Why is Sitiveni Sivivatu in the All Blacks?

Question

He is not in form and hasnt been for awhile now.

Surley with the likes of Lelia Masaga, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, David Smith who all had a good solid S14 season deserve a chance in the ABs.

Anthony Tuitavake should be given more game time aswell.

Answer 1

Its pretty clear why Siti is in the team, because time and time again he has proven himself in the big arena of Rugby.  David Smith need to develop and grow and maybe a future AB, Cory Jane is playing good but again hasn't really done a heck of a lot in the S14 to sound out and say I'm the AB Winger you need, Hosea Gear plays great rugby and may get a chance in the future if he play consistantly, Lelia Masaga will play for Samoa at the next world cup because unfortunately not everyone can be an AB, and it is unlucky that Tuitavake isn't in the team.  Personally i would take Wolf off and play Siti and Anthony, but thats just my opinion.  Regardless of who they pick, GO THE A.B's!!!!

Answer 2

That is your opinion.

I think he deserves his spot.

It would be great to give them all game time but incase you forgot Henry has been blasted from all directions for that. It was called Rotation.

Answer 3

Give the guy some time and he will deliver the goods.

Answer 4

He`s in there because he is the best winger in the world,, the other 5 you mention are not even in his class.At provincial level ,they are ok and are still learning , and I sure hope that they are learning from watching the master, Sitiveni.

Wayne Smith rates him very highly, 23 tries in 25 tests....not bad.

Apart from scoring  try`s, just watch his workrate around the field in any game, it`s phenominal.

I saw him play his first club game for Pukekohe,he was all class then and still is.

Answer 5

you are quick to forget the great try he set up the first English test. He went through the backline and Carter scored under the bar. Sivivatu also scored himself in that game.

Of course he's had a couple of quieter games, but what do you expect with night games in June. That's why we're all talking about the tight 5 for a change.

Long may it continue.

Answer 6

I think you wil find Sitiveni is one of the most potent attacking weapons in world rugby and also in the first few tests of the season the conditions have meant has not gotten any ball to play with so give him a break.  Masage has butter hands, and the other three you have mentioned are far behind in talent and experience......

Answer 7

Can't pass of his left hand, and is not the best finisher in NZ rugby. Defence has improved but can't rellay see why Gear, Masaga or Tuitavake don't get a run - bring back rotation!

Answer 8

He has the big X factor next to his name, he could play a mediocre game for 79 minutes in a tight match, then in the last seconds sprint away for a match winning 100 mtr beauty. This is what the man brings to the AB's and the game.

Answer 9

He is there because he is good.

Just wait for his partner to strike back soon, i.e 'The Rocket Man' Joe Rokococo, than the fun begins.

Answer 10

he's so out of form that he set-up dan carter's try in the first test against england and has scored in every test this year bar one (or is it two)? right.

i'd hardly call him out of form. he's never had the greatest hands or defence, but he still pulls it out of the bag sometimes. it would be hard to justify leaving out a guy with his strike rate in rugby when he's still scoring tries and creating opportunities with those around him.

Answer 11

Reputation.

Answer 12

Because he runs like a stag in heat, tackles like a missile., kicks better than Ali Williams, isn't greedy with the ball, ie will pass rather than die with it. And scores some amazing tries. So apart from that, no particular reason.

Answer 13

i think its not just your performance that counts for selection. there are intangibles that count.

playing cover defense, making yourself available randomly in the middle of the field when the ball isnt even near you, your kicking ability, your chemistry with the other players on the field, especially the 2nd center and flyhalf, etc etc etc.

its not always the best player who has to be selected, but the one who complements the others. theres always a straight ahead "crash" center, and one who has amazing footwork. theres always one hard hitting flanker, and one who wont kill you, but will likely turnover the ball if he tackles you. theres always a wing who is an extra center and one who is an extra fullback. there are very very few wings like habana who play great defense and offense.

anyway, thats my two cents.

Answer 14

you could ask that about Leon Macdonald and some guys there,some have passed thier use by date,and still lucky to be selected..im no fan of crusaders but i rather see steven brett than leon macdonald,he played 3 world cups already now give others chance.

Answer 15

Yeah A. Tuitavake has been amazing for about three years at centre or on the wing. H. Gear is also playing some amazing rugby for the Maori and should be there, he is a manchine.

Siti is still deserving but not showing the form he has in the past when he truly was the best in the world.

D. Smith, C Jane and Masaga are not there yet, very good but not greats. All are as good or better than Rudi Wulf though, who is he anyway. good feel good for the media with his broken neck and all but not in the top 4 wings in NZ

Answer 16

The New Zealand public has spent the last 4 years giving Graham Henry h**l for the rotation policy and demanding that players stay in.  Now everyone's looking at the team and picking players that should be in and players that should be out.

Fact is, we can't have it both ways.  Right now the All Blacks are working on their forward game, which they have to do against the springboks and we have enough to worry about shuffling the back three and dealing with the whinging girls in the boks forward pack.  Give it time, they'll get to it.  

I agree with you though, Tuitavake should be in Sivivatu's place.  The thing is that Tuitavake is a roving winger who likes his freedom (as you could see in the first English test, he broke out of the line to make tackles three times).

I think the ABs just want to get the first couple tests behind them and be sure we're not going to end up in the Tri Nations basement before they start experimenting again.