Maybe one the more interesting aspects of picking a team like this is where the pro-era cut-off is, and what players make it. In my opinion, Zinzan Brooke and Sean Fitzpatrick were good enough and had sufficiently significant careers in 1996 and 97 to justify their inclusion.
Starting forwards
Everything easy to pick except the props.
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke
@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Starting forwards
Everything easy to pick except the props.
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke
9 Smith
10 Carter
11 Ralph
12 Nonu
13 Umaga/C Smith
14 Wilson/Howlett/B Smith
15 Cullen
@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Starting forwards
Everything easy to pick except the props.
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke
I'm taking Brown at TH but other than that it picks itself
@Gunner said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Starting forwards
Everything easy to pick except the props.
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke9 Smith
10 Carter
11 Ralph
12 Nonu
13 Umaga/C Smith
14 Wilson/Howlett/B Smith
15 Cullen
nicely done
Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
Cullen
Piss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points
Next
@mariner4life What's your bench?
@Gunner said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Bunce
When did he retire?
dude he owned 96 and 97 and that's pro as fuck
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@mariner4life What's your bench?
subs are for loser teams
Kev
Meews
Hayman
Thorn
Jerry C
1996 Justin Marshall
Carlos
SBW
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
CullenPiss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points
Next
I think the only debatable positions are THP, centre and right wing
THP, Brown, Hayman, Franks
Centre, Bunce, Umaga and Conrad Smith
Right wing, Wilson, Howlett and Ben Smith
Might need to go to a vote al la the cricket XI's @Tim
@Gunner said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Right wing, Wilson, Howlett and Ben Smith
no disrespect, but two of those guys are very very good, while one was something special
@Gunner said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@Tim said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Starting forwards
Everything easy to pick except the props.
1 Woodcock
2 Fitzpatrick
3 Hayman
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Kaino
7 McCaw
8 Brooke9 Smith
10 Carter
11 Ralph
12 Nonu
13 Umaga/C Smith
14 Wilson/Howlett/B Smith
15 Cullen
I’m a bit triggered but the left wing being nicknamed cart horse cos cart horses are strong.
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
CullenPiss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points
Next
Shit, I think I agree with you 100%. Something is wrong ....
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
CullenPiss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points
Next
Only change I'd consider would be Conrad for Bunce, but I'd not argue too hard with it.
@taniwharugby said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
@mariner4life said in AB all time pro-era XXIII:
Woodcock
Fitzy
Brown
Whitelock
Retallick
Kaino
Richie
Zinny
A Smith
DC
Lomu
Nonu
Bunce
Wilson
CullenPiss easy. Would beat any other nation by 30 points
Next
Only change I'd consider would be Conrad for Bunce, but I'd not argue too hard with it.
Bunce, Umaga, Smith - TBH I wouldn't quibble over any of those three being selected.
Woodcock
Coles
Franks
Retallick
Whitelock
Kaino
McCaw (c)
Read
A. Smith
Carter
Lomu
Nonu
C. Smith
B. Smith
Cullen
Woodcock
Fitzpatrick
Owen Franks
Retallick
Whitelock
Kaino
McCaw (c)
Read
A.Smith
D.Carter
Lomu
Nonu
C. Smith
Wilson
Cullen
Coles
Moody
Brown
Thorn
Cane
Marshall
Spencer
B.Smith
