Kiwis news

[jaseg]

Hiku wouldn't be too far off - but I can't see him making the final 24 either. Our outside back options include guys like Hoffman, Locke, Vatuvei, Nightingale, Perrett, Inu, Kenny-Dowall, Whare, Goodwin, Simona, Tuivasa-Sheck etc... probably too many for Hiku to get a spot. Same goes for Taumololo (Pritchard, SBW, Mannering, Taylor, Smith, Glenn, Eastwood, Proctor etc etc).

To be honest I'm really happy with our options all over the park, aside from not having any great depth in the halves and particularly at hooker.

 

[Iafeta]

If I tossed up Hiku as a bolter for the extended squad, would I be a mile off the mark ?

What would be a mile off the mark is how the Warriors decided to not ensure Hiku and Sao stayed. I was amazed that the two best out of the NYC lot from last year, with clear ability to improve as well, were not signed to full time contracts. Staggered as a matter of fact.

 

[TheDMC]

I've been a big fan of Nightingale, but I don't see him in the top kiwi's lineup. Never the fastest, he is now too slow. Manu would burn him in a 100m sprint. Manu and Tuivasa Shek for me.

Hiku seems to be quite similar player to Hoffman. Fully committed to every play, quick and agile, lack a bit of physicality. Good players, and Locke too, but the ozzies have a massive advantage over us in that department - Slater/Inglis..

 

[Fufu Andronez]

1. Locke

2. RTS
3. ??
4. Inu (GK)
5. Manu
6. Foran
7. Johnson
8. JWH
9. Luke
10. Mckendry
11. Mannering
12. SBW
13. Smith (c)
14. Glenn
15. Eastwood
16. Kasiano
17. Matulino


Pretty strong lineup.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Whare has a lock on one centre spot.

The areas of contention in my mind are Goodwin/Inu, Vatuvei/Nightingale, McKendry/Rapira and I'd be finding a spot for Pritchard in the 17.

 

[tangalife]

Hoffman > Locke

Inu #1 choice for centre I think

 

[Bobby DIGital]

1. Locke

2. RTS
3. ??
4. Inu (GK)
5. Manu
6. Foran
7. Johnson
8. JWH
9. Luke
10. Mckendry
11. Mannering
12. SBW
13. Smith (c)
14. Glenn
15. Eastwood
16. Kasiano
17. Matulino


Pretty strong lineup.

JWH will walk into the side ahead of McKendry.

I don't see Inglis playing at the WC with that knee, so the only area where they're far and away stronger than us will be considerably weakened without Hodges & Inglis.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

This Hiku talk is nonsense - he's a long way off this year.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him lineup for samoa (?) though. Taumalolo has already committed to tonga, and either way he's been rubbish all year. The guy needs a new club

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Hiku's maori and not samoan at all as far as I know.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Righteo - my bad, thought I'd read he was Samoan. Either way guys like Hiku, ulugai etc are probably 1 - 2 years away IMHO. Even RTS who is a greater talent than those two combined will struggle
To get game time a head of Manu, nightengale and Perret.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

What would be a mile off the mark is how the Warriors decided to not ensure Hiku and Sao stayed. I was amazed that the two best out of the NYC lot from last year, with clear ability to improve as well, were not signed to full time contracts. Staggered as a matter of fact.

In reality Hiku if he'd stayed would of got limited game time this year. And if he had, it would of most
Likely been at the expense of Laumape who I think we can agree is an immense talent. Either way we would of got to the end of this season and most likely offloaded him
Or fish.

I'm happy enough with the fullback talent we have coming through the juniors.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Hoffman
RTS
Whare
Inu
Vatuvei
Foran
Johnson
JWH
Luke
Bromwich
Mannering
SBW
Smith

Glenn
Pritchard
Kasiano
Matulino

Leuluai
Nightingale
Eastwood
Goodwin
McKendry

Final couple spots up for grabs.

 

[Warrior@Heart]

1. Hoffman
2. RTS
3. Mannering (Defending at second row)
4. Whare
5. Simona
6. Foran
7. Johnson
8. JWH
9. Isaac Luke
10. Bromwich
11. Frank Pritchard
12. SBW (Defending at centre)
13. Smith

14. Leuleuai
15. Kasiano/McKendry
16. Matulino
17. Glenn

 

[mean_maori_mean]

Righteo - my bad, thought I'd read he was Samoan. Either way guys like Hiku, ulugai etc are probably 1 - 2 years away IMHO. Even RTS who is a greater talent than those two combined will struggle
To get game time a head of Manu, nightengale and Perret.

Hiku is maori. Ulugia is maori/samoan also
Both have plenty of potential and natural flair as does

Perrett will never play for the Kiwis again.
There is too much depth and he has reached his peak IMO.
Very reliable and good servant but dropped down the rankings.

RTS have overcome him. (I would even have SKD over him).
He seems slower etc.

 

[MKEB...]

I am amazed at our forward stocks atm

Pritchard
Matulino
McKendry
Rapira
Kasiano
Eastwood
Bromwich
Proctor
Smith
Williams
Nu'uasala
Manu
Glenn
Mannering

Geez when have the Kiwis ever had such a daunting string of forwards to put together?

 

[Mr Angry]

Kiwis have always had good forwards and three quarters.

The spine.

Had some great ones, but a complete set.......hard to come by.

Aussies do well here as well as forwards and three quarters.

Poms mainly forwards.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Hiku seems to be quite similar player to Hoffman. Fully committed to every play, quick and agile, lack a bit of physicality.

Hmmm, dunno about that. I reckon both Hiku and Hoffman (especially Hoffman) have plenty of physicality but lack a bit of speed, and particularly in Hoffman's case a bit of skill.

 

[shinobi]

Jess Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Tohu Harris added to the squad.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11129925

 

[shiznit]

What about Dane Gagai??

He would be awesome for the kiwis as we need a centre.

I know uncle Wayne has said he wants to play for qld... But I'm pretty sure he could play in the World Cup and then switch back to qld in a couple of years when he comes in to contention for qld.

But who knows... He could come in to the kiwis environment and not want to represent anyone else.

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

reports here in sydney say hes the bolter for the kangaroos. with no hodges or fergersun hes tipped to be the back up centre