sandal says...

Blonde tennis players, Jimmy Anderson? I won a Samsung 55" TV. "Or other cool prize" (perhaps a virus, but you can get that from a blonde too, and I won't say anything about Jimmy Anderson).

Trinats2, what's your point? All I hear is pip-pip, pip-pip, pip-pip, pip-pip.

@cuw3100

Last I heard, Borich was injured. But I wonder why Donnelly and Eaton lost favour. Donnelly had a long wait for a deserved ABs jersey and did nothing wrong in it, in my opinion. And Eaton, who was outstanding in the jersey, has had a good season.

I think you under-rate Weepu. He hasn't suddenly slipped from being the best sub halfback in the country. He was overweight at the start of the season, and that was targeted by people looking to explain the Blues' results, but his form (geddit?) has steadily improved and in his past few games he has been outstanding in all facets. I just think most critics hadn't caught up with that.

You suggest that backup to Carter was a headache in the World Cup but NZ has good ones now. In fact, the backups are the same now as then. It's just that fewer are injured.

Posted 06:33 07th August 2012

isthatrightref says...

Thought Ellison was still injured so great to see him back in the mix (perhaps he's the bloke @pagra reckons would play for no greater reward than the jersey itself?) esp if SBW's new Club plays hardball on the insurance front.

Six loosies seems a bit of a luxury as none appear capable of filling in at lock which is a worry with Romano less than 100%, Clarke pretty much gone for the 4N & Williams also injured. Hope Messam's not just there as a PR gesture, seen him be brilliant for Chiefs and/ or Waikato then not so much for AB more than once, he really needs to take whatever opportunity he gets this time.

Piri's charmed run continues & good luck to him but really feel for TKB (even if he needs to learn to keep his feet on the ground rather than someone else's ribcage) & if Ellis can't make the November squad how long before he heads offshore?

Posted 23:06 06th August 2012

APV1 says...

@ tweedledee49 - why do you get a blonde tennis player and I get Jimmy Anderson..?! Perhaps it's something to do with the other websites we visit. I follow cricket, as well as rugby. You obviously don't follow tennis, but perhaps have an eye for ladies in tennis outfits...

Posted 14:02 06th August 2012

tweedledee49 says...

Sorry...@milkshake, thanks for the update.

Posted 12:14 06th August 2012

cuw3100 says...

Just wondering if the selction reflects change in thinking in both forwards and backs.

02 hookers, 05 props, 03 second rows, 06 third rows, 02 scrum halves, 02 fly halves, 03 centers and 05 fullback/wingers.

with Ali W injured and big Brad gone ther may be a dearth of experienced 2nd rows in NZ. Old guys who played in the S15 are Eaton, Clarke, Donnelly, Thrush, Borich (but not sure if Clarke has been in AB setup before). Borich was once thought of as heir apparent to Williams but in came Sam W. Also Jarred H is out of the picture despite Graham Henry liking him mainly due to his 7s experience and ability to play blindside.

Despite the injuries to Kaino, Read NZ is spoilt for choice and now with McCaw showing off talent at 8, there is nothing to worry.

Weepu may be in solely due to his abilities at goal kicking and playing at 10. S15 has shown in no uncertain terms that there are better pure scrum halves with exotic names like TKB and TJP :)

If the fly half was the headache at world cup at least there are good backups to Carter now. Same in the centers, wingers and full backs. After all guys like Guilford , Robinson, Taylor, are all waiting in the wings with Crotty Freuen not even considered and Kahui Isaia injured.

IMHO the AB selectors will take it match by match and if the team wins at early stages may consider bringing in some young guys to give exposure , especially against Argentina.

Posted 09:03 06th August 2012

tha_mai says...

jonesy2 - re Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Hansen has said he'll go on the end of year tour to UK as they take three 9s for that one.

Posted 00:42 06th August 2012

rakavi187 says...

no Kerr-Barlow...bugger. would have like to see him there.

Posted 21:46 05th August 2012

Bones7 says...

If Romano's going to be crocked please call up Craig Clarke and not Ali Williams!

Posted 13:19 05th August 2012

tweedledee49 says...

I wish Clarke was in there as well...maybe he'll get a shot if Romano won't heal in time?

Posted 10:57 05th August 2012