AB Positions up for grabs
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@tim the pack did not perform well? Really? What games did you watch? All Black scrum destroyed all comers last year, line out was great as usual, maybe breakdown and defence could've been better. But that does not relate to the pack not being good
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Bird really stepped up a notch last year and had games where he outshone BBBR (more likely they shared the workload). Has a chance if he shows out again.
Harris was singled out by the coaches for his contributions on the EOYT. I also couldn't see why from what we observed on the pitch, but they have the detailed numbers both on and off the field to judge by and appeared quite happy with him.
Hames deserves a bit more black jersey pay if only for that scrum against Scotland which may well have saved our arses (legal or not)We need another 9, another 10, to sort out the midfield options and settle down with them, also get another 'second fullback' (Duffie?) going.
Other questions are how to fit the talents of Jordie B and DMac into the team irrespective of injuries. Two valuable players for a RWC squad makeup but somehow we need to keep them involved and gaining on field experience.
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11996709
"With Lima going we've gone from having two starting No 10s who are both comfortable driving the game to only one so it's going to be interesting watching Damian and how he goes at five-eighth for the Chiefs, Richie Mo'unga for the Crusaders and young Stephen who is injured at the moment for the Blues and all the other five-eighths for that matter," Hansen said.
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@nepia said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@tim Damn, I forgot I was setting you up for your one man war on Squire ;).
He's not fighting that alone
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@tim haha i dont even remeber posting that dont know how you do!
on joe edwards he was not offered a contract above his auckland one so he wasnt in a position to stay and is now in 3rd division in france. his body was done at 22.
@seu cooper looks to be trying him at 8 will be interesting i think they lack depth at 8 at the chiefs
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@muddyriver said in AB Positions up for grabs:
i dont even remeber posting that dont know how you do!
It was right on the money!
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@nepia said in AB Positions up for grabs:
Is Hames still a fill in? I think he probably did enough over the season to be considered a worthy selection.
I reckon Hames is a lock in, given that Crockett will at best make it to next year's RWC, so we're really looking for two assistants to Moody.
Hames has been preferred to the other choices and he's acquired nine caps worth of experience so I'd say the gap between him and the next best option widened last season rather than closed.
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3rd Halfback
Smith and Perenara are obviously the top two. Kerr-Barlow has gone, and there are no players with significant international experience left. This is wide open.
Contenders:
Hall and Drummond at the Crusaders. Both good but not much more. Hall is faster around the field and looks a little bit sharper, not very consistent though. Was preferred for the playoffs last year. Was injured at the end of the year and Drummond got a chance with the ABs.
Brad Weber - has the pass and speed to the ruck, but does he have the game for test rugby? He's rather small, and has struggled on defence. Is returning from a serious injury.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (T3) - Looks in good shape, looks faster too. Another small player. Has looked really good at times in lower grades.
Pulu - would make a good impact sub. Very physical. Would you want this man starting for your team? Pass is often too slow, not great at getting to rucks quickly.
Pity that Enari is injured. Looked really good for NZ U20.
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Backup 1st 5
Sopoaga won't play unless there's an injury problem, and Hansen has named three players they're watching: Mo'unga, McKenzie, and Perofeta.
Contenders:
Mo'unga - developing a good all-round game, improving on defence. Pretty small. Likely to be picked.
McKenzie - brilliant in open space, but erratic and has a high error rate. Small. AB coaches are enthusiastic, but he could struggle for consistency.
Perofeta - young but a lot of potential. Questions over kicking game and defence. Can he control a game at the top level? Looked sharp against the Chiefs. Completely dominant at U20 World Cup last year. Has had a bad run of injuries.
Otere Black is injured; Tiaan Falcon is too young yet (promising player though); Gatland is steady and has a good kicking game, but probably lacks the speed and skill level for test rugby; Hunt wouldn't disgrace himself, and performs well under pressure, but probably lacks the overall quality for test rugby.
We lack depth compared with recent seasons, but at least we're not Australia.
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@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@nepia On Bird, don't think so.
Last year (March) he signed a two year contract with the Chiefs through to the end of 2018.
Only a 1 yr contract with the Chiefs so I'd say he is keeping his options open. Bird got a sniff as an extra on the EOYT so isn't completely out of contention. Bird needs to perform for the full season as, like @Tim said, he did fall away towards the end, when Brown was preferred as the starter ahead of him.
The obvious starting AB postions up for grabs are 14 and the midfield mix. There is more uncertainty with the backups at hooker (minus Coles), LH prop, lock, 1st 5 and winger/fullback. And plenty of questions for wider squad postions.
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@muddyriver said in AB Positions up for grabs:
@seu cooper looks to be trying him at 8 will be interesting i think they lack depth at 8 at the chiefs
I found that an interesting choice. Based on my observations in Te Kuiti that move wasn't a success. Seu is very athletic but does have a tendency to run too upright, which isn't ideal when you are so tall and skinny.
As for the Chiefs, Messam and Brown are the best options at no.8. Ardron too, when he (finally) makes an appearance. But Cooper (and Barnes) may have completely other ideas.
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Midfield
There are two certainties, SBW and Crotty, but Crotty is constantly injured. Could see five midfielders + Ioane being used this year.
Contenders:
Anton Lienert-Brown - very skillful player, not physically dominant. Accurate defender. Had a case of the "2nd season blues" last year, and looked to have dropped some speed. Likely to be picked, the question is how well he establishes himself at the top level.
Jack Goodhue - very accurate and skilful player, with a good all-round game. Has the classy look and "time" of a classic NZ centre. Will be heavily marked and studied in his second season - how will he respond? How will his physicality develop for test rugby? Likely to be picked.
Laumape - physically dominant player, big defender and ball carrier. Lacks the skill and accuracy of the other players. AB backline didn't look great with him at 12. Will his skill level develop further? Unlikely to start, but a handy bench option. Most at risk of missing out.
Jordie Barrett - big, skilful player. Young and raw, but could offer the combination of accuracy, skill, and physicality that is needed at the top level. Will he play at 12 or 15? The wildcard of the midfield.
Others: TJ Faiane is promising and skilful player, but does he have the physical ability? Rob Thompson is tidy but doesn't seem to offer test level ability. Matt Proctor could be a bolter.
