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NZ should be favourites?

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,537
With a spine of Walsh, Foran, Hughes and the cheese are nz favourites for the cup?

add in a very powerful pack and they could be good for a few $’s on them to win it!
 

Hartwood

Juniors
Messages
217
With a spine of Walsh, Foran, Hughes and the cheese are nz favourites for the cup?

add in a very powerful pack and they could be good for a few $’s on them to win it!
Walsh has already chosen QLD/Australia over NZ and would've made his Origin debut last year if not for injury. Can't imagine Foran plays ahead of Johnson or Brown either. I'd definitely put Australia and Tonga as the 2 favourites, but NZ are certainly a chance
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,112
Tonga a favourite? I don't think that is realistic. They don't have halves and their pack probably isn't as strong as the last RWC when they surprised the Kiwis or 2019 when they got hammered by the Kiwis and surprised the Aussies.

Well, at least we'll get a chance to see how they're travelling in June.
 

Hartwood

Juniors
Messages
217
Tonga a favourite? I don't think that is realistic. They don't have halves and their pack probably isn't as strong as the last RWC when they surprised the Kiwis or 2019 when they got hammered by the Kiwis and surprised the Aussies.

Well, at least we'll get a chance to see how they're travelling in June.
Probably wishful thinking from me. But I do think they've got the second best pack behind Australia. For the halves Loloheas been good for Huddersfield and always steps up for Tonga, and if Staggs keeps up the form he showed last night he could be the most dangerous 5/8 in the wc
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,112
Probably wishful thinking from me. But I do think they've got the second best pack behind Australia. For the halves Loloheas been good for Huddersfield and always steps up for Tonga, and if Staggs keeps up the form he showed last night he could be the most dangerous 5/8 in the wc
Their pack is slightly overrated. NZ's pack easily matched them (at the least) in 2019. The 2017 match is really an anomaly because that NZ team was in disarray due to off the poor coaching staff. In fact the rise of Tonga was partially down to that as it saw players defect who otherwise wouldn't have.
 

The_Frog

First Grade
Messages
6,390
With a spine of Walsh, Foran, Hughes and the cheese are nz favourites for the cup?

add in a very powerful pack and they could be good for a few $’s on them to win it!
If you think they'll win, now is the time to get on. Currently $7.50 second fav's.
 

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,602
CNK, Brown, Hughes, Smith is a decent spine, unfortunately not much depth beyond that if injuries hit. Foran, Johnson, Clark, Manu. They really could do with Walsh but I don’t think he’s interested.

Australia are rightfully favourites, I can see England, NZ, Tonga, Samoa & Fiji all being closely matched depending on player availability.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
69,537
That’s a shame about Walsh. He’s never getting in the kangaroos ahead of Tedesco, pappenhuyzen and turbo. SOO cash too tempting I guess.
 

cumbrian Mackem

Juniors
Messages
2,232
That’s a shame about Walsh. He’s never getting in the kangaroos ahead of Tedesco, pappenhuyzen and turbo. SOO cash too tempting I guess.
Same could be said for ponga who has a better claim of being a kiwi.

imagine if RL was more like RU and we actually had a genuine international game instead of SOO and stupid Māori v indigenous all stars nonsense.
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,112
Same could be said for ponga who has a better claim of being a kiwi.

imagine if RL was more like RU and we actually had a genuine international game instead of SOO and stupid Māori v indigenous all stars nonsense.
F-off, that game doesn't impact test matches or the international game.
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,112
CNK, Brown, Hughes, Smith is a decent spine, unfortunately not much depth beyond that if injuries hit. Foran, Johnson, Clark, Manu. They really could do with Walsh but I don’t think he’s interested.

Australia are rightfully favourites, I can see England, NZ, Tonga, Samoa & Fiji all being closely matched depending on player availability.
For the Kiwis that is awesome depth in the halves and fullback. That's probably peak depth for the halves, remember we've played Tohu Harris and Pita Hiku there in recent years.
 

The Penguin #6.

Juniors
Messages
1,161
Patrick Herbert played in the Maori All-Stars team and had a good game, has been having a strong year as well. He was on a mission in defence in the Titans/Eels game tonight. I thought he might take the other centre spot with Manu. Hughes is a cert for half back, just a question who partners him. Johnstone can be inconsistent but he`s a match winner, Foran reliable, but getting on and injury prone, I suppose Dylan Brown if he keeps up the good form.
Pack is awesome, take your pick. I like Tapine, had a blinder in the All-stars, something like 7 line-breaks and 2 tries.
On the other hand CNK at Canberra had a poor game tonight and although he`s usually solid, he`s no world-beater. Just a shame Ponga won`t declare himself for NZ, it`s such an important position.
 
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