NPR

Based purely on SR Aotearoa form;

15. Jordie Barrett
14. Sevu Reece
13. Reiko Ioane
12. Jack Goodhue
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Aaron Smith

8. Hoskins Sotutu
7. Dillon Hunt
6. Shannon Frizell
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

Unlucky: Will Jordan, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u, Mike Ala'alatoa, Ash Dixon

Player of the Tournament: Richie Mo'unga

Dalton Papalii has had more impact than Dillon Hunt.

Thinking Lumpy

can't really argue with this, Du'Plessis Kirifi probably deserves an honorable mention.

R Mo has been sensational.

He single handedly turned the game v the Blues with absolute magic.

All kiwis who know rugby know that R Mo is the best 10 in the nation by some considerable distance. It's not even up for debate. It's only clowns overseas like Stuart Barnes who think otherwise.

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:22 am All kiwis who know rugby know that R Mo is the best 10 in the nation by some considerable distance. It's not even up for debate. It's only clowns overseas like Stuart Barnes who think otherwise.

its a shame he's not going to be able to show that on the international stage this year. These guys only get a limited number if chances to really light up the game while at their peak

Hard to argue with most of that team. I do question if Sam Whitelock is the best lock to partner Tuipulotu based on his SRA form. In some matches I thought he was up for the Reuben Thorne (invisible man) award. The pace seemed too much for the old fella.

Agree re Richie Mounga. I believe he was the difference in a few of those top clashes where the opposition really took it to the Crusaders. His class shone through in the end and proved the decisive difference.

Jordan over Barrett by a mile (JB was better than in previous years, but still makes too many errors and lacks top-end speed)
Bridge over Clarke by a mile (Clarke is one-dimensional and only plays part-games)
Mika'ele-Tu'u over Sotutu by a mile (completely dominated in their one head-to-head matchup and, unlike Sotutu, lasted the season)
Both Christie and Papalii a mile ahead of Hunt.

Otherwise agree.

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:43 am Dalton Papalii has had more impact than Dillon Hunt.

Yes, although Hunt is in career best form I think he's still behind Papalii. But they're both behind Cane.

Certain Navigator wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:05 am Jordan over Barrett by a mile (JB was better than in previous years, but still makes too many errors and lacks top-end speed)
Bridge over Clarke by a mile (Clarke is one-dimensional and only plays part-games)
Mika'ele-Tu'u over Sotutu by a mile (completely dominated in their one head-to-head matchup and, unlike Sotutu, lasted the season)
Both Christie and Papalii a mile ahead of Hunt.

Otherwise agree.

With respect, I disagree with your opinions.

In terms of ball running, I agree that Will ordan was better than Jordie Barrett. But Barrett offered so much more around the park. He was a colossus for the Canes this year. His kicking (out of hand off the tee), playmaking, defense and general leadership was fantastic to see. The reality is that if it wasn't for David Havili's injury, Will Jordan would have finished the finished the season for the Crusaders off the bench.

I agree that Mika'ele-Tu'u did outplay Soututu when they squared off. But it was close, and that in itself is not enough to make this team. Whilst Mika'ele-Tu'u is a very strong ball runner I believe that Hoskins Sotutu displayed an all-round consistency and skillset that set him above Marino.

As for your last call, Papali'i played more 6/bench then he did at 7 and even Tom Christie's mother would admit that he didn't outplay Hunt across the season.

Why can't the Blues/Crusaders game go ahead without spectators? There seems to be a lot of interest in that game (albeit a dead rubber).

Amethyst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:31 am Why can't the Blues/Crusaders game go ahead without spectators? There seems to be a lot of interest in that game (albeit a dead rubber).

It was going to be in Auckland, which is now under a bit of a lockdown.

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:32 am

Amethyst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:31 am Why can't the Blues/Crusaders game go ahead without spectators? There seems to be a lot of interest in that game (albeit a dead rubber).

It was going to be in Auckland, which is now under a bit of a lockdown.

Yeh, but why not without spectators?

Amethyst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:35 am

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:32 am

Amethyst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:31 am Why can't the Blues/Crusaders game go ahead without spectators? There seems to be a lot of interest in that game (albeit a dead rubber).

It was going to be in Auckland, which is now under a bit of a lockdown.

Yeh, but why not without spectators?

There are travel restrictions and the Crusaders aren’t in Auckland.

Has Boshier made anyone's team?

Gumboot wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 9:51 am Has Boshier made anyone's team?

His problem is Frizell was close to Player of the Tournament.

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:22 am All kiwis who know rugby know that R Mo is the best 10 in the nation by some considerable distance. It's not even up for debate. It's only clowns overseas like Stuart Barnes who think otherwise.

And hundreds of challenged Kiwi posters on Facebook.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:41 am Based purely on SR Aotearoa form;

15. Jordie Barrett
14. Sevu Reece
13. Reiko Ioane
12. Jack Goodhue
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Aaron Smith

8. Hoskins Sotutu
7. Dillon Hunt
6. Shannon Frizell
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

Unlucky: Will Jordan, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u, Mike Ala'alatoa, Ash Dixon

Player of the Tournament: Richie Mo'unga

Just the one Cane. How rude.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:19 am Just the one Cane. How rude.

Yeah, seems harsh but I didn't think about the franchises when putting the team together. TJP, Savea, Kirifi and Umaga-Jensen were all close.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:18 am

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:22 am All kiwis who know rugby know that R Mo is the best 10 in the nation by some considerable distance. It's not even up for debate. It's only clowns overseas like Stuart Barnes who think otherwise.

And hundreds of challenged Kiwi posters on Facebook.

As a South African I can only hope you persist with Richie at 10. Beauden is such a match winner at 10, a rare talent.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:41 am Based purely on SR Aotearoa form;

15. Jordie Barrett
14. Sevu Reece
13. Reiko Ioane
12. Jack Goodhue
11. Caleb Clarke
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Aaron Smith

8. Hoskins Sotutu
7. Dillon Hunt
6. Shannon Frizell
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

Unlucky: Will Jordan, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u, Mike Ala'alatoa, Ash Dixon

Player of the Tournament: Richie Mo'unga

Just one quibble over Dalton vis-a-vis Hunt but otherwise I can't argue with that. You know your shit mr MVP.

I'll hold fire until after today's game. This is so previous it's unseemly and not a little rude.

You're, ffs Auckman...


(I think Ali is possible reading too much into full SR form rather than SR Aotearoa with some of those picks)

JM2K6 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:37 pm You're, ffs Auckman...


(I think Ali is possible reading too much into full SR form rather than SR Aotearoa with some of those picks)

Amethyst wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:03 pm

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:18 am

FujiKiwi wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 8:22 am All kiwis who know rugby know that R Mo is the best 10 in the nation by some considerable distance. It's not even up for debate. It's only clowns overseas like Stuart Barnes who think otherwise.

And hundreds of challenged Kiwi posters on Facebook.

As a South African I can only hope you persist with Richie at 10. Beauden is such a match winner at 10, a rare talent.

As a Kiwi so do I. Because he fucked you up in the one game we played you in during the RWC and I have every confidence he will do so again. And again.

Pari Pari Parkinson?

Macropal wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:32 pm Pari Pari Parkinson?

Had a great season. He's our 3rd best lock with Retallick and Barrett unavailable, for sure.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:45 pm

Macropal wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 1:32 pm Pari Pari Parkinson?

Had a great season. He's our 3rd best lock with Retallick and Barrett unavailable, for sure.

Yeah we need a genuinely big aggressive unit beyond the plethora of nice guy 6'5 to 6'7 locks NZ churns out in droves.