Super Rugby Kiwi Team of the week (Round 16)
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- Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues)
- Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes)
- Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
- Jerome Kainio (Blues) / Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)
- Matt Todd (Crusaders)
- Steven Luatua (Blues)
- Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
- Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
- James Lowe (Chiefs)
- Anton Leinert Brown (Chiefs)
- Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
- Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
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Didn't watch much more than the highlights of most of the games but did see a good bit of the Chiefs one. Very impressed with ALBs game. Has a calmness and accuracy about him that belies his age but just enough extra to his game as well.
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- Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues)
- Vaea Fifita (Hurricanes)
- Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)
- Jerome Kainio (Blues) / Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)
- Matt Todd (Crusaders)
- Steven Luatua (Blues)
- Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
- Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes)
- James Lowe (Chiefs)
- Anton Leinert Brown (Chiefs)
- Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
- Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
I'd put Dominic Bird (Chiefs) at 4 and Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders) at 14. Agree with the rest.
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Didn't watch much more than the highlights of most of the games but did see a good bit of the Chiefs one. Very impressed with ALBs game. Has a calmness and accuracy about him that belies his age but just enough extra to his game as well.
Yeah, it's pretty impressive Ngatai has been out for a couple months at this point but ALB and Tamanivalu have stood up and made the Chiefs midfield work again. Any other season Ngatai's concussion would've led to a mess of one midfield one week and another midfield the next week.
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I was personally very impressed with ALB. He seems very level headed and skillful for such a young man. If worst comes to worst and Ngatai's concussion is worse than first thought then ALB is a very capable replacement. Pretty similar to the Canes situation with Fatialofa seamlessly taking over Broadhurst who will most likely retire with concussion.
I'd put Dominic Bird (Chiefs) at 4 and Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders) at 14. Agree with the rest.
I had Fifita and Jane in there because they probably had their best games of the season. Jane was back to his best and was very safe in such an important game, while Fifita not only muscled up but was also excellent in the line out. He has All Black future written all over him.
Both Bird and McNicholl had strong games but the calibre of opposition counted against them.
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I'd chuck Nanai in there before DMac. He was huge against the Brumbies.
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Nanai will be the next Ben Smith in one year or two. He's equally at home at FB or wing. I like his timing and acceleration.
NZ are blessed with talented full backs and wings : Dagg, Smith, NMS, Dmac, Naholo, Savea, Lowe, Nanai and Ioane. Of course, a few are still unproven at the highest level but this is some exciting talent !
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Nanai will be the next Ben Smith in one year or two. He's equally at home at FB or wing. I like his timing and acceleration.
NZ are blessed with talented full backs and wings : Dagg, Smith, NMS, Dmac, Naholo, Savea, Lowe, Nanai and Ioane. Of course, a few are still unproven at the highest level but this is some exciting talent !Surely Lowe can now offer a better all round game than both Savea or Naholo?
