NZ to lose Smith, Ellison, Dagg, Thompson...

On top of the likely loss of Thompson to the citing commissioners hook, it looks like the selectors will have an easy choice in midfield as Ellison and Ben Smith are both crocked after the Scotland game.

Jarad Hoeata or another Whitelock likely to be called in for Thompson, will NZ go with Nonu/Smith for the remainder or call up the next center cabs from the rank? will Robbie Fruean get an unlikely shot at it at last?

On the subject, how classy was Beauden Barrett filling in for Israel Dagg? But if Dagg doesn't recover from his knock, and with Smith out, what are the permuations then? Jane to full back? or will Andre Taylor touring with the Maori get a shot?

Hansens ruled out Fruean indefinitely because of his heart condition. Apparently he needs to 'rest' at times during the match and at the higher level this cant be risked... to either the player or side I suppose.

Hansen did say he would look to the Maori side first though he wont get a smiling Joseph with their Leicester loss. Joseph and the side will be somewhat 'embarrassed' (for the sake of understatement) with the loss. Andre Taylor is there with the Maori's.

Well, the Maori are a scratch side more akin to the barbarians, so coming up against an organised and drilled club side is going to be rough. They scored more tries though, but just coughed up too many easy turn overs and had defensive alignment and trust issues resulting in a high penalty count.

I don't think Hoeata is the business for the ABs just yet, especially not as a flanker, so personally I'd go with a specialist. I'm not a fan of Thompson either, so to me it's not a big loss.

With Cane and Vito as cover the ABs are fine (assuming Meesam, Read, McCaw are the starters). So really we are talking about cover for the reserves. I'd go for G Whitelock - A real solid pro and Tim Bateman a classy versatile operator. Dagg and Ellison can stay on and be ready for Wales or England.

I like this kid Barrett. His brief appearances in the black shirt have been assured and he looks to be enjoying his footy. A sure sign of a player with the right temperament for the big games. Dagg would have been rested in any event but Carter and McCaw may well be rested this weekend. So who goes into flyhalf? I'd like to see Barrett there rather than at fullback so you could put Jane there and bring in Gear but I like the idea of seeing what Andre Taylor brings to things. I don't think Jamie Joseph will be too impressed but there's more than enough cover over here already. Two big games to come but they don't necessarily have to have the best team. I'd like to see a sprinkling of raw talent in there as well.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Well, the Maori are a scratch side more akin to the barbarians, so coming up against an organised and drilled club side is going to be rough. They scored more tries though, but just coughed up too many easy turn overs and had defensive alignment and trust issues resulting in a high penalty count.

I don't think Hoeata is the business for the ABs just yet, especially not as a flanker, so personally I'd go with a specialist. I'm not a fan of Thompson either, so to me it's not a big loss.

This wasn't the Leicester 1st 15 either. You'd be hard pushed to recognise most of the players names. non of the England contingent played.

anotherworldofpain wrote:Well, the Maori are a scratch side more akin to the barbarians, so coming up against an organised and drilled club side is going to be rough. .

Is that the same excuse Wales were using?

They scored more tries though

Ah and there is ...the other one, the moral victory



TBF a Tigers side featuring a schoolkid whod never played a senior game (Ok it was Tuilagi) also beat the world and reigning Tri Nations chumps a couple of years ago when they sent their B team over.
These things happen. Its good bragging rights mind, in the sense way winning and LV= cup group fixture is.

Dgg will be the biggest loss out of all those. His positioning and comeing into the line and running angles are the very best.

Yeah well done Leicester. The Maori will be hurting no matter the scenario. They beat quality international A sides regularly (Lions, Boks ie the very best) so this is an upset for them and it will be interesting to see how they react.

Madge Dagg should be ok for Wales.

tigerleghorn wrote:

anotherworldofpain wrote:Well, the Maori are a scratch side more akin to the barbarians, so coming up against an organised and drilled club side is going to be rough. They scored more tries though, but just coughed up too many easy turn overs and had defensive alignment and trust issues resulting in a high penalty count.

I don't think Hoeata is the business for the ABs just yet, especially not as a flanker, so personally I'd go with a specialist. I'm not a fan of Thompson either, so to me it's not a big loss.

This wasn't the Leicester 1st 15 either. You'd be hard pushed to recognise most of the players names. non of the England contingent played.

That'd be why they played so well

I don't think there is the need for any call ups just yet by the all blacks. Thompson is just a week one ban and wasn't going to play against Italy anyway due to rotation. The injuries to Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison aren't thought to be severe and should be back for the next game. Same situation with Izzy Dagg too.
The only player i can see them calling up is Andre Taylor as cover.

Last call Smith had a fractured Cheek Bone,Ellison a broken toe[suspected in both cases.
Dagg is fit to play versus Wales/England,AWOP you don`t think much of Thomson?
You disappoint me he is a VERY good player especially at Super level.
Against Scotland APART from the incident played extremely well he is cursed
with the utility tag 6.7,8.
He plays a different game at 6 similar to George Whitelock for the Crusaders.
Effectively old style AB right and left flankers something which suits McCaw admirably.
He has been more consistent than Vito.Messam,or Cane at Super level for many years.
Playing for a franchise with few stars but very solid players the Highlanders.
Until Kaino changed the perception of the 6 as an enforcer for the first time since Jerry Collins.
Thomson was fine and but for injury would have become the established 6 for the AB`s.
Cane is being groomed as a sucessor to McCaw ,BUT Matt Todd does a very good impersonation of RM for the Crusaders.
Vito like Read was is a 6,but like Rodney O`Sialo who was a7 he ends up at 8.
Sam Blade is the coming 6,Luke Whitelock at 8 NZ depth is legend.

Actually Emack I would disagree a bit with you about Vito.
He has been more of an 8 for Wellington and the Hurricanes the last 2 years. Thompson has been brilliant for the Highlanders but I would argue that Vito was nearly as good last year and easily as good this year for the Canes. Vito just has more potential than Thompson so is worth investing more in.

I think Vito had a good game last week. The problem is he's so quick when he does make a break he seems to be isolated quickly. He needs support players to come through and along with Messam who has made similar breaks (as well as brain farts like kicking against Argentina) he needs to improve his decision making. I much prefer him at 8 or 7 rather than at 6. Messam has done well there but we need someone else for cover. Hoeata is proving to be hot-headed and has discipline issues which is not what's required. The problem with Thomson (No P. Like the drug say no to P!!!) is that he adds a dimension in the lineout that Messam does not provide and someone like Hoeata would prove invaluable as well as his aggressive defence which Thomson does not possess.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I think Vito had a good game last week. The problem is he's so quick when he does make a break he seems to be isolated quickly. He needs support players to come through and along with Messam who has made similar breaks (as well as brain farts like kicking against Argentina) he needs to improve his decision making. I much prefer him at 8 or 7 rather than at 6. Messam has done well there but we need someone else for cover. Hoeata is proving to be hot-headed and has discipline issues which is not what's required. The problem with Thomson (No P. Like the drug say no to P!!!) is that he adds a dimension in the lineout that Messam does not provide and someone like Hoeata would prove invaluable as well as his aggressive defence which Thomson does not possess.

Vito might be slightly ahead of his time in his athleticism. I wonder if he might make a combinor with Dane Coles.