I don't disagree with anything Ewis said.
They are starting to hit their ceiling which is a worry. It doesn't help our best and key players are injury prone. It's killing us now. NZ never ever get long injuries. We have 10 of which 6 are first teamers.
also for the record. Farrell will never be dropped. I'm sorry he won't. Anyone saying otherwise is clueless now. Not to be negative but I can't see Ford getting game time against SA or Samoa. They will use it to get Farrell fit and say he is getting caps for 10 minutes. He's not, but Farrell will not be dropped regardless no matter what people say.
NZ never get injuries? Ever heard of Tony Woodcock? Ma'a Nonu? Cory Jane? Dan Carter? (in the squad now but on a light load and almost certainly didn't play because hes returning from a long term injury)
I actually think the reason the AB's over the last ~6 years or so has been so good is that they dont lose matches when they have injuries. Its about depth, experience and team culture. maybe a bit of "rotation"
McCaw has been injured. Cane and Matt Todd were superb.
Dan Carter has been injured and Cruden & Barrett have stepped up. We even had a critical test where Carter, Cruden and Barrett were injured and Tom Taylor was simply fantastic we also have Colin Slade.
Read has been injured and Kaino & Messam have filled in Now we have Vito to cover 8 as well.
Kaino has been injured and with Messam playing they lost nothing.
Tony Woodcock has been injured all season, Crockett and Moody have done really well.
Ma'a Nonu is gone for the season, Conrad Smith has missed games due to injury. Fekitoa has been superb, Crotty has emerged as a genuine test player and now SBW is back.
Romano has been gone the whole season and a lot of the last two seasons, he was a first choice lock when he first got injury problems. Retalick has since established himself as probably the best lock in world rugby in his absence.
Both Sam Whitelock and Retalick have missed games due to injury. Thrush has surprised a lot of people me included with how well he has done. Tuipulotu has come from nowhere this season and we still have Dom Bird sitting at home. Luatua has also been used as lock cover on the bench because of injuries, I actually think he adds a lot to the side in that position.
Final note the All Blacks back 3 stocks, 5 world class players Ben Smith, Dagg, Savea, Jane, Piutau. 4 of them can play fullback and wing. Been great cover, all have missed games due to injury/fatigue. Actually Piutau had all but established himself as a first choice winger before he went out with a long term injury. Also note that Barrett can play 15 or even wing if need be. He's actually a freakishly good 15. Barrett is kinda like Nick Evans but just a lot better...
6-7+ years ago it used to impact the team when we had injures and if either Carter, McCaw, Woodcock, Franks, Read, Whitelock, Nonu, Conrad Smith were injured it was an absolute disaster. now we have genuine test players as alternatives in all positions, sometimes actually 2-3 and what was our problem positions for backup (10 & 7) now have ridiculous amounts of depth.
when you think about it, what it is IMO. Is actually Graham Henry's rotation policy finally really paying off. Plus the current coaches willingness and ability to Blood New Players. The team culture created with Henry and continued/improved by Hansen & Co. And the leadership within the squad.
I can understand why people think the AB's dont get injuries, I assure you they do >.<
interesting reading the comments. I've not seen the game yet MySky+ didn't record it.... Got it recorded now will watch it tonight
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)