in the last 20
Ben Smith is a charismatic player who is comfortable at test level.
I would very much like to see Fekitoa in the squad, he ALWAYS looks good coming on in the last 20
Dagg 186cm 96kg 1988 Hawke's Bay Fullback/Wing
Lindesfarne College
49 AB Caps 14 Tries 45-3-1
44 Hawke's Bay Caps 12 Tries
25 Highlanders Caps ? Tries
64 Crusaders Caps 20 Tries
Team finished 7th overall (didn't play full season)
Piutau 186cm 96kg 1991 Auckland Fullback/Wing
Wesley College 17-0
16 AB Caps 4 Tries
22 Auckland Caps 8 Tries
41 Blues Caps 8 Tries
Team finished 14th overall (didn't play full season via injury)
Naholo 186cm 96-102kg 1991 Taranaki Wing
Wanganui City College
1 AB Cap 0 Tries 1-0-0
31 Taranaki Caps 14 Tries
2 Blues Caps 1 Try
18 Highlanders Caps 13 Tries
Team won SR final by 7 (played every game bar 1)
Jane 183cm 91kg 1983 Wellington Fullback/Wing
Heretaunga College
53 AB Caps 18 Tries 45-6-2
63 Wellington Caps *30 Tries
94 Hurricanes Caps 24 Tries
Team lost by 7 in SR Final (did not play this game via injury)
NMS 180cm 90kg 1990 Manawatu Fullback/Wing
Queen Elizabeth College
2 AB Caps 2 Tries 1-1-0
35 Manawatu Caps 6 Tries
15 Hurricanes Caps 4 Tries
Team lost by 7 in SR final (didn't play full season)
All vying for 1 ,possibly 2 spots, and even possibly 3 but probably 2
- - - Updated - - -
SBW struggling a little w/out Cruden
I see Sopoaga as a similar style of player to Cruden
Hopefully they find a way to field the 2
Lindesfarne College
49 AB Caps 14 Tries 45-3-1
44 Hawke's Bay Caps 12 Tries
25 Highlanders Caps ? Tries
64 Crusaders Caps 20 Tries
Team finished 7th overall (didn't play full season)
Piutau 186cm 96kg 1991 Auckland Fullback/Wing
Wesley College 17-0
16 AB Caps 4 Tries
22 Auckland Caps 8 Tries
41 Blues Caps 8 Tries
Team finished 14th overall (didn't play full season via injury)
Naholo 186cm 96-102kg 1991 Taranaki Wing
Wanganui City College
1 AB Cap 0 Tries 1-0-0
31 Taranaki Caps 14 Tries
2 Blues Caps 1 Try
18 Highlanders Caps 13 Tries
Team won SR final by 7 (played every game bar 1)
Jane 183cm 91kg 1983 Wellington Fullback/Wing
Heretaunga College
53 AB Caps 18 Tries 45-6-2
63 Wellington Caps *30 Tries
94 Hurricanes Caps 24 Tries
Team lost by 7 in SR Final (did not play this game via injury)
NMS 180cm 90kg 1990 Manawatu Fullback/Wing
Queen Elizabeth College
2 AB Caps 2 Tries 1-1-0
35 Manawatu Caps 6 Tries
15 Hurricanes Caps 4 Tries
Team lost by 7 in SR final (didn't play full season)
All vying for 1 ,possibly 2 spots, and even possibly 3 but probably 2
- - - Updated - - -
SBW struggling a little w/out Cruden
I see Sopoaga as a similar style of player to Cruden
Hopefully they find a way to field the 2
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Kiwi_
First XV
Dagg was poor to put it nicely vs Samoa and South Africa, he was decent against Argentina, but that was them coming back from a lengthy break and not on form away from home. Dagg can only cover fullback, which isn't really enough considering we have a lot of players who can cover this position.
Piutau was excellent in all the All Black matches he played, getting a MoTM performance at Ellis Park, which is a great accolade. Can cover wing and fullback.
Skudder was extremely good in the 2 games vs Australia, showed amazing vision, pace on the ball, what more could you want really. Can cover wing and fullback.
Naholo had one of the best SR seasons an AB winger has seen in a long time, if not ever, looked good vs Argentina, but didn't play long enough - Unfair to select him over players who proved themselves. Can only cover wing.
Selecting Dagg solely on the paranoia B.Smith will get injured, turns him into too much of a passenger and causes a more deserving player to miss out, Skudder/Piutau. His selection is not justified sorry. We have plenty of world class players to cover full back if Ben gets a knock at no ones expense.
Selecting Dagg is detrimental rather than productive.
Selecting Piutau and Skudder is a no brainer, given their versatility, form and injection into the game, they're the best choices.
I think we have more fullback cover than wing cover. If Savea got injured who would play 11? Surely not Slade, it would have to be Ben and pulling him from fullback is not a good idea if we don't have to. I think the injury cover at fullback has been overstated and cover at wing not enough.
Piutau was excellent in all the All Black matches he played, getting a MoTM performance at Ellis Park, which is a great accolade. Can cover wing and fullback.
Skudder was extremely good in the 2 games vs Australia, showed amazing vision, pace on the ball, what more could you want really. Can cover wing and fullback.
Naholo had one of the best SR seasons an AB winger has seen in a long time, if not ever, looked good vs Argentina, but didn't play long enough - Unfair to select him over players who proved themselves. Can only cover wing.
Selecting Dagg solely on the paranoia B.Smith will get injured, turns him into too much of a passenger and causes a more deserving player to miss out, Skudder/Piutau. His selection is not justified sorry. We have plenty of world class players to cover full back if Ben gets a knock at no ones expense.
Selecting Dagg is detrimental rather than productive.
Selecting Piutau and Skudder is a no brainer, given their versatility, form and injection into the game, they're the best choices.
I think we have more fullback cover than wing cover. If Savea got injured who would play 11? Surely not Slade, it would have to be Ben and pulling him from fullback is not a good idea if we don't have to. I think the injury cover at fullback has been overstated and cover at wing not enough.
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NZ All Blacks
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Bring Back Buck
The smart money would be to take Buck Shelford.
He is tall enough to cover lock and has
World cup experience .
The smart money would be to take Buck Shelford.
He is tall enough to cover lock and has
World cup experience .
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Kiwi_
First XV
I think we should be looking at Christian Cullen at fullback, he's proven world class player with loads of experience, I think we will need his cool head in a knock out game. He's got a bad back and starting to get arthritis and hasn't played in a few years, but he's still solid, I saw him playing for the golden oldies a few days ago and he was great, a far better option than Piutau and Skudder who have been 2 of the best All Blacks this year, but that doesn't matter, we need guys to go who we know are good and these guys have only been awesome. Bit of a risk taken these great players.
William18
First XV
The only criticism they gave of Piutau was that Piutau is going overseas. I think that says enough for me that Piutau should definitely be going.
NZ All Blacks
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Agree ! He was unlucky not to be selected for the all blacks RWC in Australia.
Mitchell didn't like him but I think Hansen can see the big picture.
Cullen is a great try scorer -Just before the Eden Park test I watched a
Utube video where he scored over 40 tries in a row.
He has to be in the team.
Mitchell didn't like him but I think Hansen can see the big picture.
Cullen is a great try scorer -Just before the Eden Park test I watched a
Utube video where he scored over 40 tries in a row.
He has to be in the team.
Kiwi_
First XV
The named squad all get medals, also any injury ring ins who played a part.
