Is Robbie Fruean Deserving?

[Ninja]

Robbie looks pretty fast to me when I see him running. Well his acceleration seems pretty quick.

 

[nickdnz]

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...

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?...

In you opinion he has been the most astounding player. Other players have looked also very good, that don't play for a dominant team. No one is saying Fruean isn't good, but your saying he basts tackles better than Lomu, is boarderlining obsurd.



Funny how Phil Vickery, who played in the most dominant England side ever in this game, and was a 120kg prop, got steam rolled by Lomu.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Never seen that before, Vickery got munched!

 

[Charles]

Is that Danny Lee at scrumhalf?

Didn't know he'd been an AB.

 

[nickdnz]

Is that Danny Lee at scrumhalf?

Didn't know he'd been an AB.

Yeah, Lee replaced Steve Devine. He played 2 tests for the All Blacks, starting his second cap against France.

 

[Charles]

Oh, ok. It's a shame he only got 2 caps but with Marshall, Kelleher and Devine around, it was always gonna happen I guess.

 

[woodward]

This Fruean bandwagon is dismal. Even if it was SBW vs Fruean which its not and it was about what they have achieved which its not, SBW still comes out on top. Lomu had 20kgs on Fruean and probably a second over 100m, his tackle busting is no better than Rangers, Gear and Toeava are also capable of it. Difference being those players have done it at a higher level of rugby

 

[northharbour]

I think he will be the All Blacks starting no 13 after the 2011 world cup. I think Conrad Smith will leave and I hope Sonny-bill Williams stays on so he can partner Robbie in the mid-field.

 

[nickdnz]

I think he will be the All Blacks starting no 13 after the 2011 world cup. I think Conrad Smith will leave and I hope Sonny-bill Williams stays on so he can partner Robbie in the mid-field.

Once the RWC is over, SBW will most likely be playing union in France or league in Australia.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This Fruean bandwagon is dismal.

Could say the same about SBW though, to be fair.

 

[Sam Owen]

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...

I think your one of those ones that believe that the latest is greatest Dizzy and fair enough your opinion. However I disagree to the max, to me Jonah would bust straight through Robbie and then when its Robbies turn to run through Jonah (lol 'run through Jonah') Jonah would smash him like a bad Ben Tune. Jonah bumps off props, Jonah scores tries that no-one else can score not even a steroid fuelled Fruean.

Dont get my wrong I got mad respect for Robbie. A Samoan brother who went through major surgery to stay alive and has followed in the footsteps of many great Samoan centres to play for NZ, guys like Joe Stanley, John Schuster (87 world champs), Frank Bunce, Tana Umaga, Eroni Clarke, Alama Ieremia, Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu, Isaiah Toeava theirs many more Ive missed out but believe me when I say Im a Robbie Fruean fan. I just feel that Robbie does not compare to Jonah Lomu, I believe and respect in the old school Im not a 'latest is greatest' type.

 

[nickdnz]

I think your one of those ones that believe that the latest is greatest Dizzy and fair enough your opinion. However I disagree to the max, to me Jonah would bust straight through Robbie and then when its Robbies turn to run through Jonah (lol 'run through Jonah') Jonah would smash him like a bad Ben Tune. Jonah bumps off props, Jonah scores tries that no-one else can score not even a steroid fuelled Fruean.

Dont get my wrong I got mad respect for Robbie. A Samoan brother who went through major surgery to stay alive and has followed in the footsteps of many great Samoan centres to play for NZ, guys like Joe Stanley, John Schuster (87 world champs), Frank Bunce, Tana Umaga, Eroni Clarke, Alama Ieremia, Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu, Isaiah Toeava theirs many more Ive missed out but believe me when I say Im a Robbie Fruean fan. I just feel that Robbie does not compare to Jonah Lomu, I believe and respect in the old school Im not a 'latest is greatest' type.

Haha, bit of a strech to say Mauger is Samoan. His uncle Graeme Bishop had some Samoan, Hatian and Cook Island heritage, but I think he's a little far removed to call himself Samoan. If not, then I'm English, Scottish, Irish, Russian and Egyptian.

If we're talking about players whom were born in Samoa, then it's shortened to a still very impressive list of - Sosone Anesi, Olo Brown, Eroni Clarke, Jerry Collins, Alama Ieriema, Casey Laulala, Chris Masoe, Mils Muliaina, John Schuster, Rodney So'oialo, Isia Toeava and Va'aiga Tuigamala...Don't know why I brought that trivia up.

Agree with you 100% on Jonah Lomu. Fruean is a great up and comer, but he'll never be the next Jonah Lomu. He was 2 inches taller, 15kgs heavier and likely a second faster in a 100m sprint. He was a freak of nature. The comparison to past amazing players, such as Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu are unfair and unrealistic. One of the best things I've heard from a player whom was compared to Lomu, was Victor Vito, after playing on the wing in sevens and scoring the winning try in the sevens world cup, he was asked "What do you think of people saying you're the next Jonah Lomu" and Vito replied "Lomu was great, but I'm just trying to be next Victor Vito", which I think is the best attitude to have, in the sence that you should always compare yourself on the best you can be, over the best someone else is.

 

[Charles]

Haha, bit of a strech to say Mauger is Samoan. His uncle Graeme Bishop had some Samoan, Hatian and Cook Island heritage, but I think he's a little far removed to call himself Samoan. If not, then I'm English, Scottish, Irish, Russian and Egyptian.

If we're talking about players whom were born in Samoa, then it's shortened to a still very impressive list of - Sosone Anesi, Olo Brown, Eroni Clarke, Jerry Collins, Alama Ieriema, Casey Laulala, Chris Masoe, Mils Muliaina, John Schuster, Rodney So'oialo, Isia Toeava and Va'aiga Tuigamala...Don't know why I brought that trivia up.

Agree with you 100% on Jonah Lomu. Fruean is a great up and comer, but he'll never be the next Jonah Lomu. He was 2 inches taller, 15kgs heavier and likely a second faster in a 100m sprint. He was a freak of nature. The comparison to past amazing players, such as Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu are unfair and unrealistic. One of the best things I've heard from a player whom was compared to Lomu, was Victor Vito, after playing on the wing in sevens and scoring the winning try in the sevens world cup, he was asked "What do you think of people saying you're the next Jonah Lomu" and Vito replied "Lomu was great, but I'm just trying to be next Victor Vito", which I think is the best attitude to have, in the sence that you should always compare yourself on the best you can be, over the best someone else is.

I believe you meant Tahitian.

Sorry to interrupt.

 

[nickdnz]

I believe you meant Tahitian.

Sorry to interrupt.

Ahaha, yeah. That was a pretty terrible mistake!

 

[Sam Owen]

Haha, bit of a strech to say Mauger is Samoan. His uncle Graeme Bishop had some Samoan, Hatian and Cook Island heritage, but I think he's a little far removed to call himself Samoan. If not, then I'm English, Scottish, Irish, Russian and Egyptian.

Nope Aaron Mauger was interviewed on Samoan radio and said he was a proud Samoan. Christian Cullen had been interviewed by the same radio station talking about his Samoan roots, his family in Samoa are actually from my village.

I was mainly talking about players whom are (proud) Samoans not born in Samoa I never even mentioned born. So many good Rugby players from NZ have that hard susbtance which I believe is polynesian and we've seen it time and time again. Maori, Tongan, Fijian, Raro, Niuan, Tokelauan have reputations for being hard. As my good palagi/pakeha friends call us 'hard coconuts' lol.

Heres a link of recognised Samoan athletes. Some of these ABs Im not sure about like Anesi (not sure if he ever became an All Black), I got this from wikipedia so it can be inaccurate but the players are definately Samoan whether they played for the ABs is another issue.

Samoans to have played for the All Blacks (excluding a few I think)..

• Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Michael Jones - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ofisa Junior Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks
• Brian Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Josh Kronfield - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Liam Messam - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks

Didnt Paul Williams play for the ABs?

 

[Darwin]

Nope Aaron Mauger was interviewed on Samoan radio and said he was a proud Samoan. Christian Cullen had been interviewed by the same radio station talking about his Samoan roots, his family in Samoa are actually from my village.

I was mainly talking about players whom are (proud) Samoans not born in Samoa I never even mentioned born. So many good Rugby players from NZ have that hard susbtance which I believe is polynesian and we've seen it time and time again. Maori, Tongan, Fijian, Raro, Niuan, Tokelauan have reputations for being hard. As my good palagi/pakeha friends call us 'hard coconuts' lol.

Heres a link of recognised Samoan athletes. Some of these ABs Im not sure about like Anesi (not sure if he ever became an All Black), I got this from wikipedia so it can be inaccurate but the players are definately Samoan whether they played for the ABs is another issue.

Samoans to have played for the All Blacks (excluding a few I think)..

• Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Michael Jones - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ofisa Junior Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks
• Brian Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Josh Kronfield - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Liam Messam - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks

Didnt Paul Williams play for the ABs?

Anesi played 1 test for the AB's - he started at fullback against Fiji in 2005.

Paul Williams never made it to the AB's - he did come close at one stage though. He has now pledged his allegiance to Samoa, and played for them in this years Pacific Nations Cup.

 

[woodward]

Could say the same about SBW though, to be fair.

There is alot of dissenting opinion when it comes to SBW and apart from Chris Rattue's wet dreams, there hasn't been much more than speculation about his potential and deserved praise for his form for Canterbury. If there's a SBW bandwagon it's the one against him based on a tabloid based perception of him personally and resentment of his massive paycheck. At first there was criticism of his distribution, ball carrying, speed etc. until game by game he's shown he has all that in bucket loads, so it's back to "cheapening the jersey"

 

[nickdnz]

Nope Aaron Mauger was interviewed on Samoan radio and said he was a proud Samoan. Christian Cullen had been interviewed by the same radio station talking about his Samoan roots, his family in Samoa are actually from my village.

I was mainly talking about players whom are (proud) Samoans not born in Samoa I never even mentioned born. So many good Rugby players from NZ have that hard susbtance which I believe is polynesian and we've seen it time and time again. Maori, Tongan, Fijian, Raro, Niuan, Tokelauan have reputations for being hard. As my good palagi/pakeha friends call us 'hard coconuts' lol.

Heres a link of recognised Samoan athletes. Some of these ABs Im not sure about like Anesi (not sure if he ever became an All Black), I got this from wikipedia so it can be inaccurate but the players are definately Samoan whether they played for the ABs is another issue.

Samoans to have played for the All Blacks (excluding a few I think)..

• Olo Brown - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Bunce - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Jerry Collins - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Christian Cullen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Michael Jones - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rudi Wulf - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Chris Masoe - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mils Muliaina - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ma'a Nonu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Rodney So'oialo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Isaia Toeava - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ofisa Junior Tonu'u former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Va'aiga Tuigamala - former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Tana Umaga - rugby player & former captain for the All Blacks
• Brian Williams - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Josh Kronfield - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Neemia Tialata - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schwalgar - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Afoa - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Brad Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ross Filipo - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jerome Kaino - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Liam Messam - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Mose Tuiali'i - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Kevin Senio - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Keven Mealamu - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Aaron Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Nathan Mauger - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Benson Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Victor Vito - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Jeremy Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Joe Stanley - rugby player for the All Blacks
• John Schuster - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Frank Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dave Solomon - rugby player for the All Blacks
• William Birtwhistle - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Eroni Clarke - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Graeme Bachop - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Lelia Masaga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Stephen Bachop former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Alama Ieremia former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Andrew Blowers - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Sosene Anesi - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Ben Atiga - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Casey Laulala - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Filo Tiatia - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Pat Lam former rugby player for Manu Samoa & All Blacks
• Keith Lowen - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Dylan Mika - rugby player for the All Blacks
• Richard Turner - rugby player for the All Blacks

Didnt Paul Williams play for the ABs?

Yeah, I wasn't having a go or anything. I just think it's perhaps a slightly different outlook on culture. My father was born in England, and my mother's mother, was born in England. I personally don't identify myself as English, and going back within 4-5 generations, I'm many different things. That being said, I'm sure I identify myself as "New Zealand European", so perhaps all of those players identify themselves as "New Zealand Samoan". Although when it goes too far back, I think it's a bit far removed for me to consider myself Egyptian.

 

[Sam Owen]

Although when it goes too far back, I think it's a bit far removed for me to consider myself Egyptian.

Hmm..I see what you mean.

True.

 

[pct23]

Robbie is very unlucky not get a spot on the tour. he's a machine. just from the games I've been to at AMI this year he's a potent attacking weapon. but in the end there was only 30 spots on the tour.but hey if he continues the form he's had this year into next years super 15,who knows what could happen