The All Blacks with a side of Stephen Donald

[Gibbo89]

I thought about posting this thread for a while as I do not like blaming one player for a teams loss but I thought I should open this up to the geniuses that are KiwiBiker's.

Here is an article I think to be fairly honest:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/best-of-sp...ectid=10684469

The only things on here I don't really agree with are Alby Mathewson being useless and Nonu's ability to leak penalties.

Regarding Stephen Donald, I believe he can be a pretty good player at the lower levels, especially when his team is giving him 'front foot ball'. In the article it calls him a 'two trick pony' (or something) and this seems to be a pretty good assessment.

In my opinion the end of year tour is a great chance for new players to get some experience under their belts without the intensity of the Tri Nations.

I believe Robbie Fruean got a bit shafted with the selections, but in saying that Sonny Bill has to be tested at the top level and they aren't going to leave out Nonu or Smith are they?

Some back up first five options should be players like Colin Slade or Mike Delany.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bitching because of the fact that we lost (I think that losses leading up to a World Cup are needed so we do not peak too early), but more the fact of how we lost.

What are your guys and gals opinions on this?

Feel free to talk about other players that you think are questionable in this team or other players you think should be in the team for this current tour or next years All Black squad.

[MIXONE]

I heard that Stephen Donald has a back injury.
Caused by everyone sticking knives in it...

[Jizah]

Rokocoko needs to go.

[DMNTD:Me]

I did a mean arse wheelie today!

[ellipsis]

....Donald has shown himself a real flash and switched on player on so many occasions in provincial and super rugby that it seemed like he could go all the way.....on the big occasions he has had, and there have been a few, he hasnt stepped up I reckon...he looks good going forward with a team behind him...but only if it works...its not a position we can afford to fuck with really....

[Hitcher]

Things always fall to a low ebb in the All Blacks when Waikato fans demand representation in the national team.

[JimO]

bring back buck

[tri boy]

Things always fall to a low ebb in the All Blacks when Waikato fans demand representation in the national team.

Oi!
Actually, thinking bout it.
Dammit.

[Gibbo89]

....Donald has shown himself a real flash and switched on player on so many occasions in provincial and super rugby that it seemed like he could go all the way.....on the big occasions he has had, and there have been a few, he hasnt stepped up I reckon...he looks good going forward with a team behind him...but only if it works...its not a position we can afford to fuck with really....

Yip, pretty much nailed it on the head I reckon.

[Gibbo89]

Rokocoko needs to go.

he seems to have lost his sting as a winger, but his defensive play and other aspects are pretty good. But no more do we see him do the Rokocoko 'spin' and dominate.

Will be good to see Gear on the wing as Jane has been ruled out.

[oldrider]

Yip, pretty much nailed it on the head I reckon.

Yep! Donald and Henry both tarred with the same brush!

[BuzzardNZ]

Felt a bit sorry for Stephen Donald, but seriously, he lost last Saturdays Aussie vs All Blacks test for us. All the stupid arsehole had to do was kick it out and the game was ours . Only the flip side, I think a lose now and then keeps the AB on their toes. Still SD is better than Carlos Spencer ever was.

[Murray]

Rutledge should have gone on tour!!! He probably would have done a better job closing out the game than Stephen Donald did!!

[98tls]

Felt a bit sorry for Stephen Donald, but seriously, he lost last Saturdays Aussie vs All Blacks test for us. All the stupid arsehole had to do was kick it out and the game was ours . Only the flip side, I think a lose now and then keeps the AB on their toes. Still SD is better than Carlos Spencer ever was.

Really,if Donald had kicked it out there still would have been time for a line out so whos to say the Aussies wouldnt have scored anyway.The All Blacks lost that test because they let a try in simple as that.

[MisterD]

Some back up first five options should be players like Colin Slade or Mike Delany.

Delanywas unlucky to get injured just as he made the AB's last year, he probably hasn't had enough rugby to justify his recall yet. Slade looks like a steady pair of hands to close out a game as a backup to Carter, but I don't see him as fantastic player to start with.

If the NZRFU had only put half as much effort into getting Nick Evans to come home as they put into SBW...shit, they couldn't even manage one "How about it Nick?" phone call.