2018 AB Depth Chart
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Who are the top 2018 available players in each position? Ranked from 1 to 10? I will edit this thread to keep it up to date with the fern consensus.
Lets start with LH props.
- Moody
- Crockett - 35 next January, when will he retire?
- Hames? Wasn't good against Lions, gives away a lot of penalties, contribution around the field so, so.
- Manu. Inconsistent scrummaging, was playing well before this year's injury. Gets injured quite a bit. Been in AB environment.
- Lienert-Brown. Test possibility or journeyman?
- Ben May? Is not very good. Do the Chiefs have a better option here?
Up and comers and youngsters:
Who are they? Hodgman looks good, hopefully he will injury free next year. Lindenmuth was good for the U20s, but it takes quite a while to mature as a prop.
U20s players, if you want them on the list, who looked good this year: Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Pouri Rakete-Stones (who can cover LH, TH and even hooker, although I've never seen him play in the no. 2 jersey).
Last year's U20s made us cry.
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Chris-B. Was thinking of Mitchell Graham but hasn't been injured a lot of the last 18 months? Goodes is certainly better than Maym but isn't he a long-term concussion casualty?
Hopefully we're only down to the No. 6 choice and they might not actually be required before the summer break.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi as a loosehead before Ben, as well.
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Back to the LH, Seuli (spelling ?) has been in great form for the Highlanders : strong scrummager and very dynamic in the loose.
Lindenmuth is one to watch for the future.
Hodgman's scrummaging is a concern. Just a question of technique, I guess because he is a huge man.
Lienert-Brown is not big enough for the international scene IMO.
Ben May has done well for the Canes last year and this year as well but he is over 30 so he won't be in contention. -
If we can propose injured players, Brendon Edmonds at loosehead
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@Stockcar86 Hasn't he been injured for two years? Not in contention.
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@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@Stockcar86 Hasn't he been injured for two years? Not in contention.
April 2016, so 14 months
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Right, on to Hooker.
- Coles (hopefully back for the RC)
- Taylor
- Harris (not sure about this guy, at all - outplayed by Parsons and Taylor this year)
- Coltman
- Parsons
- Funnell (always liked the look of him, would love to watch him starting against quality opposition)
- GPT (FFS Blues)
- Riccitelli (young but promising)
- Dixon (exposed by the Lions, journeyman at best)
- Adrian Smith (deadset Harbour legend)
Asafo Aumua is the obvious young player to look for.
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@cgrant said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Back to the LH, Seuli (spelling ?) has been in great form for the Highlanders : strong scrummager and very dynamic in the loose.
Lindenmuth is one to watch for the future.
Hodgman's scrummaging is a concern. Just a question of technique, I guess because he is a huge man.
Lienert-Brown is not big enough for the international scene IMO.
Ben May has done well for the Canes last year and this year as well but he is over 30 so he won't be in contention.Is he the one with dreadlocks/longish hair?
I have noticed him a lot in the loose this year. Always makes yards. -
@Tim said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Right, on to Hooker.
- Coles (hopefully back for the RC)
- Taylor
- Harris (not sure about this guy, at all - outplayed by Parsons and Taylor this year)
- Coltman
- Parsons
- Funnell (always liked the look of him, would love to watch him starting against quality opposition)
- GPT (FFS Blues)
- Riccitelli (young but promising)
- Dixon (exposed by the Lions, journeyman at best)
- Adrian Smith (deadset Harbour legend)
Asafo Aumua is the obvious young player to look for.
Dare I mention Elliot ...
Jeez ..
... stuff ...
.. and things...
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Lots of people (on this thread snd the exodus one) suggesting that Crockett won't make it to the next RWC because of his age. Is this even a thing anymore? He seems to be in the form of his life and guys like Brad Thorn, Richie, Woodcock and Kevvy have proven that you can keep playing well into your mid-late 30s.
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@pukunui said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Lots of people (on this thread snd the exodus one) suggesting that Crockett won't make it to the next RWC because of his age. Is this even a thing anymore? He seems to be in the form of his life and guys like Brad Thorn, Richie, Woodcock and Kevvy have proven that you can keep playing well into your mid-late 30s.
I agree with that, but he' signed until the end of 2018. Question is whether that contract will be extended, whether he'll go overseas or retire at the end of his contract.
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@Chris-B. said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Wyatt will be 35 next January. Pushing right up against the age barrier to make the RWC in 2019. He'd be older than BBBT and Kev if he played in it.
I guess his career could be prolonged given he's only playing 25-30 minutes of footy per test match. Good quality footy at that, but he's not taking the battering of big minutes like others. Hansen and co have really found the best way to use him and he's worked on his craft being an excellent impact player.
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@Chris-B. said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Wyatt will be 35 next January. Pushing right up against the age barrier to make the RWC in 2019. He'd be older than BBBT and Kev if he played in it.
Those guys were playing pretty well when they retired though. What's to say if the RWCs they retired after were a year later that they wouldn't have made it to them?
Just don't think age should be used as an indicator unless you are talking long term plans.
Not saying he will definitely make it. But if he stays in good nick and form then why not.