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All Blacks Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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    #62
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    Andreu is very good but he's tiiiiiiny.

    Big isn't always better. Where does he play, Podge? If it's wing and he's facing Savea, size could be an issue.


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    #63
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,836 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Swiwi wrote: »
    Big isn't always better. Where does he play, Podge? If it's wing and he's facing Savea, size could be an issue.

    He's a wing and he's about 5'5". If he was bigger he'd be excellent. I haven't seen a lot of him but he's a classy player and does the basics right. But his size will always be an issue.


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    #64
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    Romain Teulet at Castres too, 5'5"" fullback with a class goal kicking routine. Legend.


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    #65
    matthew8
    Registered Users Posts: 9,599 ✭✭✭matthew8


    Swiwi wrote: »
    That's a pity. I haven't heard of Doussain & Andreu, hopefully they're good!

    Doussain made his debut against NZ... in the world cup final.


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    #66
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    matthew8 wrote: »
    Doussain made his debut against NZ... in the world cup final.

    Was that the guy who came on for the last 5 minutes in place of Parra, and knocked the ball on or something?


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    #67
    totallegend
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭totallegend


    thomond2006 wrote: »
    Romain Teulet at Castres too, 5'5"" fullback with a class goal kicking routine. Legend.

    For a minute I thought Teulet had been added to the squad. ..


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    #68
    Fireball07
    Registered Users Posts: 13,264 ✭✭✭✭Fireball07


    Andreu is tiny but he's very very fast. Good player, but not sure if he's top class.


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    #69
    the baby bull elephant
    Registered Users Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭the baby bull elephant


    Swiwi wrote: »
    That's what I think Hansen & co will choose. I would LOVE to see Ben Smith get the 15 shirt, he's played bloody well all season, and Dagg has been average.

    Ah but Dagg and Nonu have their whole shabang of being poor for the opening section of Super Rugby and then suddenly bursting to life with the tests round the corner/in the tests. They've really made an art of it.

    I'd love B. Smith to start could well be on the wing as he's the closest type of player to Jane but obviously 15's where he's best, though I'd love to see him at 13 for a game. Some real depth for you guys at 15 now with Dagg, Smith and Piatau. Also Anscombe, Robinson, Barrett or Taylor (though clearly not on current form).


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    #70
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    the baby bull elephant wrote: »
    Ah but Dagg and Nonu have their whole shabang of being poor for the opening section of Super Rugby and then suddenly bursting to life with the tests round the corner/in the tests. They've really made an art of it.

    I'd love B. Smith to start could well be on the wing as he's the closest type of player to Jane but obviously 15's where he's best, though I'd love to see him at 13 for a game. Some real depth for you guys at 15 now with Dagg, Smith and Piatau. Also Anscombe, Robinson, Barrett or Taylor (though clearly not on current form).

    I just think it's a slap in the face of Ben Smith if he's on the bench. I'd be raging if it were me. Maybe he will get the 14 jumper - certainly Dagg can't play 14, he was absolutely rubbish for the Crusaders on the wing. Piatau might also get put on the wing. Of the others you mention, Anscombe has a possible AB future, I don't think Robinson does (would have made a good signing for Leinster), Barrett is really a 10, and Taylor is being looked at as a 12. Taylor is a very solid player, and a fine goalkicker, but the Crusaders midfield with Taylor & Crotty is a bit pedestrian IMO - kind of reminds me of a Scottish midfield, which is not at all want I want to see in Black!


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    #71
    thomond2006
    Registered Users Posts: 45,433 ✭✭✭✭thomond2006


    totallegend wrote: »
    For a minute I thought Teulet had been added to the squad. ..

    He should be. That kicking routine should be seen by a wider audience! :P


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    #72
    the baby bull elephant
    Registered Users Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭the baby bull elephant


    Swiwi wrote: »
    I just think it's a slap in the face of Ben Smith if he's on the bench. I'd be raging if it were me. Maybe he will get the 14 jumper - certainly Dagg can't play 14, he was absolutely rubbish for the Crusaders on the wing. Piatau might also get put on the wing. Of the others you mention, Anscombe has a possible AB future, I don't think Robinson does (would have made a good signing for Leinster), Barrett is really a 10, and Taylor is being looked at as a 12. Taylor is a very solid player, and a fine goalkicker, but the Crusaders midfield with Taylor & Crotty is a bit pedestrian IMO - kind of reminds me of a Scottish midfield, which is not at all want I want to see in Black!

    Meant Andre Taylor but more on last years form than this years. Robinson and Barrett I agree aren't really the future for different reasons but for 5th and 6th choice their not half bad.

    I'm saying I think Smith will get the 14 jersey btw.


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    #73
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    the baby bull elephant wrote: »
    Meant Andre Taylor but more on last years form than this years. Robinson and Barrett I agree aren't really the future for different reasons but for 5th and 6th choice their not half bad.

    I'm saying I think Smith will get the 14 jersey btw.

    Oh yeah, Andre Taylor, one-hit wonder so far. He just needs to concentrate on a solid ITM cup and making sure he gets a Canes jersey for next year!

    Yeah, Smith might well get 14, but I'm not convinced he's an out & out winger. They're not necessarily interchangeable positions IMO.


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    #74
    the baby bull elephant
    Registered Users Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭the baby bull elephant


    Swiwi wrote: »
    Oh yeah, Andre Taylor, one-hit wonder so far. He just needs to concentrate on a solid ITM cup and making sure he gets a Canes jersey for next year!

    Yeah, Smith might well get 14, but I'm not convinced he's an out & out winger. They're not necessarily interchangeable positions IMO.

    I agree he's not an out and out winger but New Zealand seem to like having a second fullback on the right wing and with no Jane Smith is the closest they've got.


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    #75
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    the baby bull elephant wrote: »
    I agree he's not an out and out winger but New Zealand seem to like having a second fullback on the right wing and with no Jane Smith is the closest they've got.

    Yeah, it will be interesting to see what they do. I'll preview the series once the AB team is actually announced, and we'll see what 14 throws up.


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    #76
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    Eh putain de merde! Hosea Gear is off to Toulouse :(

    No surprises, I guess. He's a specialist left winger only, and he's behind Julia Savea now. Make it stop someone!


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    #77
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    On the plus side, it looks as if the ABs will play Japan, in Japan, on the EOYT. The last time outside of a RWC that the ABs played a minnow in an away game is...?

    ...Romania, in Bucharest, 1981.


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    #78
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,836 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Swiwi wrote: »
    On the plus side, it looks as if the ABs will play Japan, in Japan, on the EOYT. The last time outside of a RWC that the ABs played a minnow in an away game is...?

    ...Romania, in Bucharest, 1981.

    Guardians of the game eh? :p


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    #79
    .ak
    Registered Users Posts: 30,308 Mod ✭✭✭✭.ak


    Swiwi wrote: »
    On the plus side, it looks as if the ABs will play Japan, in Japan, on the EOYT. The last time outside of a RWC that the ABs played a minnow in an away game is...?

    ...Romania, in Bucharest, 1981.

    What? Sure they play Ireland all the time! :D


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    #80
    totallegend
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭totallegend


    Swiwi wrote: »
    On the plus side, it looks as if the ABs will play Japan, in Japan, on the EOYT. The last time outside of a RWC that the ABs played a minnow in an away game is...?

    ...Romania, in Bucharest, 1981.

    Isn't it true that they've never played in Fiji or Samoa? That annoys me I have to say.

    They recently refused to travel to mark the centenary of the Fijian RFU as well.


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    #81
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,599 Mod ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    Swiwi wrote: »
    On the plus side, it looks as if the ABs will play Japan, in Japan, on the EOYT. The last time outside of a RWC that the ABs played a minnow in an away game is...?

    ...Romania, in Bucharest, 1981.
    Sorry but what is the EOYT??

    The All Black As and NZ Maori have played a number of games with minnows and are rarely beaten so NZ probably feel that their obligation to develop the game is done. Not sure if I agree.


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    #82
    Taco Corp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,718 ✭✭✭Taco Corp


    CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »
    Sorry but what is the EOYT??

    The All Black As and NZ Maori have played a number of games with minnows and are rarely beaten so NZ probably feel that their obligation to develop the game is done. Not sure if I agree.
    end of year tour


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    #83
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    totallegend wrote: »
    Isn't it true that they've never played in Fiji or Samoa? That annoys me I have to say.

    They recently refused to travel to mark the centenary of the Fijian RFU as well.
    CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »
    The All Black As and NZ Maori have played a number of games with minnows and are rarely beaten so NZ probably feel that their obligation to develop the game is done. Not sure if I agree.

    It's easy to slate the ABs for this, and indeed even the NZ media do it. But the ABs are the main source of revenue for the NZRFU. There's only so many tests the ABs can play each year, and playing Fiji in Suva in front of maybe 5000 people at NZ$10 a ticket, or playing Georgia, USA, Namibia etc doesn't work either.

    We really struggle to keep our players in NZ. We lose about 5 to 10 top players every year. Imagine if 1 week it's Sexton off to France, then a couple of weeks later SOB says he's off to Japan, Trimble gets annoyed he's lost his place to Gilroy so off he goes to the UK, then Zebo gets a big money offer from Toulon etc. It's easy to say pick the ABs from any place, but having the likes of Hayman, Evans, Gear fly back from Europe for test matches etc won't work. I'd like to think the NZRFU will open up AB eligibility to the whole SXV, that would also mean Kiwis living in Aussie like Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper etc could declare for NZ if they so want.


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    #84
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,836 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Swiwi wrote: »
    We really struggle to keep our players in NZ. We lose about 5 to 10 top players every year. Imagine if 1 week it's Sexton off to France, then a couple of weeks later SOB says he's off to Japan, Trimble gets annoyed he's lost his place to Gilroy so off he goes to the UK, then Zebo gets a big money offer from Toulon etc. It's easy to say pick the ABs from any place, but having the likes of Hayman, Evans, Gear fly back from Europe for test matches etc won't work. I'd like to think the NZRFU will open up AB eligibility to the whole SXV, that would also mean Kiwis living in Aussie like Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper etc could declare for NZ if they so want.

    Its not an entirely like for like situation though because you ****ers have a seemingly endless supply of great players.


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    #85
    CIARAN_BOYLE
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,599 Mod ✭✭✭✭CIARAN_BOYLE


    Swiwi wrote: »
    It's easy to slate the ABs for this, and indeed even the NZ media do it. But the ABs are the main source of revenue for the NZRFU. There's only so many tests the ABs can play each year, and playing Fiji in Suva in front of maybe 5000 people at NZ$10 a ticket, or playing Georgia, USA, Namibia etc doesn't work either.
    I understand that, I do. Its the same for most countries though.


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    #86
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    Its not an entirely like for like situation though because you ****ers have a seemingly endless supply of great players.

    It is true that there is a bit of a production line, but not quite as deep as might be thought. I can't complain too much, cos we still do OK of course, but it is a bit frustrating seeing a player come thru, get a bit decent, a few games for the ABs, and then off we go. I mean Carl Hayman could have gone down as one of the greatest ever AB props, but almost at the height of his powers he goes off to France (where he has never been as good for some reason), turning down I think NZ$750,000 year.

    I know a lot of people don't like McCaw, but the fact he's remained in NZ now for about 10 straight years says a lot. I'd say back a few years he could have commanded serious money in France or Japan, maybe less so now that he's a bit older, although he's due back shortly into the SXV, and I'll be interested to see how he goes all rested and recuperated.


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    #87
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,836 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Swiwi wrote: »
    It is true that there is a bit of a production line, but not quite as deep as might be thought. I can't complain too much, cos we still do OK of course, but it is a bit frustrating seeing a player come thru, get a bit decent, a few games for the ABs, and then off we go. I mean Carl Hayman could have gone down as one of the greatest ever AB props, but almost at the height of his powers he goes off to France (where he has never been as good for some reason), turning down I think NZ$750,000 year.

    I know a lot of people don't like McCaw, but the fact he's remained in NZ now for about 10 straight years says a lot. I'd say back a few years he could have commanded serious money in France or Japan, maybe less so now that he's a bit older, although he's due back shortly into the SXV, and I'll be interested to see how he goes all rested and recuperated.

    I can understand the frustration, especially as players seem to be leaving earlier in their careers. We have the complete opposite here in Ireland though (as you have no doubt noticed) with players hanging on way past their prime and basically blocking younger players from making the breakthrough. The exodus does have its benefits as long as it is controlled a bit.


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    #88
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »
    I understand that, I do. Its the same for most countries though.

    NZ is too left wing to introduce the tax laws the rugby stars have here. There is absolutely no way the country would let sports stars retire with huge tax breaks for retiring in NZ, and that definitely helps Ireland.

    In terms of the PIs, they are eligible to play in the SXV franchises, even if they are no longer Ab eligible etc, but the main issue is that these little Pacific Islands are basically not too far off 3rd world - certainly I imagine their training facilities, stadia etc are pretty primitive. I think some sort of NZ side should go there each year, but I'm not sure having the ABs play there is a great idea.


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    #89
    Swiwi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,631 ✭✭✭Swiwi


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    I can understand the frustration, especially as players seem to be leaving earlier in their careers. We have the complete opposite here in Ireland though (as you have no doubt noticed) with players hanging on way past their prime and basically blocking younger players from making the breakthrough. The exodus does have its benefits as long as it is controlled a bit.

    Yeah, that is definitely true. I'm hoping Schmidt will be a bit more progressive in introducing youth into the Irish mix. I remember one guy posting that Kidney had "chosen a few under 30s, you know let the young guys have a go", and I chuckled away.


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    #90
    totallegend
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭totallegend


    Swiwi wrote: »
    It's easy to slate the ABs for this, and indeed even the NZ media do it. But the ABs are the main source of revenue for the NZRFU. There's only so many tests the ABs can play each year, and playing Fiji in Suva in front of maybe 5000 people at NZ$10 a ticket, or playing Georgia, USA, Namibia etc doesn't work either.

    I'm sorry but I don't buy any of this.

    OK, Fijian people can't pay the same money for tickets as Irish people and the TV deal won't be as attractive, but never to have played there is/was a deliberate policy decision, pure and simple. If paying player salaries is the issue, why did they never travel in the amateur days?

    According to Wikipedia, the stadium in Suva holds 30,000 people. It would be packed to the rafters.

    It doesn't have to be the absolute first-choice XV, but a capped international would be a gesture at least, a "thanks for populating our team over the years".

    The "only so many tests" argument is also bollocks, given that they manage to squeeze in tests outside the window for England or Wales, the Bledisloe Cup is now a best-of-nine-games series and now we hear talk of a test in Japan before they come to Europe in November.


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    #91
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,836 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Fiji is possibly a bad example as the political situation there is part of the reason the ABs avoid it.


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