Darwin
AKA Dingo_Darwin
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- May 30, 2007
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Go back and watch the game, he didn't actually do anything. Like i said Nonu pretty much played first receiver the whole time Slade was on. Please don't lump Cruden in with Donald, Cruden has never played in a losing AB team.
I'm a bit worried he won't threaten the line on attack. I'm sure his kicking round the park will be good, not sure on the goal kicking. I'm just not sure I've ever seen him dominate a game and really stand out at any level. We shall see though i hope he is awesome as I want us to win.
I don't need to watch the game again, I remember quite well what happened. Nonu was at first receiver a couple of times (as he had been used several times during the game when Cruden was on), but Slade did a brilliant job controlling the game once he came on. You could visibly see him communicating with the rest of the backline, in contrast to Cruden who had been quiet all game. The facts remains that he came on with the AB's behind 9-22, but 19 mins later the AB's had won 23-22... he obviously didn't do a bad job for someone on debut!
Cruden is lumped in the same category as Donald, as neither looked comfortable at test level... I don't think Donald was ever good enough, and I think Cruden just wasn't ready (and is not quite ready yet). You say Cruden has never lost a test, but all but one of his tests have been brief cameo's off the bench after the games have been all but secured. Indeed the only test start he has had the AB's were behind 9-22 when he left the field! I'm not saying Slade has been a superstar so far with the AB's, just that he has looked composed in his limited time.
Slade, when fully fit, is very good at taking on the line, as he is very fast. We haven't really seen that a lot since he has returned from injury; hopefully we see this a bit against South Africa. It will certainly be interesting to see how he goes this weekend.
I think the fact that Slade has never really been put under pressure before is a worry. I remember his first couple of Super rugby games at 1st five he was absolutely awful before switching to wing for the rest of the year, i just hope that was a freak occurance and not a susceptibility to pressure.. Also the situation where the less rugby he played, the more he was hyped up was very worrying. Honestly being injured so much has been his best career move yet, all he needs to do is sit in the stands, watch his competitors be average and his stocks soar..
That said he is very talented and appears to be the best option. I'm still unconviced at this stage however.
I don't think Slade was that bad for a 21 year old his debut season. He may have struggled a bit with the step up initially to Super Rugby, but he certainly hasn't looked out of place thus far at test level. I'm sure coming on behind by 13 points again Australia would have been a fair bit of pressure! I do take your point though he hasn't really been tested that much; I'm confident based on what I've seen so far that he has the goods to step up.... we will see on Sunday morning...
It does appear people seem to be rating Slade higher the more he has been out injured. I'm not really in the category though: I've always rated Slade - indeed before last years Tri-nations I suggested he should be the backup for Carter rather than Cruden. If I had been selecting the AB's Slade would probably have a dozen AB's caps to his name. I just think he possess the right skill-set for test rugby; a calm head, good tactical kicker, and very solid defense. I think his fullback skills really suit the current AB's gameplan as well.
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