Beaver's all time NZ Super sides
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Merts is difficult to leave out because he played such a big role in the victories of 98-2000 where they were a more limited team without many other stars and his kicking was a big part of getting them over the line. Mauger actually started finals at 10-13-12 in a three year span. He worked very well with Laulala when they were paired. But the 10-12 combo of Merts/Mauger seems too small in terms of defense, even though they had an unbeaten season in 2002 with those two.
The thing often forgotten about Carter was how strong an open field tackler he was, especially at the fullback position a 10 often ends up at, or even in his case in the 2004 NPC season/final when he was playing fullback due to Cantys logjam. Had he chosen to solely play second five or fullback in either position he could have been equally dominant vs the other options.
Jordan would have to go on the wing to make best use of the Crusaders talent as fullback is a stronger position. Gear had a couple of big years, Reece has the tries but Nadolo had a higher peak.
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@Nepia said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
For example, the Blues get to have Kaino, Jones and Brooke in one team
It's that question of best players overall vs best players for the team. The selection policy changes the team a lot. For instance I think Akira should be in the Blues all time team
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Just looking at Jones career for the Blues. I was curious how often he played each position because I remember him moving from 7 > 6 > 8
7 - 11 starts mostly in 96
6 - 11 starts
8 - 14 startsI think this is accurate. Surprisingly even mix. I was expecting less games at 7
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Not sure if this is 100% but should be close-
Top 10 seasons by Points Scored Per Game 1996-2024
2002 Crusaders 42.6
2005 Crusaders 41.7
2017 Hurricanes 39.7
1997 Blues 39.5
2017 Lions 39.3
1997 Hurricanes 37.8
1996 Blues 37.1
2004 Brumbies 37.1
1997 Brumbies 36.9
2017 Crusaders 36.3It does lend a bit of support to a guy like Mauger at 12 when he played a key role in the two highest scoring teams. Merts was the 10 in 2002, Carter in 2005.
Looking back through the finals teams I'd forgotten the odd fact in the 2006 fog final the Crusaders back reserves were Cameron McIntyre, Stephen Brett and Caleb Ralph, with Robbie Deans saying in the lead up that Carter would play halfback if Kevin Senio had to go off.
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@HugeCarrot2 Looks like defense was pretty poor in 2017! Or was everyone just putting 60+ on the rebels and sunwolves
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@DurryMexted said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@HugeCarrot2 Looks like defense was pretty poor in 2017! Or was everyone just putting 60+ on the rebels and sunwolves
The first two games of that season, the Canes put 80+ on the Sunwolves in their first game, and then 70+ on the Rebels in their second game from memory.
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Yeah it's hard to compare some years with different rules or talent spread too thinly when they expanded and teams were getting hammered. I excluded playoff matches given those would on average be vs better defenses.
None of the Bulls teams from their 2007-2010 run made it either. One unusual one was the 2009 Crusaders sneaking into the playoffs with just 17.8 points per game/231 total, 2nd lowest that season only 18 more than wooden spooners the Cheetahs. The Waratahs in 5th also only scored 241 and lost out to Crusaders on points differential by 4.
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@Duluth said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@Nepia said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
For example, the Blues get to have Kaino, Jones and Brooke in one team
It's that question of best players overall vs best players for the team. The selection policy changes the team a lot. For instance I think Akira should be in the Blues all time team
Charlie Faumuina would be in mine too.
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@African-Monkey Blowers and Papalii put in many great games at 7 too.
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1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Faumuina
4 Brooke
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Blowers
8 Brooke
9 Tonu'u
10 Spencer
11 Lomu
12 Stensness
13 Ioane
14 Howlett
15 Cashmore16 Mealamu
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Brown
19 Williams
20 Jones
21 Gibson
22 Plummer
23 CaucaunibucaHalfback has been our worst position by far.
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@Tim said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
@African-Monkey Blowers and Papalii put in many great games at 7 too.
Definitely. Some guys that gave a lot more to the Blues in worse teams are just being overlooked by big names who were just transitioning over from the amateur era to the start of professional era.
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@Tim said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Faumuina
4 Brooke
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Blowers
8 Brooke
9 Tonu'u
10 Spencer
11 Lomu
12 Stensness
13 Ioane
14 Howlett
15 Cashmore16 Mealamu
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Brown
19 Williams
20 Jones
21 Gibson
22 Plummer
23 CaucaunibucaHalfback has been our worst position by far.
You're not wrong about the halfback spot. I'd probably have Fin Christie as the bench funnily enough.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
None of your teams had a Rupeni.
Pfft, he can’t even sort out a passport….
you're confusing him with admin.
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Beaver’s all time Crusader XV:
- Wyatt Crockett
- Codie Taylor
- Owen Franks
- Todd Blackadder
- Sam Whitelock
- Reuben Thorne
- Richie McCaw
- Kieran Read
- Justin Marshall
- Richie Mo’unga
- Sevu Reece
- Dan Carter
- Casey Laulaula
- Will Jordan
- Israel Dagg
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@Canes4life said in Beaver's all time NZ Super sides:
Beaver’s all time Crusader XV:
- Wyatt Crockett
- Codie Taylor
- Owen Franks
- Todd Blackadder
- Sam Whitelock
- Reuben Thorne
- Richie McCaw
- Kieran Read
- Justin Marshall
- Richie Mo’unga
- Sevu Reece
- Dan Carter
- Casey Laulaula
- Will Jordan
- Israel Dagg
Strong team when you consider Mark Hammett, Greg Somerville, Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Andrew Merhtens, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph and Leon McDonald missed out
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Don’t forget Norm Berryman
