@Canes4life He would look like a bumblebee!

So, in the injury ward we have: Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Manasa Mataele, Oli Jager, Israel Dagg

Rested: Richie Mo'unga, Scott Barrett, Kieran Read

Not selected: Blackadder, Dunshea, Funnell, Harmon, Bateman, Drummond, Faingaanuku, Punavai

We've got a decent squad!

@Tim He's a different sort of player to most of the hookers in NZ - maybe more like that Steve Thompson who played when England won the RWC.

Big unit, not hugely mobile, but with good ball skills - plus he can scrum and hit his lineout targets.

His relative mobility might be an issue for the ABs, where he might not be able to simply slot into a team without adjustments elsewhere - but, he can play.

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Crusaders:

That's just dumb, the game was cancelled, they didn't play out a draw. FFS, fishheads are idiots sometimes.

Defies logic and frankly, if true, belief.

However, these are the same people that have spent the past half dozen years working assiduously to kill the golden goose that is Super rugby, so it won't surprise me.

@rotated said in Who does TSF want to be the next AB coach?:

@dogmeat said in Who does TSF want to be the next AB coach?:

How do he and Gatland get along?

Gatland worked under Fozzie in 2006/7 at the Chiefs before the Wales gig.

They live down the road from one another from what is out there get along pretty well. Besides they were on the shield team together...

Hey...so was Mitch, wasn't he?! What a great redemption story that would be - a Waikato trifecta of coaches!

@Canes4life More than likely a useful tool to protect muscles and ligaments- though probably won't help with broken bones and concussions.

@nzzp I wouldn't mind Scott Barrett at 6, but I'm a bit worried that he might occasionally lack a yard of pace off the scrum that will allow the offence to skirt him. Plus, he's our best bench option for lock and covering six, so I think I prefer that utility in the 19(?) jersey.

I still reckon Cane is a fucking good openside and want to see him played there. Though in fairness, Todd and Ardie are both excellent cover. But is say Cane-Todd > Taufua-Cane (and I've purposely gone with the Crusaders) if we're playing a short blindside? I'd go with Taufua-Cane.

I reckon the top four choices will be from Squire, Frizell, Ioane and Taufua.

Taufua the short safety.

I'm pretty sure Steven Harris' story from last year is right on the money and if Akira keeps his nose clean, it won't surprise me to see him in the picture.

@nzzp It's all relative to Kaino, which is setting the bar high. We have to be weakest in one position - blindside flanker isn't the worst to choose.

@Nepia said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

@Chris-B said in Highlanders 2019 Discussion:

Liam's had some terrible luck with injuries.

Before he even played for the Mako, he fractured some vertebrae and over the years he's missed plenty of time for the Mako with injuries. Same with the Highlanders and probably the Chiefs and ABs as well.

He's like a combined SBW/Crotty in the forwards.

It's amazing how some people manage to get through their careers with minimal damage and others are continuously broken.

Did Ma'a Nonu ever get injured - compared to Conrad Smith, especially in his early years?

Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett have been immensely durable - but, Joe Moody and Tim Perry seem to be from the glass factory.

Shouldn't forget about Jordan Taufua, either. We've got a shitload of options at 6 - just nobody that's nailed it to the extent that they've shut everyone else out.

Squire
Frizell
Barrett
Fifita
Taufua
Savea
Ioane
Evans
Dixon