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Super 15: Chiefs - Stormers in Hamilton (14-05-2011)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 400340" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Unfortunately didn't see the game, so can't comment on Leonard's performance. As I've said before, Leonard has been good this season, but hasn't really stood out to me. Though I still think he's only the fifth best halfback in the country, I wouldn't say he is that far away from the AB's, as he is not far away from the other top NZ halfbacks. I would be interested to know which of the top NZ halfbacks you rate below him. Weepu was in great form last year before injury, so is probably still ranked amongst the top halfbacks in the country. Cowan is the incumbent starting All Blacks halfback, has been very impressive this season, and had the best game I've seen from any halfback all year against the Hurricanes in the weekend. Andy Ellis was easily the form NZ halfback before injury (arguably the form halfback of the whole competition), while Mathewson has also been in strong form for the (almost) table-topping Blues (as he was all last season as well). I believe the AB's selectors will have the halfbacks ranked 1. Cowan 2. Weepu (though he could arguably be number 1) 3. Ellis 4. Mathewson 5. Leonard 6. ?????????. Personally I would have a similar list, but would change the positions of Mathewson and Ellis.</p><p></p><p>Great to hear Messem had another dominant game. Because of all the injuries in the loose-forwards he hasn't had a rest this year, but seems to be getting even better as the season goes on. I wonder whether he will eventually be given a rest, or will start every game of the season for the Chiefs, which will be very impressive for a loose-forward.</p><p></p><p>From the highlights and game reports it looked/sounds like Sivivatu is getting back near his best form. He seems to have lost a lot of the weight that he was carrying at the start of the season, and it seems his fitness/speed are returning as well. If he continues to improve I have no doubt he will make it back into the AB's this year, as he is (rightly so) held in very high regard by the AB's selectors. His form is bad news for the likes of Rokocoko and Hosea Gear, as the AB's will likely only take two specialist wings to the RWC (and potentially may only take 1).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 400340, member: 24910"] Unfortunately didn't see the game, so can't comment on Leonard's performance. As I've said before, Leonard has been good this season, but hasn't really stood out to me. Though I still think he's only the fifth best halfback in the country, I wouldn't say he is that far away from the AB's, as he is not far away from the other top NZ halfbacks. I would be interested to know which of the top NZ halfbacks you rate below him. Weepu was in great form last year before injury, so is probably still ranked amongst the top halfbacks in the country. Cowan is the incumbent starting All Blacks halfback, has been very impressive this season, and had the best game I've seen from any halfback all year against the Hurricanes in the weekend. Andy Ellis was easily the form NZ halfback before injury (arguably the form halfback of the whole competition), while Mathewson has also been in strong form for the (almost) table-topping Blues (as he was all last season as well). I believe the AB's selectors will have the halfbacks ranked 1. Cowan 2. Weepu (though he could arguably be number 1) 3. Ellis 4. Mathewson 5. Leonard 6. ?????????. Personally I would have a similar list, but would change the positions of Mathewson and Ellis. Great to hear Messem had another dominant game. Because of all the injuries in the loose-forwards he hasn't had a rest this year, but seems to be getting even better as the season goes on. I wonder whether he will eventually be given a rest, or will start every game of the season for the Chiefs, which will be very impressive for a loose-forward. From the highlights and game reports it looked/sounds like Sivivatu is getting back near his best form. He seems to have lost a lot of the weight that he was carrying at the start of the season, and it seems his fitness/speed are returning as well. If he continues to improve I have no doubt he will make it back into the AB's this year, as he is (rightly so) held in very high regard by the AB's selectors. His form is bad news for the likes of Rokocoko and Hosea Gear, as the AB's will likely only take two specialist wings to the RWC (and potentially may only take 1). [/QUOTE]
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Super 15: Chiefs - Stormers in Hamilton (14-05-2011)
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