[2014 EOYT] New Zealand

[nickdnz]

Jeremy Thrush - how he keeps getting picked is beyond me. I'd take Luatua over Thrush anyway I don't think he deserved to be dropped.

I think Thrush has been good in his All Blacks performances - and I think he's got a good work rate in general. The only area where he isn't amazing is that he's not all that physical on defense. Romano is seen as some kind of ball carrier though, yet he runs too high and gets driven back. Other than in the scrums I genuinely don't believe he offers all that much.

 

[nzlizard]

Very happy Vito is in there - I think he deserves it (tough on Luatua who has been reasonably strong in his AB performances). Tough again for Slade as well - get a match winning kick one week, get the boot yourself the next. Still, Carter is more important. Very disappointed Romano is back - not sure there is a lock who I think the AB coaches over rate more (and do we really need four specialist locks over three locks and Luatua?).

Agree with the Vito statement, I think it is the 8 ability that got him in over Luatua, as we already have Messam, Kaino and McCaw who can play 6.

I fell gutted for Slade and I am not convinced that Carter is more important, his super form this year was not spectacular and his goal kicking certainly wasn't much either.

We won the last world cup without him and can win the next without him.

 

[Helmy]

It looks more like SBW for Slade, which is BS imo.

 

[nzlizard]

It looks more like SBW for Slade, which is BS imo.

I think it is Carter for Slade, 3 1st fives is normal on tour.

 

[Imagine]

Well the centers will probably be 12) SBW 13) C.Smith with Fekitoa on the bench, but I would like to see 12) SBW 13) Fekitoa at some point.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Agree with the Vito statement, I think it is the 8 ability that got him in over Luatua, as we already have Messam, Kaino and McCaw who can play 6.

I fell gutted for Slade and I am not convinced that Carter is more important, his super form this year was not spectacular and his goal kicking certainly wasn't much either.

We won the last world cup without him and can win the next without him.

You're kidding eh? What has Slade done in the AB's to make him more important that Carter all of a sudden? Slade was lucky we scored that try or he would be the new Stephen Donald and would be getting vilified for missing touch with 3 mins to go. If Cruden hadn't been on the sauce he wouldn't have even been in the squad anyway and now he is more important than DC? Come on.

 

[nzlizard]

You're kidding eh? What has Slade done in the AB's to make him more important that Carter all of a sudden? Slade was lucky we scored that try or he would be the new Stephen Donald and would be getting vilified for missing touch with 3 mins to go. If Cruden hadn't been on the sauce he wouldn't have even been in the squad anyway and now he is more important than DC? Come on.

He is in form, he kept Carter out of the Crusaders during Super rugby, Carter played 2nd 5.

He can cover more positions than Carter, he is not consistently injured like Carter is at the moment, his all round game is better than Carters at the moment.

How much rugby has Carter had and what form do you expect him to be in?

Least with Slade we know what we get, and don't forget it is 12 months until the WC, how many more injuries do we expect from Dan between now and then?

DC offers more from a leadership perspective but then we have a few guys in the squad with huge experience regardless of DC being there.

Carter has done nothing this year rugby wise that excites me.

Another part of it for me is building the culture of rewarding talent that shines, not just keeping the old boys around cause it is a club, Andrew Hore was a prime example of this. If I was Slade and off contract at the end of the year I would **** off overseas, and I guarantee there would be more people ****** about Slade going now than Carter going.

 

[Helmy]

I think it is Carter for Slade, 3 1st fives is normal on tour.

Yeah, but remember Slade offers more cover wise, supposedly. Assuming that SBW could be seen in the centers and on the wing, and if what the selectors say about Slade being a utility back is true, him and SBW were in direct competition to fill that spot on the bench (as SBW did most of the RWC 2011).

 

[nickdnz]

1. Slade's ability to play 10, 12 and 15 is pretty irrelevant. Carter can play at 10 and 12 - and we'd have plenty of cover for those positions anyway. Fullback is again another no-worry position as we have Dagg who is likely to start (as much as I hate that) with Jane, Piatau and Barrett all very capable there. The only reason in my opinion to select Slade would be as a third choice 1st 5/8th. Given that's the case I think Daniel Carter is a better 1st 5/8th (he probably is still the best in the world in the 2 weeks a year he is still fit) - who desperately needs game time that he wouldn't get until Super Rugby next year.

2. I also don't see how Slade has a better all-round game than Carters...the only thing I think he does better is counter attacking from deep - I'd certainly rather have Carter managing plays from first receiver, defending, goal kicking, kicking for territory etc, etc, etc.

3. It's Daniel Carter. That dude whose scored more points in international rugby than anyone else..

 

[Helmy]

Not sure if that was directed at me or in general, but I've got no issue with DC being in the squad in place of Slade. My real qualm is that the selectors say one thing and do another. They pick people based on form, but then drop those playing in form for pet players. It's debatable that there's anything wrong with this, just that instead of lying about it be upfront about it. Similarly, Slade's in the team as a utility back in form but then loses out to another utility back who's only just got back into union.

 

[Darwin]

Predictable squad is predictable.

I had a feeling Vito would be included, and I'm glad he has as he is IMO the 2nd best 8 in the country. I'm not overly thrilled at Romano's inclusion - I don't think he offers anything more than Bird/Thrush/Luatua, but if they plan to use him next season it makes sense to have him involved as soon as possible.

Carter was always going to be included at the expense of Slade because he is Dan Carter. If Carter could string a few games together I think he is still as good as any 10 in world rugby. That's a massive "if" though. I have serious doubts as to whether Carter will make the next RWC - and doubts whether he could survive the tournament - so in some ways I would prefer to see Slade touring. When fully fit (and playing rugby) Carter is still twice the player the Slade is. However will be every been fully fit.......? Let's be honest. Colin Slade will go on tour. Can anyone really see Carter surviving for more than a couple of weeks?


Oh I forgot......... OMG $BW

 

[nickdnz]

Not sure if that was directed at me or in general, but I've got no issue with DC being in the squad in place of Slade. My real qualm is that the selectors say one thing and do another. They pick people based on form, but then drop those playing in form for pet players. It's debatable that there's anything wrong with this, just that instead of lying about it be upfront about it. Similarly, Slade's in the team as a utility back in form but then loses out to another utility back who's only just got back into union.

More nzlizard and in general . Pet players have long been a stupid part of this coaches makeup. Romano has had even less playing time than Carter (missed most of SR and all of the ITM Cup) and hasn't even had the ridiculously successful career Daniel Carter has. Why he is touring I have no idea (I'd rather have Luatua, Bird and any number of impressive young locks in the squad over him). Their selection with SBW is the same. But if they are going to make exceptions, I'm glad it was with a guy whose played 100 tests over 12 or so years in the All Blacks.

Predictable squad is predictable.

I had a feeling Vito would be included, and I'm glad he has as he is IMO the 2nd best 8 in the country. I'm not overly thrilled at Romano's inclusion - I don't think he offers anything more than Bird/Thrush/Luatua, but if they plan to use him next season it makes sense to have him involved as soon as possible.

Carter was always going to be included at the expense of Slade because he is Dan Carter. If Carter could string a few games together I think he is still as good as any 10 in world rugby. That's a massive "if" though. I have serious doubts as to whether Carter will make the next RWC - and doubts whether he could survive the tournament - so in some ways I would prefer to see Slade touring. When fully fit (and playing rugby) Carter is still twice the player the Slade is. However will be every been fully fit.......? Let's be honest. Colin Slade will go on tour. Can anyone really see Carter surviving for more than a couple of weeks?


Oh I forgot......... OMG $BW

You been on the sauce again Darwin?

Interestingly Slade may well tour instead of Carter, as Carter still has to pass a fitness test.

 

[Darwin]

You been on the sauce again Darwin?

Interestingly Slade may well tour instead of Carter, as Carter still has to pass a fitness test.

Wow, that was an epic fail in sentence construction on my part. I obviously need some sleep. To reveal my secret message you must do the following: change the 1st 'b' into an 'h', delete every 'y' in the sentence, and remove the 2nd half of the word 'been'. I stick by my OMG $BW comment though. Who wouldn't be excited at $BW. Come on Nick. Embrace the madness. Do it.

 

[nickdnz]

Wow, that was an epic fail in sentence construction on my part. I obviously need some sleep. To reveal my secret message you must do the following: change the 1st 'b' into an 'h', delete every 'y' in the sentence, and remove the 2nd half of the word 'been'. I stick by my OMG $BW comment though. Who wouldn't be excited at $BW. Come on Nick. Embrace the madness. Do it.

Darwin...

 

[Helmy]

More nzlizard and in general . Pet players have long been a stupid part of this coaches makeup. Romano has had even less playing time than Carter (missed most of SR and all of the ITM Cup) and hasn't even had the ridiculously successful career Daniel Carter has. Why he is touring I have no idea (I'd rather have Luatua, Bird and any number of impressive young locks in the squad over him). Their selection with SBW is the same. But if they are going to make exceptions, I'm glad it was with a guy whose played 100 tests over 12 or so years in the All Blacks.

DC is an exception I understand. SBW isn't. You're right about the make-up of these coaches, though.

 

[The Jones Boy]

SBW seems to conjure a love/hate reaction.
For my part the guy is big and strong and fast.
He has international pedigree as a player of quality that would most likely walk into any other international set up with a blank cheque awaiting him.
He brought the backhanded offload into regular AB play and he put crucial pressure on Nonu to lift his game instead of sitting back like an incomparable incumbent can do...
He's a class act on the field and I am glad he brings some pizzazz to the back line. He will be a great foil for Fekitoa to learn from and he brings steel into the back line. He's no blouse.
Quality throughout secured the last World Cup, we need quality throughput to secure the next one.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Vito made the cut?
Excellent.
I was wondering where he drifted off to, we definitely need back up for the Colossus Kaino and Messam is too small to cut it at the top level as a number 8.

 

[easy2288]

Why bring DC along. What he needs is to proof his fitness. He don't need the game exposure.

I am shocked with Jeremy Thrush inclusion. Bird should get the opportunity.

 

[nzlizard]

DC is an exception I understand. SBW isn't. You're right about the make-up of these coaches, though.

See for me I don't understand it.

 

[Helmy]

See for me I don't understand it.

Carter has consistently been an instant starter and star player for the All Blacks since 2004. SBW has walked in and out of the team as he pleases without ever truly securing himself as the first choice player in his position of choice. People seem to forget just how little a part he truly played in the 2011 RWC. Yes, I know, Carter got injured, but if he hadn't, there would be no doubt that he would have started all the important games.

In fact, I don't even know why I'm comparing the two, Carter is a far superior player to SBW who has built a legacy that deserves to be acknowledged by the selectors. I've never SBW play a stellar game against top opposition like Carter has.