NZ ANZAC Test Team predictions

[Bobby DIGital]

I'm a bit disappointed there's no official NZ team thread in the international forum, but I'm here now.

Asofa-Solomona has been ruled out with a hand injury (thanks Melbourne). Miniature lock Elijah Taylor has been called into the squad to replace the giant, and not Tapine.

I'm hoping Kahu isn't picked, and Hiku takes the other centre spot.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

I'm a bit disappointed there's no official NZ team thread in the international forum, but I'm here now.

Asofa-Solomona has been ruled out with a hand injury (thanks Melbourne). Miniature lock Elijah Taylor has been called into the squad to replace the giant, and not Tapine.

I'm hoping Kahu isn't picked, and Hiku takes the other centre spot.

Please provide source of NAS injury.

Hikus crap.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Please provide source of NAS injury.

Hikus crap.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11848127

Nah...Kahu's crap bro. At least he has no chance of stinking it up in the 1 jersey this time though.

 

[Matua]

and Kenny Dowell. After last year, never again..

Happy seeing NAS. Had a feeling Packer would return. Feeling abit mixed about Foran. Would rather have kept him in cotton wool for the Warriors as he doesnt look 100% to me.

GTFO with that club over country BS. If a player is fit enough to run out for their club then they're fit enough to run out for their country.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

I don't rate the Aus team at all, I think we're a massive chance of winning.

My initial thoughts are the same, then I think back to that Scotland game last year, will keep my money in my pocket for this one I think

 

[ozenzud]

Danny Levi must be spewing. This kid with no NRL experience gets a go with the squad. Danny has been bloody good this year.

Tapine must be feeling pretty unlucky as well.

 

[jaseg]

Matt McIlwrick would have more of a case tbh

If I were putting together a WC squad right now, he'd be on it.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11848127

Nah...Kahu's crap bro. At least he has no chance of stinking it up in the 1 jersey this time though.

Thanks for the source. Dissapointing news however.

I dont really like either Kahu or Hiku at centre. I think Kahu is good elsewhere. Hiku - hasnt been the same flyer he was with Manly, still solid but just not the same. My preference wouldve been Takairangi but hes now injured.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Yeah something needs to be done about it. Maybe when a player turns 18 they have to sign something that commits them to a country and maybe a secondary country behind that as well if they have an island background

decoupling origin from National elegibility completely would help. The traditional Origin criteria of where a player played junior football should apply, irrespective of national allegiance.

 

[JohnDoe]

Yeah something needs to be done about it. Maybe when a player turns 18 they have to sign something that commits them to a country and maybe a secondary country behind that as well if they have an island background

They do each player signs a lettet of intent for which country they want to rep when they sign with an NRL club. Dosen't mean much though. Papalii and Taumalolo, Taumou and Kasiano all signed a letter of intent with the NZRL. Yet Queensland NSW and Australia all pursued them.

 

[Burns]

Manu just been named in the Tongan team.

 

[Matua]

Hiku has had one decent match - the ANZAC test 2 years ago when our pack were going nuts. Other than that he's average.

I have come to the conclusion that Kahu stole Bobby Digital's missus - there can be no other rational explanation for his hatred of him.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Maybe that Brandon Smith was only picked to ensure he doesn't defect to Aus....

 

[Bobby DIGital]

Hiku has had one decent match - the ANZAC test 2 years ago when our pack were going nuts. Other than that he's average.

I have come to the conclusion that Kahu stole Bobby Digital's missus - there can be no other rational explanation for his hatred of him.

Aint nobody stealin my mrs homie.

I don't like Kahu as a player cos he's a bum who does stupid things (9's conversion time wasting, and drop out grab before 10 metres Vs the Dogs are 2 recent examples). He has no speed, no vision, no skill. He also plays for a shit team, and shouldn't just walk into the kiwi side due to the team he plays for (which is how he originally got in as Kearney worked there).

He's not up to international level. Hiku won a 4 nations from fullback in 2014. Kahu completely stinks up the joint at fullback.He's a half decent defender, but that's about it. He has zero attacking ability, and I want players who can create point scoring opportunities in our backline. Is that too much to ask?

 

[JJ]

I don't rate the Aus team at all, I think we're a massive chance of winning.

Yeah, by and large our squad seems to be in better form - which is kind of unique - helped of course by Luke finding himself - and now the beast forwards to work with he'll be licking his lips

The Aussies have some strange but loyal selections, and some injury losses and doubts.

Could be a fun test, who knows

 

[JJ]

Can Rapana play centre? Longer term?

 

[jaseg]

He's not up to international level. Hiku won a 4 nations from fullback in 2014. Kahu completely stinks up the joint at fullback.He's a half decent defender, but that's about it. He has zero attacking ability, and I want players who can create point scoring opportunities in our backline. Is that too much to ask?

Hiku had nothing to do with winning that tournament. Could've slotted Kahu in there and would've made no negative difference.

Both are pretty terrible centre options, and just not particularly good players in general. If I had to pick one as a fullback, I'd probably go Kahu for his defensive efforts and just hope for the best... Hiku has been a handbrake at the back in attack also. I remember tests where he has consistently taken the wrong option when chiming into the backline moves.

Looking at the squad we picked, I hope we go with DWZ/Rapana wings and Fus/Whare centres... that Takairangi injury was a savage blow. At least Fus has some upside...

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

I am annoyed by the non-selection of Fusitua.

DWZ, Whare and Kahu are all medium-sized, safe, unspectacular type players. The lack of attacking spark in the outside backs has been the Kiwis major weakness in recent years.

I fully get why the likes of SKD and Vatuvei have been discarded but that STYLE of player (in form) is what we need. More size, more ability to break the line. Fusitua is the point of difference in that squad. To me he is actually just flat out the best player out of those 4, it seems like the selectors have totally failed to recognise talent. It's not like he is too young or inexperienced, he is older than DWZ who seems to have some kind of golden child status?

 

[Burns]

NZ team announced:

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Dean Whare 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jesse Bromwich (c) 9. Issac Luke 10. Russell Packer 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Simon Mannering 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Adam Blair 15. Martin Taupau 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Kodi Nikorima
18. Elijah Taylor 19. David Fusitua

I am annoyed by the non-selection of Fusitua.

Agree. Suppose Rapana and RTS give a bit of stikepower?

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

NZ team announced:

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Jordan Kahu 4. Dean Whare 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Kieran Foran 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jesse Bromwich (c) 9. Issac Luke 10. Russell Packer 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Simon Mannering 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Adam Blair 15. Martin Taupau 16. Kenny Bromwich 17. Kodi Nikorima
18. Elijah Taylor 19. David Fusitua



Agree. Suppose Rapana and RTS give a bit of stikepower?

Yep but I still want more.

We have seen with the Warriors that it's not enough just to have a strong spine if you don't have attacking threats for them to pass the ball to.