https://www.facebook.com/AllWhites/photos/pcb.10160086673497697/10160086672467697/
Smith looks lean. He should be super motivated as he knows, he'll have a real battle to keep his spot in a full strength AWs squad now. His chance to impress. Aside from M Boxall & Reid, CB spots (esp when you throw in Payne) wide wide open.
Smith looks lean. He should be super motivated as he knows, he'll have a real battle to keep his spot in a full strength AWs squad now. His chance to impress. Aside from M Boxall & Reid, CB spots (esp when you throw in Payne) wide wide open.
He could end up at RB. He has played there before or at CB with M. Boxall at RB.
Given how important next year is I'd rather see Hay try those two at RB more then the other choices in Bahrain right now. "Ricky Ball" might be the way to go (selecting our best XI and finding a formation to field them all).
I know some here would like depth to be built up but as I wait in the lounge at LHR to fly out to Bahrain, I want to see us win to justify the expense of flights, Covid tests etc. Our last win (which I was at) was quite a long time ago.
C'mon you Whites, All Whites...
Good on ya for going to Bahrain. But the results ain't that important, and your personal travel spend to get there doesn't change that. After a 2 year hiatus they are just a couple of friendlies after all, so a rare opportunity for Hay to tinker, before the big games in 2022.
Kirwan deserves first crack at RB, and then a switch over to LB at some point (as Wilkins is out) to give Cacace a spell. M Boxall (age 33) seems quicker than Smith (age 31), so after Kirwan I'd give Boxall snr mins there, plus I guess Kalua. Nikko Boxall might get a crack at RB as well, whilst Tuiloma has a pretty handy pass/cross on him.