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NZ Squads So Far...
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 529885" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>A few thoughts on the squads listed thus far.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Blues</strong>:</p><p></p><p>Not 100% convinced by the front-row - I think they will really miss Tony Woodcock. Tu'ungafasi looks a tremendous talent, but is completely untested at this level, so it is hard to know how he will go. I thought Ta'avao really struggled when he was given the chance with the Blues last season, but has impressed at times for Auckland during the ITM Cup - it is hard to know whether Ta'avao has made big improvements, or he is simply more suited to the lower level of opposition. One issue I have with the front row is that while Ta'avao, Tu'ungafasi, and Faumuina are all capable of playing on both sides, all play their best rugby on the TH side in my opinion - who they use at LH will be interesting. As you mention the locks are strong (especially if Boric is back). The big question in the loose-forwards is who will play at 8. I'm not sure about O'Connor at 8 - I haven't seen much of him recently, but from what I recall he was more of a 7 who could also cover 6. For me there are really two options at 8 - Luke Braid or Peter Saili. Saili has been given plenty of chances, but has never really lived up to his potential - the main advantage of playing him at 8 is Luke Braid could play in his favoured position. Braid played some very good rugby at 8 at the end of last season and I suspect he will be given the first shot at the 8 jersey again next year, with O'Connor/Pryor/Polwart/D Braid fighting out the 7 jersey.</p><p></p><p>As long as Weepu stays away from the KFC over the break the Blues will be well served at halfback, but I'm not convinced by their first-five options. Kerr has some talent but is completely unproven at this level, while Noakes is an ok player at Super Rugby level, but isn't the sort of player who will lead you into the playoffs (and his defense is a concern). The quality of the midfield depends on whether they are able to secure Nonu and/or Muliana - if they get either/both of them it will be strong. A Saili/Ranger midfield would be ok, but I'm still not convinced that Ranger is a centre. I'm sure the Blues will be looking at other midfield options available. Two from within the region are Carpenter and Fekitoa - I would seriously be looking at Fekitoa if I was a Blues selector, as he has impressed me for Auckland so far this season. Though a Saili/Fekitoa midfield would lack experience I think is would potentially be very dangerous. As always the Blues have an abundance of exciting options out wide - hopefully they decide to use them this year! I'm really looking forward to seeing Piutau get a full season at fullback. I wasn't sure about him at fullback initially (I thought he was better suited to the wing), but I'm more impressed with his fullback skills every time I see him.</p><p></p><p><strong>Chiefs</strong>:</p><p></p><p>I feel Taumalolo will be missed for the Chiefs this season, as his ball running and try scoring was inspirational at times for the Chiefs last season. Toby Smith really needs to step up in his absence - I think he is a player with tremendous talent, he just hasn't pushed on as much as I would have expected he would in recent seasons. The starting locking combination is strong, but there are concerns about the depth at lock should Clarke or Retallick get injured. Fitzgerald hasn't really stepped up yet, while Graham (if he is still signed?) is a red card waiting to happen. What the Chiefs do with their loose-forwards this season will be interesting. Like last season I think they have two options - either get the best 3 loose-forwards on the park (Cane, Latimer, and Messam), or pick Messam in his best position of 6 and rotate the 7's (which they favoured last season, and I think they will continue). With Thomson gone and Bradley unlikely to be resigned the options at 8 are bit more limited this season. Lee was ignored last season (I was surprised he was re-signed) but is certainly an option if they want a strong ball carrying 8, but I actually get the feeling that Nick Crosswell may be what the Chiefs need at 8. In many ways he is a similar player to Kane Thomson who was effective for the Chiefs their last season - not the most dynamic player, but a hard working player who does the basics right.</p><p></p><p>The Chiefs are obviously well served at 9 and 10, but the midfield will certainly be a concern in the absence of SBW. When Kahui is fit they are sorted at centre, but who will play 12 is still open at this stage in my opinion. Horrell, Ngatai, and Aki are all good options, but it will depend on what the Chiefs want out of their 12. Horrell I think is the best player of the three (and is coming of a fantastic Super Rugby season), but the Chiefs would have to change there game plan somewhat as he isn't the hard running ball runner that SBW was. Aki and Ngatai are more direct runners, though neither are proven at Super Rugby level (and Ngatai is actually playing his best rugby for Wellington at fullback). The outside backs are well covered between Tikoirotimu, Nanai-Williams, Masaga, Robinson, Horrell, and Ngatai, though I'm sure they will add another wing option.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 529885, member: 24910"] A few thoughts on the squads listed thus far. [B] Blues[/B]: Not 100% convinced by the front-row - I think they will really miss Tony Woodcock. Tu'ungafasi looks a tremendous talent, but is completely untested at this level, so it is hard to know how he will go. I thought Ta'avao really struggled when he was given the chance with the Blues last season, but has impressed at times for Auckland during the ITM Cup - it is hard to know whether Ta'avao has made big improvements, or he is simply more suited to the lower level of opposition. One issue I have with the front row is that while Ta'avao, Tu'ungafasi, and Faumuina are all capable of playing on both sides, all play their best rugby on the TH side in my opinion - who they use at LH will be interesting. As you mention the locks are strong (especially if Boric is back). The big question in the loose-forwards is who will play at 8. I'm not sure about O'Connor at 8 - I haven't seen much of him recently, but from what I recall he was more of a 7 who could also cover 6. For me there are really two options at 8 - Luke Braid or Peter Saili. Saili has been given plenty of chances, but has never really lived up to his potential - the main advantage of playing him at 8 is Luke Braid could play in his favoured position. Braid played some very good rugby at 8 at the end of last season and I suspect he will be given the first shot at the 8 jersey again next year, with O'Connor/Pryor/Polwart/D Braid fighting out the 7 jersey. As long as Weepu stays away from the KFC over the break the Blues will be well served at halfback, but I'm not convinced by their first-five options. Kerr has some talent but is completely unproven at this level, while Noakes is an ok player at Super Rugby level, but isn't the sort of player who will lead you into the playoffs (and his defense is a concern). The quality of the midfield depends on whether they are able to secure Nonu and/or Muliana - if they get either/both of them it will be strong. A Saili/Ranger midfield would be ok, but I'm still not convinced that Ranger is a centre. I'm sure the Blues will be looking at other midfield options available. Two from within the region are Carpenter and Fekitoa - I would seriously be looking at Fekitoa if I was a Blues selector, as he has impressed me for Auckland so far this season. Though a Saili/Fekitoa midfield would lack experience I think is would potentially be very dangerous. As always the Blues have an abundance of exciting options out wide - hopefully they decide to use them this year! I'm really looking forward to seeing Piutau get a full season at fullback. I wasn't sure about him at fullback initially (I thought he was better suited to the wing), but I'm more impressed with his fullback skills every time I see him. [B]Chiefs[/B]: I feel Taumalolo will be missed for the Chiefs this season, as his ball running and try scoring was inspirational at times for the Chiefs last season. Toby Smith really needs to step up in his absence - I think he is a player with tremendous talent, he just hasn't pushed on as much as I would have expected he would in recent seasons. The starting locking combination is strong, but there are concerns about the depth at lock should Clarke or Retallick get injured. Fitzgerald hasn't really stepped up yet, while Graham (if he is still signed?) is a red card waiting to happen. What the Chiefs do with their loose-forwards this season will be interesting. Like last season I think they have two options - either get the best 3 loose-forwards on the park (Cane, Latimer, and Messam), or pick Messam in his best position of 6 and rotate the 7's (which they favoured last season, and I think they will continue). With Thomson gone and Bradley unlikely to be resigned the options at 8 are bit more limited this season. Lee was ignored last season (I was surprised he was re-signed) but is certainly an option if they want a strong ball carrying 8, but I actually get the feeling that Nick Crosswell may be what the Chiefs need at 8. In many ways he is a similar player to Kane Thomson who was effective for the Chiefs their last season - not the most dynamic player, but a hard working player who does the basics right. The Chiefs are obviously well served at 9 and 10, but the midfield will certainly be a concern in the absence of SBW. When Kahui is fit they are sorted at centre, but who will play 12 is still open at this stage in my opinion. Horrell, Ngatai, and Aki are all good options, but it will depend on what the Chiefs want out of their 12. Horrell I think is the best player of the three (and is coming of a fantastic Super Rugby season), but the Chiefs would have to change there game plan somewhat as he isn't the hard running ball runner that SBW was. Aki and Ngatai are more direct runners, though neither are proven at Super Rugby level (and Ngatai is actually playing his best rugby for Wellington at fullback). The outside backs are well covered between Tikoirotimu, Nanai-Williams, Masaga, Robinson, Horrell, and Ngatai, though I'm sure they will add another wing option. [/QUOTE]
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