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    Best Passing Young Halfback

    Sports Talk
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    • Tim
      Tim last edited by

      2 votes.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • chimoaus
        chimoaus last edited by

        Roe looks very exciting to me, a nose for the try line and just puts pressure around the ruck defenders. I hope he gets a shot at super level next year. I haven't seen enough of the other players to have a strong opinion. I think Drummond is 26 so not that old.

        J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
        • KiwiMurph
          KiwiMurph last edited by

          As a pure passer Fakatava for me.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • chimoaus
            chimoaus last edited by chimoaus

            Whilst we go on about accurate passing etc the 9 has a lot of involvement in game management which we don't give players enough credit for. I have no idea how they measure decision making but it must be pretty important.
            Also, out of interest is A Smith intending to go to the next world cup? Is 34 too old for HB? I guess if one of the young guys steps up then he may not need to play for 60-80.

            J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • taniwharugby
              taniwharugby last edited by taniwharugby

              Well anyone who has read my posts on Nock over the past few years knows I have been very critical of him, so isn't a bias call.

              He has always had a great pass, but was often too hesitant and almost looked scared that he rarely showed it, but this year he has along with other aspects of his game as his confidence has grown.

              I also like Fakatava, good pass, seems bloody strong, a real prospect, my gripe with him is I have never been a fan of the schoolboy selections (Sivi, Fekitoa, Taumanivalu et al)

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • J
                junior @chimoaus last edited by

                @chimoaus said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                Roe looks very exciting to me, a nose for the try line and just puts pressure around the ruck defenders. I hope he gets a shot at super level next year. I haven't seen enough of the other players to have a strong opinion. I think Drummond is 26 so not that old.

                No mention of passing.

                This is not a crack at you, @chimoaus, but more an example of how the NZ rugby public tends to look at their halfback options - how's his running game? Does he score many tries? It's no wonder we breed halfbacks who can't pass!

                chimoaus 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • J
                  junior @chimoaus last edited by

                  @chimoaus said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                  Whilst we go on about accurate passing etc the 9 has a lot of involvement in game management which we don't give players enough credit for. I have no idea how they measure decision making but it must be pretty important.
                  Also, out of interest is A Smith intending to go to the next world cup? Is 34 too old for HB? I guess if one of the young guys steps up then he may not need to play for 60-80.

                  Good point, but not relevant to this discussion, IMO. As I said elsewhere, A Smith came in as pretty much a passer and nothing else. Over the course of 94 tests, he's build a solid running game, good kicking game and (most of the time) excellent game management. These are all things you can build around an excellent passing game. And, in any event, if we have the dual play makers already on the field, an extra decision maker might just confuse things a little bit.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Bovidae
                    Bovidae last edited by

                    A general comment. It's no good having a quick and lengthy pass if it is erratic, and you take forever to get to each ruck.

                    Box kicking is also very important. TJP can only use his left foot, which is a limitation in certain parts of the field.

                    J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • chimoaus
                      chimoaus @junior last edited by

                      @junior said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                      @chimoaus said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                      Roe looks very exciting to me, a nose for the try line and just puts pressure around the ruck defenders. I hope he gets a shot at super level next year. I haven't seen enough of the other players to have a strong opinion. I think Drummond is 26 so not that old.

                      No mention of passing.

                      This is not a crack at you, @chimoaus, but more an example of how the NZ rugby public tends to look at their halfback options - how's his running game? Does he score many tries? It's no wonder we breed halfbacks who can't pass!

                      Agreed, his short passing game on the weekend was very good leading to tries, I didn't see any major issues with his passing. Maybe someone that has followed him through age group etc has a better opinion on his passing game.

                      Bovidae J 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Nepia
                        Nepia last edited by

                        I went for Folau and Finlay (even though he's a full blown ginga).

                        I know Roe is getting the hype at the moment, but I have visions of Leonard when I think of him. I'd like to see him play some Super rugby and have teams work him out before I hop on the hype train.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                        • Bovidae
                          Bovidae @chimoaus last edited by

                          @chimoaus I'm sure I've seen Roe play live more than anyone else on here.

                          I don't think his pass is as quick or long as some of the other halfbacks in this poll (Fakatava, TTT). He's more in the Bachop mould than a Smith clone.

                          Nepia 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • Nepia
                            Nepia @Bovidae last edited by

                            @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                            @chimoaus I'm sure I've seen Roe play live more than anyone else on here.

                            I don't think his pass is as quick or long as some of the other halfbacks in this poll (Fakatava, TTT). He's more in the Bachop mould than a Smith clone.

                            Bachop was the prototype for Smith passing wise IMHO.

                            Bovidae 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • Bovidae
                              Bovidae @Nepia last edited by

                              @Nepia said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                              @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                              @chimoaus I'm sure I've seen Roe play live more than anyone else on here.

                              I don't think his pass is as quick or long as some of the other halfbacks in this poll (Fakatava, TTT). He's more in the Bachop mould than a Smith clone.

                              Bachop was the prototype for Smith passing wise IMHO.

                              I see them as being slightly different passers. I'd argue Laidlaw was probably the original AB passing halfback.

                              taniwharugby Nepia 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • taniwharugby
                                taniwharugby @Bovidae last edited by taniwharugby

                                @Bovidae yeah I dont recall Bachop being rapid and accurate like SMith, I thought he was more of an all round 9 with a good pass, good running, good kicking

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • Nepia
                                  Nepia @Bovidae last edited by

                                  @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                  @Nepia said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                  @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                  @chimoaus I'm sure I've seen Roe play live more than anyone else on here.

                                  I don't think his pass is as quick or long as some of the other halfbacks in this poll (Fakatava, TTT). He's more in the Bachop mould than a Smith clone.

                                  Bachop was the prototype for Smith passing wise IMHO.

                                  I see them as being slightly different passers. I'd argue Laidlaw was probably the original AB passing halfback.

                                  In that case I'd argue Jimmy Mill was probably the original passing halfback. 😉

                                  Smith has been the only NZ halfback since Bachop who reminds me of Bachop due to them both having awesome passes.

                                  Bovidae Rapido 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • Bovidae
                                    Bovidae @Nepia last edited by

                                    @Nepia Kelleher and Tonu'u both had great passes too. We can question the accuracy and reliability of their passing though.

                                    taniwharugby J 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                    • taniwharugby
                                      taniwharugby @Bovidae last edited by

                                      @Bovidae Tonu'u probably had one of the longest passes of any 9 I've seen.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Crucial
                                        Crucial last edited by

                                        Bring back the dive pass.

                                        chimoaus 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • chimoaus
                                          chimoaus @Crucial last edited by

                                          @Crucial said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                          Bring back the dive pass.

                                          1d7b6344-6783-4c80-9846-736ea5e32634-image.png

                                          Nepia 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • Nepia
                                            Nepia @chimoaus last edited by

                                            @chimoaus Who the hell is the AB there? Is my early on-set dementia hitting and I can't remember recent ABs now?

                                            taniwharugby Rapido 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                            • taniwharugby
                                              taniwharugby @Nepia last edited by

                                              @Nepia looks like Marshall and McCaw?

                                              Nepia ACT Crusader 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                              • Nepia
                                                Nepia @taniwharugby last edited by

                                                @taniwharugby said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                @Nepia looks like Marshall and McCaw?

                                                I know I favour MJ as our best 7 ever but I at least thought I'd be able to pick the GOAT in a pic.

                                                taniwharugby 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                • ACT Crusader
                                                  ACT Crusader last edited by

                                                  Went with TTT and Nock.

                                                  TTT has a sweet pass. Hardly ever throws floaters, it’s swift and he doesn’t do the two step back motion.

                                                  Nock is a different type of halfback, but I think his passing in motion is one of the best in NZ.

                                                  Nepia 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • Nepia
                                                    Nepia @ACT Crusader last edited by

                                                    @ACT-Crusader said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                    Went with TTT and Nock.

                                                    TTT has a sweet pass. Hardly ever throws floaters, it’s swift and he doesn’t do the two step back motion.

                                                    Nock is a different type of halfback, but I think his passing in motion is one of the best in NZ.

                                                    Hmm, for some reason I missed seeing TTT on the poll, I might have chosen him over the ginga then.

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • ACT Crusader
                                                      ACT Crusader @taniwharugby last edited by

                                                      @taniwharugby said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                      @Nepia looks like Marshall and McCaw?

                                                      2003 RWC QF.

                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                      • taniwharugby
                                                        taniwharugby @Nepia last edited by

                                                        @Nepia did take me a 2nd look to work out it was Richie

                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                        • R
                                                          reprobate last edited by

                                                          Fakatava. Might not be the longest, but the value you get from being at every ruck, and whipping it in one movement off the ground is far more valuable far more often.
                                                          Aaron Smith does that, better, and has the long pass too. I reckon anyone who played 10 watches him and gets the urge to put the boots back on.
                                                          But fakatava is just a kid. Very promising, and seems to have lost his hungus now too.

                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                          • chimoaus
                                                            chimoaus last edited by

                                                            Could anyone be so kind as to list if those HB's have super contracts and with which franchise in 2021?

                                                            Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                            • Tim
                                                              Tim @chimoaus last edited by Tim

                                                              @chimoaus

                                                              List of 2020–21 Super Rugby Aotearoa transfers - Wikipedia
                                                              chimoaus 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • chimoaus
                                                                chimoaus @Tim last edited by chimoaus

                                                                @Tim said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                @chimoaus

                                                                List of 2020–21 Super Rugby Aotearoa transfers - Wikipedia

                                                                Thanks for that, great resource. It appears only TTT, Enari, Christie, Booth and Taumateine have 2021 contracts already. Those in brackets were signed to those clubs in 2020.

                                                                Taufa Funaki
                                                                Folau Fakatava - (Highlanders)
                                                                Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Chiefs
                                                                Sam Nock - (Blues)
                                                                Xavier Roe
                                                                Ere Enari - Crusaders
                                                                Jonathan Taumateine - Hurricanes
                                                                Finlay Christie - Blues
                                                                Jamie Booth - Hurricanes

                                                                Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                • Bones
                                                                  Bones last edited by

                                                                  I think Ratima and the chiefs back up half from this year are worth keeping an eye on too.

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                  • H
                                                                    hydro11 last edited by

                                                                    I don't know that I can limit it to just passing but Fakatava and Roe seem to be the two best emerging talents. That doesn't include triple T who has already emerged.

                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                    • Crucial
                                                                      Crucial @chimoaus last edited by Crucial

                                                                      @chimoaus said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                      @Tim said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                      @chimoaus

                                                                      List of 2020–21 Super Rugby Aotearoa transfers - Wikipedia

                                                                      Thanks for that, great resource. It appears only TTT, Enari and Christie have 2021 contracts already. Those in brackets were signed to those clubs in 2020.

                                                                      Taufa Funaki
                                                                      Folau Fakatava - (Highlanders)
                                                                      Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Chiefs
                                                                      Sam Nock - (Blues)
                                                                      Xavier Roe
                                                                      Ere Enari - Crusaders
                                                                      Jonathan Taumateine
                                                                      Finlay Christie - Blues
                                                                      Jamie Booth

                                                                      Isn’t JT signed with the Canes? And Booth

                                                                      chimoaus Chris 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                      • chimoaus
                                                                        chimoaus @Crucial last edited by chimoaus

                                                                        @Crucial Most likely, I was just going off the wiki article which may not be updated. I must have missed them, I updated the post.

                                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                        • Bones
                                                                          Bones last edited by

                                                                          Milo-Harris, that's the guy. Fallen out of favour? His pass looked pretty slick for a young fella early on in super rugby.

                                                                          KiwiMurph Bovidae 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                          • Chris
                                                                            Chris @Crucial last edited by

                                                                            @Crucial said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                            @chimoaus said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                            @Tim said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                            @chimoaus

                                                                            List of 2020–21 Super Rugby Aotearoa transfers - Wikipedia

                                                                            Thanks for that, great resource. It appears only TTT, Enari and Christie have 2021 contracts already. Those in brackets were signed to those clubs in 2020.

                                                                            Taufa Funaki
                                                                            Folau Fakatava - (Highlanders)
                                                                            Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - Chiefs
                                                                            Sam Nock - (Blues)
                                                                            Xavier Roe
                                                                            Ere Enari - Crusaders
                                                                            Jonathan Taumateine
                                                                            Finlay Christie - Blues
                                                                            Jamie Booth

                                                                            Isn’t JT signed with the Canes? And Booth

                                                                            Yep
                                                                            both JT and Booth are signed with the Canes.

                                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                            • KiwiMurph
                                                                              KiwiMurph @Bones last edited by

                                                                              @Bones said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                              Milo-Harris, that's the guy. Fallen out of favour? His pass looked pretty slick for a young fella early on in super rugby.

                                                                              Hasn't had the best Mitre 10 Cup for Taranaki. I think he's a bit limited personally - good in spurts but not really a starter imo.

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                              • Rapido
                                                                                Rapido @Nepia last edited by

                                                                                @Nepia said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                                @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                                @Nepia said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                                @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                                @chimoaus I'm sure I've seen Roe play live more than anyone else on here.

                                                                                I don't think his pass is as quick or long as some of the other halfbacks in this poll (Fakatava, TTT). He's more in the Bachop mould than a Smith clone.

                                                                                Bachop was the prototype for Smith passing wise IMHO.

                                                                                I see them as being slightly different passers. I'd argue Laidlaw was probably the original AB passing halfback.

                                                                                In that case I'd argue Jimmy Mill was probably the original passing halfback. 😉

                                                                                Smith has been the only NZ halfback since Bachop who reminds me of Bachop due to them both having awesome passes.

                                                                                I concur with Nepia's interpretation of history.

                                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                • J
                                                                                  junior @Bovidae last edited by

                                                                                  @Bovidae said in Best Passing Young Halfback:

                                                                                  A general comment. It's no good having a quick and lengthy pass if it is erratic, and you take forever to get to each ruck.

                                                                                  Box kicking is also very important. TJP can only use his left foot, which is a limitation in certain parts of the field.

                                                                                  Again, not entirely relevant to this discussion.

                                                                                  We're talking about identifying a young, technically excellent passing halfback who can become the next A Smith / G Bachop. It's easier to learn how to box kick than how to pass.

                                                                                  Bones 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                  • Rapido
                                                                                    Rapido last edited by

                                                                                    Is this a list for potential ABs? If so, isnt Taumateine Samoa capped?

                                                                                    Or just discussion of young HBs on NZ domestic scene?

                                                                                    mikedogz 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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