Colin Bourke a possible All Black?

[BjR]

What do you guys think about the Steamers captain Colin Bourke? Has incredible handling skills, kicking skills and running and passing skills. Also effective in defense, reading the game well and positioning himself to take the kick. Maybe a contender for the end of year tour?

 

[Sam Owen]

Yeah Colins been a good player for some time now. I would like to see Faafili Levave go on the EOYT but I'd be happy with Colin going as well. It'd be nice if both could go.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Yeah, he's really pushing his team to full capacity so it would be great if he could make it.

 

[nickdnz]

He's a little bit too lose for my likeing. He's always in the backline, which is all good in the ITM Cup, but in Internationals it could well cost a lot of ball. He has plenty of talent, but just needs to play more like a loose forawrd and less like a center.

 

[Darwin]

He's a little bit too lose for my likeing. He's always in the backline, which is all good in the ITM Cup, but in Internationals it could well cost a lot of ball. He has plenty of talent, but just needs to play more like a loose forawrd and less like a center.

I agree entirely with this. Though his game has tightened up a bit lately, he still plays far too loosely for my liking - this is perhaps unsurprising given he played fullback until after he left school. It looks like he will get a full season at number 8 for the Chiefs next year, he will need to have an exceptional season if he wants to push for a spot in the AB's RWC squad. At the moment I would rank him as the next in line in terms of AB selection behind the 6/8's that have played for the AB's this year (Kaino, Vito, Thomson, Messem, and Read).

 

[Sam Owen]

He's a little bit too lose for my likeing. He's always in the backline, which is all good in the ITM Cup, but in Internationals it could well cost a lot of ball. He has plenty of talent, but just needs to play more like a loose forawrd and less like a center.

Emm...I'll have to third that, still a good player but ah I have seen this from Colin.

 

[Larksea]

havn't seen his last couple of rounds but he's a very good player. Lots of skills for an 8

Good at darting into the backline out wide and making cover tackles, I dont think I've seen enough good stuff from him close in to the ruck either taking the ball up or defending the advantage line or winning turnovers to put him into the All Blacks.

Will be good now Lauaki's gone he'll get a good shot at it this super14, for the chiefs I'd actually prefer to see Messam play at and have colin playing 6. I think Messam has just that bit extra power from the back of the scrum. Just glad Lauaki's out of the picture though, he was a nightmare this year.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I rate Bourke, he and Messam should make a good 6/8 combo for the chiefs next year. Definitely wouldn't look out of place in an AB jersey.