Slade or Weepu as backup 10 for ABs?

[jules]

I had thought this wasn't actually an issue, but like everything else with the All Blacks everyone has an opinion and are happy to voice it. It's almost as if people feel like they have a right to their point of view. How dare they. 

I don't have any problems with Slade. He is definitely the next best 10 playing NZ, anyone who has watched him play a bit can see he has class, that's why the selectors picked him, and why father Ted supports that decision (as he did in his post match comments last night).

We just have to realize that he's not Dan Carter, and when Dan is out spread the load and trust the guys around him too. For sure Carter is a proven game changer, but or midfield and half-back combos have lots of experience so if Slade has to start in a critical game them any experience he gets at this stage is great.

At this stage I would have Slade on the bench, and a lineup something like this as our top one.

Mils, Dagg, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Richard Kahui, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Read, McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Woodcock.

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams,  Adam Thomson,  Sonny Bill Williams, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis

Key points on this lineup are SBW getting the outside back cover ahead of Toeava and Jane, and Ellis instead of Weepu.

SBW seems to have forced himself into the lineup somewhere, and I wouldn't be too worried if Weepu was the backup half-back, but not at the expense of Slade as well.

Jules

[gluck]

Slade surely. Weepu playing 10 for the All Blacks is surely and injury only scenario. Otherwise Slade is only third choice and has no business being in the All Black squad really.

[Teach]

Agree Slade has been picked as the no.2 and should be treated as such.

However since his first test (which was terrific) he has disappointed me pretty often, in fact I would still say that his first test was his best, which is pretty damning.. the guy should be getting more comfortable, not getting more flaky.

I don't think the Weepu scenario is "injury only". If there was an injury to Carter and then Slade got the heebies, I'd go with Weepu. The criteria I would apply is this:

If Slade reminds me of Stephen Donald twice in a test, then he's off.


 

[Hamish]

The topic can be read in two ways........
Should Slade or Weepu be considered the starting number 10 if Dan Carter is unavailable through injury or which guy would you pick on the bench...

My answers would be different for each of those questions.....

Slade has made me nervous with his efforts lately but I'd still consider him the starting 10 if Dan is ruled out.
However I would definitely opt for Weepu as the bench option. Picking Slade for the bench is a waste of bench space.....he won't actually play unless DC gets injured.....because Carter will play a full 80 min otherwise......whereas Weepu can cover 9 & 10 creating other options from a bench standpoint and you know he'll be used to spell the starting halfback and will provide some spark off the bench

[jules]

The topic can be read in two ways........
Should Slade or Weepu be considered the starting number 10 if Dan Carter is unavailable through injury or which guy would you pick on the bench...

My answers would be different for each of those questions.....

Slade has made me nervous with his efforts lately but I'd still consider him the starting 10 if Dan is ruled out.
However I would definitely opt for Weepu as the bench option. Picking Slade for the bench is a waste of bench space.....he won't actually play unless DC gets injured.....because Carter will play a full 80 min otherwise......whereas Weepu can cover 9 & 10 creating other options from a bench standpoint and you know he'll be used to spell the starting halfback and will provide some spark off the bench

Excellent points Hamish. You are right, unless DC is injured then he is going to play the full 80 so having Slade on the bench is less versatile than Weepu and provides another spot for two of Toeava/Jane/SBW/Guilford.

My two would be SBW and Jane.

This logic obviously means that Ellis or Cowan are the options for starting 9, with the loser missing out on the 22.

[gluck]

No Cowan or Weepu should start and Ellis on the bench only if Weepu is starting.