How many Crusaders in your AB 23?
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I don't get the love for Blackadder. Sure he's busy, but Papalii is the same but more accurate.
They will start Cane and Savea for certain. Then someone big to carry the ball, so Ioane or Sotutu. Papalii and Barrett as reserves.
Starting Cane, Savea and Blackadder would be ... interesting. But not in a good way.
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@Frank said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@act-crusader said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
Taylor starting is because Coles is out. Sami definitely in the 23.
Why start Taylor ahead of Samisoni?
I think we start from the position that the starter is the best player. Not sure that is the case any more.
If Taylor and ST are the two hookers selected I tend to think that you'd get greater benefit/impact from ST off the bench rather than the other way around. Let CT do the donkey work, and unleash ST on the last 30-35.
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@Tim if ST is the best 2, start him, if CT offers nothing off the bench, we need to be looking at another 2 that can make an impact off the bench.
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@taniwharugby said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@Tim if ST is the best 2, start him, if CT offers nothing off the bench, we need to be looking at another 2 that can make an impact off the bench.
I think Taylor could be excellent off the bench, there's no doubt he's quick, abrasive and skilful - could also be excellent for his discipline knowing he doesn't have to play as long so can work harder on getting inside, rolling away and staying on his feet at the breakdown....
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@Chester-Draws said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
I don't get the love for Blackadder. Sure he's busy, but Papalii is the same but more accurate.
They will start Cane and Savea for certain. Then someone big to carry the ball, so Ioane or Sotutu. Papalii and Barrett as reserves.
Starting Cane, Savea and Blackadder would be ... interesting. But not in a good way.
Personally speaking - and I love me some Sam Cane - I think Paps is close to putting Cane on the bench.
He'll be the AB captain at some point as well.
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@gt12 Paps has improved his carrying and linking games this year, but could still improve his jackling, and his ability to play to the ref over the ball.
He is pushing Cane hard though. If he plays six then we need a lineout option at 8 who is also a power player.
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@Tim I think maybe similar to McCaw, Cane and Papa don't need to stand out so much with jackals as they do so much more defensively to help create more for others. Anyway, haven't seen stats but I feel like he's been performing well there! I'd have him ahead of Cane (how awesome would it be having Cane on the bench).
By the way, virtual likes to you and @gt12 as I've hit my limit of 20 it seems
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If names and captain's titles were taken out, Dalton would be the first on the starting 15 players' list. He is big and abrasive enough to play 6 but that would mean a complete shuffle in the loosie trio, wouldn't it? You would need Akira or Sotutu at 8, right? Sotutu has been bloody impressive in the last 2 games. Even runs like Mexted (favorite player as a kid) with the ball.
Savea, Dalton, & Cane - all deserving a start but three no.7s................ -
Sparky's 23 to play Ireland
Moody, ST, Ofa T, Whitelock, Retallick, A.Ioane, Papalii, A. Savea, Smith, B.Barrett, Clarke, J.Barrett, R. Ioane, Reece, Jordan
Bench: Coles or Taylor, Hodgman, Laulala, S Barrett, Cane or Sotutu, Fakatava, Gatland, Tupaea
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@sparky said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
Sparky's 23 to play Ireland
Moody, ST, Ofa T, Whitelock, Retallick, A.Ioane, Papalii, A. Savea, Smith, B.Barrett, Clarke, J.Barrett, R. Ioane, Reece, Jordan
Bench: Coles or Taylor, Hodgman, Laulala, S Barrett, Cane or Sotutu, Fakatava, Gatland, Tupaea
Am I missing something, why is Gatland on your bench? God help us if he even makes the All Blacks. Also, is Fakatava eligible?
I'd like to see De Groot somewhere near that 23, he's been a beast this year for the Highlanders.
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@FakatavaFuture said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@sparky if Ireland are touring here how about we run out Hewett, Hammett, Somerville, Jack, Maxwell, Thorne, McCaw, Razor, Marshall, Merts, Ralph, Mauger, Ennor, Lomu & Rangi ?
No love for Mark Robinson aye ?
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@Tim said in How many Crusaders in your AB 23?:
@booboo We need to stop chasing games, and make better starts. Last year we were too often well down when the reserves came on. Best players to start, especially if they are front-rowers who have more power in the clean and when carrying.
I don’t think there is necessarily anything wrong with chasing games given the ebbs and flow of a test match. We did so quite a few times under Henry and Hansen with great effect using our bench.
