Robbie Fruean deserves to play in the All Blacks?

[Jaguares]

What do you think? He deserves a chance to wear the black jersey?. My hero, Conrad Smith, already has 31 years, Maa Nonu turn 31 years very soon and Sonny Bill Williams returned to Rugby League. Could be a good reinforcement for the position? What do you think about this?

Regards

 

[Draggs]

Can he pass/tackle yet?

 

[nickdnz]

Simply put, no.

He needs to have a massive season to warrent selection. I actually really like him, may be one of the best athletes not to be capped - but his defense his still suspect (not so much that he can't tackle, but that he gets caught out of position) - and his work rate needs to be much higher. That said, with Nonu/Smith getting on, Ellison injured for most of the season, Kahui going to Japan, Ranger likely to go overseas - it's a bit of a two horse race between him and Ben Smith for centre, especially if Conrad Smith is out for the EOYT.

 

[Dizzy]

How old is Ben Smith?...

Fruean is great with ball in hand, but his positioning at times is lacklustre

 

[Jaguares]

How old is Ben Smith?...

Fruean is great with ball in hand, but his positioning at times is lacklustre

1 June 1986 (age 26)

Robbie is younger than Ben, 13 July 1988 (age 24)

 

[Darwin]

Does he deserve a Black jersey based on previous form?
No. As others have pointed out he has some glaring flaws in his game.

Could he get an ABs jersey this season?
It is certainly his best shot given the injuries/likely depatures in the ABs midfield. Smith & Smith (who has been groomed to replace Smith) along with Kahui (if fit) should have the 13 jersey cover for the midyear tests and 4nations, but as nick has mentioned there could be an open spot for the end of year tour. Fruean just has to focus on doing the basics right and improving his defense, as there is no doubt he is devastating with ball in hand!!

 

[FlukeArtist]

Ranger over Fruean anyday

 

[Sam Owen]

Yeah maybe in game that doesnt matter too much for the All Blacks. I was going to say against a lowly underdog team but then he'd do as expected and carve up.

I wanna see him against a top tier nation and in the last 20 minutes. I think he'd make some good impact off the bench.

 

[austingtir]

Yeah maybe in game that doesnt matter too much for the All Blacks. I was going to say against a lowly underdog team but then he'd do as expected and carve up.

I wanna see him against a top tier nation and in the last 20 minutes. I think he'd make some good impact off the bench.

I agree i think he should be given a shot atleast. If ranger is gone then i dont think he's worth messing around with they need to find someone else and Robbie is the only obvious long term choice.

Putting amazing 15's in at 13 is usually a waste imo (talking about B Smith here).

Unless fruen is incredibly damaging to the opposition defence this year like SBW was then i would still select B smith as first choice as i feel he'd be more reliable. And you could always have robbie on the bench as you have plenty of fullback cover already on the field.

 

[Jaguares]

Yeah maybe in game that doesnt matter too much for the All Blacks. I was going to say against a lowly underdog team but then he'd do as expected and carve up.

I wanna see him against a top tier nation and in the last 20 minutes. I think he'd make some good impact off the bench.

You say as an impact player?

 

[duncanb]

Hi

Only catch Super Rugby on Sky when not at work Sat/Sun or a highlights programme but to me Fruean looks ok but agree with the defence bit.
From what i have seen the lad Nani Williams looks tasty to if only seen a him in a few games.

 

[Larksea]

hard to see where he is right now after not even 1 game but I've seen far to many situations where he runs around on defense not having a clue what he is doing, kinda going one way then the other following the ball and just kinda getting a hand on attackers as they pass.

Right now in terms of pecking order, behind the obvious first choices Smith and Kahui. Before Fruen I would have Ben Smith, Ellison or Renee Ranger ahead of Fruen I could even find an excuse to select Ryan Crotty ahead of him.

Being 6th choice doesn't really put him anywhere when he basically needs to be first choice to make the All Blacks because backup midfielders really need more utility value.

Looking Long term, it gets even worse for Fruen when you have some Young Chiefs midfielders makeing big gains and a couple of young Blues players making a huge impression - Saili and dont forget Moala who played 13 in ITM cup and ended up being the best back defender in the comp to go with his obvious talented running game and utility.

 

[Patchey]

hard to see where he is right now after not even 1 game but I've seen far to many situations where he runs around on defense not having a clue what he is doing, kinda going one way then the other following the ball and just kinda getting a hand on attackers as they pass.

Right now in terms of pecking order, behind the obvious first choices Smith and Kahui. Before Fruen I would have Ben Smith, Ellison or Renee Ranger ahead of Fruen I could even find an excuse to select Ryan Crotty ahead of him.

Being 6th choice doesn't really put him anywhere when he basically needs to be first choice to make the All Blacks because backup midfielders really need more utility value.

Looking Long term, it gets even worse for Fruen when you have some Young Chiefs midfielders makeing big gains and a couple of young Blues players making a huge impression - Saili and dont forget Moala who played 13 in ITM cup and ended up being the best back defender in the comp to go with his obvious talented running game and utility.

Good point, Crotty (for example) is a much more rounded player from what I've seen which makes up for him lacking Freuan's bosh.

 

[FlukeArtist]

After friday, there is no way I would pick Fruean in an ABs team.
There are too many other players that are better than him