Half-back for next week that is the question???

Question

What about Richie McCaw for half back;silly question But who have we got Ellis and Cowan both injured

Answer 1

I think Weepu would be your best choice. McCaw is one of the best loose forwards around. It would be criminal to play him anywhere but his normal possy. Always remember the old saying, never weaken one position to strengthen another.

Answer 2

Im pretty sure leonards injured or we'd have him on, hes much better than ellis or cowan.. personally i think we should have ellis off the field and cowan instead. Neither of them really do anything amazing in particular.

if neither of them are up to scratch next week then its probably going to be weepu, otherwise we're stuffed.

im more worried bout the whole breakdown thing, i reckon itd be better to put soialo back to 8, mccaw and thomson back on, if possible. kaino and lauaki just not doing well enough

Answer 3

With Brendan Leonard injured and Ellis out due to injury Cowan should start. (Since a broken nose will be fine in a week)

Weepu did something to upset the coaches and will possibly start on the bench.

Answer 4

Piri Weepu of course!!! Andy Ellis is a girl, lets face it! Any of those other guys would have taken that hit with ease. Brendon Leonard is probably the next choice (by me, not the coaches) but he's injured. I think that Piri is undoubtedly the best choice, I don't even know why he wasn't selected for RWC or this squad. This squad needs some mongrel in it, and Piri provides this as well as being a class halfy. Good nuggety half backs are hard to come by, let Piri show you the way!

Answer 5

We still have Brendan Leonard. He's a safe player to use, but too conservative to do anything spectacular.

We could always bring back Piri Weepu

Answer 6

Piri Weepu is already in training but they've also called up Auckland Blues halfback Taniela Moa for cover.

Answer 7

this is why the NZRU has to change its eligibility rules. Our best half backs yet alone our best tire players are now playing in europe.

This is an interesting period for NZ rugby with a growing number of positions that is lacking depth and international experience.

Answer 8

No.  Our flankers aren't doing that well right now either, ABs have been average at the breakdown in all the games so far, Richie is needed there.  I agree with Bill P, don't weaken one position to strengthen another.  Graeme Henry said at the latest press conference we are lacking experience,  Weepu has a more than any of our other halfback choices so I'd pick him.  The halfback-first five combo is crucial for the game (the ABs game that is) to flow well between forwards and backs, experience there should hopefully make a significant difference.  That's my take anyway.

Answer 9

Weepu, hes a great half back.

Answer 10

Weepu is likely the #1 contender

Leonard would be NZ's #1 halfback but he is currently injured which has been a real blow this year I have a feeling these last 2 test would have been much better for NZ if he were playing. Much better Pass and a bigger threat on attack than Elis.

Answer 11

Hands up for Ellis

Answer 12

weepu

Answer 13

Weepu. Hey didn't NZ just win the U20 World Cup ? They must have had a half-back.

Answer 14

Definately Weepu.

But, can you believe that despite the injuries to both Cowan and Ellis, both are still bracketed in with that No. 9 spot with Weepu. What a joke, and it shows how reluctant they are to play him.

Answer 15

Piri, has a huge boot, pass and ***. But why the cold shoulder?

Big chance for Piri to come back into the fold and show some professionalism on and off the feild, helping some of the new fellas out. Should'nt be hard to out shine mutton heads like Jimmy Cowan.

Answer 16

~Andy Ellis, a young man still learning the job and ~Jimmy Cowan, whose drink problem would almost certainly have seen him exit the All Blacks had there been anyone available to take his place

~sent-to-Coventry halfback Piri Weepu

~Jamie Nutbrown (Bay of Plenty and Chiefs),

~Alby Mathewson (Wellington and Hurricanes), ~second string Maori halfback Chris Smyllie (North Harbour and Highlanders)  

~Taniela Moa (Auckland and Blues).

Answer 17

hi

Answer 18

With both Cowan and Ellis we have waek in the halfback area especially at scrum time. Cowan at best has manged a few good performances when coming off the bench while Ellis despite being solid at best has proved to be indifferent in his form and does not bring ex factor when the game really needs it. Needs more an attacking part to his game. Weepu brings some more experience solidarity and ohysical size to the fringes where we most need it at the moment even though he may not have the nippiness and speed of Cowan or Ellis. We need someone with more command even if it is thru physical play at halfback. Hopefully his past All Black Experience can pull something thru.

Answer 19

If both Cowan and Ellis are both made unavailable there is the obvious choice of Weepu, who is match fit from the Pacific cup comp. The coaches would prefer Brendan Leonard but I think he is still injured and not an option currently. Actually hes probably their first choice over Ellis and Cowan.

Unfortunately after Weepu we are a bit thin, Ive heard talk of Taniela Moa as a player for the future and given he plays for Auckland he may have the inside running.

Answer 20

leonard injured, weepu is the obvious choice. if both (ellis, cowan) are injured then we are screwed.