All Blacks Trial: Possibles 37 Probables 32
A terrific game.. Just how a trial should be with all 30 players plus trying to make the impact and put their hand up for the All Blacks jersey.. Sitiveni Sivivatu was the star of the night.. two tries and he made one.. his side-step and pace is just incredible.. his defence as we all know superb as Clyde Rathbone would know after the Pacific Islanders test last year.. he has definitely nailed the no. 11 jersey.. i can already hear O'Driscoll and co quaking.. how on earth are they going to tackle this guy?
Ma'a Nonu was probably the star of the night for others who watched though.. and he did make two tries and create one which he dint quite manage to finish in a huge second half - that was Smith's honour.. his strength and pace makes him a great impact player, or even gives him a place in midfield alongside his captain and Wellington mate Tana Umaga.. although the former is probably the more likely scenario.. his teammate Conrad Smith also had a huge game and should be in the mix.. he's a very clever and talented footballer..
others? Byron Kelleher should start at no. 9.. Woodcock has kept the scrummaging spirit alive in NZ.. Nick Evans will be a sub coz he can play at first-five eighth and fullback.. Lauaki should be in there prob as a sub.. Hore was solid.. Howlett was too quiet.. Anesi was impressive..likewise Nick Williams.. Newby and Blackie were alright, although Newby was more quiet in the 2nd half.. Bates might challenge So'ialo who only appeared in the dying minutes of the trial.. but he should be in there after his tremendous performance against France last November..there were 30 plus players on show but i'm just gonna mention the stand outs..
let's not forget the Maori team who played Fiji.. and now watching the English version after watching bits of the game on the Maori channel - and yes it was in Maori although that was never a problem.. the Maori won 29-27 although Nicky Little missed the conversion which should leveled the scores.. but Matt Te Pou would have been pleased.. the Fijians played their hearts out as usual and were v strong challenging for the ball, and of coz they've got the likes of Bobo, Lingairi and Delasau, all known for their pace..
now the one disappointment with tonight's big trial in Napier was the fact that no lock really stood out.. they were all solid in the lineouts but no stand out performances there.. having said that, the lineouts were fantastic with only 1 against the throw and that was a ball into touch.. so u have to say that the locks were good.. although i think Ali Williams and James Ryan should be in the mix.. the real test for locks prob came in Suva.. i think Jono Gibbes at no. 6 was awesome as he always has been in with lineouts.. and i think he could be the answer, whether as starting lock or a sub.. Marty Holah's hit form at the right time of the season.. i said earlier when the Highlanders were riding high that Blackie might be ahead.. but when they played the Chiefs in the last round of the Super 12, it was clear Marty Holah was the superior flanker.. unfortunately for Blackie who being from Otago is dear to my heart.. Rua Tipoki was v good as well.. might be an outside chance although it'd be tricky with Nonu, Smith, Mauger, Laulala and Umaga fighting for the midfield spots..
a good win for the Maori nevertheless despite the fact they prob only should have drawn the game.. but they will be competitive against the Lions and i sense even an upset win.. and without Spencer.. Hill and McAlister were superb.. and why would u upset a formula that works..
well in the future i'll try and find out why Fijian rugby players, i.e. the likes of Caucaunibuca, Rokocoko, Sivivatu, Vunibaka, etc. are just so freakin' fast.. but i have to say that New Zealand rugby is still v strong and alive despite the disappointments in recent times with the World Cup and players leaving.. there will always be players coming in to replace others.. who remembers Cullen or even Lomu to a certain extent? for a country of 4 million people that is fantastic..
can't wait for tomorrow's opening match in Rotorua.. over 12 months of waiting is finally over..
p/s here's my All Black 26 to face the Lions:
Ma'a Nonu was probably the star of the night for others who watched though.. and he did make two tries and create one which he dint quite manage to finish in a huge second half - that was Smith's honour.. his strength and pace makes him a great impact player, or even gives him a place in midfield alongside his captain and Wellington mate Tana Umaga.. although the former is probably the more likely scenario.. his teammate Conrad Smith also had a huge game and should be in the mix.. he's a very clever and talented footballer..
others? Byron Kelleher should start at no. 9.. Woodcock has kept the scrummaging spirit alive in NZ.. Nick Evans will be a sub coz he can play at first-five eighth and fullback.. Lauaki should be in there prob as a sub.. Hore was solid.. Howlett was too quiet.. Anesi was impressive..likewise Nick Williams.. Newby and Blackie were alright, although Newby was more quiet in the 2nd half.. Bates might challenge So'ialo who only appeared in the dying minutes of the trial.. but he should be in there after his tremendous performance against France last November..there were 30 plus players on show but i'm just gonna mention the stand outs..
let's not forget the Maori team who played Fiji.. and now watching the English version after watching bits of the game on the Maori channel - and yes it was in Maori although that was never a problem.. the Maori won 29-27 although Nicky Little missed the conversion which should leveled the scores.. but Matt Te Pou would have been pleased.. the Fijians played their hearts out as usual and were v strong challenging for the ball, and of coz they've got the likes of Bobo, Lingairi and Delasau, all known for their pace..
now the one disappointment with tonight's big trial in Napier was the fact that no lock really stood out.. they were all solid in the lineouts but no stand out performances there.. having said that, the lineouts were fantastic with only 1 against the throw and that was a ball into touch.. so u have to say that the locks were good.. although i think Ali Williams and James Ryan should be in the mix.. the real test for locks prob came in Suva.. i think Jono Gibbes at no. 6 was awesome as he always has been in with lineouts.. and i think he could be the answer, whether as starting lock or a sub.. Marty Holah's hit form at the right time of the season.. i said earlier when the Highlanders were riding high that Blackie might be ahead.. but when they played the Chiefs in the last round of the Super 12, it was clear Marty Holah was the superior flanker.. unfortunately for Blackie who being from Otago is dear to my heart.. Rua Tipoki was v good as well.. might be an outside chance although it'd be tricky with Nonu, Smith, Mauger, Laulala and Umaga fighting for the midfield spots..
a good win for the Maori nevertheless despite the fact they prob only should have drawn the game.. but they will be competitive against the Lions and i sense even an upset win.. and without Spencer.. Hill and McAlister were superb.. and why would u upset a formula that works..
well in the future i'll try and find out why Fijian rugby players, i.e. the likes of Caucaunibuca, Rokocoko, Sivivatu, Vunibaka, etc. are just so freakin' fast.. but i have to say that New Zealand rugby is still v strong and alive despite the disappointments in recent times with the World Cup and players leaving.. there will always be players coming in to replace others.. who remembers Cullen or even Lomu to a certain extent? for a country of 4 million people that is fantastic..
can't wait for tomorrow's opening match in Rotorua.. over 12 months of waiting is finally over..
p/s here's my All Black 26 to face the Lions:
- Tony Woodcock
- Keven Meleamu/Anton Oliver
- Andrew Hore
- Greg Somerville
- Carl Hayman
- Chris Jack
- Ali Williams
- Jono Gibbes
- Jerry Collins
- Sione Lauaki
- Richie McCaw
- Marty Holah
- Rodney So'ialo
- Byron Kelleher
- Justin Marshall
- Daniel Carter
- Nick Evans
- Sitiveni Sivivatu
- Joe Rokocoko
- Rico Gear
- Aaron Mauger
- Tana Umaga
- Ma'a Nonu
- Conrad Smith
- Mils Muliana
- Leon McDonald
posted by Unknown at 10:01 pm
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