bartman
Immortal
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After watching both the NZ-Aussie game and the ESL GF (and replay highlights) I seriously think Bradford's Shontayne Hape should be in the NZ starting side.
At centre he's been playing like a winner, and has a great combination with Lesley Vainikolo. Given Vainikolo will come in for surgery bound Utai, I'd be throwing Hape in as well, he won't let you down.
Vagana didn't shine like we know he can (could), and he's been playing for a loser side all year! Although it also depends what NZ are planning in the halves - young guns or putting in an older option?
Robbie Paul will come into the mix somewhere, but he doesn't really seem to play a lot of gametime for Bradford, so you'd need to keep a backup on the bench. Someone that can cover dummy half and half/five eighth, or just leave it as is and use Paul in that bench utility role? But then what about Motu Tony - one of them at hooker perhaps?
So Vagana may only retain his centre spot due to his experience/seniority at the expense of Whatuira if Paul doesn't start in the halves? You can't really go in with centres and a five-eighth with only a few test games between them.
1. Webb
2. Meli
3. Vagana/Whatuira ?
4. Hape
5. Vainikolo
6. V Anderson ?
7. Leuluai ?
9. Paul
14. Tony
L Anderson :arrow: ?
At centre he's been playing like a winner, and has a great combination with Lesley Vainikolo. Given Vainikolo will come in for surgery bound Utai, I'd be throwing Hape in as well, he won't let you down.
Vagana didn't shine like we know he can (could), and he's been playing for a loser side all year! Although it also depends what NZ are planning in the halves - young guns or putting in an older option?
Robbie Paul will come into the mix somewhere, but he doesn't really seem to play a lot of gametime for Bradford, so you'd need to keep a backup on the bench. Someone that can cover dummy half and half/five eighth, or just leave it as is and use Paul in that bench utility role? But then what about Motu Tony - one of them at hooker perhaps?
So Vagana may only retain his centre spot due to his experience/seniority at the expense of Whatuira if Paul doesn't start in the halves? You can't really go in with centres and a five-eighth with only a few test games between them.
1. Webb
2. Meli
3. Vagana/Whatuira ?
4. Hape
5. Vainikolo
6. V Anderson ?
7. Leuluai ?
9. Paul
14. Tony
L Anderson :arrow: ?