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Rugby Union
International Test Matches
[2014 Mid-Year Tests] New Zealand
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 631590" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I imagine Mealamu, Coles, and Coltman will be the three hookers chosen, but none of those options fill me with that much confidence. Mealamu is past his best and struggles to even get on the field these days due to persistant calf problems. Coles has been solid at test level and has some intriguing skills for a hooker, but I still worry slightly about his lack of physicality and his habit of sitting out on the wing rather than hitting breakdowns. I'm a massive fan of Coltman but his lineout throwing still needs work, and he is not yet proven at Super Rugby level, let alone test level.</p><p></p><p>In terms of LH prop Woodcock is still our best option, but he has been slowly going downhill for the last few seasons. Crockett seems to have the AB's selectors faith but as you say he is a penalty magnet at scrum time. Ben Franks is probably the form LH prop but I worry about his discipline, and the AB's selectors seem to see him more as a TH option. Joe Moody is a good ITM Cup player but is unproven even at Super Rugby level. Toomaga-Allen is for some reason seen as a LH option even though he has played little (if any) rugby on the LH side at Super Rugby level. John Schwalger is an ex-AB, but has shown nothing for Wellington/the Canes to suggest that will change. MackIntosh is good around the field but would get destroyed by international TH's. I do like the look of Hames, but it is far too soon for him. I don't think there is any reason to panic about our LH options, I would be a bit worried if Woodcock got injured though....</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 631590, member: 24910"] I imagine Mealamu, Coles, and Coltman will be the three hookers chosen, but none of those options fill me with that much confidence. Mealamu is past his best and struggles to even get on the field these days due to persistant calf problems. Coles has been solid at test level and has some intriguing skills for a hooker, but I still worry slightly about his lack of physicality and his habit of sitting out on the wing rather than hitting breakdowns. I'm a massive fan of Coltman but his lineout throwing still needs work, and he is not yet proven at Super Rugby level, let alone test level. In terms of LH prop Woodcock is still our best option, but he has been slowly going downhill for the last few seasons. Crockett seems to have the AB's selectors faith but as you say he is a penalty magnet at scrum time. Ben Franks is probably the form LH prop but I worry about his discipline, and the AB's selectors seem to see him more as a TH option. Joe Moody is a good ITM Cup player but is unproven even at Super Rugby level. Toomaga-Allen is for some reason seen as a LH option even though he has played little (if any) rugby on the LH side at Super Rugby level. John Schwalger is an ex-AB, but has shown nothing for Wellington/the Canes to suggest that will change. MackIntosh is good around the field but would get destroyed by international TH's. I do like the look of Hames, but it is far too soon for him. I don't think there is any reason to panic about our LH options, I would be a bit worried if Woodcock got injured though.... [/QUOTE]
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[2014 Mid-Year Tests] New Zealand
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