Nathan Cayless v GB

[bartman]

Having watched the game at the ground (and a good little stadium it is too - seats close to the field and under cover), I thought Nathan had his best game since his injury.

Did people notice that he was actually acting as NZ captain while Wiki was off the field for 20 mins or so?

Nathan tackled hard and solid in the middle. His hit-ups tend to be short and back in at the markers that made the previous tackle - if he could just get a quick play the ball away that would be a very effective move.

Anyway, I had thought on form he was lucky to keep his spot ahead of Roy Asotasi, but with NZ desperate to win against GB in their next (final) game, I reckon Nathan may now return to the starting line-up, maybe in the second row in place of Kidwell (who just gave away too many penalties) or Swann?

 

[Phillips]

he had a very good game

still cant beleive Solomona hasnt been given a game yet #-o surely he would have been a better option then Swann...

 

[bartman]

Don't think Solomona made the final squad, just the train on.:roll: So Solo's officially on holidays, and is probably even back visting in Australia for a bit?

 

[Stagger eel]

I thought he was ok, but carrying some unwanted weight.

It was his bestgame in the tournamant but still not up to caylo standard.

 

[strider]

maybe in the second row in place of Kidwell (who just gave away too many penalties)

nah, surely noy Kidwell - apparently he is some sort of legend.

 

[Utey]

Iam not sure who will be replaced in the starting side but Cayless should be a starter. He has a little bit of excess weight but Iam glad his getting some game time anyways. I just wish he would be given the ball out of reach of the markers. IMO his best game of the tournament.

 

[True EEL]

Cayless played really well (especially considering as most people have said his limited games coming back from injury) and should be starting and "was" the captain a lot more than Wiki was????

and as if he shouldn't be starting over Swann :roll: and probably Kidwell after his erratic performance (after being their best forward in the opening exchanges before he lost his head with over-enthusiasm in tackles/play the ball area)

and seriously, if Robbie Paul was in better form, their bench from the game of

14. Paul
15. Cayless
16. Rauhihi
17. Ali

would have to be about the best bench in international football and perhaps even better than the Aussie bench at times?????

I mean two starting NRL props and Captains (Caylo and Rauhihi), the "Micheal Jordan of Rugby League" :roll: or the "biggest man in the world", Ali and Robbie Paul, who when on song can be bloody brilliant???????

 

[Twizzle]

Caylo needed the other games, for a run

he is playing closer to his normal form now

he's a pretty reliable and honest footballer

 

[BlueNGoldBlood]

anyone notice the english commentators raving on about the kiwis that play in esl :lol: they talked them up like they were gods or something :roll:

cayless had a solid game considering his injury etc this year

and is leuluai gonna miss next weeks game cause of injury? that would make nz selection interesting without a decent halfback, as that paul dude is rubbish

 

[Hurriflatch]

I also noticed the english commentators praising Mander each time a call went the poms way

 

[eloquentEEL]

if Leuleuai doesn't play in their next match, I could image Paul starting at 7 and Perenara brought in on the bench (assuming he made the final squad, and not just the train on squad).

 

[True EEL]

perhaps Perenara could be an option at half???

but i think Robbie Paul will get the nod and he is not rubbish, just not playing his best, doesn't anybody remember a few years back in tests when he and his Rugby convert brother Henry Paul would carve us up?????

and yes the English commentators would lift every time Shontayne "I was never good enough for NRL" Hape got the ball and same with Logan "I'm way past my prime (which wasn't real good anyway)" Swann - ESL players ;-)

pity the Volcano is out injured - he can play!!!!

 

[Utey]

Perenara was in the training squad and I thought he might be given a shot seeing how favoured he is with Anderson.

 

[Iafeta]

Gee, I didn't think either of the Cayless' had test matches to be proud of. The Kiwis got slaughtered up front, only Ruben Wiki and Sonny Bill Williams stood up to them. Rauhihi showed more positive signs from a Kiwis perspective than Nathan. The injury is still affecting him big time. I think its a pity Iafeta Paleaaesina isn't there, because going on Cayless' form overall he'd have pushed him out by now. I'm surprised Chan hasn't got a start ahead of him actually.

 

[bartman]

Perenara didn't make the final cut for the tour. Jason Cayless was quiet this time but will bounce back.

Ali L must start in the second row next game. Chan might even be considered, but coming into the second row more than up front?

 

[oldmancraigy]

I almost agree with Iafeta:

Cayless trimmed down a couple of kilos before season 2004, and got himself all geared up to play second row and run a little wider, and a little later in the tackle count. In the (few) games that he got on the paddock for the eels, that's just what he did.

On another note, I cannot understand what (coach) Anderson is doing - why is Paul not in the starting lineup?

 

[True EEL]

iafeta,

we seem to agree a lot, but i can't agree that NZ got slaughtered up front???? especially early on and for pretty much all the first half particularly, the NZ pack was all over GB and Cayless and Rauhihi and Ali all did well when they came on

i do agree that Jason Cayless is in a slump and actually thought the great Ruben Wiki had an ordinary game and said as much himself afterwards??

 

[bartman]

OMC, Paul has only been playing 40 mins a week or thereabouts with Bradford most of this season. And his form has been... questionable in the ESL games I've seen. Basically, Leuluai does better than him in games at the moment (eg last week), so I'd say that's why he's not been a started until now.

Robbie Paul has been named in the starting line-up for NZ's game v France. But that lineup seems an "experimental" one with Fafi'ili at five-eight, and everyone that hasn't played much (Halautu, Koopu etc) getting a go.