Tasesa Lavea

[Ray]

Was in blinding form for Auckland last year in the NPC, and was the key to them winning the championship. But this year, he has been largely quiet, as he has had to play behind Spencer and McAlister in the Blues.

Would many of you take him instead of Leuluai AND Perenera in the Warriors?

I would.

 

[Humphrey]

Was in blinding form for Auckland last year in the NPC, and was the key to them winning the championship. But this year, he has been largely quiet, as he has had to play behind Spencer and McAlister in the Blues.

Would many of you take him instead of Leuluai AND Perenera in the Warriors?

I would.

Ahead of Lueluai yes definitely but Perenara - on expereice yes BUT not on skill

 

[tHe_MaC]

Lavea did not play behind McAlister at the Blues, he got injured.

 

[Ray]

Yes but seeing McAlister at 10 at the U21 WC, I don't think the Blues selectors next year would have Lavea ahead of McAlister in the pecking order.

Speaking of rugby possible recruits, what about Orene Ai'i? Good at sevens, but fails to convert it to 15-man rugby. I see he is being groomed into a halfback for this season. His "style" is quite similar to Motu Tony's, only that Ai'i is more skilled.

 

[Murphdogg1]

Yeh good call Ray i think he would be a more than decent league halfback

Interestingly enough, the Auckland NPC side are trying to groom Orene to play halfback in Union. Playing him at halfback for the Blues could potentially be great because hes got so much natural talent.

 

[Ray]

Playing Orene Ai'i in any position in a rugby team is a liability....

 

[Murphdogg1]

What are u on Ray???

In 2003 he started one game for the Blues and that was against the Waratahs in Sydney round 1 and got Man of the Match

also last year he was fullback when we won the NPC

plus in 99 he was 5/8 when we won the NPC

 

[Ray]

He was fullback - yes.

Did you catch him playing first-five earlier in the NPC? He showed his ability to punt the ball was limited. He will never play in the 10 jersey again.

 

[Murphdogg1]

fine but ur point about him being a liability in any position is bullshit

 

[Ray]

Let's put in this way, I would not rate Orene Ai'i as a Top 7 in any backline position.

 

[ozbash]

Orene Ai'i ?

guy can walk on water

 

[Murphdogg1]

yeh good call ozbash!!!!!!!

 

[Ray]

So Murph, you would place Ai'i in the Top 7 of the fullbacks, wings, first-fives and halfbacks in NZ?

 

[Ray]

Orene Ai'i ?

guy can walk on water

We have King Carlos for that thank you very much.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

dont forget centres

 

[Murphdogg1]

lol yeh King Carlos is da bomb but yeh Orene is def top 7 first fives in nz

1-King Carlos
2-Merhtens
3-Carter
4-Mccalister
5-Ai'i
6-Evans
7-Hill

 

[Ray]

I guess you are a joke then Murphy. You didn't even put Lavea ahead of him.

Nick Evans is one of the most promising rugby backs in NZ at the moment. Evans is an All Black, Ai'i is not.

David Hill, Glen Jackson, Riki Flutey, David Holwell, Cameron McIntyre, Aaron Mauger, Tony Brown, Tasesa Lavea, Donald would all rate above Orene Ai'i.

 

[Ray]

dont forget centres

Top 8 Centres (no particlular order):

Tana Umaga, Seilala Mapusua, Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Ben Atiga, Keith Lowen, Nathan Mauger, Ma'a Nonu, Mils Muliaina. There's 8 and I could still name many more who are better than Ai'i in the 13 jersey.

Regan King, Casey Laulala, Ryan Nicholas, Conrad Smith also spring upto mind.

 

[Murphdogg1]

look mate

Lavea is shit at union i went to school with him

If he is so good then howcome when Carlos got injured against the Chiefs in the S12 earlier this year, we put Lavea and we got HAMMERED??

Cos he is shit!!!- all he does is pass, he cant kick or run


When Carlos came back we almost made the finals so thats one of your points nullified

I agree Evans is a quality player........at fullback, hes relatively untested at first five

as for the rest of your comments i am not even going to bother

 

[Humphrey]

Come on guys -we're off the track and keep your ra-ra sh*t off this forum!