Robbie Freaun - NOT in All Blacks squad

Robbie Freaun has been by far the most outstanding outside centre in the Super 15 tournament, some people argue that Sonny Bill-Williams makes him look better than he is, however I feel that is nonsense. The centre partnership they have developed together for the Crusaders is probably the most potent in the world, with the world's best fly half in Dan Carter inside them. Freaun has the ability to read when Sonny will make the offload and he manages to power through the gap using his explosive power and pace, whilst when Carter picks him out with his expert passing Freaun has the ability to take players on round the outside using his pace, or run hard lines using his power to either draw players in or provide a decoy run, giving the Crusaders outside backs space of which they can exploit. He also has the ability to offload himself and pick out players with good distribution skills.

His attacking ability cannot be doubted, whilst his defence is absolutely rock solid. He puts in some big hits, but doesn't get drawn out of position and players know when they run down his channel, they are very unlikely to get through. I have also been impressed with his ability to get on his feet in the tackle for a back, whilst his counter-rucking when the opposition is isolated in attack is equally impressive.

Graham Henry says he wasn't picked due to his work-rate, however I have watched pretty much all of the Crusaders super 15 games this season, and believe me there is nothing wrong with this boys work-rate, he looks very professional and very hungry for success. Poor excuse from Graham Henry in my opinion.

Don't get me wrong, Conrad Smith is an outstanding outside centre, despite having a poor season for the Hurricanes, whilst Richard Kahui is also developing into a fine outside centre for the Chiefs. However Robbie Freaun has that x-factor, he could be the missing link in the backs that the All-Blacks need to win the world cup. I genuinely think he is currently the form outside centre in the world and i'm hoping he manages to force his way back into the All-Blacks plans by the World Cup.

I just hope the All-Blacks realise their mistake before it's too late.

Does he have a Scottish granny?

No it's an English granny, distantly related to Waldroms so i believe.

Untried at test level, playing in a position which NZ have effed up selection wise the last three WC's. No surprise to me really regardless of his form or how bad Conrad has been playing, I'm more than happy to have Conrad over any other 13 in the world.

Looks like England aren't the only team that won't pick the best centre partnership.

The Kiwis are incredibly talented in the centres at the moment.

The squad named was for the 3N, not the RWC.

There is time for change.

TheGreyGhost wrote:The squad named was for the 3N, not the RWC.

There is time for change.

Thanks for the clarification GG.

Thanks for the sarcasm. But it's a fact that a lot of noise is being made about guys being left out. Perhaps henry just needs a few cards up his sleeves.

TheGreyGhost wrote:Thanks for the sarcasm. But it's a fact that a lot of noise is being made about guys being left out. Perhaps henry just needs a few cards up his sleeves.

Wasn't being sarcastic. Was actually saying thank you. Jaysus, sensitive little soul aren't we!

Erm. Sorry. I'm used to copping a bit of flak.

TheGreyGhost wrote:Erm. Sorry. I'm used to copping a bit of flak.

No worries mate. I'm guilty of jumping all over your posts, then reading them properly and realising i actually agree with most of it. Tis the curse of the internet forum!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Does he have a Scottish granny?

He was actually born Van der Merwe, and then moved to New zealand, he is a cousin of Jaque Fourie 87 times removed.

Van der Merwe? the only question then will be whether he plays for Wales or England, surely.

He is a player for the future but I´m sorry I have to disagree with the OP.

Look at his positional play (he has been found out by class centres like Fourie) on defence and sometimes he gets confused in the drift outside and leaves a gap on the inside. He is a threat on attack but has often found ways, having broken the line, to somehow snuff out a try with the wrong option in passing, not passing or handling error or all of the above at the same time.

Plus, imagine if he had been picked. Then this would´ve been Conrad Smith not in the AB squad or Richie Kahui not in the AB squad. Test rugby is different to provincial or club rugby. He hasn´t been tested there yet and that´s not what you want in a RWC. You have to have experience there and Conrad Smith is one of the first names on the sheet for me, despite having a poor year with the Hurricanes.

So watch out for him in the future as he´s a beast of a lad who is a real attacking threat. But certainly plenty of work to do yet to be the complete player.

I think he's a great prospect and has done awesome this year but I agree with Kia totally. His positioning has been caught out a lot.

I really like Kahui and would definitely have him as the backup 13. I think a couple of years ago he was starting to usurp Smith as the country's best centre.

Yes midfield is looking good for NZ at the moment. Swings and roundabouts. As long as we don't play someone out of position there I'm ok with it. Smith, Kahui, Freuan (or maybe Toeava but I'm still petrified of his hands in big games). NOT Muliaina!

Freuan definitely not ready in my opinion. Yeah he can be devastating at times and often he is just right when he comes out of the line to do a king hit. But in the final I reckon he got it wrong at least twice.

Smith and Kahui (if either can be fit) are WAY ahead I reckon. Just their overall positional play and skills another step up. If he can get it all together then he should be there in a couple of years.