EOYT 2017
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Tamati Tua is another that will have his hand up for the Maori, can play 12/13 too possibly Namatahi Waa for front row.
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@Bones Easy thing to say; which two wings do you think will make it? There are not many Maori wings. Do you think they'll go for (former) sevens players like Ambrose Curtis, Joe Webber and/or Declan O'Donnell again (assuming they won't be in the sevens squad)?
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With so many players out for the year for various reasons (B. Smith, Franks, Moody and maybe Dagg), it will be interesting to see how the AB management will handle the end of the RC and the EOYT. Must they send two different teams to SA and Argentina in order to :
- Test new players who haven't featured yet (Akira Ioane, Jack Goodhue)
- Bring a higher level of emulation (?)
- Avoid long and tiring travels for the players
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NMS obviously out, man that guy has shit luck!
Who is next in line I wonder? A few names off the top of my head:
Duffie
Alaimalo
BridgeElsewhere I'd say Jack Goodhue will get his boarding pass, he's been outstanding.
Still no halfbacks are saying 'pick me', I wonder if they go for someone who has been there before in Pulu or Weber, or and up and coming young fulla like TTT or Nock.
When do they name the team?
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Interesting. TTT was atrocious in the Hurricanes v BI Lions game. I place a lot of emphasis on those games for assessing for higher honours.
Although, unfortunately, Duffie also had a mediocre gave v Lions, and I'm a fanboy of him.
Bridge rivalled, in fact shaded, TTT for worst performance v Lions.
TTT gets more marks off though for the fact his teenage debutant replacement aced it, and for the fact his most memorable contribution was a classless head rub and shove of Biggar who had just concussed himself in an unsuccessful attempted try-saving tackle on Laumape's thigh.
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Yea there is a big drop from TJP to #3 with TKB off.
Webber is likely well off the pace so if they do take a 3rd it'll be a youngster to develop.
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@taniwharugby I wouldn't write off Weber yet. He's had no Super Rugby season at all and only 2/3 of a Mitre 10 Cup season behind a scrum that constantly went backwards in a badly coached squad. His 2018 SR season will be crucial, but based on previous seasons in which he even regularly kept TKB on the bench, he should still be in the discussion.
I also wouldn't ignore the fact that Drummond has had an excellent SR and Mitre 10 Cup season. He should be in the discussion as well.
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@stargazer he has missed a lot of tackles.
Not doubting he is a good player, but he isn't playing well, yes that is likely in part with those around him, but isn't doing the key things he could be doing well either.
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Outside backs will no doubt include McKenzie, Naholo, Ioane and Havilii. They can probably all play wing at test level and two can play fullback. But I'd still be looking for a guy who can cover both positions and Bridge is probably the best performed throughout the year, on the wing in SR and at fullback in the NPC. But I don't think he's there yet, that's for sure. Maybe they'll take Savea and if Mo'ounga tours he can provide cover at 15.
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Bridge should not be in the conversation. I still have nightmares about his dropsies against the BIL.