NZ ANZAC Test Team predictions

[ozenzud]

SKD will have to be one centre would he not? Particularly if Kata is out. Kata should really be playing for Tonga anyway

 

[JJ]

Neither SKD or Kata should be anywhere near a centre jumper for the Kiwi's IMO

 

[jaseg]

Takairangi injured his knee, Kahu still injured? Otherwise it looks like we're down to Hiku, Beale & SKD for the left centre spot...

I'd almost be tempted at this point to move Rapana there and play Fus on the wing alongside Vunivalu... I can't remember probably, but did he come through at the Titans as a centre? Or am I thinking of Tomane?

 

[Panther_Daz]

Kahu is back this week.

Hiku is hopeless. He shouldn't be anywhere near the side.

 

[gordynz]

Kidwell's selection for our Outside Backs is crucial. There is no way he can select either SKD or Kata, and to be honest I hope he doesn't pick Nightingale despite how well he's been playing for the Dragons.

Whare and Kahu should be our centres with Rapana and either Vunivalu/Fusitua on the wings. In the forwards, the likes of Bromwich, Luke, Mannering and Taumalolo are all guaranteed to be starting which leaves two spots up for contention. Personally, I hope Kidwell starts Blair in the Front Row with Bromwich and move Taupau into the Second Row alongside Mannering but I can see him showing faith to Proctor/Mau.

The bench is anybody's guess, a great problem to have when you look at the depth we've got these days. I initially said we should go for four big body's but after watching Nikorima play these last few weeks I have to chuck him in there.

1. RTS
2. Vunivalu/Fusitua
3. Kahu
4. Whare
5. Rapana
6. Foran
7. Johnson
8. Bromwich
9. Luke
10. Blair
11. Taupau
12. Mannering
13. Taumalolo

14. Nikorima
15. Asofa-Solomona
16. Proctor/Mau
17. Tapine

 

[Cold Roses]

Vunivalu isn't eligible for The Kiwis. We definitely need Whare and Rapana there, which leaves Kahu as the next best option. Putting him at centre or wing on the left is a good option, it just depends who we can pair him with. Fusitua was all at sea on the left side during the Four Nations game.

Nikorima is a must off the bench. He's the sort of player who could turn the game for us by running at those big Australian forwards late in the game.

 

[gordynz]

Vunivalu isn't eligible for The Kiwis.

Ahhh didn't realise they had gotten confirmation Vunivalu was ineligible. Fusitua gets my wing spot then!

 

[Cold Roses]

Neither SKD or Kata should be anywhere near a centre jumper for the Kiwi's IMO

SKD was huge for us in the 2014 Four Nations wins and the 2015 Mid Year test. Unfortunately his handling issues seem to have reappeared and he was woeful in the 2016 tests. When in form he can do the job for us. It's just his inconsistency which is terrifying.

Kata doesn't deserve a Kiwis jersey. He's in awful form.

 

[TheDMC]

Kidwell's selection for our Outside Backs is crucial. There is no way he can select either SKD or Kata, and to be honest I hope he doesn't pick Nightingale despite how well he's been playing for the Dragons.

Ideally rapana and fus as wings but if one needed in the centers then nightingale is a must on the wing t. Proven test player, in form, and his game is perfectly suited to test footy.

 

[Cold Roses]

Ideally rapana and fus as wings but if one needed in the centers then nightingale is a must on the wing t. Proven test player, in form, and his game is perfectly suited to test footy.

We could do a lot worse than Kahu and Nightingale on the left. They are reasonably defensively sound, and it leaves our strike players (Whare/Rapana) on their preferred right side. We need to get some penetration from our backs in this game, and those two are our strongest pairing.

 

[Burns]

When team named?

 

[jaseg]

Hiku is hopeless. He shouldn't be anywhere near the side.

Yep - it's why I lumped him in with the other two.

That Takairangi injury has really hurt us. I know lots here didn't have him in their team but he was far and away the best option at left centre, I think.

Why the hell did Vunivalu put his hand up for NZ last year if he wasn't eligible lol?

I'm not convinced yet on Kahu as a centre (or really as anything beyond a decent goalkicking winger and a defensively game fullback), but it's not like we have much in the way of good options.

I also don't buy into the 'Fus can't play left' theory. It was a small sample size and he was playing outside Kata... that puts anyone at an immediate disadvantage, particularly against a good team.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

Personally I don't think he offers a lot. Down my pecking order anyway

covers outside backs as well

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

When team named?

sunday night

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

This Harawira-Naera for the Panthers, is he available for us?

 

[JohnDoe]

This Harawira-Naera for the Panthers, is he available for us?

Yip from Northland. Warriors should be all over him as he's off contract after this season.

 

[Big Marn]

Is Sosaia Feki from Sharks not eligible? I would have him in the frame for selection if so.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Is Sosaia Feki from Sharks not eligible? I would have him in the frame for selection if so.

Kidwell might pick Feki, not sure about his eligibility as I have seen him play for Tonga. He's playing solid enough. Nightingale, DWZ, Fustiua and Kahu are playing well on the wings for their clubs, its a good headache for Kidwell.

 

[TheDMC]

Should be a cracker of a test - we look likely to be able to field a near full strength kiwis team, first time in ages I think. Means we will be evenly matched overall, perhaps stronger in the forwards and weaker in the backs.

 

[JohnDoe]

Is Sosaia Feki from Sharks not eligible? I would have him in the frame for selection if so.

Definitely eligible, born in Auckland and has been named in Kiwi train on squads before. Probably the only reason he's yet to plau for the Kiwis is because of injuries.