Reshuffling the All Blacks backline
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569497" data-time="1459633985">
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<p>The other thing to take into account is that they will be hoping to build a long term midfield partnership. By the end of the year they will be hoping that they have the key two midfielders and backups in place.</p>
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<p>Still think Ngatai offers a little more than Crotty in defence, speed and size which may translate better in tests.</p>
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<p>Not dissing Crotty at all just think Ngatai looks the slightly better prospect at 12.</p>
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<p>Maybe Fekitoa slips to the bench as impact while there is no SBW for that role? Having Fekitoa and BB come on in the last 20 would kill off a lot of games.</p>
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<p>that is an interesting angle , </p>
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<p>maybe Ngatai 12, Crotty 13 is the perfectly balanced mix , and of the 3 Fekitoa is best suited as impact weapon </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="569482" data-time="1459626817">
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<p>After watching the highlanders, if Thompson keeps building he could be a smokey for backline utility I reckon, leapfrogging Moala.</p>
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<p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="569525" data-time="1459638936">
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<p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p>
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<p>Like Moala he started on the wing before gradually moving in.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="569525" data-time="1459638936"><p>I like what I have seen from him, seems hard to bring down. Is only a 12 or does he cover other positions?</p></blockquote>
Yeah what monkey said. With his style he looks like he'd be fairly comfortable at 13. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="569520" data-time="1459637964">
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p>
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<p>Well, I consider myself as a neutral and your comment is just as weird as anything weirdo Canterbury fans put out. Ngatai is looking good (and he is from my school!) but Crotty's game is proven at test level. His relatively mistake free game and good option taking translates well into test rugby. Hopefully when Ngatai gets his chance he will be just as good or better. Only time can tell. </p> -
<p>Definitely wouldn't be against a 12. Ngatai 13. Crotty (or vice versa). Two very solid players who can put other guys away and provide a threat themselves while keeping errors and brain farts low.</p>
<p>Ngatai'c combination with Cruden can only be a seen as a positive and both guys showed this weekend that they are a threat with ball in hand.</p>
<p>Happy with those two and Fekitoa as our top three with another possibly from Moala/Ranger/Thompson/Laumape/Lienert-brown? as a squad member to see if they have what it takes, super form pending obviously.</p>
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<p>Do we know what is happening with SBW? Will he be back after the Olympics for EOYT and 2017 or is that still up in the air? When is he contracted until?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="569520" data-time="1459637964">
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<p>Yes Ngatai does offer more and is a better player, sometimes it's hard for the weirdo Canterbury fans to accept that there are better players than their own. Having said that, Crotty will probably get a decent run in black this season. Ngatai has a decent punt on him as well.</p>
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<p>Most people down here really rate Ngatai. He's an excellent player.</p>
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<p>The discussion was more about people writing off Crotty, despite the fact he's preformed excellent in Black when given an opportunity.</p>
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<p>Greg Martin mentioned in commentary that Ngatai doesn't have a left boot? Am I correct in assuming this is bullshit as Martin is an idiot.</p>
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<p>Moala I don;t think is ready to play 12 for the ABs. Devistating runner, but not much of a distribution or kicking game. And he's not the greatest defender at this stage of his career.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569687" data-time="1459723106">
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<p>Greg Martin said at the start of the Chiefs Brumbies game that the Chiefs not having a left foot kicker was a major weakness of theirs.</p>
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<p>He never mentioned it when Cruden did a lovely left foot chip for a try.</p>
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<p>A bit more important when talking clearing kicks though.</p>
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<p>One attacking chip kick doesn't mean much.... anyway, my question was regarding Ngatai. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="569688" data-time="1459723269">
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<p>A bit more important when talking clearing kicks though.</p>
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<p>One attacking chip kick doesn't mean much.... anyway, my question was regarding Ngatai. </p>
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<p>James Lowe has a booming left boot. The Chiefs are fine in this regard - not sure why Ngatai has to be the guy? Marto is an idiot.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="569693" data-time="1459725491">
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<p>James Lowe has a booming left boot. The Chiefs are fine in this regard - not sure why Ngatai has to be the guy? Marto is an idiot.</p>
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<p>So can you answer my question?</p>
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<p>Can Ngatai kick well off both feet? </p>
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<p>I don't care about the Chiefs, the thread title is "reshuffling the <strong>All Blacks</strong> backline"</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="569695" data-time="1459725708">
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<p>So can you answer my question?</p>
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<p>Can Ngatai kick well off both feet? </p>
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<p>I don't care about the Chiefs, the thread title is "reshuffling the <strong>All Blacks</strong> backline"</p>
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<p>I quoted your post when I should have been quoting Unite's or Crucial's post.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure if he can kick well off both feet. Is it really that big a deal? When did we last have a 12 or 13 who was a perfect left and right foot kicker?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="569081" data-time="1459552283">
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<p>Nah. Crotty is the Marty Berry of his age.</p>
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<p>"Chuck" was a far superior player than Crotty. A giant of his age, made Jeff Wilson look like a speed bump en route to a magnificent try in the Super 12 in 1996.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="569697" data-time="1459726237">
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<p>I quoted your post when I should have been quoting Unite's or Crucial's post.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure if he can kick well off both feet. Is it really that big a deal? When did we last have a 12 or 13 who was a perfect left and right foot kicker?</p>
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<p>Probably not a huge deal, but it would be a big string to his bow if he can... I've seen some of those massive punts off his right foot.</p>
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<p>I know Crotty is adept off both feet. </p>
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<p>Guess I'll have to watch Ngatai</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="569700" data-time="1459726529">
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<p>Probably not a huge deal, but it would be a big string to his bow if he can... I've seen some of those massive punts off his right foot.</p>
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<p><strong>I know Crotty is adept off both feet. </strong></p>
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<p>Guess I'll have to watch Ngatai</p>
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<p>Is he now? I guess I'll have to watch him ;)</p> -
Marto once said on triple m , he didn't rate zin Zan Brooke when he was a Wallaby , he said he used to call him Tim tam because he was soft in the middle. <br>
Never taken anything he has said seriously after that. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="569706" data-time="1459727559">
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<p>Marto once said on triple m , he didn't rate zin Zan Brooke when he was a Wallaby , <strong>he said he used to call him Tim tam because he was soft in the middle</strong>.<br>
Never taken anything he has said seriously after that.</p>
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<p>I'm amazed he noticed, most people would be in awes of his gargantuan cranium. "Melon" Finegan didn't have shit on him.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="569700" data-time="1459726529">
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<p>I know Crotty is adept off both feet. </p>
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<p>Really? Not saying he can't, I've just very rarely seen him kick the ball.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="569708" data-time="1459727765">
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<p>Really? Not saying he can't, I've just very rarely seen him kick the ball.</p>
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<p>I've seen him play 10 at club level, clearing well off both feet.. and the crusaders often use his kicking game to good effect.</p>
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<p>Last year in NPC Canterbury used him a lot to kick (in the games he was available) to take the pressure off Mo'aga</p>
