There's no finer player in the world than....

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Conrad Smith.

Yes, folks that's right. Conrad Smith is the finest player in the world. Probably the most consistent too. He's the glue that holds the AB's backline together and never gets fazed or appears under pressure. He's a go to guy on attack and defence and has one of the smartest rugby brains around.

But what really sets him apart is how he has taken to the captaincy of a team which was written off by everyone after last season. A team which lost no less than 6 All Blacks last season but has been dragged kicking and screaming into a new era of running rugby supplemented with a great team ethic and culture and at the forefront of the revival is Conrad Smith.

Whatever happens over the weekend, all I know is that when I balance my hopes and expectations from the start of the season to where we are now, I am in dreamland but it is all down to the week in/week out inspirational play of our captain Conrad.

Just to show how committed he is to the Hurricanes, he was supposed to be rested for the first two games of the season as he was nowhere near match fit due to a mandatory break handed down by NZRFU after the WC. But Conrad played anyway. What a leader, what an example to set for the young kids in his team. What a player.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7348302/Smith-to-miss-start-of-Rugby-Championship

Oh crap.

Didn't you see the link further up disney?

It's a big blow no doubt. But like I said, it's not a ligament or shoulder injury. If Kahui were fit it wouldn't be a problem but unfortunately that boy breaks down more times than my first car.

At least it's just for the two opening games probably and we know to prepare for it now.

So who are the options now? Got to be Tamati Ellison surely

Must have still been sleep in my eye sorry Kia didn't see it. What happens when your missus gets home from a Madonna gig at 1pm soaking wet and has a shower thus keeping you up half the night.

I'd say put Freuan in the squad but don't play him. Give him a taste of the environment but pick Ellison.

Retinal Detachment. I had this too and eyesight was not the same afterwards and makes a dizzy when adjusting the perspective and less periphery vision and blurry on one side. I wonder if will have some long term effect on his ability?

But I don't understanding why he is out of training for 6 weeks? Unless it relate to a condition and not an injury to the eye. He might have to do the other one too.

Not good at all. We weren't ready to replace Smith yet.

For me the four should be Nonu, Bateman, Ellison and Fruean. Batemans showed an uncanny knack for the 12 pos and if you've been watching Ellisons defensive contributions this year he's the smarter option.

A Nonu, Fruean pairing looks tough but not very smart. Both are natural straight runners and crashers but not a lot else if we're being honest. Bateman and Ellison have more cunning and offer more options so a Nonu- Ellison or Bateman Fruean pairing would complement a more complete skillset.

The loss of SBW and Smith at the same time is about as bad as it gets for us outside losing batman and robin going into the RC without a settled midfield. This will certainly test Hansens abilities in getting the mix right.

Nonu is not a straight runner and crasher. He can do this. But he is more about get the ball to the right area and make good decisions. But no doubt he is better in pair with Smith.

Nonu's now the senior partner so he has to be there I feel-it doesn't matter who plays 13 he MUST be there. Will be a test for the guy having to guide someone instead of the other way around. Unfortunately we are playing Australia first up who make the most searching examinations of backline weaknesses. This is why I feel Freuan is a bad idea as we need the player with the best positioning skills here. I agree with AWOP in that Nonu is more than a runner/crasher. His distribution skills are sublime.