Replacing Ritchie McCaw

[smartcooky]

How do you think the AB selectors will replace Ritchie McCaw?


Note. I have deliberately not included Jerome Kaino in this poll. I'm assuming that they will bring in another player, at least as cover, even if he doesn't make the playing 22

 

[candybum]

Where's Braid? so wanted him to be in the ABs this year.

 

[Gavin]

Kieran Read was the form New Zealand flanker of the Super14. Read was very unlucky not to make the squad for the England and Ireland matches, so I believe he is a shoe-in for the Tri-Nations squad and should start in the place of King Tackles McCaw.

 

[darwin_23]

So basically you are asking who they will bring into the squad to replace McCaw, not necessarily who will be starting. I think they will bring in Masoe given his experience at this level rather than adding another inexperienced player (Read, Messem, Latimer etc) to what will be a relatively inexperienced loose forward mix (with the exception of So'ioalo). They will start with a trio of So'ioalo (who will also be captain), Thomson, and Kaino, with either Masoe or Lauaki on the bench.

Where's Braid? so wanted him to be in the ABs this year. [/b]

He's injured at the moment otherwise he would be the obvious choice.

 

[smartcooky]

So basically you are asking who they will bring into the squad to replace McCaw, not necessarily who will be starting...
[/b]

Yes that's right. If they'll replace McCaw from within the squad, it will almost certainly mean that either Thomson will be used at openside, or they will use the left/right flanker game plan.

The question is, do they
► just replace McCaw within the squad
► bring in a specialist 7
► bring in a utility loosie and play him at 7
► bring in a utility loosie as cover for 6 and 8 and play Thomson at 7
► bring in a specialist 6 and switch Thomson to 7

I thought of running the poll like that, but I wanted to include more "name" options.

 

[Caledfwlch]

Play Braid at 7, Kaino at 6 and So'oialo at 8.

 

[smartcooky]

Play Braid at 7, Kaino at 6 and So'oialo at 8.

[/b]

Not possible. Braid is injured and out of rugby for at least 4 weeks (calf tear in the Maoris v Manu match)

Braid was in the wider training squad for the AB's and was the obvious pick. I would have incuded him ion the poll otherwise.

 

[MDickie]

6. So'oialo (Left) 7. Thompson (Right) 8. Lauaki or Kaino

 

[I Bleed Black]

Damn I just happy we have options!!! Not sure who is best, but we dont have anywhere as many problems as the Poms do! And at the end of the day it is forced rotation, which is not a bad thing as these fringe players need a shot at the big time

 

[MDickie]

Is Masoe still an option? He seemed to be quite sour after being left out of the original squad.

 

[jawmalawm24]

Given his experience you'd pick Chris Masoe but you have to say he played like balls this season and doesn't really deserve to be in the squad at all.

 

[MDickie]

Given his experience you'd pick Chris Masoe but you have to say he played like balls this season and doesn't really deserve to be in the squad at all.
[/b]

Very true, but for now the experience in the back row is very limited.

 

[DMac]

Would love to see Thompson at 7, So'oilao at 8 and Jerry Collins at 6 but that's not going to happen. too bad.


DMac

 

[O'Rothlain]

Are they replacing Richie McCaw because Richie McCaw is a Cheat?
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vryv2OOeDKU&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vryv2OOeDKU&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[DMac]

Great video. caught it at rugbydump a while back.

No, they're replacing him 'cause he got injured against England.


DMac

 

[jawmalawm24]

Well Chris Masoe has been given a recall so it'll still be interesting to see where they put Rodders. I'm actually hoping they'll put Rodders at 6 because Kaino's been playing alright at no.8 but I guess since the opposition is South Africa they'll like Rodders to be at his primary position.

 

[ChiefsFan]

I don't think Masoe will start.

 

[smartcooky]

Looks like Masoe will be on the bench, and they are starting with Rodney at 7, and Thomson at 6. However, Thomson played at OS Flanker for his University club last weekend (at the AB coaches request) so the question now is, are they really going to play OS/BS or are they going to try the L&R flankers approach, with Masoe to come on if it all turns to ****?

 

[candybum]

I thought Lauaki was on the bench??

But yeah this is a big test for Thomson, if he can perform in an under performing team in the S14 then im sure he's capable of putting in a decent performance for the AB's

 

[MDickie]

Looks like Masoe will be on the bench, and they are starting with Rodney at 7, and Thomson at 6. However, Thomson played at OS Flanker for his University club last weekend (at the AB coaches request) so the question now is, are they really going to play OS/BS or are they going to try the L&R flankers approach, with Masoe to come on if it all turns to ****?
[/b]

Except Masoe will be watching the game like most people from the stands or a television set. It is Sione Lauaki that has been named as back row cover.