2018 AB Depth Chart
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@Tim There are a few utility players that haven't been mentioned in the lists.
At the Highlanders, there are Gareth Evans and Matt Faddes.
Evans has had a very good year and has played at 6, 7 and 8. That utility value is also a bit of a curse, because if the specialists for these positions are fit, he often ends up on the bench to cover them all.
Similarly, Matt Faddes, who has played at centre, wing and fullback, mostly off the bench. Buckman has the same utility value, except that he always gets starts, basically wherever they need him.
Another player not named, and we don't know whether he'll be able to return to SR next year (it will all depend on whether he's able to manage his mental health problems) is Zac Guildford. Since last year, he has played more at 13 than anywhere else, but has also played a lot at fullback. Not sure where he'll play for Waikato, but he now has a utility value that might see him end up on the bench (maybe for the Chiefs?) like Faddes at the Landers.
There may be more players with utility value that haven't been mentioned yet.
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@Bovidae said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Speaking of halfbacks, Piri is rumoured to be making a comeback for the Bush.
He should head a few kms further up and join his old junior rugby rep team. Apparently Chris Eaton is still in the frame for the Magpies so he'll be better than him at least.
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Number 12:
- SBW (unmatched physical ability)
- Crotty (admit it, you thought that Mr. Gap was going in here)
- Laumape
- ALB
ARDIE SAVEA
- Moala
- Buckman
- Faiane
- Ngatai (fingers crossed for a full season in 2018)
- Aso
- Faauli
- Havili
- Thompson
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Wing.
- Dagg (wonder how his speed will hold up)
Dagg is deliberately receding his hairline to give him more pace through aerodynamics
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Number 12:
- SBW (unmatched physical ability)
- Crotty (admit it, you thought that Mr. Gap was going in here)
- Laumape
- ALB
ARDIE SAVEA - Moala
- Buckman
- Faiane
- Ngatai (fingers crossed for a full season in 2018)
- Aso
- Faauli
- Havili
- Thompson
Ngatai should be well up that list if it is meant to be a reflection of where the AB selectors will be looking.
I would think they would rather have him at 12 than ALB unless it was a temporary decision during a series. -
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Time for number 7.
- Cane
- Todd
- Savea (not very good this year, more of an impact player)
- Gibson
- Dillon Hunt
- Pryors
- Lentjes
- Boshier
Probably a couple of others worth naming.
Up and comers: There's a couple in the U20 team - Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali'i.
Not sure about Todd being Nr.2 after his poor display against the Lions.
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@Stargazer said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
And number 6:
- Kaino (old legs keep going, please!)
- Big Gap
- Ioane
- Squire
- Fifita
- Mitchell Brown
- Players at Highlanders/Crusaders better than Taufua/Dixon
I'd rank both Dixon and Taufua above Brown.
For the future, Hugh Renton (Hurricanes) might be worth a mention, if he can stay fit. He hasn't had much game time for Hawke's Bay and the Hurricanes yet due to injury, but he's only 21, so has plenty of time. He showed some great skills for the Magpies last season and I hope to see more of that this Mitre 10 Cup season.
Reed Prinsep?
Beidwell-Curtis has been good for the Crusaders so far.
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
On to the glamour positions. The fucking backs.
Number 9:
- Smith
- TJP
- Weber
- Pulu (not a starting option, I hope)
- Drummond
- Hall
- ??
Hoping for big seasons from Nock, Enari, and that U20s guy who came on for the Hurricanes.
Hall is the starting halfback for the Crusaders and Drummond is rated behind him by Robertson. Enari is the most promising of the list behind the 1, 2 and 3.
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Number 12:
- SBW (unmatched physical ability)
- Crotty (admit it, you thought that Mr. Gap was going in here)
- Laumape
- ALB
- Moala
- Buckman
- Faiane
- Ngatai (fingers crossed for a full season in 2018)
- Aso
- Faauli
- Havili
- Thompson
I'd have Buckman before Moala, and Havili and Thompson before Faauli'i.
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@cgrant said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
On to the glamour positions. The fucking backs.
Number 9:
- Smith
- TJP
- Weber
- Pulu (not a starting option, I hope)
- Drummond
- Hall
- ??
Hoping for big seasons from Nock, Enari, and that U20s guy who came on for the Hurricanes.
Hall is the starting halfback for the Crusaders and Drummond is rated behind him by Robertson. Enari is the most promising of the list behind the 1, 2 and 3.
It's hard to say these days with some teams as sone coaches trust certain players to finish out a game more than the starter. I don't think there is much if any difference between either of them. Both make me wanna throw the remote....
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@cgrant said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Time for number 7.
- Cane
- Todd
- Savea (not very good this year, more of an impact player)
- Gibson
- Dillon Hunt
- Pryors
- Lentjes
- Boshier
Probably a couple of others worth naming.
Up and comers: There's a couple in the U20 team - Luke Jacobson and Dalton Papali'i.
Not sure about Todd being Nr.2 after his poor display against the Lions.
Todd was fine against the Lions I thought. Certainly didn't get much support from his other two loosies though.
I think Hansen's comments about Todd tell the story of where he's at.
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@cgrant said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
On to the glamour positions. The fucking backs.
Number 9:
- Smith
- TJP
- Weber
- Pulu (not a starting option, I hope)
- Drummond
- Hall
- ??
Hoping for big seasons from Nock, Enari, and that U20s guy who came on for the Hurricanes.
Hall is the starting halfback for the Crusaders and Drummond is rated behind him by Robertson. Enari is the most promising of the list behind the 1, 2 and 3.
It's hard to say these days with some teams as sone coaches trust certain players to finish out a game more than the starter. I don't think there is much if any difference between either of them. Both make me wanna throw the remote....
Yeah - I think this one is too close to call. Both have been given plenty of starts and plenty of time coming off the bench. I think Razor is playing the Sexton/Hammett game with them - showing little or no preference.
If anything, I've thought Drummond has looked a bit more composed. When the play-offs come we might get more of an inkling.
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@cgrant Having seen plenty of Weber play for both the Chiefs and Waikato he does have some faults, namely erratic passing. I am just saying that he should start as the no.1 halfback next season.
Christie impressed me in the Chiefs-Lions game and his passing was very good last week as well. I'm not too sure about his kicking. Although he was born in Scotland he moved to NZ when he was 7.
