2nd 5/8th the end of Sonny Bill?

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Have we seen the end of SBW? To me one of the big changing points(maybe the biggest) in the game was Crotty coming on. Has SBW had his day, he seems to break now on a regular occurrence. Crotty imo is the best 12 in the world, nothing flash just does the ordinary extraordinarily well. Will the centres for Japan be Crotty, Laumape, ALB and Goodhue? Or is there another bolter somewhere?

[Cameo]

I think you are right. I think Crotty has been better than SBW for a good while though although not sure SBW should be ditched completely

[zer0]

Yeah Williams is really racking up the injuries now. Crotty is also pretty susceptible himself, so it staggers me that Williams/Crotty was apparently Hansen's preferred centre pairing at the start of the season. As it is, Goodhue now has tenure at centre so second five basically becomes a horses-for-courses situation, where he'll either be paired with a #12 who is either more crash-ball (Williams or Laumape) or more of a passer (Crotty or ALB). I agree that Crotty would be the best option overall, but sometimes more grunt may be needed or he'll just flat out break down too.

Williams spot for the RWC certainly shouldn't be guaranteed, and Laumape could/should move ahead of him unless Williams remains injury free and performs very well in SR 2019. Other than that, Matt Proctor would be the only other real contender for a dedicated RWC midfield spot. But he's been desperately unlucky with injuries and now has to contend with Goodhue's emergence.

[Spy]

SBW is out of form. He's had a poor year. I don't think he's finished, necessarily, but it's time to stop selecting him as if he's the obvious incumbent whenever he's fit.

[cashead]

He's going to need a massive 2019 with the Blues, since he's definitely fallen behind Crotty, and IMO, Lienert-Brown as an option at 12 for the All Blacks. Goodhue is a must-pick now IMO, as is Crotty, and both Laumape and ALB have shown they combine very well with Goodhue in the midfield.
SBW just feels like the odd one out.