With an injury cloud hanging over Carter and Wepu, - Unfortunately for them but perhaps a blessing in disguise for the ABs.
Chiefs Kerr Barlow and Cruden will have their chance to shine in the sun... possibly Hansens best starting option anyway..
Would rather have Ranger running off Cruden as well but you can't always get what you want...
and in the absence of Wepu i'm picking one of the Chiefs to lead the haka...
Brycy
Dear friend - in 2012 Weepu was only of one use in the AB's team - he was leading the Haka. In my team selection from the squad I went for Kerr-Barlow as the hooker as well. Weepu started this Super15 like a house on fire and recently became what he was in 2012 - the great Haka leader. Aaron Smith had a nightmare year as well - so much so that he was dropped by the Highlanders to the bench and the little Japanese guy had a field day. So Kerr-Barlow it has to be. However, he may not last as pressure on him is bound to come in tests and he is not really good under pressure,
What is going on with Carter - I did not notice an injury on Friday - wo what goes? I think especially also want to ask you - what is the latest news on the Anscombe injury - when will he be back? Carter - if injured again - is suffering from the injury problems more noticeable when players get near to retirement from rugby age. He has been very injury prone since 2011. As players get near the 30 years of age category or beyond injuries occur more frequently and take longer to heal - so that may also be the problem with Carter.
In Carter's absence Cruden to my mind is an automatic selection - even though he blew hot and cold throughout the year, He was a damn site better than Barrett wih the latter's poor prformance insofar as defence is concerned,
Mike and brycy the hahahahhaka must be the funniest spectacle in world sport - it always cracks me up. fat boy wee poooo is defintely a start turn when doing the hahahahhaka.
To inspire ou brycy I changed my avatar briefly so he could better appreciate the event!
not so clever mike many Kiwis will argue that there is never enough Maoris ( Wepu is one) in the team which explains the loss of World Cups in the past and they may just have a point...so we are not as quick as you to throw our established players under the bus perhaps...
As you know the team selection is a fine balance between the experienced old hands (like Wepu )- some on the way out and the new guns and it is an evolutionary process..
Anscombe is out with a foot injury for up to six weeks so should be available for the next game against the Canes . Hopefully we get a dryer track this time as both teams love to run with the ball and could be sudden death for the Canes playoff hopes.
And Carter has possibly broken a bone in his right hand i think so how long will he be out i don't know
Brycy please dont do anything in haste. Hore.Woodcock, meeeoulamu, mcaaaaw. nonu, wee conrad, wee pooo etc have many years left in them. Why be hasty as you say! We would also all miss them when they go.
