Fitting SBW and Nonu into the AB team

[en_force_er]

Interesting article and a great discussion piece here.

It basically says SBW would be a good winger for the ABs with Nonu staying at Inside.

A good thought as the AB wingers have had some ordinary form in Super rugger this year.

However, SBW has been playing the better rugby this year and deserves first crack at 12 whilst Nonu has much more experience on the wing then SBW ever will.

Perhaps the ABs would be best served to play Nonu as a "blind wing" much like it's been suggested Diggers should be?

 

[en_force_er]

Obviously one could rebut this with how bad JdV went on the wing for the Boks when they tried that.

 

[tigerland12]

If they were to play one of those two on the wing it'd have to be Nonu.
But it's not like they are short on wingers ie: Sivivatu, Guildford, Ranger Gear, Rococoko, Maitland

 

[en_force_er]

All the blokes you've listed are great players but the only ones really hitting their straps are Maitland (0 caps and it isn't the time) and Guildford (I suppose he could get a crack).

 

[No4918]

If they were to play one of those two on the wing it'd have to be Nonu.
But it's not like they are short on wingers ie: Sivivatu, Guildford, Ranger Gear, Rococoko, Maitland

How about Jane and Dagg who would be my first picks along with Maitland on the wing if you assume Muliana (sp?) is definitely fullback. One will have to be on the bench, for me it would be Nonu. If the AB selectors do put Nonu or SBW on the wing they deserve to lose another cup considering all the other talent available.

 

[en_force_er]

How about Jane and Dagg who would be my first picks along with Maitland on the wing if you assume Muliana (sp?) is definitely fullback. One will have to be on the bench, for me it would be Nonu. If the AB selectors do put Nonu or SBW on the wing they deserve to lose another cup considering all the other talent available.

Dagg is still broken is he not?

Interestingly enough a quick (and possibly wrong) wiki search tells me that if Maitland hasn't played NZ 7s he is Scotland eligible. If I was the Scots I'd be throwing the kitchen sink at him for alas the only Tier 1 nation willing to do that are the Italians.

 

[barbarian]

I can't see SBW on the wing. By far the best part of his game is his ability to offload in contact, which would be lost out wide with no-one to run off him. I don't think either Nonu or SBW would be suited to the wing, and would be quite happy to see them there above Gear, Jane, Guildford or Sivi.

 

[No4918]

Dagg is still broken is he not?

Yes, but i thought he was ready to go for the WC.

 

[Crow]

I can't see SBW on the wing. By far the best part of his game is his ability to offload in contact, which would be lost out wide with no-one to run off him. I don't think either Nonu or SBW would be suited to the wing, and would be quite happy to see them there above Gear, Jane, Guildford or Sivi.

I agree, SBW's game is excellent for dragging players in and creating space for supporters. Nonu has cause to be worried, his form this year has not been its usual standard. I think that it would be reasonable to have 1 on the bench, possibly covering 12/13/15/wing?, with another 5/8 for a 5/2 split, or an extra wing for a 4/3 split.

 

[qwerty51]

I don't know who tried to troll more. The guy that wrote this article or Russell Fairfax saying Quade Cooper is the next Wallaby captain.

 

[chriscullen]

I want to see Rene Ranger on the wing for the All Blacks, more of an x factor player than sonny bill.

 

[tigerland12]

Yeh I assumed Dagg wouldn't be fit. And i thought Joe Roko and Sivivatu were starting to hit their straps later in the season.

On form though you'd have to say Rene Ranger and the two Crusaders wingers are the front runners.

Fuck I love watching Ranger play, that try he scored against the Saders was such a fine finish

 

[Bullrush]

If they were to play one of those two on the wing it'd have to be Nonu.
But it's not like they are short on wingers ie: Sivivatu, Guildford, Ranger Gear, Rococoko, Maitland

I don't think Rokocoko should be in the ABs this year.

As a winger, can someone remember him beating anyone in the last 2 seasons? Almost every time he gets the ball he tries to 'Lomu' the opposition which only works about 15%-20% of the time. I'd much rather see Ranger or Gear in there.

Gear has been hampered by injury a little bit this Super season (and by a pretty woeful Hurricanes team) so I'm hoping he gets a chance in the Tri-Nations this year.

 

[Bullrush]

Yeh I assumed Dagg wouldn't be fit. And i thought Joe Roko and Sivivatu were starting to hit their straps later in the season.

On form though you'd have to say Rene Ranger and the two Crusaders wingers are the front runners.

Fuck I love watching Ranger play, that try he scored against the Saders was such a fine finish

His impact for the Blues on the weekend was unbelievable. He had A. Faiangaa making up new break-dancing moves and he burned DIgby a couple of times too.....I thought he was huge - too bad about the rest of the team

 

[tigerland12]

Also could we turn this into a All Blacks WC squad thread?

 

[Joe Blow]

Nonu at 13?

 

[Braveheart.]

Well if it's going to turn into an All Blacks trinations squad-fest... then here are my thoughts.

The AB's have scarey depth....

1. Wyatt Crockett / John Afoa
2. Kevin Mealamu / Corey Fylnn
3. Owen Franks / Ben Franks
4. Sam Whitelock / Jarrad Hoeata
5. Brad Thorn / Ali Williams / Tom Donnellyyew

6. Jerome Kaino / Adam Thompson
7. Sir Richie / Luke Braid / Matt Todd
8. Keiran Read / ?
9. Alby Mathewson / Andy Ellis
10. Carter / Cruden
11. Sean Maitland / Zac Guilford
12. Sonny Bill Williams / Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith / Robbie Fruen
14. Rene Ranger / Hosea Gear
15. Mils Muliaiana / Isea Toeava

 

[disco]

The AB's have so many options in the midfield & outside backs it's not funny I think we could fit Nonu & SBW together.

This is my tackle busting AB Backline.

15. Muliana, Toeava or Dagg- All 3 are brilliant.
14. Rico Gear
13. Nonu
12. SBW
11. Ranger
10. Carter
9. Weepu

Not saying that is the best they have but certainly all tackle busters.

 

[qwerty51]

Rico Gear making a comeback?

Pretty sure Weepu and Cowan are miles ahead of Ellis and Matthewson. Likewise Smith at 13. Toeava will be a wing if he's not FB.

 

[tigerland12]

In order of Starting

Props: Crockett, O.Franks, J.Afoa, B.Franks
Hooker: K.Mealamu, C.Flynn, A.Hore
Locks: S.Whitelock, B.Thorn, A.Williams, A.Boric/J.Hoeata
Backrow: J.Kaino, R.McCaw, K.Read, L.Messam, A.Thompson, L/D.Braid
Scrum-Half: P.Weepu, J.Cowan/A.Ellis/A.Mathewson ( one of these 4 will miss out).
Inside Backs: Carter, SB.Williams, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, A.Cruden (unfourtunatly I think Robbie Fruen will miss out, even though he is better then Conrad Smith).
Outside Backs: Rene Ranger, Zac Guildford, Mils Muliania, I.Toeava, Maitland/Gear/Sivivatu

Stupid NZ and their depth

Edit: Israel Dagg could swap for Toeava depending on injury status, if both are fit one of Maitland/Gear/Sivivatu drops out