New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Bullrush]

Asafo Aumua has re-signed through until 2025. Wouldn't have blamed him if he'd chosen to head offshore so glad he's sticking around 'cos let's face it if Taylor & Coles are 2/3 of the RWC hooking dep't we've got serious problems.

Aumua hasn’t been as good as I wanted him to be in the Black jersey but I’d rather give him time to develop than go back to Codie Taylor….

 

[qwerty51]

No they not lucky mate, just want to play for ABs. But unfortunately we have lost an incredible amount below, sp hammers the depth. There are 500 odd kiwi prfessional players overseas.

Yes you are lucky, Aus doesn't have that.

If Tyrone Thompson continues on his current trajectory for HB, ABXV (for whom he'd surely be a shoo-in) & another (SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) super rugby pacific) campaign I wouldn't be averse to him going to RWC with Samisoni & Aumua.

not saying he’s a poor player be any means but Dixon scored a million tries for HB last couple of years. Their maul is so good

 

[Tazzmania]

Looks like George Bridge has been confirmed at Montpelliar

"From Rugby Addict.com 16/09/2022

""New Zealand international winger George Bridge (27, 19 caps), holder against France last November, is on the way to joining Montpellier. An agreement would have been reached between the different parties this summer with an expected arrival in a few weeks...

 

[Dctarget]

And apparently bb Beauden Barrett is in conversations with Racing 92 in Paris for 2024 onwards.

 

[Dan54]

And apparently bb Beauden Barrett is in conversations with Racing 92 in Paris for 2024 onwards.

Yep we know BB and RMo both going after WC, so will make things interesting re No 10. Keeps things ticking over with players. DMac to step up or one of the young ones?

 

[KiwiM]

Play
Jordie
at
12.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1573612230012243968

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Those are some pretty impressive numbers. It's an experiment worth pursuing on EOYT.

 

[zer0]

Would've been better to get a test against Kerevi but was a good showing regardless. Seemed to have a far greater impact in the midfield than at fullback. Also hope it continues on the EOYT.

Was also good to see Papalii have a solid showing after his injury and disrupted outings earlier this year. Am confident Sotutu could do the same if given similar opportunities after his unfairly long absence from top-tier rugby.

 

[zer0]

Though sleepy old Fosters post-match comments on Taylor were quite worrying to me. IIRC was along the lines of 'starting Codie allowed us to get the best out of him'. I swear if they go back to regularly selecting, or heaven forbid, starting, the corpse of Codie Taylor because he used to be good five years ago, then I will choose an angry face reaction to every team naming post, so help me god.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[ACT Crusader]

Though sleepy old Fosters post-match comments on Taylor were quite worrying to me. IIRC was along the lines of 'starting Codie allowed us to get the best out of him'. I swear if they go back to regularly selecting, or heaven forbid, starting, the corpse of Codie Taylor because he used to be good five years ago, then I will choose an angry face reaction to every team naming post, so help me god.

Well I hope they keep selecting Codie just so we can see if you’ll follow through…

Also Im not sure about the unfairly comment regarding Sotutu. He’s behind our best performing forward that is basically an 80 minute player and back up captain. Big fan of Hoskins but this is just the reality of the squad situation.

 

[Dan54]

I thought Taylor was ok on Saturday, and thought his scrumming ability worked well. I don't think he gone by any means.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

No way should both Cole & Taylor go on EOYT. Pick one & get Aumua back in there.

 

[Dan54]

No way should both Cole & Taylor go on EOYT. Pick one & get Aumua back in there.

And perhaps I would be keen on Bell (Canterbury) and Thompson (Hawkes Bay) for 'A' tour. Agree that perhaps Coles can take a break.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

From the little I've seen of Bell, he's special. Foz to pick as many players from 2015 as possible

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

And perhaps I would be keen on Bell (Canterbury) and Thompson (Hawkes Bay) for 'A' tour. Agree that perhaps Coles can take a break.

Or maybe Coles goes on the A tour to mentor the young guys: Thompson & Bell in particular but also in the more general sense.

 

[Dan54]

Or maybe Coles goes on the A tour to mentor the young guys: Thompson & Bell in particular but also in the more general sense.

Like that idea an awful lot WOB!

 

[KiwiM]

I really don't think there's much between Aumua and Taylor.

Both have lineout wobbles. Aumua at this stage of his career has the greater upside but Taylor has been there and done that before whereas Aumua has never really shone at test level in his limited chances.

Aumua has had a very good NPC but he's had very good NPCs before and not kicked on.

I suspect Foz prefers Taylor and his 70+ test experience.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ I wouldn't be unhappy if Taylor went on EOYT but again, I see no value in taking both he & Coles.

RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) allegedly being offered $800K/ season to return to Sydney Roosters. Given he's probably now fourth or even fifth on the depth chart he may as well.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Sounds like it worked out for him. Rugby got him out of playing for the Warriors, became a capped All Black now get himself back to Aus. Wayne Bennet will probably offer him even more at the Dolphins with absolutely no big names there yet.