Planet Rugby Forum

Pakia Pakia

I'd be surprised if it's not Barrett and Ioane. Will be interesting to see if Robertson persists with a non-passing, ball-hogging, selfish centre like Ioane. At this stage 12 is Barrett and 13 is wide open. I expect Leon MacDonald will be a significant factor in backline selections. MacDonald was t...

Pakia Pakia

I'd be surprised if it's not Barrett and Ioane.

Pakia Pakia

I hope Cane is selected and the captain - just to watch the meltdowns. (I think it has a nearly 0 chance of happening but I would laugh). I remember last year people were ridiculing me midway through last year for saying he was the most undisciplined player in NZ. Then he became the first player to...

Pakia Pakia

Angus Bell is world class imo.

Pakia Pakia

But considering Cane is 32 and will be 36 at the next RWC, whats the point of selecting him when he can select: Savea Papali'i Lakai Blackadder Harmon Kirifi These are all fine players. Agree. In regards to the other loose forward positions, is Finau the leading contender for the AB #6 jersey? I wo...

Pakia Pakia

But considering Cane is 32 and will be 36 at the next RWC, whats the point of selecting him when he can select:

Savea
Papali'i
Lakai
Blackadder
Harmon
Kirifi

These are all fine players.

Pakia Pakia

I hope Cane is nowhere near the ABs. It is time to start the cycle by trying out some new blood and that's not just in relation to who has retired or is otherwise unavailable, but getting some dead wood and tried but not quite there players. I hope Cane is selected and the captain - just to watch t...

Pakia Pakia

Jtah wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:33 am
Pakia Pakia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:21 am
Zakar wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:20 am

Then you haven't seen many stats.
True. I'll have to start looking at some more stats. People have been saying I should look at more stats.
I think that was the joke.

Sorry, banter and sarcasm will only be met with earnestness.

Pakia Pakia

Rebels scrum has been good until today. First game without LSL. Don't think that's a coincidence. Crusaders have been poor but their scrum has still been dominant rather than good. I thought the Rebels starting scrum looked pretty ropey all season to be honest. Then you haven't seen many stats. Tru...

Pakia Pakia

I wouldn't be surprised to see Lio-Willie as a bolter. His workrate is immense and accurate.

The amount of work he gets through without making mistakes is phenomenal.

Pakia Pakia

Zakar wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:51 am Rebels scrum has been good until today. First game without LSL. Don't think that's a coincidence.

Crusaders have been poor but their scrum has still been dominant rather than good.

I thought the Rebels starting scrum looked pretty ropey all season to be honest.

Pakia Pakia

Hurrifan wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:44 am If the Rebels can stay close they're a chance.

I still think the Saders will make the finals, and I don't want to face them at that point.

I'd love to see the Hurricanes finish top of the table and Crusaders in 8th.

Pakia Pakia

Gee the Crusaders are nervous bunch at the moment with their handling. Self sabotage.

Pakia Pakia

Pakia Pakia wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:35 am Crusaders looking better but they need to be ahead by 20 before the Rebels bench comes on.

Maybe not. Rebels forced to bring the bench early.

Pakia Pakia

Crusaders looking better but they need to be ahead by 20 before the Rebels bench comes on.

Pakia Pakia

If he doesn't bring balance to the loose forward trio I look forward to the 'you were the chosen one' memes

Pakia Pakia

Yeah Brumbies have been a bogey team for the Hurricanes forever.

Pakia Pakia

Pakia Pakia

yeah the consortium with $30 million cash should be allowed to throw it on the burning fire.

Pakia Pakia

So Wright, McReight and Cale it is then?

Pakia Pakia

Yeah, just looking at that article posted above, it seems like the Rebels future is far from assured. There are two legal battles, against RA and the ATO, that have to be won by the Rebels before this deal happens. Correct. I thought the point of a limited liability company was to limit liability. ...

Pakia Pakia

What's the deal with the directors being personally liable for the Rebels tax bill? Yeah, just looking at that article posted above, it seems like the Rebels future is far from assured. There are two legal battles, against RA and the ATO, that have to be won by the Rebels before this deal happens. ...

Pakia Pakia

What's the deal with the directors being personally liable for the Rebels tax bill?

Pakia Pakia

Pakia Pakia

Says he weighs 105kg. Think he only needs an extra 5kg if that's the case. AB's went deep into the RWC last year with Frizell as their heaviest loose forward at 110kg. :thumbup: Frizell plays ‘heavy’ though. If that’s even a thing So does Savea. The only soft cock in that backrow is soak tackle Pap...

Pakia Pakia

Interestingly Savea played off the bench in his last Japanese league game.

Sam Cane hasn't even been playing.

Pakia Pakia

Says he weighs 105kg. Think he only needs an extra 5kg if that's the case. AB's went deep into the RWC last year with Frizell as their heaviest loose forward at 110kg.

Pakia Pakia

Ted. wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:00 am

Jacobson only features in missed tackles.

He's second in turnovers won.

Pakia Pakia

Those stats really show what an impressive season Peter Lakai is having. I knew he'd been playing well but wow. I think they really highlight Hoskins Sotutu's form. What's most surprising is Tom Christie in the top five for clean breaks and try assists, that's enough for me to think he's developed ...

Pakia Pakia

Looks like Aumua will be back for the playoffs and AB squad naming which is good news. Fingers crossed. If you're the Canes, do you bring him in straight in to the starting squad or back James O'Reilly to see you through the playoffs? Realistically guys with knee injuries need to be managed back in...

Pakia Pakia

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 3:07 am I wouldn't be upset with this backrow;

8. Sotutu
7. Savea
6. Finau

Big, strong, mobile and genuine lineout options which will be needed with Whitelock and Retallick retired.

looks good. Good point on the lineout options with our GOAT locks gone.

Pakia Pakia

Having a quick look over the Super Rugby stats for Australian loose forwards I'd go for these guys: 6. Liam Wright 7. Fraser McReight 8. Charlie Cale Bench Josh Kemeny Valetini has the lowest tackle percentage and the most missed tackles of any Australian loose forward so far this season. That's a ...

Pakia Pakia

Having a quick look over the Super Rugby stats for Australian loose forwards I'd go for these guys:

6. Liam Wright
7. Fraser McReight
8. Charlie Cale

Bench
Josh Kemeny

Valetini has the lowest tackle percentage and the most missed tackles of any Australian loose forward so far this season.

Pakia Pakia

Loose Forwards below 90% tackle success ( 3 or more games ):

78% Wallace Sititi
82% Cullen Grace
84% Hoskins Sotutu
86% Sean Withy
86% Brad Shields
88% Christian Lio-Willie
89% Samipeni Finau
89% Simon Parker
89% Anton Segner

Pakia Pakia

On Sotutu I would say that his work at the breakdown has vastly improved. He's been a lot more aggressive and accurate there. A lot of his tries have come from smashing it over close to the ruck so he's showed his power there. He's served an important role in converting the Blues possession and carr...

Pakia Pakia

Yep Lakai is good across the board featuring everywhere but lineout. That's ok though because he's been playing 7 mainly.

Pakia Pakia

Luke Jacobson doesn't feature much in the loose forward stats so far this season. Have to say Lakai and Iose will be putting major pressure on his spot. Will they want to look at more specialists or utilities? Obviously missing ruck/breakdown attendance which is a big one for loose forwards. Blues a...

Pakia Pakia

Loose Forward Top 5 Stats so far: Carries 101 Peter Lakai 91 Hoskins Sotutu 90 Brayden Iose 82 Akira Ioane 70 Cullen Grace Metres 398 Brayden Iose 394 Hoskins Sotutu 269 Peter Lakai 229 Akira Ioane 227 Dalton Papali'i Clean Breaks 4 Dalton Papali'i 3 Peter Lakai 3 Du'Plessis Kirifi 3 Hoskins Sotutu ...

Pakia Pakia

Grace not good enough at the moment, from a Sader perspective, Blackadder hopefully come 's back from injury. Ioane still to soft for test matches, So'tutu hopefully, Papali'i & Jacobsen not at International standard. Frizzell will be missed. Bigger issues are 4,5,,9,10 & 15. When Dalton had a run ...

Pakia Pakia

Ted. wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:35 pm Just came across this from Finau.

https://x.com/ChristypDoran/status/1777508356825207222

Ouch!

He's hitting first fives just after they've passed. Might be get penalised by NH refs. I'd love to see him doing that against some midfielders or loose forwarders.

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