Toeava To Miss Rest of Super 15

[Shaggy]

Currently Injured All Blacks:

Tony Woodcock*
Brad Thorn*
Sam Whitelock*
Daniel Braid
Andy Ellis
Piri Weepu*
Dan Carter*
Colin Slade
Luke McAlistar
Ma'a Nonu*
Conrad Smith*
Cory Jane*
Isaia Toeava

note: *'s are last seasons regular starters

You can nearly put a whole team together... Lets just hope that most of them get a little git of game time before the Tri-Nations start...

is this a big conspiracy??? Alot of key All Blacks not playing Super Rugby in a World Cup year... Seems familiar for some reason :unsure:

They're all faking it so that they can get an extra rest before the world cup ... I read online in an article from a certain Sydney paper that shall remain nameless, that they thought Ritchie McCaw didn't have an injury, and wanted an extend rest earlier in the season

Seriously though, hopefully these guys will recover, and they'll be less on the injured list come Cup time

 

[Black Heart]

They're all faking it so that they can get an extra rest before the world cup ... I read online in an article from a certain Sydney paper that shall remain nameless, that they thought Ritchie McCaw didn't have an injury, and wanted an extend rest earlier in the season

Seriously though, hopefully these guys will recover, and they'll be less on the injured list come Cup time

Closed door reconditioning programme....?

 

[Darwin]

Highlanders team for the Chiefs game announced, Smith back into the mid field, he will definately not get a shot at full back unless he gets more game time there, he had a huge game when he dropped back to fullback last week, cant Robbie play second five (the old two pivots deal) and let smith play where he is best?

Smith has had plenty of game time at fullback (he's only played 90-odd mins in the midfield this season and the rest at fullback). Smith is only playing in the midfield as a stop-gap measure since Treeby is out injured, when Treeby returns Smith will drop back to fullback. Robinson could play 12 (or Sopoaga could play 12, with Robinson at 10), but if they want to play Smith at fullback they will likely play Saunders at 12 (which they should have done this week in my opinion...).

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Smith has had plenty of game time at fullback (he's only played 90-odd mins in the midfield this season and the rest at fullback). Smith is only playing in the midfield as a stop-gap measure since Treeby is out injured, when Treeby returns Smith will drop back to fullback. Robinson could play 12 (or Sopoaga could play 12, with Robinson at 10), but if they want to play Smith at fullback they will likely play Saunders at 12 (which they should have done this week in my opinion...).

thats my point, why are we playing a contender for the all black fullback spot (cover) at second five when we have a pretty good second five sitting on the bench.

he may have only played just over 90 min but is lined up to play ther again and was going to play there last week so its just as much about how jamie see's where he should play that make me worry for the coming games, he is wasted in the midfield.

I would rather see smith on the wing and see what poki can do in midfield, he can shrug off a takle pretty well, could lead to some good line breaks

 

[Darwin]

thats my point, why are we playing a contender for the all black fullback spot (cover) at second five when we have a pretty good second five sitting on the bench.

he may have only played just over 90 min but is lined up to play ther again and was going to play there last week so its just as much about how jamie see's where he should play that make me worry for the coming games, he is wasted in the midfield.

I would rather see smith on the wing and see what poki can do in midfield, he can shrug off a takle pretty well, could lead to some good line breaks

Yeah, I understand your frustration; I too would prefer to see Ben Smith at fullback, as the Highlanders look a better team with him at 15. However I don't think playing a few games at 12 will have a negative affect on Smith's chances of making the All Blacks, indeed in may actually increase his chances. Henry and co. have explicitly said they want to see how Smith goes in the midfield, and this was cited by Jamie Joseph when he was asked why Smith was at 12... this suggests to me Smith playing at 12 may be actually be coming from the AB's selectors. Interestingly the last two games that Smith has been named at 12 the AB's selectors have been in the stand (the first time just Wayne Smith with his little video camera, the second time all three selectors). So while I think Smith is 12 is bad for the Highlanders, it's possibly good for Smiths personal AB's aspirations.

 

[Larksea]

Highlanders team for the Chiefs game announced, Smith back into the mid field, he will definately not get a shot at full back unless he gets more game time there, he had a huge game when he dropped back to fullback last week, cant Robbie play second five (the old two pivots deal) and let smith play where he is best?

Smiths been at fullback for most of the season and done a fantastic job, the fact he's getting a chance in the mid field will only increase his chances of selection IMO because there is not much room for Specialist wings or fullbacks in the squad. I think there will only be one Specialist wing and one Specialist fullback then ~3 guys that can cover more positions.

 

[Larksea]

yeah AB's are fakeing all these injuries...

This one in particular, obviously a fake!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i guess im a bit blinded by the fact I feel we are more likely to win with smith at fullback and would like to see lima and robbie at first and second five etc

im also not convinced he really shines in the centres, actually think saunders did a better job when he came on, I can play second fine...not very well though