Who to replace Richie McCaw? the selectors say they are gunna bring a specialist openside flanker in...?

Question

Interesting...thoughts?

Answer 1

Tanerau Latimer

Answer 2

NZ don't really have any big name players to replace especially with Collins retired and the selectore not selecting Masoe for some reason but that Thomposon dude might move over to 7.

Answer 3

Adam Thompson did a good job last night.

I'd put Thompson and So'oialo on as left and right instead of blind and open, just til we can see who performs better in the open and Jerome Kaino at #8.  Where the h**l is Keiran Read??  If he doesn't get called up as either a flanker or a lock, something is severely wrong.

(So'oialo is, in my opinion, better in the tight and should play blindside but Thompson is too untested to put into the #7 right away)

Daniel Braid is out for another 6 weeks and Marty Holah is overseas.

Answer 4

What happened to Vito?

Answer 5

Braid if fit otherwise Masoe by defult

Answer 6

The selectors mentioning they will provide cover in the form of a specialist seems to suggest that they have ruled out Chris Masoe altogether, I see him as the only logical choice to replace McCaw but obviously the selectors dont think so. Ive heard Braid is injured, not sure for how long though. But I would say he is at the top of their list, after that we really are clutching at straws. Another question would be who to replace him as captain. Soioialo is capable and probably the best bet but Williams could be an option (pending fitness), or Carter, maybe Muliaina?

Answer 7

Hopefully no one because Richie McCaw is my favorite and the best

Answer 8

What a ridiculous thing to say Axwell 5 - I suppose you expect Richie to take the field on crutches?  Or perhaps the All blacks will just play with 14 players and have no number 7?

Unreal.......

Answer 9

Daniel Braid

Answer 10

i think thomson is fast enough to share the duties at the breakdown with so'oialo. kaino or lauaki in da no 8 and someone to replace williams at da lock. boric should start and eaton should come on the bench. but why arent the selectors picking masoe??

Answer 11

Give Kaino A Shot

Answer 12

marty holah

Answer 13

jerome kaino move to blindside, rodders to open and lauaki at the back. thompson utility. maybe call up of mose tuiali'i to cover