@Duluth said in Chiefs vs Lions:

Pretty sure it’s the ABs asked him to swap sides. Ofa and Karl did it earlier in the season

One of the (likely) 5 RWC props will need to cover both sides

Doubtless the explanation, but it's a bit weird. Big Karl and Ofa are already slated as being able to play both sides and most likely both of them make the team.

Along with Moody, Franks and Laulala - or just possibly Hames.

Is Ta'avao playing both sides really going to elevate him from about 7th?

Chiefs missing too many of their talismans, I think. No Retallick, no Cane, no McKenzie.

@Nepia Yeah - I missed his game against the tahs, but I saw the next cameo with his penalty touchfinder.

Not ready for the ABs yet!

Will Jordan can probably play 10 though!

@Nepia said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

@Stargazer said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

@Rancid-Schnitzel If it's about experience, I'd pick Mitch Hunt who has about the same number of NPC and SR caps as Banks. The only difference in experience between the two is Banks' overseas' stints for very average clubs. Hunt has played in two SR Finals (2017 & 2018), Banks in one (2015).

Yeah I could live with Hunt. He has been in some pressure cooker situations.

I'm still bemused he wasn't called up instead of Cameron last year - or was he injured (old man memory)?

Mitch was available for selection.

I think it was pretty much a "long term promise" pick with Cameron. Mitch is pretty small - even for a first five and I don't think he's ever shown much sign of being really world class. Has a turn of speed, but doesn't have the same elusiveness as DMac.

Wouldn't be the worst pick in a RWC crisis.

@sparky said in Who is the AB's 4th choice at 10?:

@rotated

John Kirwan delisting Gareth Anscombe at the Blues looking a very poor decision with hindsight.

Well, JK was expounding his theories on replacement first fives on The Breakdown last night. As was Ali Williams.

It's no wonder Leon is looking like a genius at the Blues!

Worst episode ever!

@canefan said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

Does anyone seriously think (assuming BB and RM stay fit through TRC) that Shag will take a third specialist uncapped 10 in the RWC squad? I don't think so. If we are at the tourney we need someone with experience. I hear that Beaver is leading a RWC fan tour. Perhaps Shag should ask him to pack his boots. Just in case.

I'm not sure. What happens if Beauden picks up a 3-4 week injury in the first game,so he'll miss a QF but potentially be available for the semi? We want to carry him, but can we do it with just Richie?

@MN5 Guys like big Jules , George North etc are all around 108/109 kgs.

They're right in line with my theory that big is good in rugby. But, they're still 10kgs shy of Jonah - who was "bigger is better".

But, since Jonah's day - everyone has got a bit bigger. Guys like Bunce, Goldie and Cully would be smallish these days.

@MN5 There's Nemani Nadolo. Remind me of some others.

@Chester-Draws There is certainly some truth to that.

But, in a physical game like rugby, size is going to be an advantage in every position - everything else being equal. And yet these huge players don't emerge as elite halfbacks and first fives - when they've got that initial size advantage. So there must be other factors working against them.

I think there's probably a corollary with Jonah Lomu. Everyone saw the massive advantage that a 118kg wing could give a team - but, subsequently wings that size have been scarce as hens' teeth - because at the end of the day, there's very few 118 kg guys who can run fast enough to play on the wing.

Very few big guys with the deftness to play in the inside backs.

@No-Quarter I'd play Nonu at first five ahead of Jordie!

@MN5 said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

@Chris-B said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

@canefan said in Poll: ABs new First Five-Eighth:

Jordie is the my choice. You can joke about the charge downs but at the end of the day he has the quality and skills to fit in and do a decent job rather than hinder the players around him. He made a decent fist of his chances in black so far. And that us about all you can ask for if you get to the third stringer

I don't think the charge downs would be a joke - they'd be the number one thing I would target.

There's a reason most first fives are nippy little guys whose feet are close to their hands - because those extra hundredths of seconds it takes someone with long levers like Jordie - who is 20cm taller than people like DC and Mo'unga - to catch, drop and kick the ball are critical. And it's in the bio-mechanics of everything they do - they've got more power, but they take more time.

Henry Honiball, Stephen Larkham, Jonathan Sexton, Steven Donald and Jordies shorter but still quite tall brother Beauden are reading this and getting pissed off at it's inaccuracy.

Yes.

But, you'd think there would be huge advantages to having a first five who weighs 110kg compared to the 85kg lightweights who mainly occupy the position. The guys who get steam-rolled when the forwards drive close to the line. The guys like Mehrts and Cooper who get shifted out of the defensive line.

And yet there aren't too many of these 110kg first fives.

Why not?