So the ABs finished the game with the following forwards :

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Liam Coltman
Ofa T
Scott Barrett
Jackson Hemopo
Shannon Frizell
Matt Todd
Luke Whitelock

Who could have guessed that at the beginning of the season ?

People in this forum are great fans of Richie Mounga. He's had a mare : missed an easy tackle on Daly who is not the quickest fullback nor the strongest one (this led to England's first try), then could not handle the English rush defence. Let's hope he'll learn from this very disappointing performance.
The Bounga experiment was clearly a failure with BB's kicking from hand being an issue. Would DMac have done better ?

For me, Olo Brown is another certainty. He was the best tighthead prop in the world in the late nineties while Charlie Faumuina never was.

SA by 20. They are too strong, too fresh. I can't see them lose to Japan in a WC match. Oh wait ...

Is it the weakest AB squad since 2004 ?
There is a lot of fringe players who do not seem to be of international calibre. Perry is struggling at SR level, Frizell is the third choice blindside flanker for the Highlanders, TTT, Mo'unga are largely untested, DMac has yet to have a good game at 1st Five, this season, Fifita has been very anonymous, Scott Barrett is lacking the necessary physique for an international lock while JTA has never propped at TH at the upper level. Moreover, L. Whitelock is just here to fill a gap in Read's absence, NMS does not have the pace of an international wing and Harris is a journeyman as is Ofa T. If the RWC was to be played toimorrow, I doubt this team could make the final.

@kiwimurph said in Let's talk about six, baby:

Evans and Hemopo are other names you could throw in the mix.

Be interesting who gets the 6 shirt against Italy.

I would add Seu as well. It's a shame he was injured this year and so missed most of the SR season. I found him outstanding during the last stages of the Mitre 10 Cup.

I have nothing against Tomkinson but I can't imagine he is the best non capped 2nd Five in the country ! Faiane, Nankivell or Walden are better options IMO.

1. Ben May. I just don't understand the hate for this long serving prop. Stupid penalties at times but solid in most phases.
2. Jamie Booth. He's been excellent for the Canes this year.
3. Ollie Norris. Not a single word on him after the Chiefs games in which he took part. Was OK against Lomax last Saturday. Remember he has just turned 20 so definitely a promising youngster.
4. Ah Kuoi. In my view, he was the best Chiefs player in their tight five this year.
5. Dillon Hunt. Consistently very good for the Landers. Better than Kirifi who does not know how to make a pass but who has the love of most Ferners.

The "BB can't control a game" is rather ridiculous when the AB win the RC with a bonus point for 4 tries in each game (in fact, they scored an average of 6 tries per game) and with record margins. If you call "control of the game" kicking into the corners in order to apply pressure on the opponents, then BB does not know how to control a game. He just tears the defences to create and score tries which put the AB beyond reach of the opposition. Instead of winning by a 5-10 point margin, the AB, with his "no control", win with an average 25-30 point margin.
I reckon he did not play his usual best last Saturday but that was his sole under par performance of the year. This criticism is beyond me.

I'd like to see a Crotty - Goodhue midfield combo at the EOYT or against the Wallabies in Brisbane. Goodhue is the most Conradsmithuesque centre in NZ IMO.

Parsons has been outstanding. It's incredible he did not get a contract for the SR while teams like the Canes or the Chiefs had to field undersized and inexperienced locks.

Tyrone Thompson is a serious talent. He's quick and strong. He needs to improve his throwing but this should come sooner or later.

Nareki vs Kneepkens. Should be interesting.

Thanks a lot for your answer.

https://www.wearecanterbury.co.nz/newell-drives-forward/

Who is the big guy standing on the right, next to Fletcher Newell ?

Counties are a different beast this year. Most interesting game of the week end IMO.

I have been impressed by Selby-Rickitt. The best lock on the paddock was Sam Whitelock, but he came second best IMO. I still don't understand the Vaa'i's and Strange's selections.

Last Saturday, Laulala was a different beast. During the SRA, he was underwhelming, to say the least. He has cemented a starting spot IMO, which was seriously threatened after his RWC semi-final.

Yes, he is pretty big and renowned for his strength in the scrums. That wouldn't be the case if he was weighing 106 kg.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in North vs South:

@cgrant Grant Nikora Kelly
Waikato 1992
Canterbury 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
South Canterbury 1996
King Country 1997, 1998
NZ Maori 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996

Thanks a lot.