Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?
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@antipodean said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
All of a sudden people aren't talking about blindsides...
'tis still an issue.
Areas of concern for me for the RWC 23 are set out below. Key risks for me are the loosies (getting a balanced trio out there that is effective), and right wing. In that context, the third choice 10 is important, but not yet critical.
Six.
Still a major - no one has really owned this since Jerome retired.Seven - backup
Ardie has really come into his own. But it's a tough position, and a lot is riding on Sam Cane coming out of this well. Todd's form this year isn't great, despite being behind a strong tight 5. In fact, his form seems to have dropped off as there are injuries in the fatties ... no surprises really. If Todd gets back on his game, we're covered ... otherwise we're light.Eight
Fingers crossed that Read comes back to peak later in the year. Has not been impressive since his back injury.Midfield
Need to find our top combo, play it, and hope they stay healthy. Lots of players, but few standouts for the role. Only really included here as I don't think Hansen has prepared well for this ... or maybe he's prepared brilliantly by getting a set of players used to slotting in and out.Right Wing
Either pickign someone who makes me bloody nervous (Naholo around jumpers), or talented by raw (Bridge, Will Jordan). -
@nzzp said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@shark said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
Personally, I'd now be looking seriously at Otere Black.
If we can't get Cruden, then yes to Black. But crikey, even seeing him on the fringe of a squad makes me nervous. Surely we've had our string of 10 injuries in 2011? This can't happen again can it?
I don't know. We lost both 10s on one game in 2007. Carlos went home in 99 and Merhts was carrying an injury into that game. Fark in 1995 the entire team got food poisoning. 2015 was a rare happy time in terms of injuries/illness etc.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel 2011
DC...Slade...Cruden...although he played 9, Weepu
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@hydro11 said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
Black and Marty both had good games tonight.
Apart from Black doing the Tonya Harding on DMac
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@taniwharugby said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel 2011
DC...Slade...Cruden...although he played 9, Weepu
Yes I was adding to what the original poster stated about 2011 hopefully being unprecedented. Unfortunately we haven't had the best of luck with RWCs and every eventually has to be considered.
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@Stockcar86 said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@hydro11 said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
Black and Marty both had good games tonight.
Apart from Black doing the Tonya Harding on DMac
IT'S A CONSPIRACY
good catch - that's really ironic
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I'm not sure they will be looking for a replacement back-up 10. They might prefer preparing TJP, Jordie or someone with excellent organisation and kicking skills like Crotty, for emergencies.
But if they decide to have a look at a replacement back-up 10, I'd like them to call up more than one first five back-up to the 3-day camps, to have a closer look at them. The only 10 - apart from BB, RM and DMAC - with experience in significant high pressure games (Super Rugby finals) - from the bench - is Mitch Hunt. Apart from Hunt, they could invite Black (I'm still not sold on him) and Banks (if fit; probably the most experienced 10 outside the top). More remote options could be MMac and Josh Ioane. Neither of those names gives me confidence though.
I also wonder how Havili would go at 10. He has an excellent boot.
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According to The Scotsman, it is 70% likely that Aaron Cruden is off to Glasgow Warriors:
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I see lots of people suggesting TJP. Has he ever played there? I can’t recall it. Can he goal kick?
I can’t see them picking a guy who doesn’t kick goals unless Jordie is on the field as well. Way too risky.
Of the 10’s left in NZ my choice would be Banks then Black.
If you are covering it with an out of position player then it should be Jordie for his goal kicking. -
@pukunui said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
Of the 10’s left in NZ my choice would be Banks
Did you see his last game? Wasn't even NPC level.
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@antipodean He played the whole game with a broken foot.
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@Stargazer Brumbies
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@Stargazer I thought he played 30+ minutes at 10 against the Waratahs this year?
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@Tim said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@antipodean He played the whole game with a broken foot.
Looked like he played the whole game with a broken leg and two broken arms.
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@Tim said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@Stargazer I thought he played 30+ minutes at 10 against the Waratahs this year?
Yes, that's one example. In the 57th minute, James Marshall went off injured and Finlay Christie came on to play at halfback, allowing TJP to move to 10. James Marshall had come on for Fletcher Smith only 5 minutes earlier, so Smith couldn't come back on. Jordie stayed at fullback, but did all the goalkicking in that game (right from the start).
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@Stargazer was pretty notable that TJ didn’t look comfortable at ten, so not sure he can pull a Weepu.
I can’t seem them going into a World Cup with only two tens. Makes the RC a bit more in, surely they have to try a third option out of TJ, Jordie, Crotty, Black, Hunt or Ioane.
Just so they know?
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We wouldn't be in this situation if they hadn't insisted on making a sow's ear out of a silk purse.
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@antipodean said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
We wouldn't be in this situation if they hadn't insisted on making a sow's ear out of a silk purse.
Who would you have picked?
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@Kirwan said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
@antipodean said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:
We wouldn't be in this situation if they hadn't insisted on making a sow's ear out of a silk purse.
Who would you have picked?
I expect Sopoaga would have stayed had he believed he was second/ third choice five eighth for the All Blacks.
