The ten minute gang

[pakman]

One thing which has struck me for some time, is how little game time the 'ten minute men' for ABs have had since Super Rugby finished. Whereas the props are rotated around the 60 minute mark, and halfback, and often 7 too. May have missed some NPC, but Harris seemed to have very little game time from Chiefs exit till BaaBaa's game. Likewise, how much game time has Sopoaga had? That's a position which requires decent minutes in the saddle to avoid rustiness. Would have been more of an issue for the lock/6 benchers, except injury intervened to mix things up. For example, Kaino seemed very underdone in BaaBaa's cameo.

My sixpence's worth is that on the EOYT some of these could have done more NPC time.

[Tim]

@pakman said in The ten minute gang:

My sixpence's worth is that on the EOYT some of these could have done more NPC time.

Strong agree.

[chimoaus]

Yep, there would be a number who spent lots of time on the pine or in the stands. TJP only had 1 game over 40 minutes all season for the AB's. At least they will be fresh come Super Rugby. Spare a thought for Cane, Whitelock, A Smith and BB who all had massive years with plenty of minutes played.

[Rancid Schnitzel]

What was the point of selecting TKB? He was a clear number 3 and was going to Toulon. Why not blood another sh.?

[Stargazer]

@rancid-schnitzel

"To be really honest, if we were really clear on who the next halfback was then we probably wouldn't have (selected Kerr-Barlow)," Hansen said.

"He is a good player - I think he's been very unlucky to have competed in the same era as Aaron Smith and TJ (Perenara)."

"He's contracted until the end of it (the Northern tour), and our job is to pick the best team we can for New Zealand the All Blacks and that's what we've done."

Oct 21, 2017

'He is a stand out' – Steve Hansen defends selection of La Rochelle bound Kerr-Barlow

The halfback will go on the All Blacks' end of year tour, despite signing for a French side.

[Bovidae]

I remember seeing Harris' name on the teamsheet for at least one BOP game. He may have played more too.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae According to the Mitre 10 Cup stats page, Harris has played in 3 games (124 minutes).

[antipodean]

I expect from the coaches POV, the players benefit from being in the environment more than they would playing at a much lower standard of competition.

[taniwharugby]

@chimoaus reckon Dmac musta clocked up a shitload of minutes.

[Crucial]

@taniwharugby said in The ten minute gang:

@chimoaus reckon Dmac musta clocked up a shitload of minutes.

Post Super season he was top of the list. Laumape was up there as well but he has had scant playing time since.
If we can find the numbers definitely DMac will be highest minutes played. BB, Cane and Sam W will be up there as well.