George Moala
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@pakman said in George Moala:
Not sure if it's got much press in NZ, but GOTJ has been near unplayable at 12 for Clermont, and was named at 12 in most UK scribes' top XV in Europe, based on the European Club Champions Cup.
Near unplayable for a rugby player screams "been playing like a turd" to me. That's not what you mean?
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Steven Luatua
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@Bones said in George Moala:
@pakman said in George Moala:
Not sure if it's got much press in NZ, but GOTJ has been near unplayable at 12 for Clermont, and was named at 12 in most UK scribes' top XV in Europe, based on the European Club Champions Cup.
Near unplayable for a rugby player screams "been playing like a turd" to me. That's not what you mean?
Means that he can't be stopped from making 3m or more whenever he takes on line. And making lots of space for those outside him.
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@pakman said in George Moala:
@Bones said in George Moala:
@pakman said in George Moala:
Not sure if it's got much press in NZ, but GOTJ has been near unplayable at 12 for Clermont, and was named at 12 in most UK scribes' top XV in Europe, based on the European Club Champions Cup.
Near unplayable for a rugby player screams "been playing like a turd" to me. That's not what you mean?
Means that he can't be stopped from making 3m or more whenever he takes on line. And making lots of space for those outside him.
Unstoppable!
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@Bones said in George Moala:
@mofitzy_ Toeava... McAlister...
Halaholo
McNicholl
Parkes
AnscombeOn paper I would disagree with Parkes but it seems he's aged like wine.
On the subject of residency poaches, Payne, Aki, Gibson-Park and Lowe all left in their primes.
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@sparky said in George Moala:
Yet another quality player the Blues never got the best out of.
The Blues got plenty out of Moala as a winger. His passing skills at centre were still developing but he was still very effective for us.
He was excellent in the 2015 season
Could the Blues have gotten more out of him if he didn't leave NZ in his mid 20's? Yes, but that more to do with selection at Test level.
In his handful of Test matches he played very well but there just wasn't room for him particularly as he moved from the wing.
In another era he would have gotten more opportunities as a midfield/wing reserve and might have developed into a specialist Test midfielder.
Unfortunately for him the AB reserves were usually made up of a halfback/10 and specialist midfielder because BB would cover the outside backs -
Moala has been very hot and cold for Clermont. Especially in the first year, he didn't add much. He obviously needed his time to adjust (like many players moving to the NH). Now, the NH style of rugby clearly suits him better than SR. IMO, he was too slow for SR. I still remember Blues supporters complaining about that (and the fact that he never passed to his wings when playing in the midfield).
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@mofitzy_ said in George Moala:
Moala, Piutau, who else has NZ rugby lost in their prime? SR starter quality I mean.
Carl Hayman
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@booboo said in George Moala:
Dally Messenger
In the same vein, all of the 1905 ABs who became All Golds and the top provincial players who went on that tour.
Also, piston wristed gibbon pedant alert, Dally Messenger didn't leave NZ rugby in his prime ....
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