4 Nations squads

[Manu Vatuvei]

Begins with R, ends with apana.

Rapana (and DWZ for that matter) are really nothing like (fit and in-form) Vatuvei in terms of their physical impact on a game. Neither of them really change the overall look of that Kiwis backline. They might be good players individually but when you start putting them together with the likes of Kahu and Nightingale it all starts to look a bit same-y.

Nevertheless, Rapana has certainly had an outstanding season and shown a lot of x-factor and I'm crossing my fingers that he brings that to the Kiwis. I would also have Fusitua (he would be my fullback) and Kata (I'm not comfortable with him representing NZ but what's done is done) because they bring a bit of oomph too, but I'm not sure those 2 will be first choice selections.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Boyd's only got a gig because they decided to dud Fifita.

^Boyd deserved it over the over-hyped Klemmer.

....wait where's Mr. Respect Corey Parker? Did they just cold leave him out?
LMFAO if so.

And where's everyone's favourite rep player Josh Jackson?

 

[myrrh ken]

A no dickhead policy for the Roos is absolutely appropriate.

Friend - assault(s)
Inglis - assault
Dugan - breezers
Fergo - breezers + grope
D Boyd - cubicle
Thaidsay - cubicle
Thurston - cover up

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Friend - assault(s)
Inglis - assault
Dugan - breezers
Fergo - breezers + grope
D Boyd - cubicle
Thaidsay - cubicle
Thurston - cover up

A couple years ago pretty much the entire Kangaroos lineup contained off-field grubs. Bird, Myles etc. Captained by the biggest on-field grub in the game.

NZ in comparison had none....all good lil boys, except Foran who's been lead astray this year.

 

[JasonE]

I have no idea about the eligibility laws in regards to next years WC,
So is Michael Jennings & Andrew Fifita now allowed to play for Tonga ?

 

[skeepe]

Didn't both pull up injured after the prelim?

Haven't heard anything about them since.

They would have been right to go but would have probably missed a week or so of training.

 

[GAZF]

Rapana (and DWZ for that matter) are really nothing like (fit and in-form) Vatuvei in terms of their physical impact on a game. Neither of them really change the overall look of that Kiwis backline. They might be good players individually but when you start putting them together with the likes of Kahu and Nightingale it all starts to look a bit same-y.

Nevertheless, Rapana has certainly had an outstanding season and shown a lot of x-factor and I'm crossing my fingers that he brings that to the Kiwis. I would also have Fusitua (he would be my fullback) and Kata (I'm not comfortable with him representing NZ but what's done is done) because they bring a bit of oomph too, but I'm not sure those 2 will be first choice selections.

You originally mentioned that NZ will have trouble getting on the front foot early in sets, I don't think there's many wingers better at doing that than Rapana this year. He just goes and goes and often gets the arm free for an offload. Plus much of this is done in the middle of the park and early in sets. If his centre is sniffing around, expect to see some returns from deep in the half.

Rapana and Leilua got found out defensively a fair bit at the back of the year though. I don't watch a lot of Warriors games, has Vatuvei gotten any better?

 

[lafai]

Kiwis pack are scary

 

[supaman]

I have no idea about the eligibility laws in regards to next years WC,
So is Michael Jennings & Andrew Fifita now allowed to play for Tonga ?

Yeah if the world cup was this year all the island players missing out would straight away play for the island teams

 

[lafai]

Also I don't mind the Eastwood selection but lol Klemmer. No bulldog deserves to be on that team

 

[Timmah]

Why? Because we finished 7th? Get real mate.

 

[TheFrog]

Boyd's only got a gig because they decided to dud Fifita.

Can only be for reasons not related to on-field performance.

And being a specialist fullback appears to have cost Tedesco a spot. He was not able to overcome Darius and that was that. Moylan and Dugan can cover other positions.

 

[Medium Rare]

They would have been right to go but would have probably missed a week or so of training.

Yeah and i'd say O'Neill was picked ahead of others as he played right up to the second last week and would still have higher fitness then some of the bottom 8 who are probably pinging in Bali right now.

 

[Medium Rare]

Can only be for reasons not related to on-field performance.

And being a specialist fullback appears to have cost Tedesco a spot. He was not able to overcome Darius and that was that. Moylan and Dugan can cover other positions.

He didn't play the last month of the comp would be the reason he was not there.

Mal obviously wants every 100% right now. That's why BJ, Croker and probably Jack Bird didnt get a look in.

 

[BestHookerRein]

Not enough Man Buns

 

[POPEYE]

A quick look at what the teams would be in my opinion
Australia/New Zealand
1 Boyd/Fusitua'a
2 Ferguson/Rapana
3 Dugan/Kahu
4 Inglis/SKD
5 Mansour/DWZ
6 Thurston/Te Maire Martin (planning for the future)
7 Cronk/Johnson
8 Scott/Bromwich
9 Smith/Luke
10 Woods/JWH
11 Cordner/ Mannering
12 Gillett/Proctor
13 Merrin/Taumalolo
14 Morgan/Harris
15 Frizzell/Blair
16 Klemmer/Ma'u
17 Papalii/Taupau

Based on that I'd be so bold as to say the Kiwis will have the brawn and the 'Roos will have the brains . . . if Te Maire Martin metamorphoses into a mental giant and takes the decision making away from Johnson the Kiwis will win

 

[Parramatta1947]

While I agree with the stance taken, it wont take long for this hard line to change when they are desperate.

And Semi shouldnt be playing but if he gets cleared in court, it wont look good

 

[English Rose]

Shaul would be crucified at international level.

He is only in by default really. With Sam Tomkins injured and Hardaker not playing full back for about the last 6 months who else would you pick? We haven't really got a lot of options in that position. Suppose there is a case for Ratchford

 

[TheFrog]

6 Thurston/Te Maire Martin (planning for the future)

TMM would have to be the riskiest selection I've seen in many years. Not only for NZ, but for the kid as well. He has huge potential, but has been selected from reserve grade, where he last played a month ago. He last played first grade in round 8, back in April. His own club has not wanted to risk him at the business end of the season, NZ should be careful with him, lest he sustain another horrendous injury. Maybe a development selection.

 

[BuderusIsaBeast]

TMM would have to be the riskiest selection I've seen in many years. Not only for NZ, but for the kid as well. He has huge potential, but has been selected from reserve grade, where he last played a month ago. He last played first grade in round 8, back in April. His own club has not wanted to risk him at the business end of the season, NZ should be careful with him, lest he sustain another horrendous injury. Maybe a development selection.

there lack of depth in the position must of contributed aswell. The only other players in the squad capable of playing in the halves are leuluai (ordinary) and Harris (second rower). Not alot of options there for them. However your points about him being a risk are very warranted however