AB 1st 15

gt12

I thought he’d move actually as I know we have three guys who want to play 15. I like him though, he’s been great for us at times - I just don’t quite see him being an AB with the same potential as Alaimalo - he’s very James Lowe-y, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

Chris B.

Will Jordan - and that is a statement, not a question.

Bovidae

@Nepia said in AB 1st 15:

Stevenson is a good player who is underrated ... a back three of Alaimalo (lets face it if he' stayed in Chch he'd probably have played for the ABs three years ago), Stevenson and DMac is as exciting as any out there.

When Stevenson was finally selected at the end of this season the back three looked threatening again. Wainui is a decent defender but lacks top-end speed for a winger.

@gt12 I also prefer Alaimalo on the wing. I can understand why he has been picked at fullback (strong in the air, a decent boot) but my main criticism of him is that he doesn't always back himself to beat defenders, even when running it from deep.

gt12

@Chris-B said in AB 1st 15:

Will Jordan - and that is a statement, not a question.

That's a known unknown though, bet you'd get shit odds on him becoming an AB this year.

Chris B.

@gt12 If we were picking a team for an EOYT today, I'd pick him. Even if it was as a playing apprentice.

He's already good enough and too much upside to ignore.

Nepia

@Chris-B said in AB 1st 15:

@gt12 If we were picking a team for an EOYT today, I'd pick him. Even if it was as a playing apprentice.

He's already good enough and too much upside to ignore.

Is he good enough like JB was good enough?

Just being cautious ....

Bovidae

@Chris-B As a fullback? In the Waikato- Ta$man game Jordan got badly exposed on defence (twice) on the right wing.

Chris B.

@Nepia Assuming that he will only debut at earliest in June of next year - he'll already be two years older than Jordie when he made his debut.

Arguably if Will hadn't got hurt during he Super season, Sevu Reece wouldn't have got enough opportunities to press his case and could easily have been Jordan and Ennor in the mid year ABs.

Any later for Will and we're starting to waste his speed.

Chris B.

@Bovidae Wing or fullback.

I think that was the Ta$man defensive system got exposed by Waikato - rushing up and in.

gt12

@Bovidae

Agreed, for whatever reason he didn’t beat many men playing from 15 but looked like a new player when on the wing.

He’s an ideal type for an AB wing - fast, tall, can beat a man, is good in the air, has a boot, and isn’t named Jordie Barrett.

cgrant

@taniwharugby
If you were watching La Rochelle, you would see that Vito is past it. I hope for him and his team this is just a problem of fitness.
12. I can't wait to see what Nankivell could do. He has developed very quickly this year and could be a bolter for the ABs.

Bones

@cgrant said in AB 1st 15:

@taniwharugby
If you were watching La Rochelle, you would see that Vito is past it. I hope for him and his team this is just a problem of fitness.
12. I can't wait to see what Nankivell could do. He has developed very quickly this year and could be a bolter for the ABs.

You really dislike the current midfield eh? 😁

cgrant

Yes, I think Goodhue and ALB are too similar, ALB being faster though. The ABs need more penetration in midfield in order to nullify their opponents' rush defence.

canefan

@cgrant said in AB 1st 15:

Yes, I think Goodhue and ALB are too similar, ALB being faster though. The ABs need more penetration in midfield in order to nullify their opponents' rush defence.

It is time for Laumape to put up or shut up in this regard. And time for a new coach to give him a chance to prove he can be our next battering ram

The Silver Fern

AB 1st 15