Dan Carter ruled out of tournament

[Somerset]

Goes without saying that this is terrible news for not just AB supporters but fans of the game in general. Been a difficult year for Carter with a quite a long injury layoff during Super Rugby and his form not quite reaching the standards we've come to expect. Then hes missed every second AB test this year anyway (Fiji, South Africa, Japan, now Canada and obviously the remainder of the tournament). Places a lot of pressure on Slade and Weepu - I'd have gone with Weepu but the selectors seem intent on Slade. I imagine Cruden will be called up as replacement; hes had an excellent ITM Cup but to expect him to contribute anything besides at training is asking too much of a player at this stage of the tournament.

[Quaggas]

Bad news, certainly, but frankly the AB are still going to win.

Edit: Have to feel bad for Carter - so many missed Web Ellii, and the minute he's out, they win!

[Hurricane]

Weepu did not cover himself with glory in his 30 minutes at the helm a poor up and under. An aimless kick for territory that wasn't deep enough. Two or three poor passes that created turnovers.
But on the other hand a great short kicking game, and a nice line break, and he went 4/4 with his kicking.

Better than Slade I thought primarily due to the goalkicking aspect.

Play Weepu in the quarters -

Who would you play - I know Somers answer (Weepu) and Athlai's answer (Slade) what say the rest of you...

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Weepu did not cover himself with glory in his 30 minutes at the helm a poor up and under. An aimless kick for territory that wasn't deep enough. Two or three poor passes that created turnovers.
But on the other hand a great short kicking game, and a nice line break, and he went 4/4 with his kicking.

Better than Slade I thought primarily due to the goalkicking aspect.

Play Weepu in the quarters -

Who would you play - I know Somers answer (Weepu) and Athlai's answer (Slade) what say the rest of you...

3 of his kicks at goal were in front though.

Cowan to start with Slade and have Weepu cover both on the bench.

[centurymaker]

I have more confidence in Weepu's kicking than Slade's.

[Flem274*]

Originally Posted by Athlai

I believe in Colin Slade

I played the Colin Slade drinking game today. Every time he makes a hash of things, drink.

Got through a few beers courtesy of him.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by ripper868

Mate, I like you, but every second post you're making has this silver spoon remark in it. Frankly it's bull****. If someone was to post about NRL players being wife-beating pill popping lowest common denominator with no career prospects after football and an IQ equivalent to the number on their back you'd prob call me out on it as well.

Do agree that is a tragedy to see Carter out as you do want the best players playing for every team. Wish him a speedy recovery and best wishes to the NZ economy

Well you'd probably be right tbf.

[Somerset]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Weepu did not cover himself with glory in his 30 minutes at the helm a poor up and under. An aimless kick for territory that wasn't deep enough. Two or three poor passes that created turnovers.
But on the other hand a great short kicking game, and a nice line break, and he went 4/4 with his kicking.

Better than Slade I thought primarily due to the goalkicking aspect.

Play Weepu in the quarters -

Who would you play - I know Somers answer (Weepu) and Athlai's answer (Slade) what say the rest of you...

I thought Weepu played pretty well in his 25 minutes or so. Worth keeping in mind that the game was very scrappy at that point so the ABs and Weepu were employing a more open game so some of the short chips and up and unders were more out of experimentation than gameplan. As I mentioned in the Group A topic though, Weepu seemed to be much more assured in what he was doing - I still get the feeling Slade's confidence is not high enough to lead around this AB side.

The 4/4 goalkicking is obviously a positive aspect though as Athlai mentioned only one was difficult. My overall prediction is that Henry and co. will start with Slade at 10 AND Weepu at 9, but perhaps having Weepu goalkick. That allows Cowan, SBW and Toeava/Guildford/Jane on the bench.

[Hurricane]

somehow we all suspected he might get injured.

Thanks for the posts lads. better that the injury happened now rather than right before the quarters.

The way Henry was talking he was more pleased with Slade than he was with Weepu. So the best Weepu can do is half back like you say Somers.

I wonder if Robbie Deans would handle this injury differently than Henry (ie who would play instead)

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

Who would you play - I know Somers answer (Weepu) and Athlai's answer (Slade) what say the rest of you...

Time for the emergency call up for the ever dependable David Holwell.

Though it looked as if he was playing at 10 for the Canadians today, sadly.

[ripper868]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

I wonder if Robbie Deans would handle this injury differently than Henry (ie who would play instead)

Barnes to 10.

But Quade wont get injured - he doesnt get into contact enough for that. /knockersonthebloke

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by ripper868

Barnes to 10.

But Quade wont get injured - he doesnt get into contact enough for that. /knockersonthebloke

More mean if Deans was in charge of the aBs

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

More mean if Deans was in charge of the aBs

Some Cantabrian no doubt. Probably Stephen Brett.

[Somerset]

Well Slade's a Cantabrian - he only signed with the Highlanders to play at 10 in Super Rugby - so I doubt whether Deans would be approaching things differently.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Originally Posted by Somerset

Well Slade's a Cantabrian...

Yes, I do realise that - I was being a little bit facetious and the only less likely suggestion than Brett would be Jimmy Gopperth (who's not a Cantab; and, in fact, neither is Stephen Brett by birth at least)