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Written by dK
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Friday, 21 September 2007 |
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I have read many of the comments about Lauaki, and I would like to point out a few things from the Portugal game that may have gone unnoticed.
Why the criticism of Lauaki? I believe it is based on everyone's high expectations, including mine. The expectation was for Lauaki to smash his way through the Portuguese as if he was a a superman among boys. This does a disservice to the Portuguese tackling, which when they hit the man it was around the legs and even the biggest Kauri will fall if taken low enough.
But this is what I saw from Lauaki. Although it did not make him the stand out player, certainly made him an important cog in the ABs machine.
Used effectively as a Line out target, at the back of the lineout he dominated and many of the back line moves and Willy-aways were because of the certainty that Lauaki brought to the line out.
Used effectively as a midfield runner together with Jerry and Masoe he was able to set up effective 2nd phase ball. He didn't lose the ball anymore than Mauger, and I can only remember seeing him drop the ball once in contact.
His defence around the fringes and against the maul was also effective and many times he was part of a concerted defensive effort by the AB forwards.
His overall work rate was high, considering the time off during Super 14 and ANZC. This was a bonus and with more time he will cement his place as a bench option. He will not start in the first team, but I don't believe this was ever his purpose, he can be a huge impact player for the last 20 and covers 6, 8, and at a pinch, lock.
Our expectations are always very high and if anyone slips below that line AB supporters are the first to rip into the player.
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![1229med[1].jpg](http://www.thesilverfern.com/images/abs_157/1229med[1].jpg)
