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Joined July 2013
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I think part of the issue is Kata & Rapana are both playing for the 1st time at this level & Kahu is also a relative newbie. If you add Fusitua to the side, that’s a very inexperienced back 5.
SKD & Nightingale have both been poor, but I think part of the logic in their selections is they bring experience to a young backline.
Perth loss well behind us: Kiwis
If the Kiwis are a chance they will need players like JWH to play a lot better than they have. Hes 1 of the better props in the NRL but hasn’t really done a lot for the Kiwis.
Perth loss well behind us: Kiwis
Martin is an interesting 1 for me. Johnson provides almost all the kicking & 5th tackle plays & that makes the Kiwis attack predictable.
Martin is raw so Id be weary of throwing him in against Australia, but he offers far more creativity & last tackle options to Leuluai. I would’ve put him on the bench against England in place of Brown. Move Leuluai to hooker once Luke comes off & give Martin 20 odd minutes in the halves & see how he goes.
Kiwis sweating on injuries ahead of Kangaroos encounter
Im glad Kidwell gave the opportunity to the playing 17 to redeem themselves after the loss to Australia, but Id be making a few changes anyway.
SKD would be out for Beale, & JWH out as well. Id start Blair at prop & move Eastwood to the bench.
Kiwis sweating on injuries ahead of Kangaroos encounter
That’s a solid team but Australia beat NZ quite comfortably so I wouldnt be making too many changes.
Mansour & Woods both missed that game, but would’ve been there if available so they come in. Id opt for a specialist centre if Dugan is out so Ferguson moves in a spot.
Moylan has played well so Id pick him as the bench utility over Morgan.
Who should make the Kangaroos' team to play the Kiwis in Coventry?
How are NZ still number 1? They’ve lost 4 of their last 5 tests?
Im hoping they can put in a better performance than what we have seen in the last 2 clashes against Australia, or they will struggle to come 3rd in this tournament.
Thurston on Four Nations: This time, it's personal
1 of my criticisms of Daley is he doesn’t appear to know what style of play he wants for the Blues. The way he used Dylan Walker off the bench without an actual defined role is an example of his muddled thinking.
Farah could very well be the best 9 in NSW but his style means a lot of the play revolves around him. He takes a lot of the kicking & 5th tackle options & a lot of the criticism of the halves not stepping up/Gallen & co being ball hogs is because of Farahs pass selection from dummy half.
Daley & the selectors need to decide how they want their hooker to play & select someone that can provide those characteristics. If he wants a ball playing hooker that dominates the playmaking as well as being a good defender, then stick with Farah. But if he wants the halves to lead the team around & have a secondary ball playing option at hooker if required, then I think someone like Wallace should get the gig.
I definitely think the second style would be better for the Blues IMO.
Farah still Daley's choice for Blues if he can prove himself
How about Peter Wallace? I thought he did a good job at the Panthers this season & has played well in his new position of hooker.
There isn’t a lot of depth there but Farah has been criticised for stifling the halves at the Tigers & I think he often overplays his hand for the Blues as well.
Farah still Daley's choice for Blues if he can prove himself
That’s true. I think part of the issue is he has to lead the team around the park as well as be the main playmaker, kicker etc.
His strength is his running game so if he has another halves partner that can lead the team around, that would allow Johnson to pick & choose when to inject himself & he would be more effective. Foran can definitely be the halves partner he needs & we have already seen good things when the 2 line up with the Kiwis.
Why Shaun Johnson will win the Dally M medal in 2017
Well done to Holmes, he was outstanding & continued the good form he has shown all season for the Sharks.
The Kiwis continued to attack his corner & he was composed in defence & strong in attack. As a Kiwi fan, Id like to see Leuluai take more of the last play options. Johnson was heavily marked & it was predictable that he would get the ball on the 5th tackle. The weak side IMO is Dugan/Ferguson so hopefully they can target that side in the next match.
Valentine's Day for new-look Kangaroos
Well that was a disappointing game.
I wasn’t surprised the Kangaroos won as they are always strong but I am surprised the Kiwis much vaunted pack was dominated so easily.
SKD was poor so I think Beale may come in at right centre. Id also put Te Maire Martin on the bench for Lewis Brown. The 5th tackle options were poor & I think Martin can add some creativity from the bench.
Meninga did a great job & inspired his team & I thought he outcoached Kidwell easily. Im still looking forward to the 4 Nations but as a Kiwi fan, I think we are the 3rd best team based on what we have seen so far.
Australia Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis highlights: Kangaroos by 20
I agree Jacko.
He definitely cant carry a team & we have seen that for a while now with the Warriors. Id like to see Leuluai take more of the last tackle options as going to Johnson all the time is predictable & easy to defend. If he can pick & choose his moments he can be more effective IMO.
Highlights: Kangaroos crush Kiwis 26-6 in Perth
NZ already have 2 debutants in the outside backs with Rapana & Kata so I understand the selection of Nightingale, given his experience at this level. Fusitua is a player of the future but I would be reluctant to pair him & Kata on the left as they are both capable of a few defensive lapses.
Leuluai is starting in the halves & Nikorima is injured so Brown is possibly the next best utility that can cover the hooking role. The Kiwis are starting to build some decent depth but I think fullback & hooker are the positions that are a bit thin.
I also love international footy so Im really looking forward to the game.
Improved Kiwis will push the mystery Kangaroos in Perth
That’s an impressive side & the forwards in particular look strong.
If Gale & Widdop can lead this side around & create enough opportunities I think England can potentially win the tournament.
No Aussies, plenty of omissions as Bennett names first England squad
Davey, I agree Lonergan is a bit of a hack but Duco are a well run organisation & have previously been instrumental in the success of other sporting events like ‘the fight of the century’ etc.
1 point of difference between the RU 7s & the 9s as Oikee mentioned is the genuine stars on show. A lot of diehard Union fans don’t even know who’s in the NZ 7s team as the ABs/Super 15 franchises often get 1st pick of the players & the national 7s team get a lot of the development players. The 9s will have a lot more high profile players on show so that has to add to the spectacle & quality of the tournament. I’m optimistic this can be successful & holding the tournament in the drier months of Feb mean more fans will show up & more running RL will be played.
Is NRL Nines really the way to go?
Shaun Johnson would be hard to beat over 40. His acceleration off the mark is amazing.
Who would win an NRL sprint?