DESI..ALL BLACK BOLTERS

[Squirter]

If ya interested mate go to this address....

www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3303209a1823,00.html

Hows the engine room ?

Cheers.

[Desi]

Mate the motors going well...its just the driver lol...thanks for the heads up on the squad selections...saw the trial and watched the Lions game yesterday..

Reckon Maa Nonu and Rico Gear have the inside running for the wing positions and Rockocoko/ Dougie should be fighting for the possie...

Lauaki had a good trial and would be a great impact player...Nick Evans played well and there are fewer forward options around than there used to be!

What are your first thoughts on the Lions after the BoP game...my son went and he reckoned the Bay coached made some substitutions too early and if the halves had kicked for territory it would have been a close game...hats off to Lions coaches for tactical changes that steered the game their way...BoP should have also amended their game plan...

I have no faith in Graham Henry as a coach and would not be surprised with the Lions stealing a series win in NZ (unthinkable I know)..mate, the ABs have the players to be invincble but politics, poor coaching and dodgy game strategies and tactics let us down every year!!! I hope Im wrong!!!

[Squirter]

Desi,

Go back to www.stuff.co.nz and the usual clicking and you'll see the test squad there.

Don't know how the hell Gear missed out, or how the hell Howlett made it in, as if you were going for form players it would have to be Gear & Sivivatu....I think Nonu will be an impact player for this season anyway....the selectors are keeping Lauaki honest (keeping weight off- NO TARO) by keeping him training with the squad even though he's not named, but it's all there to read.

Your dead right. the BoP coach started subbing his players far too early particularly hooker-throw in, and thats where the Poms ran away with it, possession from the lineout.

Going to be interesting to see how Warren Gatland handles Waikato, and don't forget he's also technical adviser to the Chiefs next season, who I would suggest at this stage will go all the way to the play-offs. I believe Kellaher's off back to Chch and the Crusaders.

Don't share your lack-of-faith in Graham Henry....he'll do the business ole mate, and now that Aussie has it's extra team in the S14 I think you'll see a general falling-off of form in their other franchises....this may effect the SA franchises as well.

Beer O'clock.

[Desi]

Squirt,
Thanks again...had a read and I cant believe Rico Gear is not in the squad and Dougie made it...hence my reservations about Henry and Co...as for Ali Williams-the guy on recent performances is over-rated and a liability...got to be better players around??!!!

Conrad Smith while potentially exciting is not ready and Nonu should start- the way he has been playing...made the black (AB trial) backline defence look ordinary...a bunch of drunken traffic officers could have done better ...

Hooker and lock (other than Jack) seem to be a weakness so the lineouts again will be where the opposition will be targetting and no. 8 is a question mark...would like to have seen Nick Williams given a go as he has size and a lot of enthusiasm (work on the brain later)...the Lions are big and strong so it would be good to be able to meet them head on...can see them starting off with a 10 man rugby style in the tests (not the expansive start as against BoP) they have quality forwards and a set of world class first fives to choose from and then opening up when they begin to get a roll on...you have to take them head on and then shift out wide and then gain some early points to force them to change their mauling style...their backline will not know what hit them if the ABs shift on a counter attack (if Henry will allow them to)...varying play is the key...

The basis is there for a very good AB side although I can still see some areas where the Lions will work to exploit and then use their strengths to take advantage of...agree with Marshall that the Lions would have no excuses regarding team cohesion and match fitness as they will be given an excellent build up with the NZ Maori and provincial teams compared to the ABs...winning the test series is all that matters mate!!!!!!

Go Mooloo and the Chiefs lol!!! Mate lets hope we can get back on track and win some games (remember Arthur Stones try to take the Ranfurly Shield away from the Aucks- wonderful stuff -sigh- go you beauty!

[Squirter]

Desi....the late mail,

Lauaki starts to-morrow, Mauger at 2nd. and Umunga at center....Fiji has a massive front row, remember Big Bill Cavubaati (can't spell his name) he must be about 40 years old now and he weighs in at....165 kg's, well he's propping.

Ya showing ya age ole mate, Arthur Stone, yeah thats a few years ago now. Counties are also in this new revamped professional Ist. division so now we won't be loosing our top players to the other mobs, and all this goes well for the chiefs.

And keep your eye on the backs mate Henry wants that ball wide....we'll have a better idea after the Maori game on Saturday as the Poms will have near enough a test line-up, if the Maoris come close or clean 'em up the AB's will 3 zip them.

Beer O'clock.

PS. Anton will be back hooking in the tests

[Desi]

Squirter,
Thanks for the info...the games show a lot of passion and enthusiasm from the provincial teams but no brain (coaching?) hopefully Matt Te Pou will use the forwards the set up a good platform and then use the talent in the backline...who's the first five? Cant wait for this weekend sporting heaven lol!

Have a Waikato for me and talk to you after the games...have a great weekend! LOL!

[Squirter]

Yeah mate just realised,

Matt TePou has first call on ALL players at this stage....reason Rico Gear is lining up for the Hori's to-morrow and not the AB's.

David Hill has the 1st.5 posy ahead of Carlos Spencer....when you look at the team there's bugger-all that have not played either for the AB's or the National 7's.

What time do Aussie attach the Samoan's tomorrow....crikey, another slab ta drink.