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.

@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.

@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.

@pakman Yeah the approach will be very interesting. We are on a short time line, and if you think someone like Casey or Barnes is a potential for a WC 23, do you take them on tour anyway to fast track development?

@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:

and if you think someone like Casey or Barnes is a potential for a WC 23, do you take them on tour anyway to fast track development?

100% you do. A rare proper tour.

@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:

I want a big munter at 6 against the Boks

Unfortunately, I just don't think we have one.

@pakman said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:

@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.

I'm still not convinced by Lakai. He's good, he's consistent. But for me he isn't head and shoulders better than half a dozen other guys, and I don't really see how his game translates better against bigger bodies at test level. I'd pick e.g. all of Valetini, Wilson, McReight and Cale ahead of him. He's a good carrier but he's not that big, and he's not got really fast feet - so I just see him playing like he did vs England - a huge effort with 20 carries, but not all that much actually achieved. He's also not really a volume tackler nor super-accurate. He is a bit of a pain at the ruck which I like.
Then when you combine that with Sititi's strongest suit being his carrying, I don't see it as a good combination really. And even if that's the balance you want, then I think it would be a fair argument to say Savea is better than Lakai at everything he does.

Also the big munter still doesn't exist, which is our bigger problem.