All Blacks final World Cup squad?

[TobesHodges]

Does anyone think NMS could play any position(s) outside of wing and fullback? Not in terms of this World Cup, but just curious.

I still think the canes will try and push him to 13, but I think that's as far as he will go, he's not the most aggressive player so Centre maybe controversial..

 

[Kiwi_]

My only concern with Skudder is his on going hamstring issue.

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Yeah, it's funny how people are forgetting that. He rarely played on the wing till this season - and even for the Canes he was only used on the wing because of injuries to Cory Jane.

He showed he can transfer that form to the wing, but I think he looks better when he can join the back-line from fullback.



Then why exactly is he not available till the third game?

Probably precautionary, not to over extend him and make sure he's 100% for the knock out fixtures. Could be RWC banter as well, who knows.

 

[Mcfadden]

I still think the canes will try and push him to 13, but I think that's as far as he will go, he's not the most aggressive player so Centre maybe controversial..

Bingo. That's what I was trying to get at but I thought I might have being a bit silly. Not necessarily 13 either, just somewhere in the midfield. I wouldn't mind seeing it tried, at the very least. And if it's not a failure at Super level then who knows. But I'm probably having a dream there.

 

[Kiwi_]

How good of a tackler is Skudder?

 

[TobesHodges]

How good of a tackler is Skudder?

Would have been my second point that comes with the aggression, I don't think he's a bad tackler, but I don't think he has been tested, especially against Super Rugby level centres..

 

[nickdnz]

How good of a tackler is Skudder?

Tackled at 80% in Super Rugby this season.

Not miles off from Ben Smith's 82.1%.

He's pretty reliable to make the tackles in one on ones. Certainly isn't a worse tackler than Dagg (who despite having an okay tackle percentage ratio this season...managed one tackler per game on average)..

 

[CaliRa1]

They had a secret game last week and Naholo played the whole game and he's fit. They wouldn't take him otherwise. We don't know the full stories and extent.


His leg was barely broken, 'broken' is a loose thing to call a tiny hairline fracture, with proper rest for a few weeks, good nutrition and physio can heal very quickly.

Skudder is a fullback, Ben is a fullback.

Barrett has covered there plenty, Slade can cover there. That's 4 players already cover 1 position. I think we'll be ok mate, if there's an injury we can give some one a call in NZ and they'll be over on the next plane. Chill.

I'm not freaking out… Just know that the RWC is a different beast
All these players know the results of previous WC
Most been a part of previous squads So I have no doubt the coaches know what they're doing
I don't know what they're doing but I would be taking Dagg over a So-So Naholo maybe even a healthy Naholo IDK
Is Naholo going to do something NMS won't do? I don't know but a sure handed, big booting, big game playing FB (Dagg) is a lot safer IMO than a player who is 4/5 weeks removed from a Hair Line fracture to his leg… He aggravates it and he might not even play a game at this WC doesn't take a whole lot for the bone to slip… B Smith & Dagg are my 1 & 2 FB with Piutau 3rd Jane 4th… NMS is probably 5th… I know Dagg hasn't been at his best since the last WC but he is still a safe option… Not the biggest fan of Dagg but I thought he was surely in the squad…
I have no doubt that the ABs are going to compete and win a number of games… I do have my doubts though as every supporter should and I'm sure you do…
The likes of Ireland and France looming in the 2nd round and Referees Barnes officiating anything could happen

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NMS if he is to move to the midfield I think 12 would be better he has a rugby league & touch background and so passing is never going to be an issue
Who do the canes put out the back then?

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NMS similar to Kurtley Beale
He's got all the skills to cover 10 if he had to but 12 more preferred position IMO

 

[Kiwi_]

Yeah, I think he would work at 12, but that won't be looked at until next year, when we really are short on 12's and 13's.

I think if Ben gets injured (which is highly unlikely, I think he's had 1 knock and missed just a few games in 10 years or something) Dagg will be the one called up, Piutau would be nice, but I think Dagg given his "experience" and being a genuine specialized fullback he'd get the call. I'd personally call Piutau though.

 

[CaliRa1]

Yeah, I think he would work at 12, but that won't be looked at until next year, when we really are short on 12's and 13's.

I think if Ben gets injured (which is highly unlikely, I think he's had 1 knock and missed just a few games in 10 years or something) Dagg will be the one called up, Piutau would be nice, but I think Dagg given his "experience" and being a genuine specialized fullback he'd get the call. I'd personally call Piutau though.

Likewise I do prefer Piutau

 

[nickdnz]

How about we keep NMS at fullback...

If the Canes were looking to shift an outside back to centre, Woodward would be the best option as his kicking and distribution game are class and he is physical. I'd even say Jane as an option since he's slowing down but still has a lot of skill. Preferably we just sign some good centres, there is plenty out there..

 

[chikwa chibwe]

Charles piutau is a gifted rugby player who is only going to get better. He does not only have athletic abilities but he has a sense of poise on the park which comes from his excellent rugby brain. What a waste of a talent. I would have picked him over the twinkle toe'd Milner skudder. Charles goes to look for the ball and as evidenced in his recent performances always makes a difference. Milner skudder though brilliant can be insignificant in a tight game which world cups games tend to be . Truthfully they should be going . Luke Romano could have been left behind. There is enough lock cover. Colin slade is as much a winger as Sam whitelock . That is a fair comparison!There is nothing special he ever brings to the back line .He is a a decent fly half. Though Tom Taylor is better than him as is Mackenzie and west. The no 10 position is key . If Dan carter is not delivering. Which is very possible. Beauden barret is next And he has not lived up to his potential. What was the point in starting Lima in Johannesburg? Why did they not start Colin slade? Beauden Barrett and Dan carter are talented enough to deliver the performance that Lima produced though their performances of late are inconsistent.

 

[Mcfadden]

How about we keep NMS at fullback...

If the Canes were looking to shift an outside back to centre, Woodward would be the best option as his kicking and distribution game are class and he is physical. I'd even say Jane as an option since he's slowing down but still has a lot of skill. Preferably we just sign some good centres, there is plenty out there..

I was more thinking for the All Blacks sake than the Hurricanes. But of course, the 'Canes is where it'd start. Post world cup I can work out most of the team, but midfield really has me wondering. Anyway, it was just a daydream really. Let's get through the WC. Big job ahead.

 

[Kiwi_]

I think the Piutau snob is definitely a message for those who want to dick us around with contracts and commitments as well, certainly has the ring to it..

 

[Peat]

I think the Piutau snob is definitely a message for those who want to dick us around with contracts and commitments as well, certainly has the ring to it..

I was thinking that. His game looks made for WC conditions, he's in great form...

I suppose the alternative PoV is that New Zealand have looked a bit shaky up front, which makes being as lethal as possible out wide a good plan, so maybe its entirely rugby related - guess no one will ever know bar Hansen & co.

 

[chikwa chibwe]

Enough of my ranting ! Good luck to the ALl blacks . There are no clear out and out favorites. England lost to France and Ireland to Wales . For all the boks confidence they overrate themselves. Winning is a mentality they currently don't have despite having abundant talent . I hope Dan carter brings his A Game otherwise we are in trouble. Woodcock should endeavor to prove me wrong. He is a spent force in my humble opinion. Owen franks decline in form is a mystery.Aron smith & Kieran read should find their best form . I expect Messam to be very useful to the team . And hopefully Beauden barret can add some spark when called upon! I have absolute confidence in the 4 centres selected. Hopefully Savea learns he can't be one dimensional and run everybody over. He may well find he has lost his starting place . The talent in the backs is frightening. If only the scrum can perform we will be hard to stop.

 

[Shaggy]

You know what I don't disagree with that, but unlike you I'm pretty relaxed about my own nation's chances. Looking at it objectively, this World cup is a world cup too soon for a lot of England's players. They just don't have the experience in key positions and the combinations are just not developed enough to withstand 7 matches of an RWC against the very best teams. Home advantage will only take England so far. The difference is if England fail to live up to expectations, and personally I do expect that, I won't be blaming the referee and or Lancaster etc for choosing so and so a player, as they would have made a fundamental difference. I understand that a lot of things have to come together to win a world cup.

I agree with your not blaming the Ref, Coaches, Players comment; The squad has been selected, they should be good enough to follow the game plan, or adapt to different referee's interpretations, so I won't be looking for excuses/playing the blame game, if things don't go our way

My biggest disappointment is Lima not making it

Yep, well he's lost out due to lack of proven ability to play in other positions; due to the quick turn around in games at the start of the tournament, we are probably going to see either Barrett or Slade playing in the back three (with the other playing at 10), in the second game. NMS will probably play the first two, and then be replaced by Naholo in the third.

I think the Piutau snob is definitely a message for those who want to dick us around with contracts and commitments as well, certainly has the ring to it..

Got to admit, it's hard to see what more he could have done on the field to push his case for inclusion, and the fact that he plays 11, 14, and 15, would have made him useful in the squad. It would be interesting to know what the pecking order is for who the first cab of the rank is if we need to replace any of the outside backs, and I guess it would depend on who needed to be replaced, but I think it would be Piutau, Jane, then Dagg, unless it's Ben Smith who gets injured, and then it could be Dagg who gets the call

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I was more thinking for the All Blacks sake than the Hurricanes. But of course, the 'Canes is where it'd start. Post world cup I can work out most of the team, but midfield really has me wondering. Anyway, it was just a daydream really. Let's get through the WC. Big job ahead.

I think between Fekitoa, Ngatai, Tamanivalu, Crotty, Ranger (among others) we'll be fine in the midfield...

 

[TobesHodges]

I think between Fekitoa, Ngatai, Tamanivalu, Crotty, Ranger (among others) we'll be fine in the midfield...

Can't wait to see Ranger back in a Blues Jersey..

 

[CaliRa1]

I think between Fekitoa, Ngatai, Tamanivalu, Crotty, Ranger (among others) we'll be fine in the midfield...

Moala & Buckman also

 

[nzlizard]

Why Colin slade is in the squad makes no sense to me. To be crude in my disgust he clearly gives Hansen ( a hard on) apologies but had to be said. I realized last year that he was above cruden in the pecking order . Gents cruden would never had made this World Cup squad . Why? Because he has no utility value . If you disagree with me why has Lima been left out and slade picked ?Can some one please educate me as to why a player who is unlikely to have any significant impact or to play any crucial role can be favored above specialists no 10. Charles piutau can play full back centre and wing. He is overall a more talented and more effective player that slade! I will not be surprised if piutau never comes back to play rugby in New Zealand. You don't need to be a genius to see that Lima sapoaga can cover full back and both Cente positions!! Thoroughly disgusted!

Cruden would have gone, he was the incumbent out of Slade and Barrett.

Slade just offers more that Sopoanga does in terms of cover and is proven at this level.

I think the Piutau snob is definitely a message for those who want to dick us around with contracts and commitments as well, certainly has the ring to it..

The problem was created by Hansen not Piutau, after the 2007 loss and EOYT loss to England 2 years ago we came out and said that no longer can we just select senior players based on past performances, they need to earn there spots.

Yet we persisted with Jane over Piutau quite often, so in all fairness Piutau made a call to go for the money, if he had secured that starting spot when everyone knows he deserved it then he may not have gone.