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Get your bets in for the All Black Squad for the june tests
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 508561" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>As a massive Ben smith fan (arguably <em>the</em> biggest Ben Smith fan) I agree Smith's introduction to test rugby wasn't that great. He looked a bit overwhelmed in my opinion. He didn't really take his chances - I'd say he was solid at best. He is a far better player now than he was back then though, and fully deserves his chance now (and should have been in the RWC squad last year too, but that is another story!).</p><p></p><p>I actually agree with Larksea though with respect to Taylor being average at Super Rugby for the last couple of seasons. Before this season he had played 15 matches (starting 13) - more than 'just a handful'. He got 5 games in 2009 (4 starts) and did nothing of note. He got much more of a chance last season (10 games, 9 starts), and had a couple of outstanding games (the Chiefs game in particular stands out), but also had a number of very poor games too. This season he has improved his consistency remarkably, but still has work to do in this area. When you compare that to Ben Smith who has played outstanding for Otago and the Highlanders for the last 3-4 seasons there really is no comparison in terms of consistency. Not saying it will be the only reason the AB's selectors opted for Smith over Taylor, but I do agree with Larksea that this would have been a contributing factor.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Agree entirely with that analysis of Weepu, and like you would have gone for the same three halfbacks if I was picking the squad (Smith, Perenara, Ellis).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 508561, member: 24910"] As a massive Ben smith fan (arguably [I]the[/I] biggest Ben Smith fan) I agree Smith's introduction to test rugby wasn't that great. He looked a bit overwhelmed in my opinion. He didn't really take his chances - I'd say he was solid at best. He is a far better player now than he was back then though, and fully deserves his chance now (and should have been in the RWC squad last year too, but that is another story!). I actually agree with Larksea though with respect to Taylor being average at Super Rugby for the last couple of seasons. Before this season he had played 15 matches (starting 13) - more than 'just a handful'. He got 5 games in 2009 (4 starts) and did nothing of note. He got much more of a chance last season (10 games, 9 starts), and had a couple of outstanding games (the Chiefs game in particular stands out), but also had a number of very poor games too. This season he has improved his consistency remarkably, but still has work to do in this area. When you compare that to Ben Smith who has played outstanding for Otago and the Highlanders for the last 3-4 seasons there really is no comparison in terms of consistency. Not saying it will be the only reason the AB's selectors opted for Smith over Taylor, but I do agree with Larksea that this would have been a contributing factor. Agree entirely with that analysis of Weepu, and like you would have gone for the same three halfbacks if I was picking the squad (Smith, Perenara, Ellis). [/QUOTE]
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Get your bets in for the All Black Squad for the june tests
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