How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
So potentially we could be without REad or Kaino, or if we have both, both will be lacking gametime...
We're screwed.
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@Stargazer I think they'd most likely start Todd, Samu and Taufua, wouldn't they? Maybe Bedwell-Curtis on the bench - but, Barrett perhaps to move to 6 later in the game (as last night).
I wonder particularly, whether they might have brought Strange because they're a bit worried about Sam Whitelock being cited? Or maybe Quentin is the only non-front rower available?
In terms of Read's ABs' prospects, the 1st Lions test is still 8 weeks away, so I'm expecting him and Kaino to both be available, if slightly underdone. The positive thing about them being injured is that they're not playing - so unlikely to be re-injured in the meantime.
The real worry is the guys that we start losing two or three weeks from now.
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assume Whitelock steps up as captain if Read out?
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@taniwharugby I think Ben from Accounts is the VC - at least he was last year.
But, whether they'd go with a fullback captain is an interesting point. Whitelock, Cane and Coles all forward options.
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
assume Whitelock steps up as captain if Read out?
No chance. Rattue says Whitelock is the right man to lead the All Blacks.
At least that was the headline. Didn't click the link.
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How does 6. Squire 7. Cane 8. Savea look to everyone...?
Luatua on the bench?Experimental much?
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I reckon Savea is a long way off playing 8 for the AB's. He's not too bad at super level where it's a bit looser. In saying that, the Blues game really showed his lack of size and made life hard for the Cane's backs as the forwards struggled to get over the gain line. I've also been disappointed that his tackling is still fairly passive overall (can't really fault his work rate). I really thought he might go up a gear this year, but he hasn't.
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Kaino & Read will be fine, it's just Hansen playing mind games with the Lions
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@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
How does 6. Squire 7. Cane 8. Savea look to everyone...?
Luatua on the bench?Experimental much?
I wouldn't mind this in the future, but it's a massive gamble for the Lions. Ardie has been excellent at 8 so far this season and I can definitely see him playing there in black. The trouble is that we have a relatively small front row and can't really afford to sacrifice size in the loose.
I think with Read injured they have to seriously consider Barrett at 6. He has the combo of size and ball skills that will be gold against the Poms and Paddies.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
How does 6. Squire 7. Cane 8. Savea look to everyone...?
Luatua on the bench?Experimental much?
I wouldn't mind this in the future, but it's a massive gamble for the Lions. Ardie has been excellent at 8 so far this season and I can definitely see him playing there in black. The trouble is that we have a relatively small front row and can't really afford to sacrifice size in the loose.
I think with Read injured they have to seriously consider Barrett at 6. He has the combo of size and ball skills that will be gold against the Poms and Paddies.
You think playing Ardie at #8 is a "massive gamble" but playing a youngster with very little Super experience, let alone AB games under his best, in the wrong position isn't?
I don't get the Barrett thing. He looks fine to me, but not so awesome that he's pushing anyone out of the way. (I can't help feeling that the most awesome thing about him is his surname.)
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@Chester-Draws said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
How does 6. Squire 7. Cane 8. Savea look to everyone...?
Luatua on the bench?Experimental much?
I wouldn't mind this in the future, but it's a massive gamble for the Lions. Ardie has been excellent at 8 so far this season and I can definitely see him playing there in black. The trouble is that we have a relatively small front row and can't really afford to sacrifice size in the loose.
I think with Read injured they have to seriously consider Barrett at 6. He has the combo of size and ball skills that will be gold against the Poms and Paddies.
You think playing Ardie at #8 is a "massive gamble" but playing a youngster with very little Super experience, let alone AB games under his best, in the wrong position isn't?
I don't get the Barrett thing. He looks fine to me, but not so awesome that he's pushing anyone out of the way. (I can't help feeling that the most awesome thing about him is his surname.)
Very little Super experience? He debuted for the Saders in 2014.
IMHO, at the moment Barrett at 6 is less of a gamble than Ardie at 8. And I say that as a Yuge Ardie fan.
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Yup, little Super experience. Less that three years, given the first was July 2014. 22 games, with a lot as reserve.
That's not insurmountable -- ALB has about the same experience as S. Barrett, though I think he's started more games.
Why not play Taleni Seu if we want a promising blind-side with lineout ability who can cover lock? He's at least playing in position. Yeah, that's right, he's massively green.
But he's only played 5 games less than Barrett.
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there are some players and some positions that the selectors seem ok with bringing straight into the mix, not sure 8 is one, so wil be interesting to see what they do should both Kaino & Read be out, certainly a huge test for Hansen & Co now.
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