unite ABs

The Crusaders are playing an uninspiring type of Rugby in 2012.

Lots of mistakes seem to be the norm for the boys this year.

No I just can't see them making the playoffs this year.

They just seem to be playing an inspid type of Rugby this year.

Taylor is a very good kicker, but that is the only thing he brings to his game.

When was the last time we saw Carter really boss a game.

Injury or not get him back at 10!

Can the backs string more than one pass between them.? Will the forwards turn over ball or lose the ball at the breakdown. ?

Can the Crusaders turn it around against the Blues next week at Christchurch.?

I hope so!

Good luck boys!

My picks are Mealamu, Franks, Woodcock

Locks Thorne, Whitelock, Loosies McCaw (Captain) Kaino and Thompson

Centres Smith C and Nonu

10 Carter and 9 Ellis

Wings Kahui and Dagg

FullBack Muiliana

Bench Weepu at 10, SBW covering midfield, Jane FullBack, Borich for Locks, Hore at Hooker, Franks and Toeava.

There are some ABs that I believe are in a downward trend. McCaw, Thorne

and even Carter just dont seem to have that intensity and drive they had even a year ago. Watching McCaw and the Crusaders being dealt to at the breakdown sent shivers down my spine! SBW raging disappointment after last night, wrong options by Ellis and lineouts again! Answers and theories please!

I am now making a big call. Todd (yes I know McCaw is injured) is getting better each game he plays. Blues Braid had a good game last night. This boy Todd got the goods. Who do you rate in the NZ 7's position?.

McCaw out with injury for 6 weeks. Time for Mat Todd to step up and other 7s in NZ to press their claims

There definitely needs to be major decisions made in Welsh Rugby. My first step would be to look at replacing the coaching team. Radical I know, but there seems to be the same old tactics trotted out by the coaches. Bye bye fellas. New coaching team Jake White and Eddie Jones with who ever coaches the backline for the Scarlets.

Bye bye to Jones at 10, A legend was Shane Williams, but not up to it anymore, Phillips too slow at 9

and Roberts and his cohart in the centres got to go. Hook likes a fish out of water at 15. Back row stays although Powell needs to up his game. Front Row stays.

Radical changes Hook at 10 Priestland at 12, with Henson ( I know desperation speaking! or Shanklin back) Peel back at 9. Keep Stoddart on one wing and Lee Byrne on other wing with Roberts at full back!

Good luck Wales and I am speaking as a All Black supporter who hopes that Wales gets back to winning ways.

Who do you think will be the dark horses to be on the AB tour? I'm discounting SBW and Fruean as I am sure they will be there. My long shots Payne from Northland, Todd from Canterbury and Faumunina from Auckland.

Just wanted to give a littlle gee up to my fellow Cantabs and say keep safe and strong.

Been really impressed with the local authorities, and a big thumbs up to the Mayor of ChCH,

Bob Parker.Calm and collected, along with the rest of the Civil Defence. Well done all.

This is the one position that concerns me. Looks like the Cartel have just about got the 14 other positions and backups sorted. Even at First Five we are starting to see players come to the fore and get their chances. however Seven does concern me. Names being mentioned: Braid, Thompson, Todd and Romano, Messum Tuineau and Bekhuis have stood out at ITM level this year, although Tuineau plays at lock. Interested in answers.

Penney has a record second to none. Two NPC titles for the Cantabs. The ability to bring young talent through on to higher honours.I hope he goes for the assistant coach at the Blues for next year. I believe he could add a lot to the Blues next year. Dont want to see him going overseas as he would be snapped up immediately be it club or country.

Unbelievable from the AB selectors. The thought of Cruden at halfback yet he's a first five. The mind boggles! Hawkes Bay is playing Cruden at 9 for the ITM as requested by the AB cartel.

What next from our AB selectors..

Cant believe it, Rokos is on borrowed time, Guildford yes he is a specialist winger but he is outstanding on attack and defence. Hope he doesn't go overseas, even Gear was unlucky to not get picked in squad.

Ranger surprise there, still thinks he needs to concentrate on his passing more. It all comes down to the weight of numbers I guess. Interested in replies.

Hoping to see some fresh faces named in the ABs team to face Wales. Looks like a tough road to hoe for the ABs this year. Saw some talent coming through in SP!4 this year for NZ, Ranger, Whitelock(Sam)

Vito, Mathewson, Foutali'i, Patterson, Dagg are just a few that have put up their hands this year. Impressed with Whitelock in the loss against the Bulls, looks a real goer.

Can the Crusaders win in Soweto. Can the Bulls keep their winning record?

Crusaders are back in Red and Black, instead of that inspid grey!

Who will replace Bakkies at lock? Rossouw a likely option for the Bulls?

Go Crusaders!

I cant pick this one, hoping both the kiwi teams can win against the Aussie teams. Its going to be a hard ask for both teams. Which players do you think will stand out, and have an influence on the game.

Congrats to the Bulls, but really pleased with the Crusaders performance. Total gutsy performance from the men in Red and Black. Heartbreaking to lose like that after the 80th minute. A lot of players got their mojos back this morning. Carter, Reid McCaw Thorn and yes Ellis was outstanding even though i am a Foutali'i supporter. Giving penalties and dropping passes was a pain.

All in all a brilliant game from both teams. A credit to all the players on the field.

Watching the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, then the Blues go down to their opposition this weekend. Although the Blues game was exciting, just an intercept pass at the end.But the the Hurricanes not to take a kick in the last 10 minutes, what were they thinking? As for the Chiefs, talk about brain explosions during the game. Doesn't bode well for NZ in the SP 14. I have left out the Crusaders as they had the bye.

Its no good hiding from the facts after the loss to Ireland, the entire coaching staff must go, Johnson to the hierachy up top, Goodbye Borthwick, Wilkinson and a few more of the dinoasurs in the team. England needs a complete new way of thinking in tactics, there must be some decent English coaches around.

Abroad, coaches like Jake White and a long shot like Rob Penney from NZ.

First round of the Super 14, Blues and Crusaders my picks for first up winners

Be interested to see who the Crusaders midfield is. Word is that Ripa in ahead of Cruden in Canes, any truth to that Canes fans?

Crusaders team for me, positions for me backup 7 to Mccaw, halfback, midfield pairing and hooker/props.

Also hope Brett makes a decent fist of it at the Blues, as he would be my backup to Carter.