AB squad for the EOYT
-
@Chris-B. said in AB squad for the EOYT:
I don't mind that Ofa has gone as the third tighthead, because I've not seen anyone else beating down the door - though, quite what happens next year when hopefully Nepo Laulala will be back, I'm not sure.
I have never been impressed by Laulala, to be honest. He is a very good scrummager but his workrate needs to improve significantly. He doesn't carry a lot either.
Atu Moli is one who is beating down the door IMO and who is looking to be a better prospect : he is big, strong, mobile and still very young. He had a very good end of season with the Chiefs. He must be a natural leader as well, that's why he was captain of the NZ U20 last year. -
There's big question marks over Moli's scrummaging ability.
-
-
As I said in the other thread, 13 points is nothing. Barrett this year has probably gained 13 points for the All Blacks from his play around the field in one game. There are plenty of other aspects of play which can cost a team more points per game than goal kicking. They are just harder to measure.
-
Missed conversions are really the only true measure of lost points.
Missed penalties can result in scoring points in the next phase or 2, that you probably wouldn't have otherwise given the game restarts at half way, not the 22, or opposition can get back down the other end and score after restart...so many variables.
That being said, his kicking % of 63% is not good enough.
-
I'm not worried he'll only be kicker for the next year until Jordie takes over the responsibility from 12.
-
Meh, stats like those where they give different weighting for different things are pretty useless. Way to many variables that could be tweaked to say completely different things.
Remember a year or two ago there was that ex wallaby who had developed some software that analysed past results and showed that the ABs were getting worse and the gap was closing to other sides? How is that one working out?Do I want BB to get better? Hell yes. Would I swap him with someone who kicks 90% but doesn't bring the attack BB does? Hell no.
-
After this:
Seta Tamanivalu (New Zealand)
Melani Nanai (uncapped)
Sam Carter (Australia)
Luke Morahan (Australia)
Paddy Ryan (Australia)
Toby Smith (Australia)
Andrew Ready (uncapped)
Nic Stirzaker (uncapped)
-
This injury may be one possible explanation why the ABs picked Barrett instead of Bird:
-
The US Postal sponsored Canterbury rugby union...
-
@pukunui said in AB squad for the EOYT:
Pretty good squad. Even with the guys we have missing. SBW/NMS/Harris/Ngatai
Not good that our locks both have i jury concerns now but im sure pat t and romero can do the job again Ireland if needed.
Happy to see Ioane there. He has a heap of potential. Will be interesting to see if they play him as a wing or a midfielder. Haven't see any comments for Hansen so this might have been covered. Also haven't therefore heard about Dmac. Where are they seeing him playing now?
Also good to see Luatua there. But they have a lot of back rowers now with Todd in. Will be interesting to see how they play it.
Bit surprised to see S Barrett and Fifita (more so)called in ahead of Bird. Fifita doesn't strike me as a test lock and we have plenty of 6 cover.
Good to see Jordie taken as an apprentice. Can only be good for him IMO.
It's my little bugbear but Ngātai has currently done nil of note at international level. Based on an excellent half season of super rugby he keeps getting suggested as an essential missing cog of the ABs wheel. Not yet IMO...