Barrett ahead of Cruden? Carter near the end?

[ABs2011]

McCaw defies predictions, Cruden set to play

 

[The Undertaker]

Agree with everything you have said (except I think you are a bit harsh on Kerr-Barlow).
Final thought - Augustine Pulu will be challenging for an AB spot soon enough. Maybe give him another year in Super Rugby (I suspect Rennie will give him much more game time this year) and he will be a huge impact player off the bench. Very exciting player as anyone will know that has been watching Counties this year.

Very true re: Pulu. He was brilliant off the bench in the S15 final as well (and throughout the s15). I also wonder what else TJ Perenara has to do (injury problems aside). TJ strikes me as a very level-headed and clever footballer. A lot of good young 9's around though!

Appears as if we're pretty well on the same wave-length here mate.

 

[ABs2011]

Very true re: Pulu. He was brilliant off the bench in the S15 final as well (and throughout the s15). I also wonder what else TJ Perenara has to do (injury problems aside). TJ strikes me as a very level-headed and clever footballer. A lot of good young 9's around though!

Appears as if we're pretty well on the same wave-length here mate.

Yeah mate, looks like it. I'm not sure what more Cruden has to do to gain the respect of some people to the extent that he is acknowledged as the No.1 back up to Carter or heavens forbid the AB No.1 option. For me he has proven himself already although it would be nice to see him have a couple more kick arse games for the ABs. Maybe this one and the next huh? and win us the RC

 

[first5eight]

DC is still our premier 5/8 by a long, long way. Injuries have ruined 2013 for him but I see it as a blessing in disguise really, it's actually going to prolong his career and help him get to the '15 world cup. Remember people, form is temporary, class is permanent. Carter is going to be remembered as the greatest 5/8 to ever play the game..

On the topic of who's next best... imo it's Barrett, he has a better all round game than Cruden. Don't get me wrong, Cruden is very good also, but Imagine when Barrett has played 23 games like Cruden.. BB has got better every time he has played for the AB's so he'd be the man I'd go for.. Pretty good dilemma to have really!

As for worrying about center and hooker... come on.. no need to worry.. we always have young talent that comes through and steps up.. It wasn't to long ago that we were worrying about locks.. now look at the picture

 

[dasNdanger]

I like what I've seen of Barrett, but I'm wondering who besides those already capped might be waiting in the wings, as it were. I've seen some good kicking in the ITM, players I never knew existed. Of course, I haven't seen enough of them to know how good the rest of their game is, but I think there's a lot of 5/8 promise out there.

das

 

[ABs2011]

Speaking of new fullahs coming through - all eyes should be on the Canterbury Manawatu match tonight where an exciting talent, Richard Mo'unga will be given his run on debut:

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/mo-unga-debut-10-canterbury-5589401

 

[first5eight]

To be honest there is massive depth across the board at 5/8. I think Tyler Blandall, Lima Sopoaga, Baden Kerr plus a few others could all literally step up behind the the established top 5 and play well for the AB's. The structure, support and the players around them make it easy for new guys to come in and play well in that environment.

 

[ABs2011]

Speaking of new fullahs coming through - all eyes should be on the Canterbury Manawatu match tonight where an exciting talent, Richard Mo'unga will be given his run on debut:

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/mo-unga-debut-10-canterbury-5589401

Anyone watch this kid play?

27 points on debut 10/12 kicking and a try as well.

With a NZ touch background apparently he has some of the best ball running skills people have seen for a while.

Player to watch for sure.

 

[dasNdanger]

Anyone watch this kid play?

27 points on debut 10/12 kicking and a try as well.

With a NZ touch background apparently he has some of the best ball running skills people have seen for a while.

Player to watch for sure.

Nope - haven't gotten to that match yet...still trying to catch up with last weekend's ITM and Currie Cup games!! I am soooo far behind!! I think I have three or four to go before seeing this game, but thanks for the reminder, I will keep a sharp eye out for him when I get there!


das

 

[ABs2011]

Nope - haven't gotten to that match yet...still trying to catch up with last weekend's ITM and Currie Cup games!! I am soooo far behind!! I think I have three or four to go before seeing this game, but thanks for the reminder, I will keep a sharp eye out for him when I get there!


das

Here's a quick highlights package if you want to take a sneak peak.

Highlights Canterbury Manawatu - watch for Richard Mo'unga (Keresoma and Crotty looking pretty sharp too)

Das, how do you watch all the games? Have you purchased an online pass? You are in the US right?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Mo'unga only had a hand in two of the tries... Highlights package doesn't look to have done him justice, based on the reviews he's been given here.

 

[dasNdanger]

Here's a quick highlights package if you want to take a sneak peak.

Highlights Canterbury Manawatu - watch for Richard Mo'unga (Keresoma and Crotty looking pretty sharp too)

Das, how do you watch all the games? Have you purchased an online pass? You are in the US right?

Thanks for the sneak peek! (EDIT: Oh, poo...I can't watch it in my country. Ratfarts.)

How do I watch all the games...hmmmmm...it's MAGIC!! No, really!

Yes, I'm in the States and I have DirecTV. I pay extra for Fox Soccer Plus, which took over Setanta Sports programming when they pulled out of the US. Fox Soccer Plus is on channel 621. However, on channel 490 I get loads of live rugby from the southern hemi, and now they've added channel 489, too! On 490 I'm getting Currie and ITM matches, and on 489 the RC!

Now...when I have a little trouble with channel 490 (sometimes they stream the wrong feed, like the other week when suddenly my rugby turned into porn - all nekkid boobies and such - which you guys would have loved but didn't particularly impress me), I'll call DirecTV to see what gives. Well, they haven't a clue what channel 490 is, as it doesn't show up on any of their listings! I believe it's an 'overflow' channel for Fox Soccer Plus to handle the rugby coverage I used to get with Setanta. The channel mysteriously appeared when Fox took over Setanta, so pretty sure that's why I get it.

On Fox Soccer Plus it's been a lot of Rugby League, some Aussie Rules, and soccer, of course. Now they're starting to pick up the northern hemi union competitions, but unless I have a chance of seeing Tom Biggs' flowing locks, I'm mostly just watching the southern hemi stuff while I have it.

das

 

[ABs2011]

Mo'unga only had a hand in two of the tries... Highlights package doesn't look to have done him justice, based on the reviews he's been given here.

Oh nah, I'm not saying he had a blinder or anything. The thing that's impressive about him is that he is 19 years old, comes with big wraps in club footy down in Christchurch, but a while back there were doubts he would be playing senior club rugby let alone ITM cup.

He played well - nothing amazing - but he's 19, didn't do much wrong and showed some very nice touches in the game! Who knows could be the next big thing

 

[ABs2011]

Thanks for the sneak peek! (EDIT: Oh, poo...I can't watch it in my country. Ratfarts.)

How do I watch all the games...hmmmmm...it's MAGIC!! No, really!

Yes, I'm in the States and I have DirecTV. I pay extra for Fox Soccer Plus, which took over Setanta Sports programming when they pulled out of the US. Fox Soccer Plus is on channel 621. However, on channel 490 I get loads of live rugby from the southern hemi, and now they've added channel 489, too! On 490 I'm getting Currie and ITM matches, and on 489 the RC!

Now...when I have a little trouble with channel 490 (sometimes they stream the wrong feed, like the other week when suddenly my rugby turned into porn - all nekkid boobies and such - which you guys would have loved but didn't particularly impress me), I'll call DirecTV to see what gives. Well, they haven't a clue what channel 490 is, as it doesn't show up on any of their listings! I believe it's an 'overflow' channel for Fox Soccer Plus to handle the rugby coverage I used to get with Setanta. The channel mysteriously appeared when Fox took over Setanta, so pretty sure that's why I get it.

On Fox Soccer Plus it's been a lot of Rugby League, some Aussie Rules, and soccer, of course. Now they're starting to pick up the northern hemi union competitions, but unless I have a chance of seeing Tom Biggs' flowing locks, I'm mostly just watching the southern hemi stuff while I have it.

das

Thanks mate - you sound quite the character I'm gonna be moving from NZ to the USA sometime in the not too distant future, so gotta figure out my options over there for getting my Rugby fix. Now if you are telling me there is a likelihood of getting free porn as well...makes me wonder why I haven't moved over sooner

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Oh nah, I'm not saying he had a blinder or anything. The thing that's impressive about him is that he is 19 years old, comes with big wraps in club footy down in Christchurch, but a while back there were doubts he would be playing senior club rugby let alone ITM cup.

He played well - nothing amazing - but he's 19, didn't do much wrong and showed some very nice touches in the game! Who knows could be the next big thing

Our Super teams will be well stocked with first fives this year...

Blues - Kerr, Noakes (probably), Marshall
Chiefs - Cruden, Anscombe, Horrell
Hurricanes - Barrett
Crusaders - Taylor, Slade, Bleyendaal
Highlanders - Sopoaga, Parker

Throw in guys like Ihaia West, Simon Hickey and now maybe Mo'unga (let's be honest, he's a Canterbury first five, he's probably half decent), probably amongst the Hurricanes and the Highlanders and we're well set.

 

[dasNdanger]

Anyone watch this kid play?

27 points on debut 10/12 kicking and a try as well.

With a NZ touch background apparently he has some of the best ball running skills people have seen for a while.

Player to watch for sure.

Yeah, finally got to watch the game and wow- he looked good! Hope he stays healthy - that's always my big concern with promising young players. They either lose their pace due to injury setbacks (like J. Wilkinson), or they get a big head and start screwing up (like J. O'Connor).

Nice to see some promising talent in the lower ranks, though. Hopefully one day soon we'll see some don the black jersey.


das

 

[donmcdazzle]

Probably not getting too many wraps but Jade Te Rure has looked real good with the ball in hand for Manawatu when he has played. He takes it to the line really nicely. Hasn't quite nailed down how to run a game, but at only 20 that's ok. Reminds me of watching another exciting running 10 for manawatu a few years ago..

 

[ABs2011]

I believe in Credit where credit is due, so quick plug for Barrett. Thought he was very impressive (bar the missed tackle on JdV) on the weekend. He looks to be closing the gap on Cruden (and Carter) every time he takes the field. The main thing that impressed me on the weekend about Barrett was his ability to keep his chine up and really dig deap after leaking that try to JdV. He could have easily gone into his shell a bit, biut instead stepped up massively with two huge plays.

In saying that, I still prefer Cruden at this stage. It is a lot easier to come on off the bench after 60 minutes and make an impact when the majority of the rest of the players on the park are exhausted! I would love to see (and I'm sure we will soon enough) Barrett get a couple starts on the EoY tour and see how he goes controlling a game from minute 1 against good opposition! Barrett has not proved himself there, while Carter and Cruden have. Cruden yet to lose a game when he starts...and has come up against the worlds best and consistently done well.

Anyway, congrats to Barrett he has really stepped up a level!

No matter who you favour, the one thing that I without question, the ABs have ridiculas depth at 10! Oh and one of the future: I have heard (but can't confirm) that Matt McGahan (son of former Kiwis legend Hugh McGahan) has switched back to Union after three years with the Melbourne storm Juniors. He is touted to be one of the best talents going around and could well be an AB for the future!

 

[jessta]

this can now be a real talking point after the weekends game. every time barrett has come in the past three games, he has lifted the whole teams performance. this weekend in particular he was especially great. he missed that tackle on JDV but his other contributions out way this and the way he didn't drop off is notable. that try saver on le roux was spectacular and he showed great composure to score the most important AB try of the year

 

[ABs2011]

this can now be a real talking point after the weekends game. every time barrett has come in the past three games, he has lifted the whole teams performance. this weekend in particular he was especially great. he missed that tackle on JDV but his other contributions out way this and the way he didn't drop off is notable. that try saver on le roux was spectacular and he showed great composure to score the most important AB try of the year

Yup for sure - Barrett is undoubtedly making every post a winner. I believe Hansen will continue to favour Cruden ahead of Barrett due to his seniority and experience until Barrett proves himself as a AB starter when he gets his starting opportunities (which no doubt will come now). There is a very strong chance Hansen will give Barrett a shot in the dead rubber vs OZ in Dunedin on the 19th. If not then one would expect he will start against Japan and if he makes the most of his opportunities he could get a start on the EoY tour as well. I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes!