Who would pick in the All Blacks to build depth in the squad

[Sam Owen]

In fairness though, they've had to borrow too many players. Gopperth and Brett were the last two Blues fly halfs, and they were both borrowed, so if they could sign a permanent fly half, they'd do much better.

Thats right they were too. Well the ITM's showcasing a lot of good 1st fives at the moment to be honest they're all above average IMO. They'll get someone good.

 

[ranger]

Slade is very athletic and thats what got him that try-saver on Botica for his team. I didnt know Brett had gone back to the 'saders, Delaney might be good for the Blues I think Donald should stay with the Chiefs but who knows.

I think the Chiefs should hold on to both, they had success with two playmakers at 10 and 12 with Donald and Bruce. Now Bruce is gone so 10) Delaney, 12) Donald could be key for them, Donald always looked like a better 2nd five than a first to me anyway. If i could pick the teams id share out the first fives like this:

Blues: 10)Botica/Reid, Res)Botica/Reid
Cheifs: 10)Delaney, Res) Baydon Kerr
Hurricanes: 10)Cruden, Res) Beauden Barrett
Crusaders: 10)Dan Carter, Res) Brett
Highladers: 10)Slade, Res) Hobbs/Robinson

 

[Sam Owen]

I think the Chiefs should hold on to both, they had success with two playmakers at 10 and 12 with Donald and Bruce. Now Bruce is gone so 10) Delaney, 12) Donald could be key for them, Donald always looked like a better 2nd five than a first to me anyway. If i could pick the teams id share out the first fives like this:

Blues: 10)Botica/Reid, Res)Botica/Reid
Cheifs: 10)Delaney, Res) Baydon Kerr
Hurricanes: 10)Cruden, Res) Beauden Barrett
Crusaders: 10)Dan Carter, Res) Brett
Highladers: 10)Slade, Res) Hobbs/Robinson

Theres plenty of good 1st fives aye?...not so long ago is what a position of bother with only Nick Evans, Dan Carter and Luke McAllistair. Faatonu Fili I'd like to see in Super Rugby, I think he'd go good.

 

[admartian]

In fairness though, they've had to borrow too many players. Gopperth and Brett were the last two Blues fly halfs, and they were both borrowed, so if they could sign a permanent fly half, they'd do much better.

Yeah, it's a bit odd seeing as we have the population/players to choose from.

Who knows. Maybe the developmental aspect of Auckland rugby is to blame.

Too much work on outside backs perhaps.

 

[Shaggy]

I think the Chiefs should hold on to both, they had success with two playmakers at 10 and 12 with Donald and Bruce. Now Bruce is gone so 10) Delaney, 12) Donald could be key for them, Donald always looked like a better 2nd five than a first to me anyway. If i could pick the teams id share out the first fives like this:

Blues: 10)Botica/Reid, Res)Botica/Reid
Cheifs: 10)Delaney, Res) Baydon Kerr
Hurricanes: 10)Cruden, Res) Beauden Barrett
Crusaders: 10)Dan Carter, Res) Brett
Highladers: 10)Slade, Res) Hobbs/Robinson

To be honest, i've only seen Donald play in the no 12 shirt once, and that was live when the ABs played SA in Hamilton, last year ... and he didn't exactly cover himself with glory that day (neither did Nonu in the 13 jumper) ... was only one game though ... maybe he's got better

 

[ranger]

Theres plenty of good 1st fives aye?...not so long ago is what a position of bother with only Nick Evans, Dan Carter and Luke McAllistair. Faatonu Fili I'd like to see in Super Rugby, I think he'd go good.

I'm really a massive fan of Fili, but i dont like his chances of picking up a contract purely because hes Samoan. Its a **** situation for him but i can't see the NZRU letting a non All Black eligible player play in such an important position especially when there is a perceived lack of depth there. Hes one unlucky guy alright

To be honest, i've only seen Donald play in the no 12 shirt once, and that was live when the ABs played SA in Hamilton, last year ... and he didn't exactly cover himself with glory that day (neither did Nonu in the 13 jumper) ... was only one game though ... maybe he's got better

He played very well with Delaney in the 10 this year before the Delaney injury. He has always played like a 12 though, he runs hard and straight, he can kick well tactically, he tackles well, passes well. He just cant controll a game and make good decisions at the top level which is why he sucked so hard at first five for the All Blacks

 

[nickdnz]

I'm really a massive fan of Fili, but i dont like his chances of picking up a contract purely because hes Samoan. Its a **** situation for him but i can't see the NZRU letting a non All Black eligible player play in such an important position especially when there is a perceived lack of depth there. Hes one unlucky guy alright



He played very well with Delaney in the 10 this year before the Delaney injury. He has always played like a 12 though, he runs hard and straight, he can kick well tactically, he tackles well, passes well. He just cant controll a game and make good decisions at the top level which is why he sucked so hard at first five for the All Blacks

Fili kind of annoys me. He shows touches of pure class with no look passes and decent goal kicking, and then 10 minutes later he makes terrible decisions. He always looks for the cross kick, which has only paid off once this season, he also did a drop goal from 10m out when there were options out wide against Waikato this season. I certainly wouldn't want him to start for the Hurricanes.

 

[admartian]

Fili kind of annoys me. He hows touches of pure class, and then 10 minutes later he makes terrible decisions. He always looks for the cross kick, which has only paid off once this season. I certainly wouldn't want him to start for the Hurricanes.

Sound like a Blues player then.

:lol:

 

[Iron Mike]

He always looks for the cross kick, which has only paid off once this season, he also did a drop goal from 10m out when there were options out wide against Waikato this season.

Sorry, thought you were describing Tasesa Lavea.

 

[William18]

Fili kind of annoys me. He shows touches of pure class with no look passes and decent goal kicking, and then 10 minutes later he makes terrible decisions. He always looks for the cross kick, which has only paid off once this season, he also did a drop goal from 10m out when there were options out wide against Waikato this season. I certainly wouldn't want him to start for the Hurricanes.

I personally like Fili. Sure, that drop goal was not the best option at the time but I;'m glad we have a player in this country who at least has the drop goal mindset. To many NZ fans and players a drop goal is something only the South Africans do so it is good to see him go for them. He was pretty terrible for large parts of last night. His kicking was all over the place. I think he would be an okay back up for the Hurricanes but would be very worried if he was the first choice.

 

[DavidHolwell'sEars]

Holwell should be in there for the Blues next season after this barnstorming season he's having. He pulled all the strings versus Manawatu a couple of weeks back. Just rub some cream into his knees to fight off the arthritis and he'll be in there like a flash.

 

[nickdnz]

Holwell should be in there for the Blues next season after this barnstorming season he's having. He pulled all the strings versus Manawatu a couple of weeks back. Just rub some cream into his knees to fight off the arthritis and he'll be in there like a flash.

Are you David Holwell's manager :lol:

 

[Darwin]

I think the Chiefs should hold on to both, they had success with two playmakers at 10 and 12 with Donald and Bruce. Now Bruce is gone so 10) Delaney, 12) Donald could be key for them, Donald always looked like a better 2nd five than a first to me anyway. If i could pick the teams id share out the first fives like this:

Blues: 10)Botica/Reid, Res)Botica/Reid
Cheifs: 10)Delaney, Res) Baydon Kerr
Hurricanes: 10)Cruden, Res) Beauden Barrett
Crusaders: 10)Dan Carter, Res) Brett
Highladers: 10)Slade, Res) Hobbs/Robinson

I assume you mean Michael Harris rather than (Michael) Reid (the prop) - unless there is another Reid in the Blues region that I'm unaware of. I'm yet to be convinced by either Botica or Harris, though the other alternatives from the region, such as Berquist or Moeke aren't really any better. Targeting a quality overseas 10 may be an option.

Baydon Kerr has been good for Counties so far, but I'm yet to be convinced he's ready for Super 14 level yet. If he keeps his form for the entire season he may have a chance though. Donald will obviously be in the squad covering first-five (probably starting at 12 as you suggest) and at moment I'd probably look at Renata ahead ahead of Kerr if they needed a third option at 10.

Obviously you are a big fan of Barrett - he certainly needs to have a few games at 10 for Taranaki this year to be considered for the Canes (not that he has much control of this!). I was very impressed with him at fullback versus Otago, but at the moment I'd be surprised if he was picked given his very young age (19). I'd be very surprised if the pick Fili given his ineligibility for NZ - I think the most likely choice will be Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick still hasn't kicked on from being a star at age grade level, but he does at least have a bit of experience at NPC and super 14 level, and does still shows flashes of his undoubted talent.

 

[ranger]

I assume you mean Michael Harris rather than (Michael) Reid (the prop) - unless there is another Reid in the Blues region that I'm unaware of. I'm yet to be convinced by either Botica or Harris, though the other alternatives from the region, such as Berquist or Moeke aren't really any better. Targeting a quality overseas 10 may be an option.

Baydon Kerr has been good for Counties so far, but I'm yet to be convinced he's ready for Super 14 level yet. If he keeps his form for the entire season he may have a chance though. Donald will obviously be in the squad covering first-five (probably starting at 12 as you suggest) and at moment I'd probably look at Renata ahead ahead of Kerr if they needed a third option at 10.

Obviously you are a big fan of Barrett - he certainly needs to have a few games at 10 for Taranaki this year to be considered for the Canes (not that he has much control of this!). I was very impressed with him at fullback versus Otago, but at the moment I'd be surprised if he was picked given his very young age (19). I'd be very surprised if the pick Fili given his ineligibility for NZ - I think the most likely choice will be Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick still hasn't kicked on from being a star at age grade level, but he does at least have a bit of experience at NPC and super 14 level, and does still shows flashes of his undoubted talent.

Yeah that was purely a slip up there haha, i dont think the Blues should have a prop marching them around!
I think that the Blues pretty much have to go with Harris and Botica, there are just no other options unless they get Brett again (which isnt too likely seeing that the Crusaders have let Slade go). Its fair enough to say that they should get an overseas 10, but are there really that many suitable players out there? the force looked all around the world for a 10 last year and all they could come up with was an injured Andre Pretorius and David Hill.

As for Baydon Kerr, i think he has been the find of the season so far. He has a backline full of hit and miss islanders and has managed to get them in sync beautifully. his ability to controll a game is really impressive especially considering that he is the sole play maker in the side; Slade has Brett or Crotty outside him, Harris has McAllister, Kirkpatrick has Horrell, Renata has Lealifano, Baydon Kerr has Piutau who is a pure runner and Umaga who isnt exactly a 1st five, even his Halfback is a runner. He has shown that he can run a bit and is also near the most accurate goal kicker in the competition. He has to get a contract on form, Renata might have the moves but he hasnt shown the maturity that Kerr has.

With Barrett, i think its a necessity for the Hurricanes to get him in there if only to stake their claim on him so he doesnt go elsewhere. What are the other options really? Fili isnt really eligible, Ripias gone, Lima Sopagaga and Heydon Cripps are still very underdone, Kirkpatrick is a bit of a bomb, he flatters to decieve but he just isnt that good, i cant really see the Hurricanes sinking more time into him untill he shows that he can play a full 80 minutes of good rugby without going missing or making mistakes.

 

[DavidHolwell'sEars]

Are you David Holwell's manager :lol:

Do you not think its a decent idea? Think of the experience he'd bring to the team.

Speaking of which... How's about Shannon Paku? He's good :thumbsup:

 

[ranger]

Do you not think its a decent idea? Think of the experience he'd bring to the team.

Speaking of which... How's about Shannon Paku? He's good :thumbsup:

I'm pretty sure Holwell has retired from all rugby above ITM level.. The only reason he kept playing was to try and keep Northland in the top flight, and this year he wants to get them in the top 7. He has a strong personal reason to play for nothland but he doesnt really care about the Blues

 

[DavidHolwell'sEars]

Oh really? That's sad. Mind you, he's retired so many times, I've given up trying to predict the unpredictable. Much like one of his fabulous mazey runs.

 

[ranger]

Oh really? That's sad. Mind you, he's retired so many times, I've given up trying to predict the unpredictable. Much like one of his fabulous mazey runs.

Haha i think this retirements more clear cut to read this time. Hes trying to keep rugby alive in Northland. If they drop down then Northland is under real threat of becoming a league province, especially with their concentration of Maori. Its not much of a stretch to imagine the likes of Rene Ranger in the NRL.
Holwell has no reason to play for the Blues, the super 14 sides don't really have any history or heart to them. The only reason he would put his hand up would be if he was pushing for an All Black spot and lets be realistic here thats not going to happen

 

[DavidHolwell'sEars]

Do we have to be realistic about things? Holwell's first on my ABs team sheet. Clearly, my team sheet is a bit dodgy and has some unidentifiable stains on it, but I think it stands up to scrutiny better than the 2007 Reconditioning Programme.

 

[Darwin]

Yeah that was purely a slip up there haha, i dont think the Blues should have a prop marching them around!
I think that the Blues pretty much have to go with Harris and Botica, there are just no other options unless they get Brett again (which isnt too likely seeing that the Crusaders have let Slade go). Its fair enough to say that they should get an overseas 10, but are there really that many suitable players out there? the force looked all around the world for a 10 last year and all they could come up with was an injured Andre Pretorius and David Hill.

As for Baydon Kerr, i think he has been the find of the season so far. He has a backline full of hit and miss islanders and has managed to get them in sync beautifully. his ability to controll a game is really impressive especially considering that he is the sole play maker in the side; Slade has Brett or Crotty outside him, Harris has McAllister, Kirkpatrick has Horrell, Renata has Lealifano, Baydon Kerr has Piutau who is a pure runner and Umaga who isnt exactly a 1st five, even his Halfback is a runner. He has shown that he can run a bit and is also near the most accurate goal kicker in the competition. He has to get a contract on form, Renata might have the moves but he hasnt shown the maturity that Kerr has.

With Barrett, i think its a necessity for the Hurricanes to get him in there if only to stake their claim on him so he doesnt go elsewhere. What are the other options really? Fili isnt really eligible, Ripias gone, Lima Sopagaga and Heydon Cripps are still very underdone, Kirkpatrick is a bit of a bomb, he flatters to decieve but he just isnt that good, i cant really see the Hurricanes sinking more time into him untill he shows that he can play a full 80 minutes of good rugby without going missing or making mistakes.

I do like what I've seen from Baydon Kerr and Barrett so far - I just like to see how a player performs throughout a whole season of rugby before making too many judgments on a player - often players can look like world beaters for a few games then disappear into obscurity. If Kerr and Barrett can keep up their form for the whole season they will be good choices, as I do agree that it would be good for the Canes and Chiefs to stake their claims for these players. Both the Canes and the Chiefs are probably in the position where they could take a bit more of a gamble on a young first-five, as they already have two quality players who can play first-five (Weepu/Cruden and Delany/Donald) - therefore I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if they did pick Barrett and Kerr as you suggest.