Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
Forums
Rugby Union
The Rugby Championship 2023
The Rugby Championship preview: New Zealand
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Larksea" data-source="post: 520907" data-attributes="member: 43875"><p>For this NZ squad going into this series, what I'd really like to see:</p><p></p><p>Ben Smith establish himself in the squad, maybe even the starting lineup. Good honest kiwi bloke, when he runs onto the park he just looks like a bulk standard rugby player but as soon as the game starts it's obvious he's much more than that, he's pretty damn gifted. I really like the energy he has.</p><p></p><p>However if Julean Savea can establish himself he has a chance to secure his position in the side for a very long time. And it will be just what the AB's need, he's had a breakthrough year.</p><p></p><p>Messam to get some starts, he's had an outstanding year but this year has been a bit different. Previous years (last yer in particular) hes been overworked (by playing every min of every game) in super rugby and his form has dropped off a bit going into the finals and test season. This season with the new format, some well placed byes and a game he sat out with a minor injury his workload has been better managed and his form got better and kept getting better as the year went on. Now with the tests here and he's on fire. Jerome kaino's trademark was his physical defense, I look at Messam, Thomson and Vito and no doubt in my mind that Messam is the one who can bring that critical component to the AB's that will be missing with Kaino out of selection.</p><p></p><p>In An Idea world, even as a Messam supporter, I'd rather see McCaw at 6 and Cane at 7, surely it's going to happen at some point and IMO sooner is better than later. The speed Cane has around the field, his power on defense and speed in support. Great assets.</p><p></p><p>lastly and maybe most importantly: Aaron smith</p><p></p><p>I think the AB's have desperately needed someone like smith for a long time. Cowan and Elis in particular are quite slow at clearing the ball and Weepu is a mixed bag. Aaron smith is a genuine world class 9 week in and week out and the whole AB back line will be better than it has been for years with Aaron smith doing what he does. Carter should thrive and if so the whole backline will fire. It could even be the spark needed to even get Dagg out of his rut.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Larksea, post: 520907, member: 43875"] For this NZ squad going into this series, what I'd really like to see: Ben Smith establish himself in the squad, maybe even the starting lineup. Good honest kiwi bloke, when he runs onto the park he just looks like a bulk standard rugby player but as soon as the game starts it's obvious he's much more than that, he's pretty damn gifted. I really like the energy he has. However if Julean Savea can establish himself he has a chance to secure his position in the side for a very long time. And it will be just what the AB's need, he's had a breakthrough year. Messam to get some starts, he's had an outstanding year but this year has been a bit different. Previous years (last yer in particular) hes been overworked (by playing every min of every game) in super rugby and his form has dropped off a bit going into the finals and test season. This season with the new format, some well placed byes and a game he sat out with a minor injury his workload has been better managed and his form got better and kept getting better as the year went on. Now with the tests here and he's on fire. Jerome kaino's trademark was his physical defense, I look at Messam, Thomson and Vito and no doubt in my mind that Messam is the one who can bring that critical component to the AB's that will be missing with Kaino out of selection. In An Idea world, even as a Messam supporter, I'd rather see McCaw at 6 and Cane at 7, surely it's going to happen at some point and IMO sooner is better than later. The speed Cane has around the field, his power on defense and speed in support. Great assets. lastly and maybe most importantly: Aaron smith I think the AB's have desperately needed someone like smith for a long time. Cowan and Elis in particular are quite slow at clearing the ball and Weepu is a mixed bag. Aaron smith is a genuine world class 9 week in and week out and the whole AB back line will be better than it has been for years with Aaron smith doing what he does. Carter should thrive and if so the whole backline will fire. It could even be the spark needed to even get Dagg out of his rut. [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rugby Union
The Rugby Championship 2023
The Rugby Championship preview: New Zealand
Top