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Lima Sopoaga

Hmmm it's a fine juggling act.

It would be a bit different if Slade and Barrett were very experienced internationals, but at this point in time they really need a fair bit of game time too. With only five matches before the World Cup I'm not sure if we can afford to give game time to someone who isn't likely to be in the final squad. I'd imagine if someone does go down at the World Cup it would be Tom Taylor who is rung in. Remember we only need two first fives for a match.

That being said I'd still look at including Sopoaga in any All Blacks camps, more to get him in tune with the systems and the like, just in case.
 
I have to say I reckon Hansen is nuts if he's not atleast selected in the squad doesnt matter if he doesnt get game time. Two out of the three first fives we have left are fragile one more than the other and thats not accounting for a freak accident to Barrett. We all know what happened at the last WC and the game is even more harder on five eights now than then!

Just the same as Donald was in the squad in rugby championships prior to the WC but not in the WC squad... its just a no brainer to me to atleast give Sopoaga a sniff and even give him a game against Samoa. I honestly cant see why not as the other three we have arent exactly that great imo.... Id actually almost swap the young SA guy for any of ours for WC games.


Iv actually been disapointed with Slade so far in the comp... I see it looks like Carter is going to start at 10 for the saders now..... Alarm bells are going to start going off if Carter is just as useless over the next few weeks imo.
 
TRF Mr Fish said:
Hmmm it's a fine juggling act.

It would be a bit different if Slade and Barrett were very experienced internationals, but at this point in time they really need a fair bit of game time too. With only five matches before the World Cup I'm not sure if we can afford to give game time to someone who isn't likely to be in the final squad. I'd imagine if someone does go down at the World Cup it would be Tom Taylor who is rung in. Remember we only need two first fives for a match.

That being said I'd still look at including Sopoaga in any All Blacks camps, more to get him in tune with the systems and the like, just in case.
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here's the next questions then, how many tests make to experiences, barrett has 28 caps and slade 17 and not like the old days where you had games and test matches, thats 28 games largely against Aussie and south africa

probably not going to get game time but getting lima into the camps is a good idea
 
Jabby said:
here's the next questions then, how many tests make to experiences, barrett has 28 caps and slade 17 and not like the old days where you had games and test matches, thats 28 games largely against Aussie and south africa

probably not going to get game time but getting lima into the camps is a good idea
Click to expand...

While Barrett and Slade have amassed a decent number of caps between them, the real question is how many minutes have they spent on the field at first receiver?

Barrett only had his first start at 10 recently and has mainly been used as an impact player off the bench - often not even at first five. Slade is in a similar situation.

Personally I'd like for the selectors to pick a combination 10/22 and run with it for the majority of the season leading up to the World Cup. The starting player should be racking up a solid 60 minutes plus each game.

Perhaps give the bench player a start or two, but by and large we should be fielding the same first five week after week to make sure they're ready for the World Cup. Of course if Carter suddenly finds form then this won't be as imperative - we can afford to rest him a few times, knowing he's a proven performer.
 
They all have different attributes (Basically what Dan Carter was 3-4 years ago in one!) But goal kicking might be the decisive factor. NZ started Weepu last WC simply for his kicking (which nearly cost us the final) and as it stands Barrett is kicking about 50-60% and Carter and Slade can't decide who's better (or worse) so Lima should be in or around the squad simply for that reason.
 

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