[2014 EOYT] New Zealand

[William18]

Can I ask people who don't want us to take SBW who they would take instead? We already have 3 first fives - we don't need another one. If we didn't take SBW we would not be taken Colin Slade but probably Saili as we would need midfield cover. SBW needs game time before the RWC. We only have 5 test matches before the RWC next year. Selecting Carter is a no brainer for me. Far and away our first five. If he gets injured again then so what? Barrett or Cruden can just step in.

 

[Big Ewis]

fuuuuk yeah, heard NZ got SBW back ! He been on good form lately ?? Dan Carter also back...could someone give me a projection of the XV (or 23) you expect to see, as in, the one you think Hansen will pick ? Dunno who's back, who's out, what partnerships...

 

[MojoPin]

As a Wales fan I'm really glad that SBW will be featuring in the NZ team...though I can completely understand why some NZ fans are angry about it. Will be very interesting to see how he performs being put on such a big stage so quickly. Should be a great series and hoping to see NZ pushed hard by at least two or three of the NH teams - fingers crossed!

 

[ianw16]

As a Wales fan I'm really glad that SBW will be featuring in the NZ team...though I can completely understand why some NZ fans are angry about it. Will be very interesting to see how he performs being put on such a big stage so quickly. Should be a great series and hoping to see NZ pushed hard by at least two or three of the NH teams - fingers crossed!

Don't think the 'big stage' will be anything new to SBW. Don't forget he has played in the NRL (not exactly Wakefield v Castleford), not to mention international RL, including a WC final win against Aus in Aus, as well as for the All Blacks in the 2011 WC. So an end of year tour to the north shouldn't trouble his sleep unduly!
On the plus side, I was somewhat worried about the midfield options available to NZ before this season, but am much happier now, to the extent that we can tour without Nonu, and I'm not particularly concerned.

 

[MojoPin]

Don't think the 'big stage' will be anything new to SBW. Don't forget he has played in the NRL (not exactly Wakefield v Castleford), not to mention international RL, including a WC final win against Aus in Aus, as well as for the All Blacks in the 2011 WC. So an end of year tour to the north shouldn't trouble his sleep unduly!
On the plus side, I was somewhat worried about the midfield options available to NZ before this season, but am much happier now, to the extent that we can tour without Nonu, and I'm not particularly concerned.

Very true! Badly phrased I guess...it's just that it seems quite a big adjustment to make so quickly. But he's been there before and if anyone is up to the challenge, I'm sure it's him! I'm sure most NH supporters are very, very wary of the impact he'll have. Should be fun to watch!

 

[nickdnz]

Don't think the 'big stage' will be anything new to SBW. Don't forget he has played in the NRL (not exactly Wakefield v Castleford), not to mention international RL, including a WC final win against Aus in Aus, as well as for the All Blacks in the 2011 WC. So an end of year tour to the north shouldn't trouble his sleep unduly!
On the plus side, I was somewhat worried about the midfield options available to NZ before this season, but am much happier now, to the extent that we can tour without Nonu, and I'm not particularly concerned.

Umm, no he hasn't.

 

[ianw16]

Very true! Badly phrased I guess...it's just that it seems quite a big adjustment to make so quickly. But he's been there before and if anyone is up to the challenge, I'm sure it's him! I'm sure most NH supporters are very, very wary of the impact he'll have. Should be fun to watch!

I think this is the reason he is on the tour. There aren't many Test matches between now and the WC, and he will almost certainly be in that WC squad, so now is the time to get him back up to speed with the AB's. I expect he'll start against the USA and Scotland. Whether he sees any game time against England or Wales will probably be down to him coming off the bench if those games are going well with 10-15 minutes to go. Come the WC, C. Smith is a certain starter at 13, so it'll be an interesting selection dilemma with Nonu, Fekitoa and SBW all possible starters at 12!

 

[Helmy]

Yet somehow we've been okay without SBW in midfield the past three years in between world cups..

 

[donmcdazzle]

Yet somehow we've been okay without SBW in midfield the past three years in between world cups..

The reaction he gets is so silly. Our locking stocks have been fine without Romano, who hasn't been as good as SBW was in the AB's, yet they picked him. Are you equally as miffed about him getting picked?

 

[Helmy]

The reaction he gets is so silly. Our locking stocks have been fine without Romano, who hasn't been as good as SBW was in the AB's, yet they picked him. Are you equally as miffed about him getting picked?

I go with others in saying that Bird has looked more impressive to my mind than Romano. What I'm miffed about is how SBW can pick and choose when he gets in different national sides, seemingly at the expense of other players who've been slugging it out in his place. To me playing for your country should mean more than what code tickles your fancy and my personal opinion is that SBW's attitude toward the All Blacks and the Kiwis demeans both jerseys. I can understand why you'd think that's silly, after all, this is professional sport and the best player should be selected irrespective of loyalty or whether one bloke has been slaving away trying to be selected for that position for years. Similarly, I can appreciate the skill it takes to chop and change all the time, but I hope you can do the same in seeing why I think the love in that he gets in sections of the media and rugby fan bases is pathetic in that he's done sweet **** all in the union code aside from having his unwarranted hype generate ticket sales.

Still, the team and the supporters will remain when he's long gone.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I go with others in saying that Bird has looked more impressive to my mind than Romano. What I'm miffed about is how SBW can pick and choose when he gets in different national sides, seemingly at the expense of other players who've been slugging it out in his place. To me playing for your country should mean more than what code tickles your fancy and my personal opinion is that SBW's attitude toward the All Blacks and the Kiwis demeans both jerseys. I can understand why you'd think that's silly, after all, this is professional sport and the best player should be selected irrespective of loyalty or whether one bloke has been slaving away trying to be selected for that position for years. Similarly, I can appreciate the skill it takes to chop and change all the time, but I hope you can do the same in seeing why I think the love in that he gets in sections of the media and rugby fan bases is pathetic in that he's done sweet **** all in the union code aside from having his unwarranted hype generate ticket sales.

Still, the team and the supporters will remain when he's long gone.

As a Chiefs supporter I can say he's done a lot more than just generate ticket sales.

The fact of the matter is that the only requirement for a player to be in the All Blacks is that they currently play their provincial/Super rugby in New Zealanad - that in of itself is a loyalty clause many countries don't have.

 

[Helmy]

As a Chiefs supporter I can say he's done a lot more than just generate ticket sales.

The fact of the matter is that the only requirement for a player to be in the All Blacks is that they currently play their provincial/Super rugby in New Zealanad - that in of itself is a loyalty clause many countries don't have.

I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass. :lol: Narrow that focus to the All Blacks, though, and I'll stand by my claim.

It's not a question of the rules being bent, rather whether he deserves to walk in and out of the code as he please. But, we could do this subject to death and I don't think anyone's going to change their stance on the matter other than agreeing SBW's the kind of player who will generate debate no matter what he does.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Swap SBW for Ranger, I'll be happy, but nope you can't.

 

[Helmy]

Would I be a hypocrite for agreeing with this? ^^ :lol:

 

[kzapanta]

Hi guys,
I am going to the game. I'm looking for info.about where other fans will be hanging out and having fun. Also can you please point me in the right direction to find out the All Blacks practice schedule or the meet and greet/media time?
Thanks Looking forward to one hell of a good time watching a great game!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Just heard or the radio that Harris and Jane are out of the rest of the tour.

No word yet on if we'll see replacements called into the squad...

Disappointing to see Harris out, I was really looking forward to seeing him get some game time.

 

[Darwin]

Really disappointing for Harris. It will be very interesting to see who is chosen to replace him. The ABs selectors have shown interest in Coltman, but his lineout throwing just isn't near good enough (I rate the rest of his game highly though).

Jane is a loss too, as he has started to show some form in recent matches. Personally I see little point in replacing him. There are no obvious replacements, and there is a very realistic chance we will go into the RWC next year with only 4 specialist outside backs, so I'm sure we can survive 3 tests (Barrett, SBW, Fekitoa all have some experience in the outside backs if required).

It just occured to me that Colin Slade may actually get called up. We don't really need four 10's, but he is versitle, and there is a good chance he will be imvolved in the RWC next year (when Carter injures himself) so giving him more time in the ABs environment may be benificial.

 

[admartian]

I go with others in saying that Bird has looked more impressive to my mind than Romano. What I'm miffed about is how SBW can pick and choose when he gets in different national sides, seemingly at the expense of other players who've been slugging it out in his place. To me playing for your country should mean more than what code tickles your fancy and my personal opinion is that SBW's attitude toward the All Blacks and the Kiwis demeans both jerseys. I can understand why you'd think that's silly, after all, this is professional sport and the best player should be selected irrespective of loyalty or whether one bloke has been slaving away trying to be selected for that position for years. Similarly, I can appreciate the skill it takes to chop and change all the time, but I hope you can do the same in seeing why I think the love in that he gets in sections of the media and rugby fan bases is pathetic in that he's done sweet **** all in the union code aside from having his unwarranted hype generate ticket sales.

Still, the team and the supporters will remain when he's long gone.

Completely agree with all your points.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Really disappointing for Harris. It will be very interesting to see who is chosen to replace him. The ABs selectors have shown interest in Coltman, but his lineout throwing just isn't near good enough (I rate the rest of his game highly though).

Jane is a loss too, as he has started to show some form in recent matches. Personally I see little point in replacing him. There are no obvious replacements, and there is a very realistic chance we will go into the RWC next year with only 4 specialist outside backs, so I'm sure we can survive 3 tests (Barrett, SBW, Fekitoa all have some experience in the outside backs if required).

It just occured to me that Colin Slade may actually get called up. We don't really need four 10's, but he is versitle, and there is a good chance he will be imvolved in the RWC next year (when Carter injures himself) so giving him more time in the ABs environment may be benificial.

Honestly I think Coltman has zero chance of being called up at the moment.

Ash Dixon is with the Maoris, as is Codie Taylor, and James Parsons is with the Barbarians. I'd imagine all of those guys, plus Rhys Marshall, have a better chance right now. Coltman tanked in the ITM Cup, he won't be starting for the Highlanders next season, so I think his best chance will be in 2016.

 

[Darwin]

Honestly I think Coltman has zero chance of being called up at the moment.

Ash Dixon is with the Maoris, as is Codie Taylor, and James Parsons is with the Barbarians. I'd imagine all of those guys, plus Rhys Marshall, have a better chance right now. Coltman tanked in the ITM Cup, he won't be starting for the Highlanders next season, so I think his best chance will be in 2016.

While personally I wouldn't pick Coltman I wouldn't completely rule him out. I'm not really sure that Coltman 'tanked' in the ITM Cup - he certainly had a couple of bad lineout throwing performances, but his lineout throwing was no worse than it has been in the past (when the ABs selectors have shown some interest in him).

Behind Coles and Mealamu the hooker is an incredibly open position. Harris certainly has his nose in front to be the 3rd choice hooker, but how the hookers are rated below that are anyones guess. I would add Ben Funnell and Quentin MacDonald to your list of potential hooking options - the ABs selectors have shown interest in Matu'u in the past too but he is injured.

Personally I would go for..... ummmm.... maybe Dixon...