New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[KiwiM]

New coaches at the Blues and Canes are leading to players who haven't played for the ABs yet really putting their hands up for ABs consideration

For the Canes Numia, Lakai, Iose, Proctor (should already be capped), Naholo, Love

For the Blues McWhannell, Riccitelli, Funaki and Plummer come to mind. The last two would need to continue their form of recent weeks but they have been seriously impressive at 9 and 10.

 

[Dan54]

@KiwiM , mate think there is almost no chance of Funaki making team, I just don't see it. I don't mind him or Plummer (who I reckon is seriously underestimated) but I think it a bit of a stretch to see either go close.

 

[KiwiM]

@KiwiM , mate think there is almost no chance of Funaki making team, I just don't see it. I don't mind him or Plummer (who I reckon is seriously underestimated) but I think it a bit of a stretch to see either go close.

Whilst I don't disagree with you - my question would be why (assuming both continue their form and are allowed to continue to start).

There's paddling pool depth at 10 and Christie is simply not as good of a 9 as Funaki. The 4 halfbacks for 3 spots should be Perenara, Fakatava, Ratima and Funaki

 

[Dismal Pillock]

New coaches at the Blues and Canes are leading to players who haven't played for the ABs yet really putting their hands up for ABs consideration

For the Canes Numia, Lakai, Iose, Proctor (should already be capped), Naholo, Love

For the Blues McWhannell, Riccitelli, Funaki and Plummer come to mind. The last two would need to continue their form of recent weeks but they have been seriously impressive at 9 and 10.

So used to the tenure tracked bullshit of AB setup (ffs was Cane made AB captain elect when he was still in school?) that it seems jarring to even consider these names.

How nuts would it be if Razor went in with a completely blank agenda. Havili? Tupeaa? The fuck have you knobs done for me lately? Super Rugby Superstar and Test Flop Codie Taylor? Josh Lord? You never even play mate. Tupou Vaai? Work Experience Boy who's never done shit, manning the engine room in a backpedalling scrum, BBarrett, Cane, I cant even see you fluffybunnyz so dont expect me to traipse around the world keeping up with your little "sabbaticals'' (you're not uni professors wft are you even calling it that for).

So why not Mcwhannell etc?

Razor does NOT seem like the kind of company man who will just select guys cos the last guy in charge selected them. Or because he's "scared" of losing his first few tests.

 

[Dan54]

Whilst I don't disagree with you - my question would be why (assuming both continue their form and are allowed to continue to start).

There's paddling pool depth at 10 and Christie is simply not as good of a 9 as Funaki. The 4 halfbacks for 3 spots should be Perenara, Fakatava, Ratima and Funaki

Just opinion mate, I would think Plummer has more chance then Funaki, who I don't see as better than Christie anyway. He played well in a couple of games, and if I thought test packs were going to stand aside and let us run wherever we wanted like Brumbies did, I would think anyone could be our 9. Blues pack were really superb on Saturday I thought. I strongly suspect most 9s would of looekd bloody good playing for Blues on weekend.
I will be surprised if Christie isn't around AB squad this year.

 

[KiwiM]

Funaki, who I don't see as better than Christie anyway.

I guess that's where we differ. Funaki in my view is much stronger in contact (look at his work with messy ball and cleaning out), a better runner, has a lower error rate is a more accurate passer and doesn't make the regular bone headed decisions that Christie does. Funaki in my view is an ascending player whereas Christie has reached his limited ceiling.

I agree Christie will be around the ABs this year. Doesn't mean I agree with the decision.

 

[Dan54]

I guess that's where we differ. Funaki in my view is much stronger in contact (look at his work with messy ball and cleaning out), a better runner, has a lower error rate is a more accurate passer and doesn't make the regular bone headed decisions that Christie does. Funaki in my view is an ascending player whereas Christie has reached his limited ceiling.

I agree Christie will be around the ABs this year. Doesn't mean I agree with the decision.

Likewise I don't disagree that Funaki appears on way up, and could well surpass Christie. I will tend to swing his way when he the pack in front of him are not quite so dominant, which is not to downplay how well he going, he can hardly want his pack to go on backfoot to prove a point can he? I do genuinely think we blessed with a few bloody good 9s in the country at moment, and buggered if I know why.

 

[Dan54]

Afosa Aumua is out for 6-8 weeks for the Canes, so hopefully right for super finals and test season.

 

[KiwiM]

Likewise I don't disagree that Funaki appears on way up, and could well surpass Christie. I will tend to swing his way when he the pack in front of him are not quite so dominant, which is not to downplay how well he going, he can hardly want his pack to go on backfoot to prove a point can he? I do genuinely think we blessed with a few bloody good 9s in the country at moment, and buggered if I know why.

Funaki hardly got an armchair ride vs Reds and was again highly impressive. 2 try saving tackles. Chased the kick that hit the post which lead to a try.

He's playing consistently well

 

[zer0]

Yeah was certainly frustrated with him the last few years but Funaki is greatly improved this season. He and Nock are going well and Christie is the #3 HB for me.

For the AB's, if Robertson is going to go full rejuvenation, which he surely will do, then I don't see why you'd need Christie. Perenara has the experience and defensive ability, and there are better passers or ball runners, even without counting Roigard.

 

[Dan54]

Funaki hardly got an armchair ride vs Reds and was again highly impressive. 2 try saving tackles. Chased the kick that hit the post which lead to a try.

He's playing consistently well

Yep he starting to convince me after last night's game, I thought he went pretty well. Kind of game where I mark how 9s are going.