What midfield do you want?
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@Billy-Tell said in What midfield do you want?:
With a heavy heart I chose experience. I'll need counselling though if the series is remembered for Fekitoa blowing a 4 on 1 overlap in the 80th minute with NZ 4 points behind on the scoreboard.
I actually have a fear of him accidentally going high like he did in Dublin , he flies in pretty hard sometimes ,
But ive picked him for his commitment in defense , just concerned with him over committing .
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I heard someone mention the selectors should have gone with Ngatai instead of Fekiotoa - to give a Chiefs midfield with ALB.
Thoughts?
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Jordie/Goodhue
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@rotated @Billy-Tell @kiwiinmelb
Like you guys I went with the (slightly) older and more experienced heads of ALB with Fekitoa.
I think bringing on Laumape later against a tiring defence is also a better option.
Further to that stream of thought, I would also prefer to see Julian Savea and put Rieko back on the bench where he can again turn his speed against a tiring defence.
Therefore my backline would look like this:
9. Aaron Smith
10. Bauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Anton Lienert Brown
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Fred Dagg (ooops I mean Isreal)Bench has Laumape and Ioane.
My $0.02 worth anyway. -
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@KiwiMurph
Oops, thank you @KiwiMurph for pointing that out.
One last back on the bench... I would go with Lima Sopoaga.IMHO, Cruden just hasn't looked that great.
Therefore my backline would look like this:
- Aaron Smith
- Bauden Barrett
- Julian Savea
- Anton Lienert Brown
- Malakai Fekitoa
- Waisake Naholo
- Fred Dagg (ooops I mean Isreal)
Bench Sopoaga, Laumape and Ioane.
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@No-Quarter said in What midfield do you want?:
Man we really miss Crotty's organisation and leadership in the midfield. I said before the series if we lost Crotty we'd be in a bit of trouble - none of the other options can fill the role he plays.
I would have liked us to have picked Brown Crotty (Ngatai) even if he is a bit underdone. But since he's not there ALB and Malakai for me I guess.
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@Siam apparently he is def out
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@taniwharugby ta mate. Bugger
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@KiwiMurph said in What midfield do you want?:
@RoninWC So the only cover for 10 is Dagg?
About time aye....
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in What midfield do you want?:
Jordie/Goodhue
A good Canterbury midfield right there.
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Are people now asking for Savea out of desperation?
I know Rieko had a poor game on involvement but remember that we adjusted to a very narrow game. He still offers being the fastest person out there which can be a difference given the opportunity.
Julian would be good if he was fired up and the plan was to angle various runners at the 10/12 channel all game. -
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I think Julian's big game experience might also play into it.
For the first test Rieko had SBW Crotty and Ben Smith in the backline. None of those 3 are there.
There is likely to be other rookies involved (Laumape/Jordie).
Especially with Jordie at the back I think two experienced wingers is a good idea.
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@Bovidae it wouldn't be quite remarkable if they threw Jordie out there to start. Agree that Savea seems a very unlikely starter based on form, but you never know, it could've been the Bus that was stirring up the emotion/feeling with at training....
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@Crucial said in What midfield do you want?:
Are people now asking for Savea out of desperation?
I know Rieko had a poor game on involvement but remember that we adjusted to a very narrow game. He still offers being the fastest person out there which can be a difference given the opportunity.
Julian would be good if he was fired up and the plan was to angle various runners at the 10/12 channel all game.I like the idea of Savea in part because of his experience, and in part because he still can finish at close quarters if given the chance and I think that's something that we will need.
That shouldn't be at the expense of Ioane though, thus I'd push him into the 13 jersey and trust Smith & co can prepare him for that. Despite Fekitoa's caps I'm not sure he would be at that much of an advantage stepping in, so much of his actual game time came off the bench or outside Nonu back in '14. Different kettle of fish this time.
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@ACT-Crusader said in What midfield do you want?:
@Bovidae it wouldn't be quite remarkable if they threw Jordie out there to start.
Why not simply say "it would be unremarkable"
??
