Rugby - Page 13

Kyryllo · 05-28-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Zona

Wanted to post this for a while: If you just look at the statistics both Howlett and Gear dont seem to have transitioned very well to the NH? Both are huge try-scorers and look how many points they managed to put on the board since going europe.

Also, i would have tought Hosea Gear would get picked into atleast the training squad...

Howlett may not score that many tries in NH but he still plays very well and is very important to the team. In the NH backs score much less tries than in the SH. On the offense you rate a winger on meters per touch not necessarily by a number of tries, when a winger scores it is usually the credit of the complete backline.

Hosea was not really consistent through out the season but got better in the last games, he will play in the Pacific Nations cup for the Maori anyway. Maybe the NZRU didn't want to weaken the Maori side and take away an important player just to "test" him out. I think Weepu should have been named into the AB squad he's easily top 3 half back in NZ, the best actually IMO. But to see him in the Maori side, of which I assume he will be in, would also be great. Maybe he would prove himself worthy there and come back to the AB for the TriN.

**Hinch** · 05-28-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyryllo

Pacific Nations cup for the Maori

This competition will be a big decider for some places in the Tri-Nations, for sure.

Kyryllo · 05-28-2008, 09:36 AM

Somehow looking at the ABs Training squad I saw that except for Kahui there's not a single younger Maori player on the squad. Am I up to something?

Ben Zona · 05-28-2008, 01:34 PM

Well, up to what? Without having checked all the details i think at the RWC already most players in the ABs with a pacific islanders background had samoan roots...or not?

Yeah, Howlett has a huge allround game, i remeber it looked like he wanted to take over Rodders's #8 spot during a few tests prior to the RWC!!

Kyryllo · 05-28-2008, 03:55 PM

That the NZRU wants to present a good Maori side for the PNC this year.

Wigglyman · 05-28-2008, 08:18 PM

Collins has signed with London Irish, I saw it personally.....

....and then I woke up!!

**Hinch** · 05-29-2008, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wigglyman

Collins has signed with London Irish, I saw it personally.....

....and then I woke up!!

LOL.

Gloucester could use him. God knows we need to sign something other than backs for once.

Wigglyman · 05-29-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hinch

LOL.

Gloucester could use him. God knows we need to sign something other than backs for once.

As much as I love Brain Smith for the job he has done...that's always our problem aswell. However for the first season in ages we could actually do with a back, a 10 is needed.

mariospoiry · 05-29-2008, 07:22 AM

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Newcastle | Burke's career is ended by injury

Matt Burke has been forced to retire. I don't if the writing was on the wall because i haven't followed union for a while but i remember him as being a great player.

Wigglyman · 05-29-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariospoiry

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Newcastle | Burke's career is ended by injury

Matt Burke has been forced to retire. I don't if the writing was on the wall because i haven't followed union for a while but i remember him as being a great player.

He was...but he's an Aussie, so pardon if I don't shead a tear