If Coles is out....
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For the Lions test.... who is your starting Hooker?
I would have Harris. Best lineout thrower in the country.
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be interesting to see where they go, I have a feeling Taylor is seen as #2, Harris seems to have all the tools and may have been #2 but for injury.
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Taylor. He's been in the system for ages now and hasn't let us down when on the pitch - from what I hear he ticks all the boxes off the field too.
Harris would be my bench option - a reliable thrower if required.
Please let Coles be OK.
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I'd be happy with any of the above in there; if Coles is out Taylor must be considered the incumbent. Riccitelli has stepped up to the plate nicely for the Canes, Harris is on the comeback trail and Hika has been well,.. Hika all season. We are spoiled for choice. I'd also suggest Funnell may be another option.
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@JC Riccitelli has been on a bit of a downward slide imo - no lack of effort but we've seen a few wobbles with his throwing, and for all that he's a solid nugget, he's been getting dominated in contact.
Taylor should be first off the rank, with Harris or Hika as back up. If Hika has a good showing for NZ Maori that could bump him ahead. Hmm actually how many of our hooking options are eligible for NZ Maori?
Hopefully it's not something we have to pursue! Fingers crossed that Coles gets back in time!
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@Paekakboyz Eligible for Maori ABs: at least Taylor, Elliot, Ash Dixon (last year's captain), Joe Royal (and Coles, too). Elliott was not picked for the Maori ABs last season.
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@No-Quarter said in If Coles is out....:
Taylor. He's been in the system for ages now and hasn't let us down when on the pitch - from what I hear he ticks all the boxes off the field too.
Harris would be my bench option - a reliable thrower if required.
Please let Coles be OK.
I wonder if they like Taylor as a finisher. He and Crockett work well together off the bench. Both provide hard hitting tackles and a high workrate.
When Harris was fit last year he only got about 15 minutes of test play in the Wales series. I'd be interested to know what workons the cartel had for him for this year. He's played well and has offered more around the park for the Chiefs than Elliott.
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I posted this in another thread, but it probably fits better here:
I've read a few people surmise that Harris is held in high regard due to his physical qualities being the most comparable to Coles. That may be true, but watching him miss a few tackles this weekend shows there's just no substitute for the speed that Coles has.
Harris is very rusty though so hopefully he gets his rhythm back. The thing about Coles is his attributes mean you can base a structure around him. I think we'd have to tweak that structure for either Harris or Taylor.
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@Milk said in If Coles is out....:
I posted this in another thread, but it probably fits better here:
I've read a few people surmise that Harris is held in high regard due to his physical qualities being the most comparable to Coles. That may be true, but watching him miss a few tackles this weekend shows there's just no substitute for the speed that Coles has.
Harris is very rusty though so hopefully he gets his rhythm back. The thing about Coles is his attributes mean you can base a structure around him. I think we'd have to tweak that structure for either Harris or Taylor.
Yeah that's right, I think Coles would have got into a position to make the tackle on Goodhue for instance (the one where Franks "obstructed").
In saying that it was also 20 plus degrees and 100% humidity in Suva, and Harris having his first start in 9 or so months.
I'm happy with Taylor starting if need be though. I thought his performance against the Hurricanes, especially, was test quality. He won't let anyone down.
Still would prefer to have the services of both Coles and Taylor though.
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@ACT-Crusader said in If Coles is out....:
@No-Quarter said in If Coles is out....:
Taylor. He's been in the system for ages now and hasn't let us down when on the pitch - from what I hear he ticks all the boxes off the field too.
Harris would be my bench option - a reliable thrower if required.
Please let Coles be OK.
I wonder if they like Taylor as a finisher. He and Crockett work well together off the bench. Both provide hard hitting tackles and a high workrate.
When Harris was fit last year he only got about 15 minutes of test play in the Wales series. I'd be interested to know what workons the cartel had for him for this year. He's played well and has offered more around the park for the Chiefs than Elliott.
I expect the key wo4k on was to get fit!
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@Crucial said in If Coles is out....:
Why on earth are people mentioning Ricatelli?
Have you forgotten what happened when the Canes came up against an international front row. Creamed.
Geez, the guy is only in his second season, is 22 years old and has had a great season filling in for Coles, playing all 11 games for the Canes. He had one lesser game against the best performing team in the competition. The guy may just need a rest, which they can't give him because .. yes, right ... because Coles is still out and Apisai isn't good enough. I don't think anyone was saying he should be an All Black now, but he certainly has the qualities and talent of a future All Black and the sooner you bring him into the frame (necessary with our limited depth at hooker), the sooner he will improve and reach higher skill levels that may make him suitable for selection in a year or two.
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@Stargazer agree. He got taught a lesson against the Crusaders who bullied him around a bit. He'll be better for that - still very early days but he's been a great find for the Canes in Coles' absence, plenty of potential.
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I think what the Crusaders game showed is that he still has some ways to go....I like his play, has a lot of potential but think that game just showed this year is likely to be too early.
Coles fit - he is in
Taylor, incumbent back-up
Harris - been around the squad and we know you don't lose your spot through injury
Elliott - could step up but has never been in favour
Coltman - been about squad
Parsons - has a cap...So likely even too early as project type player, unless we cap him just to stop Italy getting him
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@taniwharugby said in If Coles is out....:
I think what the Crusaders game showed is that he still has some ways to go....I like his play, has a lot of potential but think that game just showed this year is likely to be too early.
Coles fit - he is in
Taylor, incumbent back-up
Harris - been around the squad and we know you don't lose your spot through injury
Elliott - could step up but has never been in favour
Coltman - been about squad
Parsons - has a cap...So likely even too early as project type player, unless we cap him just to stop Italy getting him
Or other Tier Two nation he might qualify for like South Afric
