I'll go with someone else who was maybe more appreciated outside NZ than in it: Daryl Gibson. Vital cog in the great Leicester sides of the early 00s. So I look like this: 1) Wyatt Crockett 2) Sean Fitzpatrick (c) 3) Neemiah Tialata 4) Brodie Retallick 5) Keith Robinson 6) Jamie Joseph 7) Michael Jones 8) Xavier Rush 9) Justin Marshall 10) Nick Evans 11) Va'aiga Tuigamala 12) Sonny Bill Williams 13) Daryl Gibson 14) Cory Jane 15) Israel Dagg
Nice team. I can't really pick any holes in it amongst the players I know. Michael Jones was a steal for you looking back on it. For some people a better player than McCaw. I have caste my vote on that issue by favouring Ritchie for his work rate. There was some controversy when you picked Inga the winger but can't recall what it was now, I used to dream about him taking up the 13 jersey for the ABs and smashing people on the crash ball. The crash ball was a huge tactic back then. Luckily it died out. Between up and unders and crash balls the wingers never saw the ball. Nick Evans probably as good a player as Beauden Barrett tbh. And I am saying that as a compliment as I put Beauden in the top 3 first 5s in the world today. My top 1st 5s Carter - when fit Sexton (looked fabulous for the lions) Barrett Must be a very difficult decision to go overseas and give up on being an all black.
I rate Evans very highly, provides unfussy service to his backs and has a great kicking game. If he hadn't already played for the ABs I truly believe he'd be England's starting #10 right now.
Quietly goes about his business and infinitely superior to Stephen Donald who won the world cup. Also better than Slade who got a run as well in 2011. Also comfortably better than anything Aussie has at the moment. I wouldn't put him in the Lions jersey though as I am quite taken with Sexton's option taking.
1. Greg Feek 2. Anton Oliver 3. Craig Dowd 4. Troy Flavell 5. James Ryan 6. Reuben Thorne 7. Scott Robertson 8. Taine Randell 9. Andy Ellis 10. Aaron Cruden 11. Rico Gear 12. Tamati Ellison 13. Anthony Tuitavake 14. Jeff Wilson 15. Leon MacDonald
I think you have a superb backline except I don't know enough about DG... and VT was past his best by 95... and SBW a bit like Spencer where he could lose you games imho. I've never liked the man and he got yellow carded in a world cup game after being on for about 2 mins iirc... he's a specimen for sure but one I worry about. Would rather he stayed with RL. Absolutely love the rest of your backline. Not sure how good JJ was but MJ more than makes up for any lacking there.
Inga the Winger was well past his best by 95. I think that's the controversy that Hurricane referred to. Was playing league at the time, and when he returned to Union, he had no chance of playing for the All Blacks (and slummed it in the UK for a while as I recall) and opted for Samoa instead. So, according to Jabba's rules, pretty much his whole career post-93 is ineligible for this, I think.
That's a pretty solid lineup the weaknesses are probably your centres and the lack of out and out heros except for Wilson. I can't remember how good SR was either. I went to school with Taine.
ha ha... I don't mind him too much but there are definitely better ones... What do you think of Tonu'u?
Most of the front rows are pretty good I think. Reckon mines as good as any. It's gonna be tough deciding where each side would rank against the rest.
There are a couple of players who I would have avoided. But happy enough with this assessment. I think given the potential ineligibility of Inga the Winner. I am going to award my gold medal to Starris with a * next to it as I couldn't comment on Jabba's team. Honourable mention to Brumby. Top picks of the draft Probably Michael Jones, Ian Jones, Andrew Mehrtens Best Late Round pick - Hika Elliot Best mid round pick - Kahui Best example of picking a player to tick someone else off :ninja:- Jarrod Payne
Think Jabba probably has the strongest 11-14 but I think his 1st five and a few forwards let him down... I'd wanna see some of these teams face off though. Not sure there'd be any thrashings. Not confident enough in my lineup enough to boast it as the best.