I think you kind of missed my point fella. Please don't tell me you have faced a great scrum unit during this competition. That is what I am talking about.
They might do well, they might get smashed or even just get parity. All I am saying is that during the comp they have not yet been tested.
Tonga'uiha is a good palyer having watched him a number of times. One man is not going to demolish a scrumaging unit on there own.
As it clearly say's on my post we will all have a better opinion when we can see the knock out stages. When teams are defending against the head on there 5m line etc, etc. If the AB's do well I would be happy to say so. The same as any team, I just don't think when it comes to the front three they are the best in the world. As a team together yes without a doubt.
I'll let you keep your V cash <_<
Look, I'm not saying we have the best either. I don't even know where all this scrummaging debate came from, All I know is, our scrum has been talked down a bit too much for my liking and our scrum/scrumaggers deserve as much praise "post-match" as what other teams are being given "pre-match"
We[NZ posters] don't just come out pre-match and be like
"Oh, Franks is going to turn so-and-so into an oblivion with his supreme scrummaging, when he first played for the Crusaders he won a tight head scrum all on his own, so [insert your country here] have no chance against him"
Then when it doesn't happen we don't come out like
"Oh, we didn't have our best hooker and other prop on the field so you didn't face a full strength front row, you won't do well against [insert another country here]"
I think you kind of missed my point fella. Please don't tell me you have faced a great scrum unit during this competition. That is what I am talking about.
They might do well, they might get smashed or even just get parity. All I am saying is that during the comp they have not yet been tested.
Tonga'uiha is a good palyer having watched him a number of times. One man is not going to demolish a scrumaging unit on there own.
As it clearly say's on my post we will all have a better opinion when we can see the knock out stages. When teams are defending against the head on there 5m line etc, etc. If the AB's do well I would be happy to say so. The same as any team, I just don't think when it comes to the front three they are the best in the world. As a team together yes without a doubt.
I'll let you keep your V cash <_<
Look, I'm not saying we have the best either. I don't even know where all this scrummaging debate came from, All I know is, our scrum has been talked down a bit too much for my liking and our scrum/scrumaggers deserve as much praise "post-match" as what other teams are being given "pre-match"
We[NZ posters] don't just come out pre-match and be like
"Oh, Franks is going to turn so-and-so into an oblivion with his supreme scrummaging, when he first played for the Crusaders he won a tight head scrum all on his own, so [insert your country here] have no chance against him"
Then when it doesn't happen we don't come out like
"Oh, we didn't have our best hooker and other prop on the field so you didn't face a full strength front row, you won't do well against [insert another country here]"
You just all continue to underestimate new full Pacific Nations teams. I saw Canada playing, I can tell you that Tonga can easily win with a second string side. Did you just look at the changes in the Tonga team between the Churchill Cup and the RWc ??? Canada is like Ireland and other "conservative" nations, they don't have the margin of improvement the others can have because they always fielding the same team. Canada can't field half of pros in his line-up, this is one of the weakest teams at RWC.
Tonga will field his best team against the "always the same" NZers, Tonga'uiha will destroy the NZ scrum and give the scare of their lives to these guys who will just continue to ask "Why are these guys from Europe are so strong when it really counts ?".
If Tonga'uiha would have an equal scrum behind and besides him he would take Franks down. I don't rate him very high in the scrums at all.
I've formed my opinion on what I've seen from him a little bit of S15 and some games for the AB's. You have obviously seen him play more but have you seen the likes of Mas/Jones/Jenkins etc. play alot?
If only there was a tournament coming up that could settle this debate . If the AB's scrum and Owen hold up against the French pack I shall take my words back.
Btw Tonga'uiha might not be the most technical prop and does most of it on raw power, but he was an animal for Saints this year and their pack dominated everybody. Saw him slip then get driven back and then lift himself + other prop up and drive them back + he is insane in the loose. And domesticly I don't think a prop can get tested more severaly than in the Premiership?
@Olly Not a fan of Sheridan or just not impressed by him? Why?
Tonga'uiha fight is going to be the NH fight. SH will once more said "OMG, why NH players are so strong in setpieces" when Tonga'uiha will rape Franks (because this is what will happen). In SH, it's always the same song, you're unable to understand that competition make players better and not your national rigid system that North Korea can carry. Tonga'uiha was made by Europe, he became (a verb maybe you still don't understand) the best prop in the world only thanks to a free transaction club system. NH is proud to see Tonga'uiha representing his nation at the World Cup.
All this Tonga team was built in Europe. NH is proud to allow Tonga playing with his best ever team.
Btw Tonga'uiha might not be the most technical prop and does most of it on raw power, but he was an animal for Saints this year and their pack dominated everybody. Saw him slip then get driven back and then lift himself + other prop up and drive them back + he is insane in the loose. And domesticly I don't think a prop can get tested more severaly than in the Premiership?
These are the kind of comments I am referring to. And when the AB's scrum comes out more dominant than the opposition, nothing is said.
