All Blacks wing options

@Chris said in All Blacks wing options:

@brodean said in All Blacks wing options:

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones said in All Blacks wing options:

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones said in All Blacks wing options:

@brodean said in All Blacks wing options:

Moorby is bigger than Tangitau

That would take a fair bit of convincing to get past the eye test.

They are listed as pretty much the same height/weight.

Yeah so categorically stating bigger seems off. Especially off physical appearance on telly.

Yeah it is just a nominal amount each way. Moorby slightly taller. Tangitau slightly heavier.

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones said in All Blacks wing options:

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones said in All Blacks wing options:

@brodean said in All Blacks wing options:

Moorby is bigger than Tangitau

That would take a fair bit of convincing to get past the eye test.

They are listed as pretty much the same height/weight.

Yeah so categorically stating bigger seems off. Especially off physical appearance on telly.

Yeah it is just a nominal amount each way. Moorby slightly taller. Tangitau slightly heavier.

Yeah depends where you get their weights.

One thing is certain though. Tangitau was named in the starting line up of a SRP team this week while Moorby was deemed surplus to requirements for the Canes 23 in an away game against the 3rd ranked team.

Moorby has a calf injury according to Laidlaw in his press interview,so was rested for that reason.

Fair enough then. He wasn't listed in the injuries on the news release

@Canes4life said in All Blacks wing options:

I'd prefer we move Jordie to the back and start Tupaea and Proctor in the centres.

Proctor has entered the chat.

Proctor played fullback earlier in his career didn't he? No reason he can't play fullback and centre, with Higgins at 12.

Can we maybe have at least one wing that can catch a high-ball?

@jimmyb said in All Blacks wing options:

Can we maybe have at least one wing that can catch a high-ball?

Another vote for Jordie on the wing.

@Bones I swear I’ve seen George Bridge catch a high-ball…

@jimmyb said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones I swear I’ve seen George Bridge catch a high-ball…

Got a try against the Boks too.

Jonah never got one as every South African munter likes to point out on FB.

Moorby can catch high balls, has a low error rate and is as quick as Ben Smith or Cory Jane. I wouldn't have him as a starter but if you have a wet game in Cape Town and we have been exposed under the high ball in test 1 I think he should come into consideration as an extra FB/14 like Ben smith or Cory Jane. I would give Tangitau first shot in the 14 jersey but I have not seen how good he is under the high ball and the Boks brutalized us there in Wellington 25.

@Canes4life Agreed, he could come on with 25 to go at either 7, 13 or 11 where the need is and create havoc. That's how I would use him.

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks wing options:

Boks brutalized us there in Wellington 25.

With Jordan and Dmac in the back 3 and BB/JB in the five eigths.

Moorby to the rescue.

Tangitau had been tried, his play demands it. So he gets to start at 14 (not sure if he can play 11?)

Jordan, despite his deficiencies, is probably the best running back we have. His try scoring and try assist rate is insane. He’s at either wing or fullback.

The biggest question mark is who’s at 15/11 and 23.

There is only one real realistic new option at 15 and that’s Harkin if Jordan is on the wing. We do not need Dmac the epileptic ferret at 15. That would be a disaster.

Caleb Clarke hasn’t been in great form and the power winger has somewhat fallen out of fashion (with the exception of Ethan Hooker) so not sure he demands a spot but is there a sensible alternative if Jordan is at 15?

Jordie Barrett seems like the logical choice at 23.

So,
11: Jordan/Clarke
14. Tangitau
15: Harkin/Jordan

23: J Barrett

@jimmyb I would go Clarke 11, Tangitau 14 and Jordan 15 with Leicester in 23 jersey to cover wing.

@jimmyb said in All Blacks wing options:

@Bones I swear I’ve seen George Bridge catch a high-ball…

..in a cocktail bar maybe..

I would pick Fehi at 11. Give him a taste of being an AB, and if he turns out to be as good at test level as he is at Super, next year might sort itself out too.

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks wing options:

but if you have a wet game in Cape Town and we have been exposed under the high ball in test 1 I think he should come into consideration

In a wet game in Fiji this year Moorby was the worst player on the field and hugely error prone

@KiwiMurph everyone can have 1 bad game. For the rest of the season he has pretty much been error-free like a Ben smith/Cory Jane type player. I am not saying I would start him ahead of Tangitau but with Narawa barely playing this season I would rank him as the number 2 14 in the squad.

I've just had a bit of fun getting AI to probe through Sir Graham Henry's comments in recent years about current NZ rugby players.

The top three recipients for his praise, according to Chat GTP, have been Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Cam Roigard.

@sparky at least it'sdnot Beauden Barrett

@Frank so should Reiko he will be there.

@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks wing options:

I would pick Fehi at 11. Give him a taste of being an AB, and if he turns out to be as good at test level as he is at Super, next year might sort itself out too.

I don't reckon. His play undoubtedly deserves it, but when you have guys like Clarke and Jordan who are world class, why should they miss out? And Tangitau who is amazing - but raw and has a bit to learn, surely it's better to give him that time in the jersey?
Maybe in the squad to give him a taste of what he's missing, but I don't see the point really. Giving LF game time there with specific targets on improving his defensive positioning and ball security would have more value, or even a Tupaea/Proctor/Lennox to increase our injury cover options and ability to have a 6-2 bench.
Unless there's a way out of the Newcastle deal of course, that would change things entirely.