@SouthernMann said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The challenge for Lucas Casey is that he's essentially competing against Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai. Two guys who have the runs on the board at international level. You couldn't have all three in the squad. Very similar players physically.
Yeah Sititi and Lakai will definitely be in the squad IMO. He may get in over Kirifi though, but then you also have to factor in someone like Segner who's also playing very well.
@Canes4life said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Yeah Sititi and Lakai will definitely be in the squad IMO. He may get in over Kirifi though, but then you also have to factor in someone like Segner who's also playing very well.
Kirifi is even smaller than Casey. More of a genuine seven that Casey though.
You certainly couldn't have all four of those players involved.
Kirifi only made the All Blacks in the first place because Lakai was out injured and he's had enough chances for us to see that he isn’t up to test match level. Casey may still struggle to find a spot in the squad even if Kirifi isn’t considered (depending on the size of the squad and how many loose forwards are included) but if he does make it, the loose forward group will be skewing towards the smaller side.
It was only one game but none of Lakai, Sititi, or Kirifi have ever produced the output that Casey did in a single game.
Sometimes tests require insane output. For example Pstd made 28 tackles in the RWC final while Savea made 22 carries.
Paps and Blackadder have made tackles in the high twenties in a single test too.
@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Also the big munter still doesn't exist, which is our bigger problem.
if only we had a sizeable six, with a bit of agility, impact, and speed...
@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Also the big munter still doesn't exist, which is our bigger problem.
10 years and we're still looking for the 'next Kaino'. Besides Aumua, I don't really see any other players around NZ who put pride into being a defensive brick wall. I'm talking about the kind of players who don't want you to gain another inch once they hit you. To me, thats a mindset and I can't think of any others who have it at the moment.
@brodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The best young form options coming through this are Barnes, Wrampling, and Saifoloi.
I like Poliko as a young-ish option. Has had fuck all Super rugby game time though. Hopefully that changes next year with Flanders gone.
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@Bones I def agree with De Groot. Only issue is his ineffectiveness at times, especially when fatigued.
Looks a different beast this year.
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@brodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
The best young form options coming through this are Barnes, Wrampling, and Saifoloi.
I like Poliko as a young-ish option. Has had fuck all Super rugby game time though. Hopefully that changes next year with Flanders gone.
I think he played against MP? He needs to get some more game time.
@Fale009 said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
@reprobate said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:
Also the big munter still doesn't exist, which is our bigger problem.
10 years and we're still looking for the 'next Kaino'. Besides Aumua, I don't really see any other players around NZ who put pride into being a defensive brick wall. I'm talking about the kind of players who don't want you to gain another inch once they hit you. To me, thats a mindset and I can't think of any others who have it at the moment.
Paps had his moments. His jaw might differ.
