Would NZ pick Nadolo ?

[Big Ewis]

Not a terribly original question, but I was wondering. Savea takes one spot no matter what, but the other spot is often a displaced Fullback really with Jane or Ben Smith. Piutau is really good but the AB rarely play him. I understand Hansen likes security, skills under the high ball, that sort of thing from his back three throughout, but the result is NZ have often played with just one specialist winger. Would two monster machine beast ***ans work on the wing ? The AB would probably never go for that, Nadolo doesn't have the quickness required and Savea isn't lightning quick either. I dunno, would you attempt this ? Nadolo constantly beats defenders every game, it seems he just won't be tackled by the first defender who tries, and is near unstoppable when he's close to the goal line. He's still quite young, and would surely be an asset for any team. Personally, I'd like Savea+Hosea Gear, a Golem and a winger genius extraordinaire. But maybe Savea+Nadolo would be an interesting gamble, in theory.

 

[lynam1104]

Doubt it, he can go missing at times and his defence and arial skills need serious work.

 

[nickdnz]

I don't have any problems with Nadolo's defense - I actually think he's pretty good in that department. Even his positioning of high kicks wasn't bad.

I'd also argue Julian Savea is lightening quick, I guess he's the fastest All Black in the squad (behind maybe Barrett). Nadolo isn't super quick, but he doesn't really need to be.

That said I don't think he'd get a look in unless off the bench - and if we were going to pick two monster-strong-fast freaks I'd take Hosea Gear as well. He hasn't played much at 14 unfortunately (not to say I wouldn't want him to be given some time there). 11. Savea, 14. Gear, 15. Smith would make me a very happy man.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

No, not a chance.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Ignoring the fact he's already played for Fiji, I couldn't see him getting into the squad. His handling skills leave alot to be desired and his defence is average. He could be easily targeted with high balls and kicks in behind him, alot like Nalaga. He would score tries no doubt but then any half decent winger would in that team, and that's the thing, he wouldn't be playing for just anyone but the world champions. Possibly the best team ever, and you look at the likes of Nani-Williams, Masaga, Halai, Osbourne who can't get into the team and are technically far better than he is. He does have size on his side but he isn't the hardest to stop.

 

[nickdnz]

No, not a chance.

Not sure what makes you say not a chance. We selected Frank Halai. I wouldn't say Halai is any safer an option, while he certainly isn't as effective.

 

[Darwin]

No, not a chance.

What he said. Unless there were a pile of injuries he wouldn't even make the AB's squad.

He can be a weapon with ball in hand (though he lacks a bit of pace), but his handling is average (at best), he is an average defender (his positioning in particular is poor), is a liability retrieving kicks, and his work-rate is poor. Some of the main attributes the AB's selectors look for in their wings are security under the high ball, positional awareness, and a high work-rate. These are all areas where Nadolo struggles, so I don't think he would get a look in (unless their were a pile of injuries). Exciting attacking talents like Lelia Masaga have been largely ignored in the past because they weren't "complete" wings, so I would suggest the same situation would apply to Nadolo.

In terms of AB's wing options the likes of Savea, Ben Smith, Jane, Piutau and Gear (when he returns next year) would be clearly rated ahead of him (and Kahui would be too if he returns). I (and I imagine the AB's selectors) rate Osbourne and Visinia ahead of him too (I don't rate Halai though - indeed I think he is only the 3rd best Blues wing at best).

Oh, and I agree with Nickdnz regarding Savea's speed. He is very quick!

Not sure what makes you say not a chance. We selected Frank Halai. I wouldn't say Halai is any safer an option, while he certainly isn't as effective.

I think Halai would be a much safer option than Nadolo. I don't rate Halai but he was pretty solid for the Blues. He didn't make many errors and had a resonable work-rate. My biggest issue with him is that he didn't offer much on attack this year - for a big guy he really struggles to break tackles for some reason (apart from in the 7's game - he is unstoppable at 7's for some reason).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Not sure what makes you say not a chance. We selected Frank Halai. I wouldn't say Halai is any safer an option, while he certainly isn't as effective.

Well I don't think we'll see Halai playing for the All Blacks again anytime soon. I think Nadolo was a good option for the Crusaders because they didn't have any big backs capable of busting the tackle. The All Blacks have Nonu/SBW and Savea, so Nadolo's (one and only) point of difference isn't really much of a point of difference for the All Blacks.

 

[Big Ewis]

I agree 11.Savea 14.Hosea Gear 15.Ben Smith is the best back three combination NZ could put together, and it would be easily the best in the world. They already have the best back three, but this one would be the best by a good distance. Hosea Gear is one underrated player. Toulouse hasn't shined in a long time added to the fact not everyone in the world has time or motivation to watch Top 14 Rugby...make no mistake about it, he's in the Top 5 wingers atm easily.

I agree with the criticism against Nadolo on this thread, those are all things I've noticed about him. But his power is not negligible, and incorporated into the AB system, fed by the best, he and Savea ? Something to think about, that's all.

Of course there's one important issue nobody's mentioned, I'm a bit surprised tbh, which is the fact that it would be a huge burden maintenance wise to keep both Goliaths. Having to provide the daily kilograms of raw antelope meat, having to keep telling them that Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith "ARE NOT..FOR EATING !!" in an fighting Urukai's voice, exceeding the maximum weight on planes and jeopardizing the entire squad's existence during traveling...those are logistics that we do have to account for as we make our assessments on these forums.

 

[Geordie]

Ignoring the fact he's already played for Fiji, I couldn't see him getting into the squad. His handling skills leave alot to be desired and his defence is average. He could be easily targeted with high balls and kicks in behind him, alot like Nalaga. He would score tries no doubt but then any half decent winger would in that team, and that's the thing, he wouldn't be playing for just anyone but the world champions. Possibly the best team ever, and you look at the likes of Nani-Williams, Masaga, Halai, Osbourne who can't get into the team and are technically far better than he is. He does have size on his side but he isn't the hardest to stop.

Well im glad thats been pointed out...although judging by Stefon Armitage it would appear that its irrelevant.

 

[Darwin]

I agree 11.Savea 14.Hosea Gear 15.Ben Smith is the best back three combination NZ could put together, and it would be easily the best in the world. They already have the best back three, but this one would be the best by a good distance. Hosea Gear is one underrated player. Toulouse hasn't shined in a long time added to the fact not everyone in the world has time or motivation to watch Top 14 Rugby...make no mistake about it, he's in the Top 5 wingers atm easily.

I agree with the criticism against Nadolo on this thread, those are all things I've noticed about him. But his power is not negligible, and incorporated into the AB system, fed by the best, he and Savea ? Something to think about, that's all.

Of course there's one important issue nobody's mentioned, I'm a bit surprised tbh, which is the fact that it would be a huge burden maintenance wise to keep both Goliaths. Having to provide the daily kilograms of raw antelope meat, having to keep telling them that Aaron Cruden and Aaron Smith "ARE NOT..FOR EATING !!" in an fighting Urukai's voice, exceeding the maximum weight on planes and jeopardizing the entire squad's existence during traveling...those are logistics that we do have to account for as we make our assessments on these forums.

If you keep making statements like that you will be Nickdnz's best friend for life.....

However I don't think a Savea/Gear combo would be the best option for the AB's. It will be an option next year once Gear returns, but as Nickdnz mentions they are both specialist left wings these days. Savea used to play a bit on the right wing in the early days, but hasn't played there for the last 2-3 years. When you add in the fact the AB's have a very distinct role for their right-wing (basically a 2nd fullback) I would be very surprised if we see them starting together at test level.

Despite the fact Gear is probably the 2nd best left wing option for the AB's he may struggle to make the squad due to his lack of versatility. For me Charles Piutau is clearly the best option the AB's have on the right wing. I understand he is back to full fitness now, and starting to show a bit of form. In addition to the fullback skills he possesses he is also a real weapon with ball in hand - indeed I would suggest he would offer at least as much as Hosea Gear in this area (and a lot more than Jane).

 

[TheSaffycen]

Would Smith/Savea/Gear have enough of a kicking game ? Great running the ball back but would they be under pressure if you kept pinging them back into the corners ?

 

[nickdnz]

Would Smith/Savea/Gear have enough of a kicking game ? Great running the ball back but would they be under pressure if you kept pinging them back into the corners ?

Well, kicking games from my wingers is really not a priority for me. For Hansen and many others it is. But really all wingers tend to do in a kicking game is a speculative up and under, which I think Gear is more than capable. I haven't seen many cracking kicks from Cory Jane in quite a while..

 

[Big Ewis]

I do rate Piutau, the guy's fkng awesome. Was unaware NZ in particular had a role for right and left wings...for me there's just, winger. But I'll take your word for it.

And well Gear really is underrated. He's one of these crazy good wingers who creates situations out of nothing, scores tries when other teams require two or three more phases if at all, etc...and in the conversation these past 2 or 3 years you hear a lot about Savea, Huget, North, Habana...but Gear just rarely comes up. It's only those "cryptic" more underground fans who have the presence of mind and general knowledge to bring him up, esp. like I said with Toulouse being so-so recently.
As for the kicking game, for me as long as a team has a good versatile fullback there in the back three, like the all-encompassing Ben Smith, your wingers just need to find the spaces eventually, basically. A team is far from dysfunctional if its wingers aren't big kickers. And with what Gear brings to a team, the kicking game can easily be overlooked, the guy's dynamite, I've been watching Toulouse obviously and he's a huge loss this year.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i wouldn't pick Nadolo over Savea, Jane, Gear or maybe even ben smith, yes he is good but not good enough to get into the all blacks squad, but in outside centre though ? mm........ probably not.

 

[TheSaffycen]

i wouldn't pick Nadolo over Savea, Jane, Gear or maybe even ben smith, yes he is good but not good enough to get into the all blacks squad, but in outside centre though ? mm........ probably not.

I couldn't see him getting in at centre either. They prefer a smart player like Smith or Smith And if they wanted a wrecking ball Robbie Freuan would be better, if he gets over his heart problems.

 

[goodNumber10]

I thought this whole thread was about piri piri chicken..... Om nom nom!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I couldn't see him getting in at centre either. They prefer a smart player like Smith or Smith And if they wanted a wrecking ball Robbie Freuan would be better, if he gets over his heart problems.

thats true, please dont use that as a term for a big player again

 

[Big Ewis]

I thought this whole thread was about piri piri chicken..... Om nom nom!

you bring-u great-e shame and dishonor to your family and yourself and this whole forum-u goodnumber10san !

 

[TRF_Olyy]

thats true, please dont use that as a term for a big player again

Why? :huh: