Its crazy, for months I've been saying the AB's best chance to win the WC is to make bold selections and blood new talent, even in WC year.
But to see it actually happen still makes me nervous.
The battle between NZ and Ireland has been an interesting one over the last few years, Sure Ireland have the 2 wins. But counting the fact none of the last 4 games have been in NZ and they have all been towards the end of the AB's test season when performances start to drop off a bit. The last game in NZ at a better time of the year the All Blacks layed on a thrashing.
The biggest factor is that this AB's side is vastly different to typical All Black sides over the last couple of years. The whole structure has changed, the selectors have made bold changes in both selection and play-style.
I will say this, I think Goodhue is a serious talent and he's going to be a long time AB. But in my opinion he has not found his best since his last injury, his season has been a bit stop-start. I can only imagine they are really liking how he is going at training and also that they see SBW's best role is to come off the bench when the game is a bit more settled - because to me the form midfielders have been ALB and SBW.
It's so bold to pick goodhue, it would be so easy to pick Crotty. He's in form, he has truck loads of experience and he's ultra reliable. Again, they must love what Jack is doing on the training park.
Interesting to see Bender lose out to Jordie. Jordie has been playing very well and the selectors have been talking him up. But I look at how Ben performed off the bench against south africa, he added some real cut to the attack late in the game. Without a doubt Jordies biggest strength is in his high ball skills. One has to think that is a major factor in the selection. Kinda gutted Bender has missed out... he is a bit of a national treasure.
It's also interesting that we have Todd on the bench. I guess he was the most likely but things were a bit up in the air with Brodie on a comeback and Tuipulotu playing well.
Also see that Taylor is starting with Coles on the bench, I actually think this is a good move. Both are world class but it may just be that Codie's game is better suited to starting right now.
But to see it actually happen still makes me nervous.
The battle between NZ and Ireland has been an interesting one over the last few years, Sure Ireland have the 2 wins. But counting the fact none of the last 4 games have been in NZ and they have all been towards the end of the AB's test season when performances start to drop off a bit. The last game in NZ at a better time of the year the All Blacks layed on a thrashing.
The biggest factor is that this AB's side is vastly different to typical All Black sides over the last couple of years. The whole structure has changed, the selectors have made bold changes in both selection and play-style.
I will say this, I think Goodhue is a serious talent and he's going to be a long time AB. But in my opinion he has not found his best since his last injury, his season has been a bit stop-start. I can only imagine they are really liking how he is going at training and also that they see SBW's best role is to come off the bench when the game is a bit more settled - because to me the form midfielders have been ALB and SBW.
It's so bold to pick goodhue, it would be so easy to pick Crotty. He's in form, he has truck loads of experience and he's ultra reliable. Again, they must love what Jack is doing on the training park.
Interesting to see Bender lose out to Jordie. Jordie has been playing very well and the selectors have been talking him up. But I look at how Ben performed off the bench against south africa, he added some real cut to the attack late in the game. Without a doubt Jordies biggest strength is in his high ball skills. One has to think that is a major factor in the selection. Kinda gutted Bender has missed out... he is a bit of a national treasure.
It's also interesting that we have Todd on the bench. I guess he was the most likely but things were a bit up in the air with Brodie on a comeback and Tuipulotu playing well.
Also see that Taylor is starting with Coles on the bench, I actually think this is a good move. Both are world class but it may just be that Codie's game is better suited to starting right now.
