Best winger in both codes...

[Manu Vatuvei]

Are the AB selectors taking the piss by not picking Rokocoko? The Herald this morning claimed that this meant that Sivivatu was rated as the no.1 left winger in NZ, suggesting it was because he "had a higher workrate and was mentally tougher."

I'm not sure what is more bizarre- the Herald's reasoning, or the fact that the AB selectors don't see Joe as a starting XV player. imo he would be one of the first picked in a World XV.

 

[bayrep]

I agree I would rather have Rokocoko in the side, a far better player than Sivivatu who I dont think has done anything fantastic yet. Where as Roko is still averaging close to a try a test, sound on defence very good under a high ball and high work rate.

 

[douglasallen91]

you's underestimate how much work sivs does in the rucks for waikato and the chiefs hes awesome in this area, like a 4th loose forward nearly.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I am a huge Sivivatu fan.

However, Rokocoko is one of the brightest talents to have emerged in either code in recent years, his tryscoring feats have been freakish, and his recent form outstanding. He's well on his way (as I've said several times before) to becoming one of the all time great wingers. Dropping him shouldn't have even been considered despite the claims of another very talented player. It's like dropping Dan Carter because "Nick Evans is a really good player" imo.

 

[Iafeta]

Was a bit of a shock.

Sivivatu could be used as an impact player IMO. Rockocoko and Howlett deserve to start, Howlett's form of late and his overall record are nothing to be sniffed at.

 

[Corbin]

Rupeni, Is the sort of player who can ethier

a. Play a brilliant game
b. Be lazy and do nothing

imo my ratings are

1 Howlett (the guy is just brilliant, i have a feeling he can gk aswell)
2 Tuqiri
3 Rupeni
4 Rokokko
5 Sivatu

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I agree I would rather have Rokocoko in the side, a far better player than Sivivatu who I dont think has done anything fantastic yet. Where as Roko is still averaging close to a try a test, sound on defence very good under a high ball and high work rate.

Yeah I think the Rock's a bit hard done by, I'dve gone with him and Howlett. That said any combination of our four wingers could walk into the England side and start if they were available for them, and you could say the same about almost every other international side bar Aus, SA and Fiji where Tuquiri, Habana and Caucau (if fit) might challenge them. But even those three have weaknesses that the NZ wingers don't have, Tuquiri lacks real pace, Habana is defensively suss and Caucau can't be bothered half the time.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Rupeni, Is the sort of player who can ethier

a. Play a brilliant game
b. Be lazy and do nothing

imo my ratings are

1 Howlett (the guy is just brilliant, i have a feeling he can gk aswell)
2 Tuqiri
3 Rupeni
4 Rokokko
5 Sivatu

I'll rank the other guys ahead of Tuqiri . He just hasn't fire for Australia this year .

 

[douglasallen91]

I am a huge Sivivatu fan.

However, Rokocoko is one of the brightest talents to have emerged in either code in recent years, his tryscoring feats have been freakish, and his recent form outstanding. He's well on his way (as I've said several times before) to becoming one of the all time great wingers. Dropping him shouldn't have even been considered despite the claims of another very talented player. It's like dropping Dan Carter because "Nick Evans is a really good player" imo.

i wasn't saying i would select sivi over roko but i don;t really mind that much. please henry sub roko on for howlett. i want to see sivi and roko playing together

 

[Lowey3]

i wasn't saying i would select sivi over roko but i don;t really mind that much. please henry sub roko on for howlett. i want to see sivi and roko playing together

That would be awesome.!

Im glad Sivivatu gets a start, love watching this guys footwork etc...

Having said that also like watching Rokocoko.

 

[JoeysWheelchair05]

Roko is the best winger in the world.


As for Tuqiri, if he played for the All Blacks, he would be in the top 2 easily. It's just he plays for Australia who are really hopeless right now, and he barely gets the football with any space, unlike the Kiwi wingers seem to.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

Roko is the best winger in the world.


As for Tuqiri, if he played for the All Blacks, he would be in the top 2 easily. It's just he plays for Australia who are really hopeless right now, and he barely gets the football with any space, unlike the Kiwi wingers seem to.

If Tuqiri is in the All Blacks backline he would still be struggling . He just doesn't seem to have the legs and the steps that the other Fijians got . He's more of the take up straight type winger now days .

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Tuquiri needs to do what Umaga did halfway through his career, acknowledge that he doesn't quite have the pace for the wing and make the transition to centre. He could be awesome there.

 

[kay]

Tuqiri's still fast, these guys are just fasteri suppose, as for the footwork thing, he does offer quite a bit and he has that stutter step which goes alright. but playing in a wallabies team that is one dimensional, everyone he gets the ball he seems to be surrounded

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Tuqiri's still fast, these guys are just fasteri suppose, as for the footwork thing, he does offer quite a bit and he has that stutter step which goes alright. but playing in a wallabies team that is one dimensional, everyone he gets the ball he seems to be surrounded

Tuquiri's no snail, but he doesn't have the express pace to be an elite winger, I remember Rockokoco embarrasing him by running around him from behind to beat him to a loose ball earlier this year. He would still be quick for a centre though, and his step would be more useful at centre where he could wrong-foot his opposites in the defensive line.

 

[Jackal Dog]

If Tuqiri is in the All Blacks backline he would still be struggling . He just doesn't seem to have the legs and the steps that the other Fijians got . He's more of the take up straight type winger now days .

You are 100% right I have a friend who plays for Penrith in the Tooheys New Cup and I asked him about a few of the bigger name players and when it came to Tuqiri he said there are faster guys in the Cup, but he is like a freakin brickwall and is a headache to tackle!