Time for Hansen to drop some of his incumbents

it's time for Hansen to drop some of his incumbents and give other players the chance before next year's WC,.... but he's not going to do such,... he's going to stick with his incumbents even though they are underperforming,... wins like yesterday's, against the 7th in the world committing 20 turnovers only hide the AB real problems,... and they have some, especially in the backline

SBW is way past his best,.... after the olympics and his aquiles injury he's not been the same player,... in the last 2 years he's done nothing for the AB,... except a huge contribution to the Lions loss and overall draw,.... yesterday he was slow as hell,.... arriving late to the tackles, he missed 3,... and didn't even arrive to attemp a tackle on Folau when he run for the wallies' second try,... yeah, he still can offload,... but it's not enough,... yesterday he made 5 offloads but all of them were zero productive (except the last one),... the ball and the backline flow always ended in him,... he's completely unable to distribute the ball to the players outside him,.... and it's crazy to have the best 12 playing out of position and deprived of ball,.... the midfield pair should be Crotty-Goodhue with ALB as the back up,... at 34 yo next year I really doubt SBW will improve his game but Hansen is going to stick him which means problems

DMac is not test material,.... yesterday he had one of the best chances to florish with the aussies gifting 20 turnovers,... chances to counterattack and for broken play,... he did nothing at all,.... except to show that each time he's under pressure he begins to run like a headless chicken,... the very much announced (by hansen) explosion of creativity coming from playing with 2 playmakers, one each side of the scrum, didn't work,... they didn't create anything and the backline wasn't working untill Todd (yes, I'm talking about Todd, the only openside in NZ who knows how to link with the backline which is one of the main tasks of the opensides) and Mo'unga came in,... untill then the backline was absent and the tries came from the forwards or from a trained set piece,... the AB need a truely nº10 and the only one at this moment is Mo'unga,... the best (and possibly the only) way to win to teams applying rushing defenses like Ireland or pressure on the halves like the boks, is to play Mo'unga at 10 and Barrett at FB,... but Hansen is going to stick with DMac

Matt Todd is the current best openside in NZ,... yesterday he proved it in less than 15 min,... and proved how wrong was Hansen dismissing him,... while Papalii is the future
before suffering that awful injury (hope he can recover from it without any longer consequence) Sam Cane was completely out of form,... as he had been the whole season,.... it was october and he was still gaining form,.... last 2 years he's been struggling to gain his form,... June he was dropped due to his blatant lack of fitness,... later he improved a little bit but nothing remarkable while other better and more inform players were left aside,... and the history will be repeated again next year

Ardie Savea had a good game,.... probably one of his bests starting at 7,... but he doesn't fulfill the main tasks of an openside at test level ,.... which are being a force at the breakdown, tackling and overall in the tight game and linking with the backline,.... yesterday he had a huge workrate but wasn't decisve at the breakdown and tackling,... while he didn't link with the backline at all,... with ball in hand he plays like a blindside looking for the contact and trying to find his way through traffic,... but he rarely passes the ball,...

in his first minute on the field, Todd made 3 tackles,... the third one a cover tackle on Folau who had very easily broken SBW's attemped tackle and who had huge space to run in front and no one to stop him before the try line,... the tackle provoked a turnover and the AB's 4th try,... in the next play, when the aussies kicked from midfield he linked with both Smiths, Aaron and Ben, to run from the 22 till the opposite 10 m. line,... then when the aussies had recovered the ball he made another turnover ripping the ball from Kerevi,... that's what an openside has to do,... Savea is more an impact player from the bench,... and lately more a nº8 or even a blindside than an openside

apart from that, Todd is always in form,... no matter what,... February, in form,... come June tests and SR finals and he's in form,... he's dismissed, has to play NPC or in Japan and when recalled he's in form,... November tests, in form,... always in form and delivering huge work rates

ABF

A good summary - I have been writing about the SBW problem for a while.   I think that there should be competition between Crotty and Laumape for the 12 position and I am a great admirer of Goodhue.

My problem started with SBW flopping badly in the Stormers-Blues game in Super Rugby and I warned that he would flop in the Springboks-All Blacks test Pretoria.  He duly did.   So yesterday was not his first questionable test.   I always believe that once players going over the age of 30 a decline in performance occur - some players show it faster than others.   I think SBW is one of the some in this case.  The problem is that by overstaying their welcome they do damage to the team and tarnish their own reputation.

I think the defense of Crotty is not up to standard at 13.   He is a very good 12 and playing him at 13 is doing a disservice to him.   I think he may lack some pace which make him a good 12 and a less good 13.   Goodhue is the ideal 13 to my mind - that guy given the opportunity will soon be the best 13 in world rugby.

For the rest - Barrett has developed problems this year - under pressure he makes poor decisions.    He needs space to operate in and the space is not often enough  there.    Damian McKenzie is in the same category as Barrett -  he is physically too small  a guy .   I like Milner-Skudder a lot and would rather see him at full back than either Barrett or McKenzie. 

I am always an Ardie Savea fan - but I think you have identified the problem he has.   He is a blind-side flank not an opensider.   

Anyway I would say the Super Rugby series and the RC tests before the WC is going to have an impact - even on Hansen's selections.        

Barrett is exceptionally good at making space for himself, manipulating defenders and putting teammates away. He is lethal ball-in-hand. 

I agree about Crotty at 13. It was obvious this wasn't going to work. To repeat it, purely to accommodate Sonny, was ridiculous. 

Mozart and AO always have to make idiotic remarks - not so?

You hear that Kiwis? Pardon me for making an "idiot remark". Allow me to correct:

Barrett is a predictable, flaccid, unintelligent runner who needs space because he loafs around doing nothing to create anything. He brings nobody into the game. He was an unworthy IRB Player of the Year winner.

Now, let us all bow in the radiant splendour of Mike. The bearer of light and dispenser of wisdom. 

Extremes are all that you spout.  The madness of inability to look at players objectively is beyond your understanding.  

...I agree that was'nt many of the players best work...a dead rubber game with nothing at stake so that reflected in the performances....

Going forward, Goodhue should bring some added punch in the centres and i agree SBW adds little... but everyone else will need to lift their games with England and Ireland games looming...at least there were'nt any injuries that i heard of anyway which is always a plus...

Hansen seems to be happy now there's two playmakers and Barret seems happy to be sharing the playmaker role ...first game for the ABs for DMac at fullback as well was'nt it and i think there is a settling in period not that theres much time for that .... but looks like that could be the bones of the team to face England and Ireland..

It's no extreme, for it is the very opposite of my estimation of the player. If it seems extreme to you, then you ought to rethink your position . 

SBW was in no way to blame for his red card in the Lions series Aug.

He does look a bit past it now though.

Bugger me I have to agree with plum!

Yeah SBW has had his day,but I think thats a bit harsh on DMac.

Whats with Goodhue ,is he injured?

South Africans trying to analysis NZ Rugby - Go for it boys.

You are blowing smoke out of your backsides - You have no idea.

There has been alot of smoke and mirrors coming out of NZ this season.

You have no idea what NZ are going to unleash on the rest of the rugby world for the World Cup.

NZ want and will get 3 in a row.    

Why don't you enlighten us? 

@WD,

Goodhue has been through something called "glandular fever",.... I have no idea what is it but seems that he has already recovered and he's going to fly to London with the first team

yeah, probably a bit harsh on DMac,... but watching backline players running laterally is something that irks me,.... and DMac did it 2 or 3 times in the first half,....

when he's under pressure he tends to run laterally,.... sometimes he finds a gap but at test level that happens very few times,... in my view he's still green for test rugby,... but he's very young

re the FB position, I think there are 2 players above the rest, Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett,.... then there's a group of youngs,... Jordie, DMac, George Bridge, David Havili,... with the potential to be up there with the best,... and a couple of experienced players, NMS and Dagg, who could also be up on the top if they are able to regain his past form,...

Jordie and DMac have been choosen this year and have been give some opportunities,.. and we'll see how Havili and Bridge are going this weekend against Japan,... I really like Bridge's manners,... has great vision and some speed,...

but IMO the best combination would be, no doubt, to play B. Barrett at FB and B. Smith on the wing with Mo'unga playing at 10,... and the best option to beat the Irish,...

ABF

I like some of the suggestions you raised, but in other respects differ from you.

I like Mo-anga at flyhalf and Crotty at 12 - but think that Laumape should also be on the screen for that position.   

I do not think Ben Smith with last much longer - he is on the worst side of 30 and signs are not positive as to what he was in 2015 and what he is now.   You obviously saw that I think Goodhue is the future top world player at 13 - but also George B ridge is one as well.   I would rather see him on the wing than Ben Smith.

As to full back - there is a huge question mark as to available talent.   I do not think Dagg will recover form well enough - he is injury prone as well.  Barrett may be he one to choose as a longer term  player,  but if Milner-Skudder recovers his form, he could also be a prospect.        

ABF

I like some of the suggestions you raised, but in other respects differ from you.

I like Mo-anga at flyhalf and Crotty at 12 - but think that Laumape should also be on the screen for that position.   

I do not think Ben Smith with last much longer - he is on the worsts ide of 30 and signs are not positive as to what he was in 2015 and what he is now.   You obviously saw that I think Goodhue is the future top world player at 13 - but also George b ridge is one as well.   I would rather see him on the wing than Ben Smith.

As to full back - there is a huge question mark as to available talent.   I do not think Dagg will recover form well enough - he is injury prone as well.  Barrett may be he one to choose as a longer term  player,  but if Milner-Skudder recovers his form, he could also be a prospect.        

@mike,

probably B. Smith and Crotty will go overseas after the WC,... there have been rumours about it,... and we'll have some more clues at the end of this season,...

looking for the substitution of these players there are some other players ruled out because of age also,... SBW, Dagg, and probably NMS who by 2020 will be 29,... I was a big fan of him before his injuries,... his ability to dribble in a space of 1 square meter was second to none,... but he's not been the same,... he lost his X-factor and some pace also,... if he cannot regain them next SR season his test career will be over I'm afraid,... but it would be great if he can regain them,... he was a pleasure to watch him playing

for the midfield,... and for the moment there are 3 clear candidates to fill the places,... Goodhue, who as you said is a natural nº13 and IMO also the future top world player in that position,... and there's ALB and Laumape to fill the nº12,... but then there's a little void after these 3,... we'll probably see some young emerging next couple of years

I was wondering why he played very good games and then dropped altogether in succeeding games - it happened in the Super Rugby games and subsequent tests.  Thanks for the explanation.  So it must be at least 5 months since the problem raised it s head and may be over very soon.

BB Predictable. Did you see him againgst OZ? That set piece try to Reiko? The way he runs into space? That over the head pass. Yeah that was all predictable. BB is currently the best flyhalve in the world. He has won world player of the year 2 years in a row playing 10. And is a good shot of winning it again this year. So I Would say alot of this critisism of BB is unwarrented. His GK was pretty spot on in this game as well. IF anything Damian has shown he is more a 15. As it is BB is not going to be replaced by a players whos played 30 mins of Test Rugby. Because you need experience to win World Cups. This is the Lima/DC in 2015 thing all over again. This is not even an argument. BB is the incumbant 10 for the WC. i cant beleive anyone is even questioning this. SH has already confirmed as such.

As for needing to get rid of incumbants. Well looking at last WC. 14 of the 22 who Beat OZ in 2014. Played in the WC Final. Theirs like 23 players in this EOYT squad alone. Clearly some are going to miss out. But I Think the Starting 15 is pretty sorted.

And I Dont agree Matt Todd is the best openside in NZ. 1. He is playing his domestic rugby in Japan atm 2. Ardie is clearly leaps and bounds above any 7 in NZ atm. Hes been outstanding since the Argentina game. Clearly has worked on his game. IF I was pickingg

15. D Mckenzie 14. B Smith 13. J Goodhue 12. SBW 11. R Ioane 10. B Barrett 9. TJ Peranara 8. K Read 7. A Savea 6. L Squire 5. S Whitelock 4. B Retalluck 3. O Franks 2. D Coles 1. J Moody

16. C Taylor 17. K Tuafuake 18. S Barrett 19. Matt Todd/Sam Cane 20. A Ioane/V Fifita/S Frizzell 21. A Smith 22. R Mounga 23. J Barrett/A Leinot Brown/W Naholo  

Luke

I may be out of line  - but has Coles played any rugby this year at all?   Surely Hanse cannot be as delusional as Meyer was in 2015 when he  tried to empty out the hospital wards in selecting players.

I beg to strongly disagree with you on the SBW issue.  So lets leave it there. However, there are some points where I disagree.   I am not sure of Barrett at all - there has been World Players of the year that start going downhill subsequently, is he one or not?  I was not overly impressed with him in the SA tests in the RC.  He is going through a bad patch insofar as  goal kicking is concerned.

I may be crucified but read is a player too often injured and going down in performances compared to what he used to be.   At 34 years of age and injury prone he is not what I would say a certain decision for the RWC next year.  I think that Akira Ioane would be a far better selection than him.

I think coaches see things in players that we missed out on - maybe we are too often too prejudiced.   However, I think we will have to see what happens in  SR next year nd even the RC to see where things are going.  

You can have one consolation though - Hansen has many alternatives in line already since there are a very large percentage of the team being over 30 by the time he has to select the WC squad.   You know the real facts about those players - too many hangs on based on reputation and not actual performance. 

Erasmus does not and there are a lot of necessary identification and trying out players to do.  Erasmus has one consolation though - in general he  has only 3 over 30 years of players in the squad and one of those are already on the bench when playing.   Louw will not make it to the 2019 WC  and Vermeulen also have problems of his own.  I hope he finds the necessary players to fill the gaps in certain positions asap.         

Luke

I may be out of line  - but has Coles played any rugby this year at all?   Surely Hanse cannot be as delusional as Meyer was in 2015 when he  tried to empty out the hospital wards in selecting players.

I beg to strongly disagree with you on the SBW issue.  So lets leave it there. However, there are some points where I disagree.   I am not sure of Barrett at all - there has been World Players of the year that start going downhill subsequently, is he one or not?  I was not overly impressed with him in the SA tests in the RC.  He is going through a bad patch insofar as  goal kicking is concerned.

I may be crucified but read is a player too often injured and going down in performances compared to what he used to be.   At 34 years of age and injury prone he is not what I would say a certain decision for the RWC next year.  I think that Akira Ioane would be a far better selection than him.

I think coaches see things in players that we missed out on - maybe we are too often too prejudiced.   However, I think we will have to see what happens in  SR next year nd even the RC to see where things are going.  

You can have one consolation though - Hansen has many alternatives in line already since there are a very large percentage of the team being over 30 by the time he has to select the WC squad.   You know the real facts about those players - too many hangs on based on reputation and not actual performance. 

Erasmus does not and there are a lot of necessary identification and trying out players to do.  Erasmus has one consolation though - in general he  has only 3 over 30 years of players in the squad and one of those are already on the bench when playing.   Louw will not make it to the 2019 WC  and Vermeulen also have problems of his own.  I hope he finds the necessary players to fill the gaps in certain positions asap.         

You are blowing smoke out of your backsides - You have no idea. Says the sweet pea Rugby Linda who ought to be an embarrassment to all Kiwis but obviously isn't!

Cant help wondering if this foul mouth Rugby Linda is the sister of that foul freak Kiwistool. Or maybe is related to that other foul mouthed freak Warped DUD.

As for the wee abs, they are clearly heading south. Even ou ab ass realizes this. Poor ab ass is having a very hard time as the whole man made climate change hoax collapses. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha these kiwi bird brains (Kbbs) are sooooo gullible! No wonder rooitwit is a closet wee ab supporter! Empty heads of a feather stick together.

Boks on the other had are on the up even with the racist quotas not helping. RWC belongs to the Boks. Lets go and get it guys!

Beeno - Beeno -  Beeno

26 292 posts and still not thinking objectively.   

Our NZ members are normally a bit one-sided - but they are rational debaters on rugby issues  and for that reason not to be attacked you always do.

Beeno is the perfect counter Kiwi. He specialises is yanking chains. More of an imp than anything else.