Nehe Milner-Skudder

Discussion in 'Rugby Union Discussion' started by Rego, Aug 9, 2015.

  1. Rego RS Hutchinson

    Called it way back on the 27th November 2014 that he was one to watch. Now Hansen get him on the plane. One of the very few positives from the game last night for us. Beat 4 defenders to make a break each time. Gained 113 metres and made some crucial tackles as well, not to mention being in the right places. Outside backs are so hotly contested and I was well aware he may not go no matter how well he played but I'd have this kid in the squad in a heartbeat. Dagg needs to be left behind and Jane is pretty much out now with lingering injuries and unable to prove himself. Hoping to see him start again next week. He's a better FB too so just the start really. Would be handy in games where Ben Smith doesn't start - NMS kicking game > Piutau's imo and his ability to be bloody decent on the wing as well surely has him cementing a place.

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  2. Rego RS Hutchinson

    On a side note of "I'm a better selector than Hansen" last night proved that someone like Ardie Savea really needs to be in the squad. Having him off the bench in a game like that would be immense.
     
  3. Rego RS Hutchinson

    Ben Smith unlikely to play next week after getting knocked out, NMS is pretty sure to start then imo. Might even get a run at FB.
     
  4. Hurricane JD Hurricane

    I wouldn't trust him at full back. I doubt his defence is up to the challenge. To play full back your defence needs to be close to the best in the team.

    I realise he plays there in Super XV. But Super Rugby is a lower standard.
     
  5. Rego RS Hutchinson

    His defence isn't too bad. He only missed 6 tackles for the whole of the Super Rugby comp, whereas Ben Smith missed 12. Notably his tackle success rate was worse last year for Manawatu but it's looks like it's something he's worked on. I don't feel like it's a liability in any sense
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2015
  6. Julian BJ Taylor

    Why do coaches sub out players who play in clutch positions in Union? I know not all coaches do, but the Wallabies always seem to finish the game with a different halfback, five-eighth, fullback and several outside backs.

    Seems absolutely ridiculous for mine.
     
  7. Rego RS Hutchinson

    Well Phipps was shunting, Toomua was a great addition also. Actually Phipps getting a yellow was the best thing for you.
     
  8. Hurricane JD Hurricane

    I think it just comes down to who is on the bench and how good they are. If toomua was say Christian lealiafaino instead then he would have come on at 12 after 70 minutes.

    Ben smith is amazing on defence I have no idea how skudder beat him on that stat
     
  9. Rego RS Hutchinson

    Tbf to Smith, NMS did play a lil bit on the wing and wasn't soley used as a FB but did play most there. I was more or less outlining that NMS's defence isn't bad as I agree, Smith's defence is solid.
     
  10. Starris ER Starris

    I wonder if we need a couple of new players just to be unpredictable... most of our forwards have been around forever and everyone knows more or less how they play... one or two new guys like your Ardie Savea inject a bit of the unknown and youthful exuberance which isn't such a bad thing!
     
  11. Hurricane JD Hurricane

    Yes and even Sam Cane is not known.

    Others in that category, Skudder, Piatau (because he hardly plays), and that Otago boy who scored the match winning try in the final..forget his name...oh yes Dixon.
     
  12. Rego RS Hutchinson

    Agreed. Todd was a clear "more experience" and somewhat Richie-esque pick. Problem is that's not what we need. I shouldn't imagine Todd will go and that gives them more reason that they should have tried Ardie out. The kid is explosive both at ruck time and running. That sort of impact turns games especially when our pack was pretty ineffective.
     
  13. Rego RS Hutchinson

    On a side note. Carter has proved that he's past it. Where's Fiery when you need him - we could all say told you so. I must say I was iffy at first about Lima (sure he's played well this season in the S15) but needs to work on his defence. Regardless the way he played in SA proved he was a better option than Carter. In actual fact I'd like to see Carter out of the 23 for Saturday - he won't be though because Hansen is too predictable but I'd much rather Barrett, Slade or Sopoaga than Carter tbh. Lima will most likely miss the RWC plane but he deserves to go. This is a showcase of holding onto the end of the line players in a WC year.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2015
  14. Starris ER Starris

    Yeah Lima is the future... Love Charles every time I've seen him play he's exciting - such a shame we lose him soon.
     
  15. Droos JP Rhodes

    NMS was very good on the weekend and had an amazing S.15 season, but I am not completely convinced myself that he is better than Savea / Naholo / Jane / Piutau / Ben Smith (if Dagg is at 15). I reckon he will walk the same path that Cory Jane has and be an allrounder on the bench for most of his international career if he even manages to secure a permanent place in the regular 30, which at this stage I doubt considering his competition, but maybe in 2 or 3 years if he has matured and shown that he can maintain this sort of class.

    Agree on the Ardie Savea call - he needs a chance.
     
  16. Rego RS Hutchinson


    Umm I think NMS would be happy to walk the same path as CJ minus the injuries - all rounded yes, bench??? Jane has played 53 matches, of which he's started 45 so I'm not too sure where the bench thing is coming from - he's been our first choice right winger for a good number of years now.

    He's not better than Savea yet and doesn't have to be - he'll never be put on the left wing. Savea does need to up his game of late though - ever since that S15 final he's been average as. Naholo is definitely out and Jane may as well just hang in the towel as he's pretty slim on being on the plane. Naholo once again a different player to NMS may have seen himself ahead of NMS just based on his style of play but NMS definitely had the better debut. It really depends what you want in your right winger, Milner-Skudder constantly gets through tackles and makes breaks with his unstoppable step, can kick well and has good field awareness. I'm not even gonna bring Smith into this, keep him at FB ffs and Dagg needs to be cut as well. So really the only player mentioned with the exception of Smith being above in the ranks is Piutau who is going overseas next year. The future is definitely bright for NMS and Naholo if he can get back to form next year after recovery.

    Savea, Smith, Piutau, NMS, Moala are the outside backs that I would take with Moala able to play centre too obviously. Jane out based on injuries and Dagg dropped. We took 5 outside backs last RWC fwiw. We also took 4 centres which you'd expect to be: Nonu, Smith, SBW and Fekitoa personally I wouldn't take SBW but he'll be going so not even worth disputing it.

    Whether Hansen listens remains to be seen. Basically he can only really fuck over NMS or Moala with a Dagg selection which would be rage worthy.
     
  17. Starris ER Starris

    MMMM I like the idea of Savea, Smith and Piutau.
    And with NMS as cover it is exciting.
     
  18. Squeaks ZW Poole

    So much finger pointing at poor Smith and Carter. Yes Carter missing touch and not getting the kickoffs right is bad as he is under no pressure and would have done it a thousand times at training, but missing conversions that are right on the sideline is hardly bad (maybe get one of them as they are 50/50 kicks) and then as for general play Smith was behind a pack going backwards passing slow ball to Carter who is standing still and having a set Australian defensive line rushing up at him. Life in extremely hard for even the best players in those situations.

    The options were clearly to run cuts back on the defence (which they did a few times early but the aussie flanks were all over the ball so I think they got nervous about doing it). The other option is to put little kids in behind wide enough so the halfback can't get to it, this is a tactic the All Blacks normally use and use well so that confused me but maybe it's all about saving those kinds of plays and from what I have heard a completely new attack (that will hopefully see the props only running the straight line in mid field and not getting the ball so much) for the the RWC.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2015
  19. Squeaks ZW Poole

    On the outside back selection front I swear Moala isn't even in the All Blacks it was just the one game cause the Highlanders and Hurricanes were not there. Even if he is in the squad atm there is no way he is on the plane, he has a 0% chance.

    I would take, and hope they do - Smith, Savea, Piutau and NMS with Barrett to cover fullback and Slade to cover wing/fullback
     
  20. Jabba HJ Bots

    I think Dagg is gonna go cause of his experience. He actually had a really good game vs the argies and his hard running style with big boot may be favourable up north
     

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