@cgrant who knows with the Canes. I thought the Brumbies were going to smack us in the mouth and that didn't eventuate. We seem to be a different beast at the Cake Tin so hopefully we can pull it out of the bag once again.
That Barrett combo will be crucial without Perenara's leadership at the base.
Weak forward pack? meh, it's the canes we are talking about!! We don't need no front foot ball, or solid scrums, or the ability to shift bodies at the ruck...
fuck.
But in true canes style I think we'll do well - VERY interested in JB at 12. I think Chase's form at the back has really put the heat on JB, to the point he's likely to be on the wing when Laumape returns. Unless Chase has a shocker or there's further AB player rules to manage.
@Paekakboyz the question is if Barrett goes out there and does play the best game of his life then you have a conundrum because Laumape is playing the house down.
You could move Laumape to the right wing or bring him on and use him in the last 30 mins, inturn shifting JB to the backfield.
@Canes4life even if JB has a stormer (boom tish) he won't displace Laumape imo. Far to much pressure from AB's on Jordie playing in the outside backs, and Laumape is a lock unless injured.
Even from an opportunity cost approach you'd get far better pay off by retaining our midfield (Laumape and Proctor) and having JB on the wing or at FB than you would having Laumape on the bench or on the wing. I know we already have two short utility backs in Goosen and NMS, but Laumape would be wasted in that position. Even though he'd probably do a good job as he is running red hot.
I think a bit part of Laumape's impact is that he demands attention and energy for the full 80 minutes. Sure he'd still be a monster playing a shorter period, but we'd lose far more than we'd gain.
If JB really wants to play 2nd 5 he's going to have to shift teams I reckon. Blues have plenty but I can think of 3 other franchises that'd be keen 
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
@canefan said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
yea, we know. But my point is, his level of development was unusual rather than the norm. For Ngani to reach those levels we are looking at lightening striking twice.
@antipodean given Ma'a is the best 2nd 5 we've had I dont expect to many to measure up, particularly early in their career. It's about how he goes against current completion imo. But I hope that's the sort of development we see in his game.
Said knowing that Ma'a is actually one his possible competitors 
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@canefan said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
yea, we know. But my point is, his level of development was unusual rather than the norm. For Ngani to reach those levels we are looking at lightening striking twice.
He could just as easily end up staying as a Slammin' Sammy type player. But I reckon he's shown some nuance to his game even this year compared to last
@canefan I can still remember him being asked last year about his kicking by an interviewer... he got very salty about the person not seeing his development in that space... and in that very game!!
I actually think he has fewer downsides to his game if you were comparing him to early days Nonu. But Nonu was also being played at 13 and that is a merciless position when you are learning your trade. Maybe because he's shorter but Laumape doesn't have the same riskiness around his D, whereas young Ma'a rode the line... a lot!
@Paekakboyz Stats wise in Super Rugby, Laumape is killing it compared to Nonu at the same stage of this career - however we all know Nonu proved his worth at International level rather than Super.
The below strike rate is also very impressive.
@Canes4life that's a mental stat aye! Esp for an inside back. Loooove it!
@Canes4life Even more than Cully??!! Say it ain't so!!!
@Canes4life while still impressive, I expect if he gets to 85 games like Cully, or over 100 like any of those others his strike rate will have dropped markedly.
For reference Folau's strike rate is 0.624 (58 tries from 93 games). Very impressive - though the conference system and being in the Aus conference has no doubt helped Izzzy in those stats
@KiwiMurph wow, that is really good. Would be really interesting to see if most of those are v Oz teams, or if he's been good all-round.
At the risk of switching codes Manu Vatuvei had a gnarly record before his form faltered in later years. I think he had 10 successive years of scoring 10 or more tries? only guy to have achieved that? and for quite a few season he was in the high teens. Just did a quick calculation off his wiki info and his rate is .67 (226 games and 152 tries). That is bloody good in such a tough comp.
@Paekakboyz
It is very good, though I think he has slight hungus tendencies.
Not Masaga level though.
@Paekakboyz said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@Frank there can only be one hungus!! unless we talk league and add Kata to the mix lol
He’s not added to the mix, he’s the GOAT ... apologies Leilia you’ve lost your crown.
