Arsenal thumped Chelsea this evening. Maybe this is going to be the Gooners big year?
sparky
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@antipodean Terrible news, he's been in the best form of his career.
At least, it's not longer.
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@Machpants Who I'd pick based on what I've seen so far this year.
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@African-Monkey Watkins will come off the bench for England in the Euros. He can cover the whole forward line.
I also think Southgate will be tempted to play Watkins and Kane as an old-school Front Two at some point.
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Team for England
1 De Groot
2. Taylor
3. Lomax
4. S.Barrett
5 Vaii
6. Finau
7. Papalii
8. A. Savea (c)
9. TJP
10. McKenzie
11. C.Clarke
12 J. Barrett
13 B.Proctor
14. M.Telea
15. R.Love
16. Aumua
17 Numia
18. Newell
19 Patrick Tuipulotu
20 Iose
21 Christie
22 B.Barrett
23 R.Ioane -
@ARHS I agree 100% on Love, Numia, McWhannell, Iose and Proctor based on what we've seen so far this year.
After that, it gets very interesting.
Will they pick a third half back and if so who? There are a few contenders.
Walker-L has been in the form of his life, but they might well see the AB XVs as the right level for him.
I think Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai have big futures ahead of them, but the selectors might think why the hurry?
If Codie Taylor's not right, they'll probably need to find a new Third Hooker to join Aumua and Sami T.
If they want new blood on the wing, then either of Kini Naholo or Etene Nanai-Seturo might get the nod if they play well in the business end of the season.
In short, I can see between somewhere between six and ten new All Blacks being named.
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@Bones He played Jordie at 12 during the season he was at Canterbury NPC and NZ under 20s. When he tried to lure Jordie to the Crusaders it was as a 12. I think he's on record that he thinks 12 is Jordie's best position.
In the last couple of years, Razor selected Will Jordan mostly as a fullback. Doesn't necessary mean he won't ever pick Will Jordan on the Wing, but he will be more willing to put Jordan at fullback than Ian Foster was.
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@Crazy-Horse We know he sees Jordie Barrett as a 12 and Will Jordan as a 15 though.
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@antipodean Yes, but they can afford their wages and they have been building big, state of the art coaching academies to support their work.
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If Razor and Jason Ryan only pick Crusaders in the forward pack, I'm supporting England. 😉
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I think the Crusaders' arrogance has finally caught up with them. All that success meant some of the squad thought winning was a right not something you have to earn every step of the way. Without a few key individuals who drove standards in others, things have slipped and slipped badly.
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@Nepia 90% of the posts are taking the piss, the other 10% are wrong.
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@Bovidae It would be nice for Josh Lord to be fit and to string two or three games together.
McWhannell and Walker-Leawere have played much better this season so far than Josh Lord so get the nod ahead of him.
All that could change if Josh Lord can find fitness and form.
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@Duluth Cork has about 15% of the population of Auckland so the Munster comparison is not fair on them. Leinster is the better comparison.
Irish fans going to games and spending money on tickets has helped drive their national side up the World Rankings.
This Blues team are special. It would be a shame if the Auckland fans don't get behind them in the next few weeks
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@Kirwan
Leinster's probably the fairest comparison in terms of population/ competition from other sports etc. They fill out the 19,000 RDS Arena most weeks and they are moving to the bigger Aviva Stadium and Croke Park next year while the RDS is being renovated. -
@DaGrubster If he's fit and had at least a couple of games under his belt, Codie Taylor will feature in the England series.
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@Winger Yes, really proud of and pleased with the squad.
The quality of the Blues, Cameron, the possibility of injuries and the youth of this squad are my reasons for doubting this year will bring a second Super Title to the Hurricanes region. But it would be so nice if this was our year again.
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I think the Blues will win the competition this year. They have a top coach in Cotter and a very talented squad. They also have lots of players on top of their game and no obvious weaknesses.
This season will probably end in tears for the Canes. That said, I'm going to enjoy every moment of the Hurricanes doing so well for how ever long it lasts.
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@Winger Razor brought in so many players who grew up outside the Crusaders region into his Crusaders teams. That already suggests to me he's different from Wylie and Deans.
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What's the difference between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders?
Currently it's 11 places in the Super Rugby table. 🤣
Happy days! 😎
EPL 2023/2024
Hurricanes 2024
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
EPL 2023/2024
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
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NH International Rugby
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
Force v Crusaders
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
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Blues v Brumbies
Blues v Brumbies
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
Super Rugby 2024
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All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
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