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Gibbit's Hurricane Loose Forward Guesses |
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Written by Gibbit
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Friday, 12 October 2007 |
 Following on from the tight forwards post here is a look at 6,7,8. There is an embarrasment of riches available to the Canes selectors around the 6-8 jersey, but a trip to the draft may be required for the openside.
Haile Gebrselassie-like endurance is going to be a top priority for loose forwards under the new rules as there will be a lot more rucks per game for them to get to. Let's see how we stack up and whether the smaller region guys can force their way in
B L I N D S I D E  ALL BLACK 261
No draft needed
Probables:
Jerry Collins
Api Naikatini
Blindside is the deepest position in Hurricane franchise. That's unfortunate for the likes of Jarrad Hoeata, George Nauopo, Nick Crosswell & Michael Johnson who are battling a solid Wellington contingent with Jerry Fuckin Collins, Api Naikatini, Faifili Levave and perhaps a curveball in Jeremy Thrush.
The starting #6 goes to JFC with the back up spot being a real shitfight.
Jarrad Hoeata is off to Bay Of Plenty so is out of the picture.
Michael Johnson may find that a Hurricane jersey eludes him the way that Dwayne Monkley couldn't get his hands on a black one. I think he'll become a victim the amount of depth in NZ rugby at 6 and his age doesn't help either so he may have to hope for a place in the wider training squad.
Nick Crosswell is a less rugged but more dynamic player but he'll find himself hoping the Blues, Chiefs or Highlanders decide they need another blindside or failing that a place in the wider training squad.
If the Canes go for 3 locks then Jerry's back-up will need to be able to cover lock, leaving a choice of 3 candidates.
George Nauopo wasn't always a first choice selection for Peter Russell but he can cover 6,8 and Lock and his physicality suits the Super 14. His versatility could see him picked up in the draft or at least added to the wider training squad.
Jeremy Thrush could be a lock that covers 6. He's pretty mobile and confident with ball in hand and could be a guy that the selectors go for if they decide that they want 'big fuckers'.
Api Naikatini must be close to taking Rookie of the Year honours in the ANZC. He has split time between Lock and Blindside and has stood out as safe in the air, aggressive in the hit and ruck and with a good offload in the tackle. He definitely has an x-factor about his play and edge's ahead of the other candidates through the Home Franchise Advantage Selection Rule
The downside of Naikatini is inexperience and that he is slightly built for a modern forward. If he had to partner Eaton in at lock it could be the lightest pairing in the Super 14.
ODDS
To back up Jerry:
$10.00 Faifili Levave
$7.50 Michael Johnson
$7.50 Nick Crosswell
$6.00 George Nauopo
$6.00 Jeremy Thrush
$3.50 Api Naikatini
O P E N S I D E  Tihei MOURIE ora
Draft:- May be an option
Probables:
Chris Masoe
Scott Waldrom ?
This is the weakest loose forward position in terms of depth as there is a significant step down after Masoe.
Serge Lilo is gooooooone and Rodney So'oialo may be better suited to 7 under the new rules so if Masoe gets injured the Canes could use Grant Webb at 8 with Rodney at 7.
The opensides competing for the title of 'Masoe's Back-up' are Josh Bradnock - Manawatu, Hawkes Bay's Karl Lowe, Taranaki's Scooter Waldrom, and Tom Harding of Wellington. All of them are fairly small but all are physical and very quick about the park. Waldrom and Harding have more experience so that could give them a head start in the selectors mind. Unless OTA is available in the draft (doubt it) I'd think Scott Waldrom would get the nod, even over Tom Harding's HFASR.
Waldrom's extra game time this year would have him better prepared. He's a Wellington boy too so that could also weigh in favour his favour.
Odds:
To back up Masoe
$10.00 Josh Bradnock MAN
$10.00 Karl Lowe -HB
$5.00 Tom Harding - WGN
$4.50 Scott Waldrom - TAR
$8.00 Draft player
N U M B E R 8  B J L
No draft needed
Probables
Rodney So'oialo
Grant Webb
No other number 8 has the same combination of dexterity, speed, power and endurance that Rodders brings. The good news for the dreadlocked one is that new rules ought to be renamed 'The So'oialo Rules'
The great philosopher Jake Heke once said "Too much weights, not enough speed work"
Watching the 'new rules' games from Australia I think the bigger number 8's like Sione Lauaki, Tomasi Soqeta & Nick Williams will tire out earlier meaning that guys like Rodders ,Liam Messam, Pierre Spies and Jerome Kaino will have a field day.
Thomas Waldrom had 6 weeks to make the Canes jersey his in Super14 2007 . He started well but with each week he had less and less influence over proceedings. He has been good in the ANZC but he always is and then doesn't follow through at Super 14.
Hawkes Bay has two good candidates Grant Webb and George Nauopo. Big George covers more positions but Webb is better on the back of the scrum and has very good pace and endurance for such a big guy and has been a real influence to the Bay this year. A buddy of mine was at Otago at the same time as Webb and said you won't find a guy who trains harder. If the Canes don't pick him he'll definitely get drafted by some grateful franchise.
Odds
To back up Rodney
$ 50.00 Bertus Mulder - MAN
$ 25.00 Tomasi Soqeta - TAR
$ 8.00 Thomas Waldrom - WGN
$ 6.00 George Nauopo - HB
$ 2.10 Grant Webb - HB
So far that is 16 forwards ( Wellington unless indicated)
8-7-6 Rodney So'oialo
8-6 Grant Webb - HB
7-8-6 Chris Masoe
7 Scott Waldrom - TAR or draft player (Hopgood? OTA?)
6-8 Jerry Collins
6-L Api Naikatini
L-6 Jason Eaton - TAR
L Hayden Triggs - MAN
L Bernie Upton
3-1 Neemia Tialata
3-1 Anthony Perenise
1 Tony Penn - TAR
1-3 John Schwlager
2 Andrew Hore - TAR
2 Tone Kopelani
2 Dane Coles
I'd prefer to confidently be able to say that Taumalolo and Elliott would be there instead of Coles and Penn but I'm trying to guess what team the selctors would pick.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 October 2007 )
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