Michael Leitch - would he make the All Blacks
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<p>I was thinking the same thing while watching tonight's match. He'd make most sides that's for sure.</p>
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<p>Yes, Leitch would make the ABs on current form.</p>
<p>Big, powerful - he was superb for the Chiefs last season, really shored up the scrum and topped defensive duties with Cane. Really pleased to see him back - and stoked he chose the Chiefs over the Sunwolves this season, still in some kind of form.</p>
<p>He's a natural leader with an excellent work ethic, and was a joy to watch with Japan in the WC. Was one of the reasons Japan was my second favourite team of the WC.</p> -
Sorry boobs. No.<br><br>
I'm a fan ( a big one now), but he's not ahead of any other options at 7 or 6, so is only an option if picked at 8. Which, I can't see happening because Read. <br><br>
So, to get selected you have to cover multiple positions (which he does) but also beat out Ioane, Thomson, Luatua, or Dixon. Not counting Messam who is currently unavailable. <br><br>
He's 27, so he's not that old, but I don't see him getting picked ahead of:<br><br>
Luatua: 24<br>
Ioane: 20<br>
Thomson: 25<br>
Dixon: 26<br><br>
So, as a Chiefs fan I'm all for him. But, I doubt that he would be an AB. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="567490" data-time="1458998496">
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<p>Sorry boobs. No.<br><br>
I'm a fan ( a big one now), but he's not ahead of any other options at 7 or 6, so is only an option if picked at 8. Which, I can't see happening because Read.<br><br>
So, to get selected you have to cover multiple positions (which he does) but also beat out Ioane, Thomson, Luatua, or Dixon. Not counting Messam who is currently unavailable.<br><br>
He's 27, so he's not that old, but I don't see him getting picked ahead of:<br><br>
Luatua: 24<br>
Ioane: 20<br>
Thomson: 25<br>
Dixon: 26<br><br>
So, as a Chiefs fan I'm all for him. But, I doubt that he would be an AB.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Yeah, this. We just have so much talent right now.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="567490" data-time="1458998496"><p>Sorry boobs. No.<br><br>
I'm a fan ( a big one now), but he's not ahead of any other options at 7 or 6, so is only an option if picked at 8. Which, I can't see happening because Read. <br><br>
So, to get selected you have to cover multiple positions (which he does) but also beat out Ioane, Thomson, Luatua, or Dixon. Not counting Messam who is currently unavailable. <br><br>
He's 27, so he's not that old, but I don't see him getting picked ahead of:<br><br>
Luatua: 24<br>
Ioane: 20<br>
Thomson: 25<br>
Dixon: 26<br><br>
So, as a Chiefs fan I'm all for him. But, I doubt that he would be an AB.</p></blockquote>
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I think you have missed the point. <br>
Is he good enough to be an AB? Yes. <br>
Would he get in the current side when the declared captain plays in his best position and it isn't a position that carries specialist reserves? No. -
<p>tough question to answer, as someone alluded to above, had he been in NZ his path would have been much different and as such may have played in a team where he was stuck behind someone else or simply didnt cut it in NZ.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He's playing some top code and probably the best 8 in NZ at present.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567572" data-time="1459045999">
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<p>I think you have missed the point.<br>
Is he good enough to be an AB? Yes.<br>
Would he get in the current side when the declared captain plays in his best position and it isn't a position that carries specialist reserves? No.</p>
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<p>Was that the point though? Would he make the ABs?/He would be be in the squad as suggested in the original post is still a no when looking at the other guys who would be in front of him.</p>
<p>If its an exercise in if A, B, C and D better players didn't exist he would be in then whats the point. If lots of players didn't exist I would be first choice.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="567605" data-time="1459059059"><p>Was that the point though? Would he make the ABs?/He would be be in the squad as suggested in the original post is still a no when looking at the other guys who would be in front of him.<br>
If its an exercise in if A, B, C and D better players didn't exist he would be in then whats the point. If lots of players didn't exist I would be first choice.</p></blockquote>
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But are you just judging the guys ability compared to others or taking into account the makeup of a squad and who is the captain as well. <br><br>
All things being equal he would be very close in that he is a better 8 than Kaino or Vito. But with Read being there then he doesn't make it only because of players that cover more positions a little better. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567572" data-time="1459045999"><p>I think you have missed the point. <br>
Is he good enough to be an AB? Yes. <br>
Would he get in the current side when the declared captain plays in his best position and it isn't a position that carries specialist reserves? No.</p></blockquote>
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I thought the question was whether he would make the ABs. He wouldn't make my squad (reasons above), but he would make Boobs. <br><br>
And, if the question is 'is he playing well enough that you wouldn't be unhappy to see him in black?' Or 'is he good enough to be an AB?' Then yes, for sure.<br><br>
But I still wouldn't pick him. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="567622" data-time="1459064342">
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<p>Playing like an AB.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>What does that actually mean?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568068" data-time="1459220517"><p>
What does that actually mean?</p></blockquote>
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What I mean by that is doing everything right, and making a (positive) difference when he does. Having an impact, often and not making mistakes.<br><br>
It's what I in my role as armchair selector look for when selecting my All Blacks team.
