All Blacks Call up Franks

Printable View

08-06-08, 10:13
Unknown Sauces

All Blacks Call up Franks

Crusaders prop Ben Franks will join the All Blacks squad this week after an injury to John Afoa.

The 24-year-old Franks was a regular for the Crusaders in this year’s championship-winning Rebel Sport Super 14 campaign.

He has also represented New Zealand at the Under 21 and Under 19 levels.

Afoa, who started at tighthead prop in last night’s Test victory over Ireland, injured the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

The grade one tear to the MCL means the Blues prop is unavailable for selection for 3-4 weeks.

:spawn:
08-06-08, 10:22
jono

he aint comming to australia now...
08-06-08, 11:01
no.8

Technically he still hasn't played....he still could come to the Force!!!
08-06-08, 12:23
Burgs

Call me a cynic, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't the next best option.
08-06-08, 14:52
oxleymoron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgs

Call me a cynic, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't the next best option.

Agree totally Burgs, with Deans now pulling the strings for us, the last thing the NZRU would want is to lose players who have played under Deans for several years with dual options for national representation. We know that Franks could well have been in Deans plans in the future.
08-06-08, 17:19
no.8

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxleymoron

...Most importantly, Franks wasn't even considered for the NZ Maori squad.

:scratch:

You nut, he wouldn't be considered for the NZ Maori squad as he isn't a Maori! He is an Aussie!!!
08-06-08, 17:30
oxleymoron

Quote:

Originally Posted by no.8

:scratch:

You nut, he wouldn't be considered for the NZ Maori squad as he isn't a Maori! He is an Aussie!!!

I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to link in some ancestral history from several generations ago. On another point, how does Clint Newland qualify for the maoris, apart from the fact he is from un zed?
08-06-08, 17:33
jazza93

his cousin is a maori
08-06-08, 20:22
no.8

That's funny Jazza.

This is Clint saying Gidday to All Black prop Neemia Tialata

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJIsZFVZiCs[/YOUTUBE]
09-06-08, 08:51
shasta

Quote:

Originally Posted by no.8

:scratch:

You nut, he wouldn't be considered for the NZ Maori squad as he isn't a Maori! He is an Aussie!!!

So is the the Kangaroo great "Lord Ted" Goodwin and all his sons in the NRL. But he's also a Maori. His third generation aussie son Luke played for NZ (mungo) Maoris.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgs

Call me a cynic, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't the next best option.

Now that would be a low blow if it's just to cover him moving here. But OTOH Ben Franks has made it clear that his own goal is to stay put and hope to make the AB's. Wonder how Radeki Samo looks back on his "forced" decision to opt for the Wallabies?