Your 4 midfielders for the Lions
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/78175042/Charles-Piutau-wants-another-crack-at-All-Blacks-jersey'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/78175042/Charles-Piutau-wants-another-crack-at-All-Blacks-jersey</a><br>Charles Piutau wants 'another crack' at All Blacks jersey<br><br>"I'll see how I feel at the end of my Ulster contract but the plan is to go back to New Zealand and have another crack at the All Blacks."<br><br>in Stuff from March, so must be true!
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<p>If Charles Piutau comes back, it could be on the wing and not in an already crowded midfield.</p>
<p>I would go with Moala, ALB, Crotty and AN Other. Fekitoa seems to be a Hansen's favorite while Ngatai and Ioane are still to make their debut. Tamanivalu is just a stop gap for the moment.</p>
<p>SBW will struggle to get back after his injury as players who have ruptured their Achille's tendon always do.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rocky Rock Rockbottom" data-cid="610211" data-time="1472375573">
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<p>sorry, no can do, this year took a self-imposed moratorium on reading anything about the individual in question</p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Bent/errors/sbwerror_zpsrvi8adrm.png" alt="sbwerror_zpsrvi8adrm.png"></p>
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<p>Me and several others missed you DP. :)</p> -
<p>Second test in Wellington, 21st minute, #10 Beauden Barrett, with the wide pass to #12 Jordie Barrett who scythes past Jamie Roberts to score, he had #13 Charlie Ngatai there in support also...</p>
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<p>Good Taranaki backline there...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jordie Barrett</p>
<p>Anton Leinart-Brown</p>
<p>Charlie Ngatai</p>
<p>Ryan Crotty.</p>
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<p>SBW cooked. Fekitoa found to be cooking Meth - hence the erratic performances. Tumanivula - also cooked. Bacon mostly. Gets fat.</p> -
<p>In all honesty though, if we had Beauden at 10, Jordie at 12, Ngatai at 13, Ben Smith at 15, Naholo at 11, Milner-Skudder at 14 - there would be legitimate claims to being the fastest AB's backline ever.</p>
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<p>Beaudan is a jet, his brother seems as quick. there should a database where we can check their 40m sprint times somewhere. </p>
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<p>I'm going to start a new thread on this...</p> -
On the subject of the Lions tour, the Premiership club owners are already whining about the schedule:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37208971">http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37208971</a>
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Even though I don't think they have the most upside, I think you've got to write Crotty and Fekitoa's names down first.<br><br>
SBW will certainly be in the mix as long as his injury doesn't curtail his speed too much.<br><br>
Then there is one more spot. I'd give it to ALB.<br><br>
Tough on the rest though. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="610266" data-time="1472385923"><p>Even though I don't think they have the most upside, I think you've got to write Crotty and Fekitoa's names down first.<br>
SBW will certainly be in the mix as long as his injury doesn't curtail his speed too much.<br>
Then there is one more spot. I'd give it to ALB.<br>
Tough on the rest though.</p></blockquote>
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Agree Crotty and Fekitoa have to be there, SBW, and Ngati. Depending on his progress ALB can be there but definitely plenty of improvement required. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="westcoastie" data-cid="610251" data-time="1472383960"><p>In all honesty though, if we had Beauden at 10, Jordie at 12, Ngatai at 13, Ben Smith at 15, Naholo at 11, Milner-Skudder at 14 - there would be legitimate claims to being the fastest AB's backline ever.<br>
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Beaudan is a jet, his brother seems as quick. there should a database where we can check their 40m sprint times somewhere. <br>
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I'm going to start a new thread on this...</p></blockquote>
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Admittately I have not seen him play much but from what I have seen Jordie looks more of a 10, 15 or possibly wing, kind of same as Beauden? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="westcoastie" data-cid="610249" data-time="1472383794">
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<p>Second test in Wellington, 21st minute, #10 Beauden Barrett, with the wide pass to #12 Jordie Barrett who scythes past Jamie Roberts to score, he had #13 Charlie Ngatai there in support also...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good Taranaki backline there...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jordie Barrett</p>
<p>Anton Leinart-Brown</p>
<p>Charlie Ngatai</p>
<p>Ryan Crotty.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>SBW cooked. Fekitoa found to be cooking Meth - hence the erratic performances. Tumanivula - also cooked. Bacon mostly. Gets fat.</p>
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<p>So a guy who's playing fullback for Canterbury at provincial level and has yet to play Super Rugby is gonna get a look in for the Lions tour ? you'll forgive me if I don't bet the house on that happening.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="610266" data-time="1472385923">
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<p>Even though I don't think they have the most upside, I think you've got to write Crotty and Fekitoa's names down first.</p>
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<p>Aren't we picking the 4 midfielders that <strong>we </strong>want for the Lions series not who Hansen and co will choose? If it's the latter, I expect Fekitoa will be there and there is probably only one place up for grabs. But a good Super season could change their minds and some of the contenders have the advantage of playing together to form combinations.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="610261" data-time="1472385662">
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<p>On the subject of the Lions tour, the Premiership club owners are already whining about the schedule:</p>
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<p>Gatland has voiced his concerns too. So who actually agreed to this itinerary?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="610308" data-time="1472418760"><p>Gatland has voiced his concerns too. So who actually agreed to this itinerary?</p></blockquote>
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No one with any genuine interest in player welfare -
<p>If the clubs are that concerned about the tour and the injury / short offseason, why don't they just give the Lions players August and September off? There are how many clubs who will supply players to the tour - 12 or 15? Even if you're taking 46 players (I'm not sure what the squad size is going to be but it needs to be huge) then that's only 3-4 players per supplying club. Perhaps Saracens or other top English clubs will be disproportionately badly hit.</p>
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<p>The Lions tour is the biggest rugby event outside the RWC, and who cares if it disrupts the start of a club season once every four years (yes, I know RWC also disrupts the start of the club season once every four years).</p> -
<p>Still a lot of love for Ngatai on here.</p>
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<p>Can someone tell me what a guy with a test career of a few minutes does so much better than those who have done the business this year ? ( Taminuvula excepted in my opinion )</p>
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<p>and if you're gonna reply with "Fucken go and watch more Chiefs games fluffybunny" at least try and be creative about it......</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="610895" data-time="1472591287">
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<p>Still a lot of love for Ngatai on here.</p>
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<p>Can someone tell me what a guy with a test career of a few minutes does so much better than those who have done the business this year ? ( Taminuvula excepted in my opinion )</p>
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<p>and if you're gonna reply with "Fucken go and watch more Chiefs games fluffybunny" at least try and be creative about it......</p>
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<p>Totally agree. He has almost reached fern 'all time great' status despite hardly ever playing!</p> -
<p>You only have to see how the Chiefs backline performed with Ngatai, and then without him, to realise the influence he has. Hansen talked him up too when the AB squad was selected. I think he can assume the role of C Smith as the ABs backline general.</p>
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<p>But he needs to get back on the field first. The Maori tour is also an option for him.</p>
