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Get your bets in for the All Black Squad for the june tests
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<blockquote data-quote="nickdnz" data-source="post: 508557" data-attributes="member: 38640"><p>I like Ben Smith but I think you have a knack for exaggeration. In his one test match, he made several obvious errors including knocking on his first touch of the ball, missed a tackle on Robertson and failed to score a try from Mike Delany's cross kick. He didn't have a terrible game, but I don't think it's just luck that the selectors haven't selected him for a test match since.</p><p></p><p>His second All Blacks game was against the Barbarians, which he did manage to score an easy try on the end of a final pass from Cory Jane. However his defense was pretty average. he got burned on the outside by Drew Mitchell which lead to Habana's first try and was out of position for Bryan Habana's third try. So yeah, I wasn't overly suprised the AB coaching team have waited a while before he gets the recall.</p><p></p><p>As for Taylor being kinda average in Super Rugby the last few years, I think that's a little harsh. I was never a big fan of his untill this year, however he only play a handful of matches for the Hurricanes before this season and started even fewer. The two games he started last season while Gear was injured he was very impressive, breaking tackles at will (in fact I remember him absolutely demolishing Stephen Donald after break three other tackles during a 60m run).</p><p>I agree with workrate. I think Taylor needs to get himself a bit more involved, but that's my only criticism.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I think that one of the big problems with Weepu during the RWC is that he tried to be the main playmaker. I think that comes at the result of losing your first three 1st 5/8ths. If you look over the matches, he would almost grab the ball from the base of the ruck and then run himself into first receiver. I think next to Carter he will improve because he trusts his 1st 5/8th. Either way I generally think he's not much of a liability. I personally wouldn't have picked him in the team, but I don't think he's a big problem and on form he can read a game very well.</p><p></p><p>In terms of goal kicking, I think it's probably note worthy that he's not likely to be goalkicking, so missing three kicks in the RWC final isn't much of an issue. Stephen Donald has ALWAYS been criticised, it's not like everyone turned against him in the 2010 4th Wallabies Test, it's just he was always potty and that test was the final straw.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, I personally would have gone with Smith and Peranara as the form halfbacks, and if experience was needed than use Any Ellis who's been good for the Crusaders this season. I do think past All Blacks form should be rewarded and despite what people say I think Weepu is generally a very good player in form, however the total lack of professionalism when it comes to off season training and the fact that this isn't the first time he's been selected in the All Blacks on trust, makes me think it's an attitude issue that probably needs sorting. Right now I don't think he's living up to his potential.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="nickdnz, post: 508557, member: 38640"] I like Ben Smith but I think you have a knack for exaggeration. In his one test match, he made several obvious errors including knocking on his first touch of the ball, missed a tackle on Robertson and failed to score a try from Mike Delany's cross kick. He didn't have a terrible game, but I don't think it's just luck that the selectors haven't selected him for a test match since. His second All Blacks game was against the Barbarians, which he did manage to score an easy try on the end of a final pass from Cory Jane. However his defense was pretty average. he got burned on the outside by Drew Mitchell which lead to Habana's first try and was out of position for Bryan Habana's third try. So yeah, I wasn't overly suprised the AB coaching team have waited a while before he gets the recall. As for Taylor being kinda average in Super Rugby the last few years, I think that's a little harsh. I was never a big fan of his untill this year, however he only play a handful of matches for the Hurricanes before this season and started even fewer. The two games he started last season while Gear was injured he was very impressive, breaking tackles at will (in fact I remember him absolutely demolishing Stephen Donald after break three other tackles during a 60m run). I agree with workrate. I think Taylor needs to get himself a bit more involved, but that's my only criticism. I think that one of the big problems with Weepu during the RWC is that he tried to be the main playmaker. I think that comes at the result of losing your first three 1st 5/8ths. If you look over the matches, he would almost grab the ball from the base of the ruck and then run himself into first receiver. I think next to Carter he will improve because he trusts his 1st 5/8th. Either way I generally think he's not much of a liability. I personally wouldn't have picked him in the team, but I don't think he's a big problem and on form he can read a game very well. In terms of goal kicking, I think it's probably note worthy that he's not likely to be goalkicking, so missing three kicks in the RWC final isn't much of an issue. Stephen Donald has ALWAYS been criticised, it's not like everyone turned against him in the 2010 4th Wallabies Test, it's just he was always potty and that test was the final straw. Anyway, I personally would have gone with Smith and Peranara as the form halfbacks, and if experience was needed than use Any Ellis who's been good for the Crusaders this season. I do think past All Blacks form should be rewarded and despite what people say I think Weepu is generally a very good player in form, however the total lack of professionalism when it comes to off season training and the fact that this isn't the first time he's been selected in the All Blacks on trust, makes me think it's an attitude issue that probably needs sorting. Right now I don't think he's living up to his potential. [/QUOTE]
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Get your bets in for the All Black Squad for the june tests
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