I had a re-watch yesterday. Pari Pari Parkinson was the best player on the field. Great first half at the lineout and with ball in hand, excellent second half in defense. This guy is more powerful than his lean frame might let it think. Good games from Aumua, Havili, Strange and Makalio as well. Jordan was a bit disappointing but the game did not go his way.
Canterbury had less individual brilliance (with the notable exceptions of Drummond and Bridge) but their collective play in the second half was just awsome.

@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:

@kiwimurph said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:

Billy Harmon

How did Douglas miss out? I don't get Prinsep but don't have a problem with Matenga. Actually, on Karpik if you look at his face (like the McKenzies and Tony Brown) you can see the Maori despite the blonde hair.

Hall and Weber are in the Maori team - how the fudge is Hall in the ABs as well?

Maybe they just thought Ioane was related to the other Ioanes and chucked him in anyway?

A surprisingly decent team I think.

Hall is not alone in this case : Proctor and NMS are in both squads as well.

And what about Reuben O'Neill ?
He is the biggest surprise in this selection, shared with Cameron's.
Next year, when the likes of Hames, Moli, Fidow and even Ross are back, I guess he won't be on the radar again.
However, I think he's had a pretty solid M10 Cup this year, playing soundly on both sides of the scrum. Being selected at the expense of JTA is a real shock though.

So you rate James Blackwell higher than Pari Pari Parkinson.

From a neutral point of view :

Crockett
Makalio
Lomax
Romano
Parkinson
Olmstead
Papali'i
Ben Nicholas
Weber
Plummer / Hunt / Smith
Rayasi
Havili
Ennor
Tuitama
Jordan

@act-crusader said in AB EOYT 2018:

@cgrant said in AB EOYT 2018:

Has Rayasi a chance to be among the 18,5 players heading to Japan ? He's having an awsome M10 Cup.

Every player with two legs and a pair of footy boots are a chance

Some have more chances than the others.

Has Rayasi a chance to be among the 18,5 players heading to Japan ? He's having an awsome M10 Cup.

Caleb Clarke is still only 19 years old so he has plenty of time to develop into a better player. He has the physical attributes (size and speed) which is a good basis to work on.

Parkinson looks to have the best potential of the two. With an addition of 3 or 4 kgs, he could look like BBBR and why not, play like BBBR !

Luatua can play at Nr.8 so he might fit as Read's cover, the other options being not too flashy.