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All Blacks Watch - Countdown to June
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 567936" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Appearances can be deceiving. The Crusaders have won 10/16 (63%) of the games that Tom Taylor has played (<a href="http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/player?id=4746&name=tom-taylor&team=50001" target="_blank">http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/player?id=4746&name=tom-taylor&team=50001</a>), compared to 6/9 (67%) that he has not played over that same period.....</p><p></p><p>Taylor is ok, but I tend to agree with Nick - his playmaking skills are nowhere good enough for test rugby at this stage. The Crusaders haven't been great over the last two seasons, but the backline has really struggled to get going with him in the 10 jersey. Though he is versatile he is far from a genuine test option at either 12 or 15, so his versatility isn't that much of an advantage. He does seem and intelligent player, is a reliable defender, and is a superb goal-kicker. He may develop into a test level 10 one day, but at the moment he is firmly behind Carter, Cruden, and Barrett in terms of NZ 10's. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I feel people are being a tad harsh on Barrett. I felt he was over-hyped last season, where-as this season everyone seems to talking him down. He has exactly the same strengths and weaknesses in his game he had last season, I just feel people are expecting too much from his this year.</p><p></p><p>While I have been pleasantly surprised with Noakes's attacking play at the Blues, he is still a massive liability on defense. People are more than happy to point on Barrett's obvious flaws in defense, but Noakes is an even worse defender.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I don't think that is necessarily a good reason to consider someone for the AB's. If so we would be considering the likes of Manu, Aki, and whoever the top Chiefs 8 is <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> Tikoirotimu is a good contributor for the Chiefs, but I'm not really a big fan. He plays hard, has a good work-rate and a lot of pace, but for some reason he isn't really a massive threat with ball in hand - he will beat the odd player, but doesn't break tackles as consistently as many of our top wings. To be considered for the AB's he needs to be a bit more of a threat with ball in hand - either that or reduce his error rate (which is rather high).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 567936, member: 24910"] Appearances can be deceiving. The Crusaders have won 10/16 (63%) of the games that Tom Taylor has played ([URL]http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/player?id=4746&name=tom-taylor&team=50001[/URL]), compared to 6/9 (67%) that he has not played over that same period..... Taylor is ok, but I tend to agree with Nick - his playmaking skills are nowhere good enough for test rugby at this stage. The Crusaders haven't been great over the last two seasons, but the backline has really struggled to get going with him in the 10 jersey. Though he is versatile he is far from a genuine test option at either 12 or 15, so his versatility isn't that much of an advantage. He does seem and intelligent player, is a reliable defender, and is a superb goal-kicker. He may develop into a test level 10 one day, but at the moment he is firmly behind Carter, Cruden, and Barrett in terms of NZ 10's. I feel people are being a tad harsh on Barrett. I felt he was over-hyped last season, where-as this season everyone seems to talking him down. He has exactly the same strengths and weaknesses in his game he had last season, I just feel people are expecting too much from his this year. While I have been pleasantly surprised with Noakes's attacking play at the Blues, he is still a massive liability on defense. People are more than happy to point on Barrett's obvious flaws in defense, but Noakes is an even worse defender. I don't think that is necessarily a good reason to consider someone for the AB's. If so we would be considering the likes of Manu, Aki, and whoever the top Chiefs 8 is ;) Tikoirotimu is a good contributor for the Chiefs, but I'm not really a big fan. He plays hard, has a good work-rate and a lot of pace, but for some reason he isn't really a massive threat with ball in hand - he will beat the odd player, but doesn't break tackles as consistently as many of our top wings. To be considered for the AB's he needs to be a bit more of a threat with ball in hand - either that or reduce his error rate (which is rather high). [/QUOTE]
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