Is Robbie Fruean Deserving?

[Natas]

He is too big to be a centre. Thats probably why they didn't select him...

Stirling wasnt a small fella but was exceptional on the pitch. Bloody nice guy as well.

 

[smartcooky]

I can give three reasons why Fruean hasn't been selected:

1: Defense. As Smartcooky has already mentioned in this thread, and I have alluded to in several other threads, his defense is not that good. Generally he is ok 1-on-1, but he doesn't tend to read the opposition attacks well, and as such, he can get caught out of position defensively. He hasn't been exposed that badly for Canterbury, but he was exposed more than a few times for the Crusaders, and I have no doubt he would be exposed by the higher quality players at international level.

2: Super 14 form. Though he has been very good during the ITM Cup, his form during the Super 14 can probably only be described as average. This poses an interesting question for the selectors: Is his dramatic improvement due to an improvement in his game, or is it due to the drop in quality in the opposition? (i.e is he a 'flat track bully'?). While I personally believe that it probably a combination of the two, I don't think we will really know for sure until next years Super 15.

3: Quality of competition. There are a large number of quality midfield backs in the country, many that have been performing at a high level for years. For example, Toeava has had a number of outstanding Super Rugby seasons behind him, and was brilliant at times for the AB's last year. Though he's only played less than a game and a half of the ITM Cup so far this year, his form has been as impressive as Fruean's (if not more impressive!). Fruean would certainly have gone close to making squad, but I would imagine Rene Ranger is still rated ahead of him, while the likes of Ben Smith and Benson Stanley would probably rated very similarly to him in terms of midfield backs.

Whether Fruean deserves to be on tour ahead of SBW is possibly an interesting debate - personally I would pick neither of them though!

IMO, SBW is worth his spot in the squad. The rest though, right on the money!

 

[Darwin]

IMO, SBW is worth his spot in the squad. The rest though, right on the money!

Yeah, I'm sure I'm in the minority in this case. I'm actually not worried at all that SBW has been selected - he has played well for Canterbury, and obviously has a huge amount of potential. My main issue with him is that I really haven't seen enough of him to make a judgment on his readiness for international rugby (as I didn't see him play in France) - this is clearly not a fault of his

The main reason I wouldn't have selected SBW in the squad is more to do with the balance of the squad than to do with him. With Weepu out, and Carter still recovering from injury, I would selected a third first-five in the squad (Slade). With the likes of Donald (and Ranger, who I would also have selected) capable of covering midfield, the selection of another first-five would have been at the expense of a midfield back, hence SBW would have missed out.

 

[Larksea]

Robbie fruen may not have a long rugby career because he has a pigs valve in his heart. He said in an interfiew after Kahui got injured this year that the doctors gave him a reality check about what the length of his career would be and he said All Blacks selection almost a "now or never" deal. I'm pretty sure he used those words.

I think he missed out on a spot in the squad because there was only room for 1 specialist 13.

I have a feeling as fruen hasn't made the AB's he may look overseas to cash in on his ability while he can. You know he could earn much more playing in Japan and it would be easier on his body. He could be set for life after a few seasons there.

But you never know, for so many people the AB jersey is worth more than money.

But also for a reality check, He would be behind Kahui if he was fit and he may also be behind ranger as well. putting him like 4th in the picking order and most of those other guys can play other positions.

 

[mat12]

Hopefully Robbie makes the World Cup team.

 

[Dizzy]

Robbie fruen may not have a long rugby career because he has a pigs valve in his heart. He said in an interfiew after Kahui got injured this year that the doctors gave him a reality check about what the length of his career would be and he said All Blacks selection almost a "now or never" deal. I'm pretty sure he used those words.

I think he missed out on a spot in the squad because there was only room for 1 specialist 13.

I have a feeling as fruen hasn't made the AB's he may look overseas to cash in on his ability while he can. You know he could earn much more playing in Japan and it would be easier on his body. He could be set for life after a few seasons there.

But you never know, for so many people the AB jersey is worth more than money.

But also for a reality check, He would be behind Kahui if he was fit and he may also be behind ranger as well. putting him like 4th in the picking order and most of those other guys can play other positions.[/QUOTE]
Nah, at the squad announcement Graham Henry said Robbie Fruean was just pipped and had been only one spot away from being in the squad.

 

[Shaggy]

Robbie fruen may not have a long rugby career because he has a pigs valve in his heart. He said in an interfiew after Kahui got injured this year that the doctors gave him a reality check about what the length of his career would be and he said All Blacks selection almost a "now or never" deal. I'm pretty sure he used those words.

I think he missed out on a spot in the squad because there was only room for 1 specialist 13.

I have a feeling as fruen hasn't made the AB's he may look overseas to cash in on his ability while he can. You know he could earn much more playing in Japan and it would be easier on his body. He could be set for life after a few seasons there.

But you never know, for so many people the AB jersey is worth more than money.

But also for a reality check, He would be behind Kahui if he was fit and he may also be behind ranger as well. putting him like 4th in the picking order and most of those other guys can play other positions.[/QUOTE]
Nah, at the squad announcement Graham Henry said Robbie Fruean was just pipped and had been only one spot away from being in the squad.

So that would make him 3rd, for the No.13 Jersey behind Smith and Toeava (who were picked), and maybe 4th if Kahui was fit then?

 

[Dizzy]

So that would make him 3rd, for the No.13 Jersey behind Smith and Toeava (who were picked), and maybe 4th if Kahui was fit then?

Hahaha actually you're right.. I can't see Kahui getting the nod before him though.

 

[Ninja]

They could try him out on the Wing as he can also play there. He could be the new Lomu as Robbie has that insane strength to bump off like 4-5 players consecutively which he will be able to keep himself in play instead of getting tackled into touch.

 

[nickdnz]

They could try him out on the Wing as he can also play there. He could be the new Lomu as Robbie has that insane strength to bump off like 4-5 players consecutively which he will be able to keep himself in play instead of getting tackled into touch.

Arrggghhhh. He's not fast, big or strong enough to be Lomu. Got I hate all those comparisons. He's not fast enough to be an All Black winger. If you want a faster version of Fruean, then Hosea Gear is already in the squad.

 

[smartcooky]

Arrggghhhh. He's not fast, big or strong enough to be Lomu. Got I hate all those comparisons. He's not fast enough to be an All Black winger. If you want a faster version of Fruean, then Hosea Gear is already in the squad.

Or alternatively, Rene Ranger, who really can be a one-man demolition squad on the wing.

 

[nickdnz]

Or alternatively, Rene Ranger, who really can be a one-man demolition squad on the wing.

But he's not especially quick. He's a fast center, but a slow winger. I'd much rather see him developed in the centers rather than on the wing. He has more potential in m,y opinion becoming a Umaga like center than a Lomu like wing.

 

[Dizzy]

Fruean isn't big enough to be a Lomu, but the guy does have a tremendous amount of strength...

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Lomu... But he never busted tackles like Fruean does...

Now I know everyones gonna jump on me here, but when Lomu was in his prime, he was the only big fella running around in the game, Everyone who attempted to stop him were pipsqueeks compared to him. And Lomu's style suited the way the game was played back in the day.
Nowadays the game has changed, most of these guys are quite big and Fruean is dominating them straight up the guts not from a fend or anything...

So I think Fruean deserves a bit more credit than he has been given...

Also, I am a fan of Rene Ranger, he is strong and is able to stay standing when being tackled... But he doesn't bunt three guys straight up the guts one after the other...

 

[Dizzy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRzeRdhz8fw

 

[Dizzy]

But he's not especially quick. He's a fast center, but a slow winger. I'd much rather see him developed in the centers rather than on the wing. He has more potential in m,y opinion becoming a Umaga like center than a Lomu like wing.

I think Ranger is just too selfish to become an Umaga...
Umaga was a distributor where as Ranger has even stated, "If I get the ball Im not going to pass it"

 

[Gavin]

Fruean isn't big enough to be a Lomu, but the guy does have a tremendous amount of strength...

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Lomu... But he never busted tackles like Fruean does...

QUOTE]

Don't talk absolute rubbish. Can I point out Fruean is playing well in the ITM CUP, don't get me wrong I do enjoy it, but it is nothing compared to the Super14 (now to be Super15) or even international rugby from the 1999 World Cup.



Could Robbie Fruean do this?

 

[Amobokoboko]

But he's still very young, so he still has a bright future ahead of him

 

[Darwin]

Fruean isn't big enough to be a Lomu, but the guy does have a tremendous amount of strength...

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Lomu... But he never busted tackles like Fruean does...

Now I know everyones gonna jump on me here, but when Lomu was in his prime, he was the only big fella running around in the game, Everyone who attempted to stop him were pipsqueeks compared to him. And Lomu's style suited the way the game was played back in the day.
Nowadays the game has changed, most of these guys are quite big and Fruean is dominating them straight up the guts not from a fend or anything...

So I think Fruean deserves a bit more credit than he has been given...

Also, I am a fan of Rene Ranger, he is strong and is able to stay standing when being tackled... But he doesn't bunt three guys straight up the guts one after the other...

Fruean is a big powerful guy, who has so far broken a few tackles at ITM cup level. However, at this stage, his tackle breaking ability no more impressive than number of other backs in NZ rugby (Ranger, Hosea Gear, Nonu, Savea, Toeava etc). It will be interesting to see if he can continue his line-breaking ways in next years Super Rugby season, as he was rather disappointing in his first full Super rugby season this year.

I think Ranger is just too selfish to become an Umaga...
Umaga was a distributor where as Ranger has even stated, "If I get the ball Im not going to pass it"

Umuga was probably as selfish (if not more selfish) than Ranger when he started. Umuga only became a reliable distributor later in his career, so I see no reason why Ranger can not develop into a quality distributor as he matures as a rugby player.

 

[Dizzy]

Fruean isn't big enough to be a Lomu, but the guy does have a tremendous amount of strength...

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for Lomu... But he never busted tackles like Fruean does...

QUOTE]

Don't talk absolute rubbish. Can I point out Fruean is playing well in the ITM CUP, don't get me wrong I do enjoy it, but it is nothing compared to the Super14 (now to be Super15) or even international rugby from the 1999 World Cup.



Could Robbie Fruean do this?

Im at work and I can't see your video because its blocked... But because you've mentioned the 99 world cup, and defending Lomu, I'm guessing its the infamous try he scored against france where they all pretty much looked like a bunch of poofters running around Lomu diving at him with no real attempts of bringing him down. I could be wrong but yeah, the video has been blocked. And I seriously think that if Fruean was given the ball in space like wingers are he would easily bust tackles like Gear, Ranger and yes even Lomu...
I mean, the infamous try against England where he ran over Mike Catt is regarded as one of the greatest tries of all time....

When you look at it and compare it to the modern era,... Mike Catt was very very puny and in a stand still position compared to a rampaging Lomu who had built up momentum...

Im not doubting Lomu is a great footballer, I love Lomu, I'm just saying, give Fruean more credit than you guys are giving him...

It's like this, The All Blacks were untouchable in the early years, and now we get beaten on the odd occassion by teams who are less expected to do so and that is because the game has changed and players are adapting more... It's the same with Lomu and Fruean... Back in Lomu's great days he was so dominant against the likes of the weaker northerners, But they have improved a hell of a lot over the years and if they were the same back then, I think things would've been different...
Lomu and Fruean aren't very different, I mean they even both have life threatening conditions and still manage to play extremely well. Lomu's kidneys and Frueans heart.. And I think if he was a winger, and given the space, he would score tries like Lomu, it's just that the opposition nowadays are more clicked on.

And as for saying Fruean is no better than Gear, Ranger, Toeava or Savea... Fruean has been the most outstanding player of the ITM Cup... Does that not stand for something?...

 

[Darwin]

And as for saying Fruean is no better than Gear, Ranger, Toeava or Savea... Fruean has been the most outstanding player of the ITM Cup... Does that not stand for something?...

Fruean has had a good ITM Cup - whether he has been the outstanding player is debatable. The fact is Gear, Toeava, Ranger etc have been among the top linebreakers in the Super rugby (a level well above the ITM Cup) for a number of seasons - just because Fruean has broken a few tackles during the ITM doesn't suddenly make him the greatest linebreaker of all time In fact Gear, Toeava, and Ranger have been at least as effective at Fruean at breaking tackles during the ITM Cup this year, they just haven't played as much as Fruean due to injuries/Commonwealth games/All Black's commitments.