New Players

[gingergenius]

Right, we've already had the first post World-cup internationals for the Northern Hemisphere, and the 6 Nations saw a large number of young players being blooded.

With half the NZ/Aus/SA players playing in Europe or retired, plus the world cup being in 4 years, I'd expect there to be a fair few new faces.

Can anyone suggest which new/inexperienced players we'll see in the Tri-nations???

 

[Fushitsusha]

For the Wallabies -

Ryan Cross has been great at outside centre for the Force, and despite the fact that Mortlock will be retaining the position and the captaincy, Cross will most likely get plenty of game time either off the bench or possibly starting against lower ranked teams.

NSW halfback Luke Burgess has been in great form recently and I don't want to buy into Sydney media hype but he has a good chance of being somewhere in the Wallaby squad.

Richard Brown (Force) might also get an opportunity at no. 8 for the Wallabies if Dean takes a risk and dumps Palu.

Julian Salvi (Brumbies) has been around for a few years but has been amazing in the past couple of weeks when paired up with Smith. Together they've been absolutely ferocious at the breakdown. I'm not sure if he'll get an opportunity with the Wallabies unless someone is injured or Deans make some radical selections. Unfortunately there are plenty of good backrowers at the moment. David Pocock was strong for the Force earlier on in the season but probably won't be able to get a place in the team due to George Smith and Phil Waugh.

Tyrone Smith (George Smith's brother) has been a revelation for the Brumbies at inside centre and I'm sure that he might get an opportunity of playing for the Wallabies this year.

For the Reds, Dayna Edwards has been fairly strong at tighthead prop, but probably still has a long way to go. Unfortunately the only good tighthead prop in the country is Guy Shepherdson. Waratahs fans will tell you that Matt Dunning should be in the squad. I think he should be shipped back to Canada.

I think Peter Playford (Brumbies) is a far superior winger to Lote Tuqiri but will surely be overlooked. At least he'll get some time for Australia A. Who knows? Outside chance of being part of the Wallabies squad.

Also, Benn Robinson and Tatafu Polata-Nau will finally come back from the wilderness and will surely be playing for the Wallabies.

 

[ChiefsFan]

For the All Blacks? I can't say anything definetely but there are a few backs who will probably end up getting a run in either the Iveco (is it still called that?) Series or the Tri Nations.

Five Eigth - Stephen Brett (Crusaders)
He's looked good for the last couple of years, his defense still needs a bit of work and his Goal Kicking is below par but otherwise has been very useful. Could be picked as a First Five of Second Five, hopefully the former as there's a bit of congestion in the number 10 jersey.

First Five Eigth - Stephen Donald (Chiefs)
Gotten better over the last two years and has really matured. Looked off the pace at the beginning of the season but has come back into form. Picked as a possible bolter for the World Cup squad yesteryear and thus looks like he probably will get a Black Jersey.

Centre - Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
Had a great ANZC in 06 but was out all of 2007 with injury. Lethal tackler, and a good organiser of the defense, good on attack too. The AB selecters last year specifically stated when picking the Tri Nations squad (I think it was) that he couldn't be picked due to injury and thus it appears that they have definitley considered him.

Wing - Lelia Masaga (Chiefs)
Looked good on attack and has brushed up on defense. They call him 'Flash'.

Other possibilites:
Loose Forward - Liam Messam (Chiefs)
Second Five Eigth - Benson Stanley (Blues)
Loose Forward - Tanerau Latimer (Chiefs)
Loose Forward - Kieran Reid (Crusaders)

 

[sambãd5]

i think benson stanly and david smith are the two to be looked at in the blues squad. stanlys been playing well in the centres, but, i think he played on the wing in the npc too, so a bit of variation. however smith has looked like the new big thing - when he gets picked. explosive player, very fast, havent seen much of him on defence but for a attacking winger - definatly worth a look.

also that 5/8 for auckland, lacie munro should back himself. great promise in the small amount of gametime hes had in the npc. also tom mccartney. going to be a great player. simply needs more gametime at super14, and with mealamu there, will have to push himself.

also paku and jane in the hurricanes. debate over both players but both are very young, and have a good chance to impress. i think cheifs fan mentioned all the others, but messam and masaga deserve a better mention.

it is intresting though - it looks to be the two teams with the new promising new blood is the cheifs and crusaders. however with deans going to australia, will canturbury be able to have there massive turnover of youth potential into all black regular still be the same? and lets face it - the chefs havent really ever been able to capitalise on their youth, in terms of international recognition.

 

[Juggernaut]

very hard to see Henry & Co. picking a lot of new players for this years campaign but with the loss of Rokocoko and maybe Carter (and yes, all those others as well) could force their hands.



Benson Stanley & Stephen Brett IMO will be scrutunised very closely tomorrow night when they meet up. Kahui is another name while Laulala might stake his claim also.



for the wingers berth, it's between Masaga & Tuitavake to partner Sivivatu for the ABs.

 

[ChiefsFan]

The problem is, Messam might turn into a Taine Randell (Man, is that spelt right?) He wasn't picked for a while when he clearly was one of the better players in NZ. All this crap about his size is stupid, he's currently the same size as McCaw (thank you commentators) but around this time last year he was the same size as Collins. He could've got a DG for us at the WC

Sambad5 along with everyone else's statements are very good although I feel Smith won't get picked this year simply due to game time. As you S5 mentioned, he hasn't seen much of his defense. I Winger should stand out for his defense after all, how many tackles does you average winger make in a game?

 

[nam97]

The problem is, Messam might turn into a Taine Randell (Man, is that spelt right?) He wasn't picked for a while when he clearly was one of the better players in NZ. All this crap about his size is stupid, he's currently the same size as McCaw (thank you commentators) but around this time last year he was the same size as Collins. He could've got a DG for us at the WC

Sambad5 along with everyone else's statements are very good although I feel Smith won't get picked this year simply due to game time. As you S5 mentioned, he hasn't seen much of his defense. I Winger should stand out for his defense after all, how many tackles does you average winger make in a game?
[/b]

If using Messam's size as an excuse for not selecting him is an issue, then the same theory can be applied to Collins. Jerry was 110kg last year and apparently has dropped down to about 100kg now.

So what the hell does size have to do with selecting a player or not? Messam deserves a chance this year, he's better than Chris Masoe for christ sake. God knows why he's regarded so highly.

 

[ChiefsFan]

If using Messam's size as an excuse for not selecting him is an issue, then the same theory can be applied to Collins. Jerry was 110kg last year and apparently has dropped down to about 100kg now.

So what the hell does size have to do with selecting a player or not? Messam deserves a chance this year, he's better than Chris Masoe for christ sake. God knows why he's regarded so highly. [/b]

My thoughts exactly

 

[Ripper]

No way in hell Donald get's anywhere near a Black Jersey barring injuries or Henry picking a 39 man squad again. He is behind Carter, Evans and Brett (who is highly overated, although at least he won't have to worry about Nacewa making him his ***** anymore) in the pecking order.

Smith could still make a run, especially if he blows up in the last month or so like he did in the NPC when he first burst onto the scene, although thanks to Nucifora the EYOT is (sadly) probably a more realistic goal.

While not exactly a new face, John Afoa has also staked a claim to be in consideration to fill Hayman's shoes. He always had the all round part of his game moulded, but he has improved his scrummaging ten fold this year and who knows what he can do when Mike Cron get's a hold of him.

Kaino from the Blues is also potentially in for a recall.

Kahui would be a good call if he wasn't as brittle as Keith Robinson, Toeava started off with a hiss and a roar before Evan's got injured and he was shunted around before getting injured himself and suffering because of it. So be interesting to see who they roll with at 13 this year.

12 is still a ***** with the first choice McAlister and his two back up's gone - Toeava looked good against the Shark's last year in that semi final and he has the kicking game to go with it, but he has had stuff all game time in that position.

 

[ChiefsFan]

No way in hell Donald get's anywhere near a Black Jersey barring injuries or Henry picking a 39 man squad again. He is behind Carter, Evans and Brett (who is highly overated, although at least he won't have to worry about Nacewa making him his ***** anymore) in the pecking order.
[/b]

I would be willing to argue this. If Brett is (presumably) picked I think it will be in the Second Five role.

 

[Charles]

Smith could still make a run, especially if he blows up in the last month or so like he did in the NPC when he first burst onto the scene, although thanks to Nucifora the EYOT is (sadly) probably a more realistic goal.

[/b]

Smith is samoan, I repeat Smith is Samoan, and no way he arrived as a child or was formed by NZRFU in the age groups or whatever...According to the law, he must have played 3 years in NZ before being able to be capped. Is this the case ?</span>

 

[ChiefsFan]

Hmmmm... I'm not too worried. We have plenty of proven talent out there.

 

[fcukernaut]

<div class='quotemain'>

Smith could still make a run, especially if he blows up in the last month or so like he did in the NPC when he first burst onto the scene, although thanks to Nucifora the EYOT is (sadly) probably a more realistic goal.

[/b]

Smith is samoan, I repeat Smith is Samoan, and no way he arrived as a child or was formed by NZRFU in the age groups or whatever...According to the law, he must have played 3 years in NZ before being able to be capped. Is this the case ?</span>
[/b][/quote]

Yeah, he's 22 years old and I believe he came over when he was 16.

 

[Steve-o]

From the SA side there could be a few as well.

Tonderai Chavhanga - Possibly the fastest player in the world over 100m. Very explosive winger

Rory Kockett - Doesn't have a big reputation but has been keeping Ruan Pienaar out of the Sharks starting 15

Ryan Kankowski - In form 8th man for the SA teams, highly rated, a class player. Period.

Peter Grant - About the only in form flyhalf, but still shining. Young and very up front, confrontational flyhalf

Heinke van der Merwe - Promising young loose head prop, tipped to be the next Os

Andries Bekker - Athletic, great work rate, in form lock.


There are many new talents in the S14 but these are ones that realistically have a chance to make the Bok squad.

 

[ChiefsFan]

How old are Kankowski (who, I'm certain will be in the Boks) and Grant?

I forgot to mention Anthony Tuitavake (Blues). He is probably one of the best centres in NZ and has been for the past few years, which is exactly why I don't think he will be an AB. He hasn't made a vast improvement in his game in the last year or so but is still lethal, yet the Selectors haven't picked him. I don't think they like him and thus I don't think he will be picked, although he should.

 

[Steve-o]

Kankowski is 22 and Grant is 23

 

[ChiefsFan]

They look older from a distance

I can see them both going veeery far.

 

[Ripper]

<div class='quotemain'>

Smith could still make a run, especially if he blows up in the last month or so like he did in the NPC when he first burst onto the scene, although thanks to Nucifora the EYOT is (sadly) probably a more realistic goal.

[/b]

DUMBARSE ALERT !! DUMBARSE ALERT !!

Charles is yet again making himself look like a fool, I repeat Charles is making making himself look like a fool again


Next time, just type "I'm a Dipshit" in big, bold letters, end result will be the same, just speed up the process.

He came to NZ in his early teen's, played for Mt Albert Grammer and is now in his 3rd season for Auckland.

I would be willing to argue this. If Brett is (presumably) picked I think it will be in the Second Five role.
[/b]

Wouldn't matter, the Cartel would just carry Carter and Evans as the two specialists, with Brett being used as the 3rd choice Fly Half, like they did with McAlister last year. There's nothing to argue. Donald will only be an All Black if Henry picks a larger than usual squad or injuries occur to Carter or Evans.

 

[Charles]

<div class='quotemain'> <div class='quotemain'>

Smith could still make a run, especially if he blows up in the last month or so like he did in the NPC when he first burst onto the scene, although thanks to Nucifora the EYOT is (sadly) probably a more realistic goal.

[/b]

DUMBARSE ALERT !! DUMBARSE ALERT !!

Charles is yet again making himself look like a fool, I repeat Charles is making making himself look like a fool again


Next time, just type "I'm a Dipshit" in big, bold letters, end result will be the same, just speed up the process.

He came to NZ in his early teen's, played for Mt Albert Grammer and is now in his 3rd season for Auckland.

I would be willing to argue this. If Brett is (presumably) picked I think it will be in the Second Five role.
[/b]

Wouldn't matter, the Cartel would just carry Carter and Evans as the two specialists, with Brett being used as the 3rd choice Fly Half, like they did with McAlister last year. There's nothing to argue. Donald will only be an All Black if Henry picks a larger than usual squad or injuries occur to Carter or Evans. [/b][/quote]

Hey Ripper, don't come crying if Smith is picked and the poaching brigade goes out again. I've never argued about guys like Jerry Collins or Mils, because I know they arrived at a young age with their parents, ore were even born in NZ for some of them. NZ is a multicultural country and that's fine for me. However, Smith' s case looks more debatable to me. You said he arrived at 16 in NZ, which is more than Sivivatu (11 I think). Some might argue it would be poaching if he is picked, that's all I'm saying, so no need for insults.

 

[Ripper]

Who care's if the poaching brigade come's out, they can just look like idiots again when they ***** about a player coming as a kid who's voice has just started cracking while they field a team full of former South African Under 21 players.