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Rugby World Cup 2007
All Blacks midfield
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<blockquote data-quote="Ripper" data-source="post: 128319"><p>Mate, I see your point with McAlister, but he exactly hasn't lit the world on fire as of yet also. Mauger at his best ie, in 05 and 06 was unstoppable and in that kind of form I would like to see him with Smith. The paring of McAlister and Smith worked brilliantly against France last year at Lyon, so I suppose it is a proven combination. Also, McAlister does have a huge punt, but what use is that with Carter inside him already accepting that role? I'm talking about tactical kicking, as in nudging the ball into areas where our back three can dominate and put pressure on. I think Mauger is superior in that role.</p><p>Your logic on a "powderpuff" pairing doesnt convince me at all. I wouldnt say Smith who is close to 100kg andMauger at around 90kg is any different from another international pairing. So what's your point?</p><p></p><p>Take your pick at 12, I'm on the fence, hence starting this thread. I would like to see McAlister start in saying that, but I think Henry will prefer Mauger.</p><p></p><p>Toeava still worries me, he seems hesitant to to take the defense on at times (in the All Blacks) and drops the ball (ie, butchered a try against France, then scored, then straight afterwards on the very next phase dropped the ball cold) , he hasn't shown me he can perform like he did for the Blues consistently for NZ. I'd pick Smith any day over him, far more consistent and a much more solid defender.</p><p></p><p></p><p>[/b]</p></blockquote><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>If Henry see's Smith as the way to go for centre, he will go with McAlister inside of him based on past history - If you look back Henry has only ever paired Smith with Umaga at 12 and more recently McAlister. By the powderpuff comment, I meant compared to most other centres, Smith isn't a hard runner, he gets past by going around you and by exploiting gaps, he will never go over the top of you, ditto with Mauger - McAlister and Toeava on the other hand will run the ball hard and fast at the line and break through the defence the old fashioned way. The Cartel seem to prefer taking a "lighting and thunder" approach in the midfield. </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>And Smith has hardly shown to be a consistent at the big time (although he has been injured alot) - he has never played a second against the Tri Nations teams, and has only played when the All Blacks have been destroying the sacrificial lambs the Northern Hemisphere trot out against us. Toeava hasn't really had a chance to be consistent either though, although he seemed to improve in each of the 3 tests he played this year, shame that he had to get injured in the lead up to the Wallaby test, the Wallabies were hardly a fortress on defence that night and him and McAlister could've broken that game open (hopefully we see it tonight)</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>With the kicking Carter isn't always there in a position to take the punt, especially recently when he seems to be spending more time standing on the wing, and in that we need McAlister. Mauger also hasn't really shown he can handle the tactical duties, the only time i've seen him attempt them recently was when he was sending them into the advertising boards at the MCG... sadly for us he was standing outside of the 22.</p><p>[/QUOTE]</p>
[QUOTE="Ripper, post: 128319"] Mate, I see your point with McAlister, but he exactly hasn't lit the world on fire as of yet also. Mauger at his best ie, in 05 and 06 was unstoppable and in that kind of form I would like to see him with Smith. The paring of McAlister and Smith worked brilliantly against France last year at Lyon, so I suppose it is a proven combination. Also, McAlister does have a huge punt, but what use is that with Carter inside him already accepting that role? I'm talking about tactical kicking, as in nudging the ball into areas where our back three can dominate and put pressure on. I think Mauger is superior in that role. Your logic on a "powderpuff" pairing doesnt convince me at all. I wouldnt say Smith who is close to 100kg andMauger at around 90kg is any different from another international pairing. So what's your point? Take your pick at 12, I'm on the fence, hence starting this thread. I would like to see McAlister start in saying that, but I think Henry will prefer Mauger. Toeava still worries me, he seems hesitant to to take the defense on at times (in the All Blacks) and drops the ball (ie, butchered a try against France, then scored, then straight afterwards on the very next phase dropped the ball cold) , he hasn't shown me he can perform like he did for the Blues consistently for NZ. I'd pick Smith any day over him, far more consistent and a much more solid defender. [/b][/quote] If Henry see's Smith as the way to go for centre, he will go with McAlister inside of him based on past history - If you look back Henry has only ever paired Smith with Umaga at 12 and more recently McAlister. By the powderpuff comment, I meant compared to most other centres, Smith isn't a hard runner, he gets past by going around you and by exploiting gaps, he will never go over the top of you, ditto with Mauger - McAlister and Toeava on the other hand will run the ball hard and fast at the line and break through the defence the old fashioned way. The Cartel seem to prefer taking a "lighting and thunder" approach in the midfield. And Smith has hardly shown to be a consistent at the big time (although he has been injured alot) - he has never played a second against the Tri Nations teams, and has only played when the All Blacks have been destroying the sacrificial lambs the Northern Hemisphere trot out against us. Toeava hasn't really had a chance to be consistent either though, although he seemed to improve in each of the 3 tests he played this year, shame that he had to get injured in the lead up to the Wallaby test, the Wallabies were hardly a fortress on defence that night and him and McAlister could've broken that game open (hopefully we see it tonight) With the kicking Carter isn't always there in a position to take the punt, especially recently when he seems to be spending more time standing on the wing, and in that we need McAlister. Mauger also hasn't really shown he can handle the tactical duties, the only time i've seen him attempt them recently was when he was sending them into the advertising boards at the MCG... sadly for us he was standing outside of the 22. [/QUOTE]
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