Field Theory: Excusez-moi?
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Once you rule out Sivivatu, who's next in line as a #8 in NZ though?
I assume you mean Lauaki - and who knows? But given the circumstances, couldn't it perhaps be worthwhile to call Lauaki into the squad? Four blindsides and one openside do not a loose-trio make.
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But given the circumstances, couldn't it perhaps be worthwhile to call Lauaki into the squad?
NO! NO! NO!
NEVER AGAIN!
(Taking medicine now. Feel better)
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NO! NO! NO!
NEVER AGAIN!
A sentiment I hear often, but please tell me which other NZ #8 came close to his form in the last 3 months?
The Chiefs loosies destroyed the Hurricanes twice in a fortnight, including the much-hyped Victor Vito, Ritchies All Blacks backup - Scott Waldrom, and Rodney So'oialo.
So, please, a response that is a bit more considered than the shrieking on 'your views'.
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Ok, consider this.
Almost every time he's played for the AB's he's showed a lack of ball skills and a tendency to give away turnovers.
And often he's come into the team on the back of good form.
Which shows he doesn't have the temperament for the top level.
So never again I say again.
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Ah yeah, Lauaki, ta.
And I'm with ScottY. How many times can you call a guy up and be let down, before you give up on him? He's had about 3 or 4 different goes so far.
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Lauaki.
Gap.
T. Waldrom.
Daylight.In terms of Tri-Nations,
Spies.
Gap.
Hodgson.
Daylight.
Lauaki. -
In terms of Tri-Nations,
Spies.
Gap.
Hodgson.
Daylight.I'd get Kankowski in there somewhere as well.
But I otherwise agree.
And ScottY/Kyle: Fair enough. But as far as I can tell, he's also the best option at the moment by far, unless you want to see Thomas Waldrom in the All Blacks - and surely we're not that desperate?
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Not suggesting it because I'm not believing how big a difference it would make, but, that Wallabies match we lost last year... Wasn't Richie out then too, and back the next week?
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And ScottY/Kyle: Fair enough. But as far as I can tell, he's also the best option at the moment by far, unless you want to see Thomas Waldrom in the All Blacks - and surely we're not that desperate?
But we're only really plugging the hole until the tri-nations, when our regular #8 should be back from his rest/neck niggle. It's a bugger because our regular #7 is out too, and one of our regular lock forwards. What's gained by putting him in for 3 games and then never calling him up again?
If there weren't so many complete newbies in the team due to injury, I'd suggest that they look for future talent in the position to step up to fill Rodney's boots in 5 years.
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If there weren't so many complete newbies in the team due to injury, I'd suggest that they look for future talent in the position to step up to fill Rodney's boots in 5 years.
I'm guessing you didn't hear the press conference yesterday.
Hansen said there the best chance for Read to get into the All Blacks in a long-term position is at number 8, when So'oialo retires [Lauaki's name wasn't mentioned]. I forgot to mention yesterday, but Read plays number 8 in Air NZ Cup.Smith also said that Messam is likely to play a role with the ABs in the future.
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Hansen said there the best chance for Read to get into the All Blacks in a long-term position is at number 8, when So'oialo retires [Lauaki's name wasn't mentioned]. I forgot to mention yesterday, but Read plays number 8 in Air NZ Cup.
You're presuming that the All Black coaches aren't bullshitting there though. To me (and I'm no expert in rugby) he looks like a very good number 6 in terms of size and skills. For #8 we want something like Lauaki, but plays well in black. Big busting runs off the back of the scrum, bouncing players off, but ball skills like Zinzan Brooke.
The current AB coaches seem to be very big on switching players from the position they arrive in, to another position. Sometimes I think they're being honest when they're basically saying "look, this player has spent the last 10 years with the wrong number on his back, he's actually ideally suited for...". I suspect Thomson will be a good #7. Carter obviously did OK when he moved from 12 to 10. Not sure about Eaton playing loose forward, but we'll see.
Reid a #8? OK. But they might also just know that there's a log jam at 6 and they're short a #8 for two more weeks, but not be willing to admit it.
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And I guess they’re giving it a couple of years before moving Cory Jane to centre.
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For #8 we want something like Lauaki, but plays well in black. Big busting runs off the back of the scrum, bouncing players off, but ball skills like Zinzan Brooke.
Why? Everyone else seems to be moving toward using the number 8 as an extra back. I mean, Spies is a reformed winger!
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Why? Everyone else seems to be moving toward using the number 8 as an extra back. I mean, Spies is a reformed winger!
For exactly the reason that we'd love to have Lauaki in the ABs if he played to his potential there. Those big runs where he bashes through a couple of tackles and carries his team 30 metres down field. Big offload passes in the tackle. Someone who can pick the ball off the back of the scrum and end up in front of his props rather than behind and give his team front foot ball. Someone you could stick out in the centres to run onto the ball at pace and scare the crap out of the opposing #12. Surely #8 is the ideal person for that sort of player?
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Why? Everyone else seems to be moving toward using the number 8 as an extra back. I mean, Spies is a reformed winger!
And have you seen Spies? The man is a monster. If he were still on the wing, we would probably be comparing him a bit to Jonah (cept Jonah was taller and was crap on defense).
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