Is Kieran Read Human???

[The Jones Boy]

try genetic testing, 46 chromosomes with specific outline and morphology is enough to say YES

He's kind of human, Homo Superior.

 

[Larksea]

hes a pretty special guy, I thought McCaw would be a once in history player but reads carrier is tracking to be very similar or not far off McCaw.

Read will be IRB player of the year this year, I think it could just as easily be Ben Smith. Read did have a couple quiet games early in the season when Ben Smith was on fire, and Smith had a couple quiet games when he was first moved to 13. But as we saw in that last game Ben Smith is more than capable of being the best 13 in the world.

heck I look at the AB's this year and there are a few others who have really stood out and probably deserved an IRB nod. Retalick, Whitelock and Savea have been Epic good.

 

[Chikwa]

He is so crucial to the team that if he gets injured , there is currently no like for like replacement.Even jerome kaino has never been as effective.He has improved his game or rather evolved his game.He is simply the best!

 

[Larksea]

I honestly think All Blacks have so much depth any of the top team can be replaced, sure we don't have another out pure #8 but if he was injured McCaw or Messam could move to 8 and Cane or Luatua could start.

All Blacks have proved this year they are not just the best team in the world, but they are still the best team in the world even with Key players out injured.

McCaw was injured and Cane stood up, in fact he was awesome. Matt Todd was also required and he actually really impressed me, he proved he is more than capable at test level.
Nonu had an injury and Saili did a fine job in cover.
Messam was injured and Luatua stood up
Romano was injured and Retalick was epic, near best lock in the world, Thrush got a tick as well.
carter injured and Cruden & Barrett were excellent.
Cruden and Barrett were injured and Tom Taylor was simply superb and Slade did a good job too.
Ben Franks was injured and Faumaina more than took his chance.
Conrad Smith took half the season off and Ben Smith slotted straight in.
Ben Smith had to move to 13 and Jane & Piutau slotted straight in.
Savea got injured and Piutau came in and pretty much had 1-2 man of the match efforts
Even with Woodcock out, Crockett and Ben Franks were solid.

depth really has been a key to this seasons record results
injury replacements have not only just come in and done the job but have constantly been some of the best players.

they have had disruptions all the way through but every player that has come in has done their Job when required. It is true Read and probably Sam Whitelock are actually the hardest players to replace. But the AB's could do it and perform at the same level if needed I have no doubt.

 

[Chikwa]

I honestly think All Blacks have so much depth any of the top team can be replaced, sure we don't have another out pure #8 but if he was injured McCaw or Messam could move to 8 and Cane or Luatua could start.

All Blacks have proved this year they are not just the best team in the world, but they are still the best team in the world even with Key players out injured.

McCaw was injured and Cane stood up, in fact he was awesome. Matt Todd was also required and he actually really impressed me, he proved he is more than capable at test level.
Nonu had an injury and Saili did a fine job in cover.
Messam was injured and Luatua stood up
Romano was injured and Retalick was epic, near best lock in the world, Thrush got a tick as well.
carter injured and Cruden & Barrett were excellent.
Cruden and Barrett were injured and Tom Taylor was simply superb and Slade did a good job too.
Ben Franks was injured and Faumaina more than took his chance.
Conrad Smith took half the season off and Ben Smith slotted straight in.
Ben Smith had to move to 13 and Jane & Piutau slotted straight in.
Savea got injured and Piutau came in and pretty much had 1-2 man of the match efforts
Even with Woodcock out, Crockett and Ben Franks were solid.

depth really has been a key to this seasons record results
injury replacements have not only just come in and done the job but have constantly been some of the best players.

they have had disruptions all the way through but every player that has come in has done their Job when required. It is true Read and probably Sam Whitelock are actually the hardest players to replace. But the AB's could do it and perform at the same level if needed I have no doubt.

On the whole we are in one spirit.With regard to Read, even the Great McCaw would not have the same impact as a no 8 as Read.Example he is not as effective with ball in hand, neither is he as good as a line out jumper.I think Hansen should try luatua at 8. Saili in my view is just not good enough.People complain about Fruen but he is much better than saili. Remember his partnership with sonny bill. Hopefully he comes right this season. He should at least be a squad player.

 

[nickdnz]

Read will be IRB player of the year this year, I think it could just as easily be Ben Smith. Read did have a couple quiet games early in the season when Ben Smith was on fire, and Smith had a couple quiet games when he was first moved to 13. But as we saw in that last game Ben Smith is more than capable of being the best 13 in the world.

We did not see that in the last game. He looked lost to me. If there is anything the EoYT has shown its that Ben Smith is not a centre.

 

[HemiBro]

We did not see that in the last game. He looked lost to me. If there is anything the EoYT has shown its that Ben Smith is not a centre.

+1.

Piutau could be a better long term option at centre?

 

[Larksea]

We did not see that in the last game. He looked lost to me. If there is anything the EoYT has shown its that Ben Smith is not a centre.

hehe interesting view. funny watching reunion the other day and sumo, pod and JW raved about ben smith and how he it looked like we had a "young conrad smith" on the field. I thought the same thing, the way Ben smith is defending now he looks very much like Conrad, hes playing the same sort of game difference is he just has an extra yard of pace and a wicked step.

Face it, ben smith missed a couple of tackles in his first game at 13 and got better and better. Against Ireland he totally schooled BOD and clocked up over 100 running meters

think the hardest part of being an AB 13 is babysitting Nonu on defense.

Against France Ben Smith made 9 tackles(high for the backs) missed 0 - very Conrad smith like stats
Nonu made 7 and missed 5

 

[Larksea]

On the whole we are in one spirit.With regard to Read, even the Great McCaw would not have the same impact as a no 8 as Read.Example he is not as effective with ball in hand, neither is he as good as a line out jumper.I think Hansen should try luatua at 8. Saili in my view is just not good enough.People complain about Fruen but he is much better than saili. Remember his partnership with sonny bill. Hopefully he comes right this season. He should at least be a squad player.

Fruen is a liability on defense and he struggles to play 80min and hes hot and cold on attack. he isn't anywhere near All Black selection. Saili is an All Black, only 22 years old. he did well with the chances he got and hes only going to get better and better.

 

[Packman]

Read named IRB Player of the Year.

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9055658,00.html

Awww man! There goes the £30,000 I put on Leigh Halfpenny!!!!!

 

[ianw16]

Read named IRB Player of the Year.

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_9055658,00.html

Awww man! There goes the £30,000 I put on Leigh Halfpenny!!!!!

I wouldn't have even risked a half penny!