Nonu or Sonny Bill Williams? Or both?

[nik]

I will go for SBW to start and Nonu off the bench for covering centres and wing.

When SBW is not having much impact on the field then I will bring on Nonu. Nonu is more robust and energetic. He definitely troubles defences in the last 20 mins of a game when the opposition is getting tired. Just look back at the games last year, Nonu was the main man causing most of the havoc in the last 20. Most evident was when Nonu replace SBW against Wales last year. Other examples were in the final 2 ABs matches against SA and Wallabies respectively, in those matches he played the full 80 and still caused damage. Conclusion here is, fresh legs Nonu > tired defense

However, we haven't yet seen SBW play at the highest level, so my opinion could change during/after the trinations!

My backline line up would

9 Cowan
10 Carter
11 Gear/Guilford/Sivivatu (1 specialist wing)
12 Williams
13 Smith
14 Jane/Toeava/Dagg (fullback -> wing)
15 Muliana

Bench:
Weepu
Slade
Nonu

Squad:
Kahui
etc etc

 

[dan the man]

I really hope that during the Tri-Nations and any other International fixtures that Dan Carter is on the bench or comes off with at least 20mins left on the clock... This way Cruden and Slade can get as much experience as possible against quality opposition

 

[RedRoseDave]

What about the combo of Hape and Banahan. They have a combination of power, size and skill. They will cause alot of trouble for the AB centers...they wont know whats coming.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What about the combo of Hape and Banahan. They have a combination of power, size and skill. They will cause alot of trouble for the AB centers...they wont know whats coming.

The only reason Hape and Banahan would get one over on them is because SBW and Smith would be laughing too much


Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk

 

[Ong Bak]

^^ lol,
got take them both,hope to see nonu and sbw in tri nations ply together.

 

[ranger]

What about the combo of Hape and Banahan. They have a combination of power, size and skill. They will cause alot of trouble for the AB centers...they wont know whats coming.

There have been a few of your posts now where i think, is this guy crazy or just on the wind up? which one is it?

 

[S Olsen]

I agree. Nonu/Smith. No question.

SBW would cover both from bench, with Ice covering fullback (and centre) from right wing, and Nonu covering wing. Although Slade on bench would also cover wing (and fullback) if needed, especially if Weepu also covers 10 from the bench. Kahui's unlucky to be among such good midfield contenders, but Henry loves him as a wing too. Versatility will win us the Cup I reckon...

To be honest I don't think SBW will see much time on the field from the knock out stage. Too risky with tight pressured footy...

 

[nickdnz]

I'm not convinced Nonu or SBW would cover wing/fullback well enough for people to feel he is a bench option. For me it has to be one or the other in the team at one point. Neither Williams or Nonu are quick enough to be effective there or have had enough time to become confident under the high ball. I know Nonu used to cover wing for the Hurricanes but that was almost four years ago, and it wasn't his best position even then. It sucks that one would miss out on the odd match, but it's better than putting them in a position in which they are not world class and would be a liability, in place of players who are experienced there.

 

[Darwin]

I'm not convinced Nonu or SBW would cover wing/fullback well enough for people to feel he is a bench option. For me it has to be one or the other in the team at one point. Neither Williams or Nonu are quick enough to be effective there or have had enough time to become confident under the high ball. I know Nonu used to cover wing for the Hurricanes but that was almost four years ago, and it wasn't his best position even then. It sucks that one would miss out on the odd match, but it's better than putting them in a position in which they are not world class and would be a liability, in place of players who are experienced there.

I tend to agree with this; I definitely wouldn't have SBW on the bench, and I would prefer not to have Nonu on the bench (though I'm not completely against this). Assuming Toeava is starting, I would be more likely to pick Kahui/Dagg/Jane on the bench.

 

[easyrod]

Without doubt a Nonu/SBW combination would be an awesome twosome, and should be watched very closely.

 

[mrH]

Is there not place for all four Sonny-Bill, Nonu, Kahui and Smith? Start Nonu and Smith as the center combo's are always important. Nonu and Smith should get a chance to rest and therefore Sonny-Bill and Kahui can get a run for the two easiest games....if there is such a thing.

 

[jugs1490]

Nonu to me is just one big handling mistake, sure he brings in a moment of brilliance or two in SOME games, but hes one dimensional and i think a player like luke mcallister or renee ranger would be better to pair with SBW or even freuan, despite being realtively unproven.

 

[dan-the-man]

Both!!!! For the love of God both!!!!!!! The two best centres in the world are SBW and Ma'a Nonu, so put them BOTH in the team!!!! Good Lord, it's not rocket science! I'm sure Sonny Bill isn't suddenly gonna turn retarded if you move him to 13!!! Are some of you kidding me??? How could you not want Nonu/Williams? That's every coaches dream centre combo! The world's two best in one team!

 

[Darwin]

Both!!!! For the love of God both!!!!!!! The two best centres in the world are SBW and Ma'a Nonu, so put them BOTH in the team!!!! Good Lord, it's not rocket science! I'm sure Sonny Bill isn't suddenly gonna turn retarded if you move him to 13!!! Are some of you kidding me??? How could you not want Nonu/Williams? That's every coaches dream centre combo! The world's two best in one team!

I disagree for three reasons:
(a) Nonu and SBW may be among the best 12's in the world, but neither of them is world-class at 13. 12 and 13 are different positions, with quite different responsibilities.
(b) New Zealand have one of the best 13's in the world in Conrad Smith (some would argue the best). Smith is more important to the All Blacks than either SBW or Nonu.
(c) Combinations are important; even if Nonu was a world class 13 it doesn't follow that he would form a world-class combination alongside SBW, as there skills don't necessarily complement each others. Smith's skill set complements both Nonu's (and they have been a world class combo for years), and (as evidenced on last years EOYT) appears to compliment SBW's.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I've seen two seperate articles in the last week, one saying SBW should play wing and one saying Nonu should play wing

I don't reckon either should, they're both 12s and to play them out of position is fact (especially when you look at the talent NZ have at 11/13/14)

 

[Darwin]

I've seen two seperate articles in the last week, one saying SBW should play wing and one saying Nonu should play wing

I don't reckon either should, they're both 12s and to play them out of position is fact (especially when you look at the talent NZ have at 11/13/14)

I agree, I can't understand why you would start Nonu or SBW anywhere but in the 12 jersey for the AB's. Neither have enough pace for the wing for one thing. In the last three RWC's we have ended up with a makeshift 13 ('99 - Cullen, '03 - MacDonald, '07 - Muliaina); if we pick anyone but Conrad Smith (or Richard Kahui should Smith get injured) at 13 I am not going to be happy!

 

[Sam Owen]

Ma'a and Sonny are key attacking weapons, Sonny at the moment seems to be the more consistent one but thats probably due to his team. Sonny's defence is better than Ma'a's IMO, lets not forget Wynarrd Olivier fending off Ma'a for a crucial and awesome try, if that was Sonny in that situation his long arms would've wrapped up Olivier IMO.

ABs need Ma'a though he has a more rounded game than Sonny has at 12 and Ma'a is just a handful.

 

[dan-the-man]

Ag I'm sorry but this whole "you have to choose one" attitude is pure crap. Nonu and SBW are both far better performers then Smith, and Kahui is ridiculously over-rated. I'm not saying move Nonu or SBW to the wing, because that is a major position change. But if you can play 12 you can play 13, and I think it would be pathetic to have either Nonu or SBW on the bench for the sake of Conrad Smith. Yes, Smith's work-rate is very good, but he doesn't make the same attacking impact as Nonu or SBW who seem to break tackles at will. Smith Should be wearing the 21 or 22 jersey, while Nonu and SBW make up the starting mid-field. It's common sense.

 

[nickdnz]

Ag I'm sorry but this whole "you have to choose one" attitude is pure crap. Nonu and SBW are both far better performers then Smith, and Kahui is ridiculously over-rated. I'm not saying move Nonu or SBW to the wing, because that is a major position change. But if you can play 12 you can play 13, and I think it would be pathetic to have either Nonu or SBW on the bench for the sake of Conrad Smith. Yes, Smith's work-rate is very good, but he doesn't make the same attacking impact as Nonu or SBW who seem to break tackles at will. Smith Should be wearing the 21 or 22 jersey, while Nonu and SBW make up the starting mid-field. It's common sense.

Even if that was true (and it isn't, Smith sets up his outside backs like no one else), Smith's defensive work is second to done. Sure he's not 105kgs, but he never misses a tackle, always makes the right decision and organizes the defense. He doesn't make many highlight reels, so you have to actually know a little bit about rugby to appreciate him.

 

[dan-the-man]

Even if that was true (and it isn't, Smith sets up his outside backs like no one else), Smith's defensive work is second to done. Sure he's not 105kgs, but he never misses a tackle, always makes the right decision and organizes the defense. He doesn't make many highlight reels, so you have to actually know a little bit about rugby to appreciate him.

No need for that last sentence bro, everyones entitled to their opinion. The thing is, I know Smith is an awesome defender. I never once said otherwise. The thing is, the way rugby is going now, it's the guys that DO make the highlight reels that are playing the biggest part. As good a player as Smith is, the fact is, Nonu and SBW are better. I'm not talking abouut defense, I'm talking about the tackles broken and metres gained. He's a great player, but he can't gain as many metres as Nonu or SBW, and I feel an attack like Nonu/SBW in midfielf would be formidable