Nonu or Sonny Bill Williams? Or both?

[RAWWeyman]

It's an interesting prospect. Two World Class inside-centres challenging for the same spot. All of us know both these individuals have the potential to win the World Cup for the All Blacks, but which one should be the first pick.

A lot of people will go straight for Sonny Bill Williams. A class act in all sides of the game, so it wouldn't be suprising if he was chosen over the regular number 12 shirt wearer, Ma'a Nonu.

The question is, however, can these two provide a centre partnership for the All Blacks. Yes, both are inside-centres, but we saw Nonu at 12 and SBW at 13 against England last Autumn. This format worked very well, with Nonu providing line-breaks to set up a support run from SBW, who used one of his ever-impressive off-loading talent to supply wingers with the ball.

So the question is really that, maybe not will we see a Nonu/SBW partnership in the 2011 World Cup, but in theory would it be as effective as a SBW/Smith or a SBW/Kahui etc partnership.

 

[Amobokoboko]

As a coach I would opt for the combo Smith - SBW or Smith Nonu.
As a chiefs fan I would opt for Kahui -SBW/Nonu.

Back to topic. Smith is an intelligent center, Nonu pure power. Sbw is a mix of both of them and has a massive off load.
I reckon Henry will try some more combo's during the Tri Nations and then time will tell.

Kahuis is also a great center but a bit to fragile.

 

[Gavin]

SBW was well contained by the Sharks during the first half of the Super 15 quarter final and I don't think he was very effective. If you compare how Nonu played against the Crusaders a couple of weeks previously he was always a huge threat the the defensive line. I feel SBW can disappear in big games, where-as Nonu is always about.

 

[RAWWeyman]

So making the most out of sonny's skill and nonus work rate and power in a partnership wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea then.

 

[ranger]

So making the most out of sonny's skill and nonus work rate and power in a partnership wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea then.

Not nessesarily a bad idea no. But in dropping Conrad Smith who has argueably been the best centre in the world these last few years, its not necessarily a good idea either.

 

[Gavin]

So making the most out of sonny's skill and nonus work rate and power in a partnership wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea then.

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea, but a very bad idea. Smith is a counter-weight for Nonu and Williams, he organises the defensive line and makes the important tackles - Nonu and SBW enjoy to produce a few massive hits per game which leaves space if they miss.

 

[04perryo]

i would like to sbw inside and nonu outside just to see if they are better as a combination than smith and Nonu/Williams. However Smith is class so could be interesting to see what wud happen without him

 

[Aedaphon]

Agreed, Smith is one of the unsung heroes of the ABs. Slices through the line like a ghost at times and has a great eye for the game. That said I'd say we all have to wait for the Tri-Nations to be sure of anything. Nonu has been on terrific form the last few weeks but it's all about the best way for the All Blacks to function as a balanced side.

 

[RAWWeyman]

There is a lot of truth in the 'counter weight' tactic for a centre partnership, something that Nonu/Williams would lack. Conrad smith I have to agree is a brilliant player, who can make big hits as well as importnant ones, and still have the finishing niftyness of a winger. Its a tough decision to make but I guess it all bottles down to how well each of them work in practice. Do you think we will see the SBW/Nonu partership appear in the world cup at all?

 

[TRF_RC]

It has to be a Nonu/Smith combo.
SBW should be sitting on his hands when you've got those two to put at 12 and 13.
I don't even see a debate here!

 

[Darwin]

Could SBW and Nonu make a good centre pairing? Yes.
Will we see them paired together in the RWC? Possibly in one of the pool games
Will they be paired together in a key RWC match? No, not unless Conrad Smith is injured.
Which one will we see in the 12 jersey in the big matches? Don't know. I have a slight preference for SBW at this stage, but it could go either way.

 

[DallyM]

I'd like to see SBW used as an impact player off the bench but unfortunately that'd limit his game time.

Guess the ones in the best position to decide what to do are Henry and co. Lets hope they make the right choices this world cup

 

[Darwin]

I'd like to see SBW used as an impact player off the bench but unfortunately that'd limit his game time.

Guess the ones in the best position to decide what to do are Henry and co. Lets hope they make the right choices this world cup

Using SBW as in impact player sounds like a good idea in theory, however whenever he has come off the bench he has failed to impress. He seems to be the sort of player that takes a while to get into games; for me he's either in the starting XV or sitting in the stands.

 

[nickdnz]

People quicky forget about Smith but he is one of the most important players in the All Blacks, above both Nonu and SBW in my opinion. It's great making big tackles, but Smith is not only a very good attacker, he is the best defensive centre in world rugby. No point going to a World Cup with a questionable defense.

Out of SBW v Nonu, I'd still pick Nonu. He's tried and tested and improved his game considerably. There is probably room to alternate them. I would select one player and leave the other out of the 22 for each match, because as good as they are, they don't cover enough from the bench.

 

[TRF_RC]

people quicky forget about smith but he is one of the most important players in the all blacks, above both nonu and sbw in my opinion. It's great making big tackles, but smith is not only a very good attacker, he is the best defensive centre in world rugby. No point going to a world cup with a questionable defense.

Out of sbw v nonu, i'd still pick nonu. He's tried and tested and improved his game considerably. There is probably room to alternate them. I wouldn't select one player and leave the other out of the 22 for each match, because as good as they are, they don't cover enough from the bench.

spot on! Spot! On!!!

 

[lance2010]

Is SBW overrated or what, every bloody sports reporter seems to be in love with this guy...He's always in the Super Rugby form XV someone forgot to tell these guys that the key word is FORM it comes and goes and SBW has lost his good form from the start of the season yet everyone still thinks he is awesome.

Sorry guys just had to get that off my chest.....

Go Ma'a Nonu "The UnWanted Hurricane"

 

[SpanishBob]

People quicky forget about Smith but he is one of the most important players in the All Blacks, above both Nonu and SBW in my opinion. It's great making big tackles, but Smith is not only a very good attacker, he is the best defensive centre in world rugby. No point going to a World Cup with a questionable defense.

Out of SBW v Nonu, I'd still pick Nonu. He's tried and tested and improved his game considerably. There is probably room to alternate them. I wouldn't select one player and leave the other out of the 22 for each match, because as good as they are, they don't cover enough from the bench.

I agree. Nonu was the 12 of last year's spectacular NZ Tri Nations. He has the experience on test match level that SBW has not.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd start Nonu too,
However SBW, on form, can be superb - So I'd be tempted to start him for the first game to see what he can do/whether he warrants another start, Nonu can cover 12 and wing from the bench, whereas SBW is a straight up 12, he loses his effectiveness at 13, and I can't see him as a winger - So you could have 12. SBW, 22. Nonu, or 12. Nonu, 22. Toeava/Ranger/Whoever
Though obviously having Nonu at 22 isn't ideal as it leaves you lacking at FB cover, and I don't he makes an international quality winger



Big fan of Nonu though, and I don't think he should be written out of the team because of SBWs availability like I've seen some people suggest (not on here, but on various rugby sites, they mention SBW at 12 and don't give Nonu the time of day)

 

[Amobokoboko]

I agree. Nonu was the 12 of last year's spectacular NZ Tri Nations. He has the experience on test match level that SBW has not.

You only get experience by playing. So I would let SBW start in the first game.

 

[Larksea]

I think all 4 players (Nonu, Smith, Kahui and Williams) will get a chance during the tri nations before the #1 match day 22 will be used for the majority of the WC.

12 is the most interesting battle, another interesting aspect is that Kahui could very well end getting some time on the wing and maybe a chance to establish himself there.