@taniwharugby said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Mike Cron felt the 8 was a massive part of the scrum and praised on So'oialo in the boot as a key part of the scrums success.
So maybe we should ask Mike Cron? Not sure if that conflicts with his Wallaby work (if that is ongoing)...
@taniwharugby not sure about massive, but grant you important. Just extremely difficult to observe against front row and locking contribution.
@Mauss said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The players who do seem to be rather typical 8s have their own issues, whether it’s a lack of size (Lio-Willie) or a lack of experience (Wrampling-Alec).
Wrampling-Alec is one who excites me. Very good athlete and plays with a dog mentality that seems to be missing in a lot of NZ players these days. Nice to see his carry and tackle rate quite high for a newcomer. He has the physical tools but I'd like to see if he can play in a tighter role too.
@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman speaking of locks, how many games has Darry been at tighthead for? Assume he's back to loosehead now Pat is fit?
Darry was TH in all the games I watched, but LH against Clan with Patty back. Blues scrum struggled a bit. Watched in a rush, and I took to be because Tupaea had problems with Angus T. Renata EDG good tussle.
@DaGrubster said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is that you on the left Mauss?
Unfortunately, my coiffure isn't quite as immaculate. I'd say it's a bit more comparable to Richard's on the right.
Dress sense and general attitude very similar though!
@nostrildamus said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@DaGrubster said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is that you on the left Mauss? The lady of the house!?
I'm afraid Hyacinth has kicked the bucket.
@nostrildamus said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@DaGrubster said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is that you on the left Mauss? The lady of the house!?
I'm afraid Hyacinth has kicked the bucket.
Blessed relief for long suffering Richard!
@Mauss said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@DaGrubster said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is that you on the left Mauss?
Unfortunately, my coiffure isn't quite as immaculate. I'd say it's a bit more comparable to Richard's on the right.
Dress sense and general attitude very similar though!
Killer combination there Mauss!
I will now read your posts in the voice of Hyacinth from now on!
@nostrildamus said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is Tupou-Ta'eiloa not NZ qualified?
Semisi? Moana list him as born in Mangere but nationality as Tongan!
You can just see some nh journalist doing a
Mealamu was born in Tokoroa with that one . 
@kiwiinmelb said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@nostrildamus said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Is Tupou-Ta'eiloa not NZ qualified?
Semisi? Moana list him as born in Mangere but nationality as Tongan!
You can just see some nh journalist doing a
Mealamu was born in Tokoroa with that one .
Tonga as Mangere North?
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Darry was TH in all the games I watched, but LH against Clan with Patty back. Blues scrum struggled a bit. Watched in a rush, and I took to be because Tupea had problems with Angus T. Renata EDG good tussle.
Huh? Is Angus T a good scrummaging prop now?
@nostrildamus said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Darry was TH in all the games I watched, but LH against Clan with Patty back. Blues scrum struggled a bit. Watched in a rush, and I took to be because Tupea had problems with Angus T. Renata EDG good tussle.
Huh? Is Angus T a good scrummaging prop now?
Tupaea's scrummaging is not his strength.
26 days later
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Mauss said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The players who do seem to be rather typical 8s have their own issues, whether it’s a lack of size (Lio-Willie) or a lack of experience (Wrampling-Alec).
Wrampling-Alec is one who excites me. Very good athlete and plays with a dog mentality that seems to be missing in a lot of NZ players these days. Nice to see his carry and tackle rate quite high for a newcomer. He has the physical tools but I'd like to see if he can play in a tighter role too.
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
The back up is wide open. Two leaving players (Sotutu and Flanders) would have been naturals, but assuming they are gone.
Personally I'd like to see a big carrying 8. Wrampling-Alec certainly caught the eye at the weekend with his carry through traffic for a try. Of the rest, Tupou-Ta'eiloa was the outstanding power 8 early doors, but seems to have trailed off in the sad Moana situation.
Others impress with workrate, but hard to think of any who have the heft to stand out at test, as opposed to Super, level.
Am I missing someone?
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Mauss said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The players who do seem to be rather typical 8s have their own issues, whether it’s a lack of size (Lio-Willie) or a lack of experience (Wrampling-Alec).
Wrampling-Alec is one who excites me. Very good athlete and plays with a dog mentality that seems to be missing in a lot of NZ players these days. Nice to see his carry and tackle rate quite high for a newcomer. He has the physical tools but I'd like to see if he can play in a tighter role too.
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
The back up is wide open. Two leaving players (Sotutu and Flanders) would have been naturals, but assuming they are gone.
Personally I'd like to see a big carrying 8. Wrampling-Alec certainly caught the eye at the weekend with his carry through traffic for a try. Of the rest, Tupou-Ta'eiloa was the outstanding power 8 early doors, but seems to have trailed off in the sad Moana situation.
Others impress with workrate, but hard to think of any who have the heft to stand out at test, as opposed to Super, level.
Am I missing someone?
You're missing Casey. It's a very small sample size, but that performance on the weekend was huge and against an AB loose trio. A lot of raw edges, but the man can carry, tackle and smash rucks.
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
Listening to Goldie on the Breakdown, he wants Lakai at 8 and Sititi at 6.
Can't say I am of the same opinion.
@antipodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
Listening to Goldie on the Breakdown, he wants Lakai at 8 and Sititi at 6.
Can't say I am of the same opinion.
What, and Ardie at 7?
Tiniest loose forward trio of all time.
@antipodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
Listening to Goldie on the Breakdown, he wants Lakai at 8 and Sititi at 6.
Can't say I am of the same opinion.
Was it on there or am I thinking of somewhere else where he prefaced his comments with 'I don't know anything about lineouts' or similar?
Well at least there's one thing we can agree on Jeff.
@antipodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
Listening to Goldie on the Breakdown, he wants Lakai at 8 and Sititi at 6.
Can't say I am of the same opinion.
I want a big munter at 6 against the Boks. Lakai is fine as 7. And Sititi at 8.
@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Mauss said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The players who do seem to be rather typical 8s have their own issues, whether it’s a lack of size (Lio-Willie) or a lack of experience (Wrampling-Alec).
Wrampling-Alec is one who excites me. Very good athlete and plays with a dog mentality that seems to be missing in a lot of NZ players these days. Nice to see his carry and tackle rate quite high for a newcomer. He has the physical tools but I'd like to see if he can play in a tighter role too.
Looking at the opening AB squad, on form Wally S would have to be first pick at 8.
The back up is wide open. Two leaving players (Sotutu and Flanders) would have been naturals, but assuming they are gone.
Personally I'd like to see a big carrying 8. Wrampling-Alec certainly caught the eye at the weekend with his carry through traffic for a try. Of the rest, Tupou-Ta'eiloa was the outstanding power 8 early doors, but seems to have trailed off in the sad Moana situation.
Others impress with workrate, but hard to think of any who have the heft to stand out at test, as opposed to Super, level.
Am I missing someone?
You're missing Casey. It's a very small sample size, but that performance on the weekend was huge and against an AB loose trio. A lot of raw edges, but the man can carry, tackle and smash rucks.
I did think of him. Pity he won't get to showcase his wares come final rounds.
