All Blacks Squad for France
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@pukunui And unless Akira changes teams it'll probably continue. I seriously don't get it.
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As Selectors pointed out its work rate and energy levels for Akira. ABs need the forwards to work, clean out rucks, link etc so backs can finish which is probably why Akira not chosen...in saying that I would have chosen him over Frizell
this french test series is to see if some are up to it. Tafua its make or break, as with Frizell. I can see why Ardie has been picked as well. With Tafua and Whitelock they are starters only, Ardie can play 8 of the bench which is very important for makeup of team. I wld suggest if Read is back playing 80min Ardie might need to play well to keep out Todd as an openside specialist. -
@african-monkey Hansen is in his dotage. Expect him to be out-coached by Schmidt again this year.
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@98blueandgold if its energy levels, maybe they need to give him more Gatorade?
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@98blueandgold Where do they get Frizell's workrate stats from then?
I don't have a problem with Taufua but Akira has been outworking him in nearly every stat this year. Clearly Akira needs to be in a team where he's not relied on to do 90% of the go forward so he can shine in the 'workrate' stats.
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@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life Weak loose forwards. Cane the only top quality player.
Good thing we're only playing France, and the SANZA teams are so weak.
Now that perma-crocked Read can't be relied on, what's the plan at #8? If it's A Savea (who is a shit test player) then we're basically Australia.
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
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@98blueandgold said in All Blacks Squad for France:
With Tafua and Whitelock they are starters only, Ardie can play 8 of the bench which is very important for makeup of team.
Not sure about that for Taufua. He's played a bit of openside at NPC, so at a pinch he could cover all three positions. If he's got a long term future in the ABs then I'd see it as an impact sub - playing the last 20 minutes, hopefully not compromising the lineout.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
Barrett is so far from test quality. Can't see the point in picking him.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life Weak loose forwards. Cane the only top quality player.
Good thing we're only playing France, and the SANZA teams are so weak.
Now that perma-crocked Read can't be relied on, what's the plan at #8? If it's A Savea (who is a shit test player) then we're basically Australia.
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
Pretty sure they'll start Luke Whitelock at No. 8. He played our previous test there.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life Weak loose forwards. Cane the only top quality player.
Good thing we're only playing France, and the SANZA teams are so weak.
Now that perma-crocked Read can't be relied on, what's the plan at #8? If it's A Savea (who is a shit test player) then we're basically Australia.
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
Pretty sure they'll start Luke Whitelock at No. 8. He played our previous test there.
Colour me underwhelmed
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@98blueandgold said in All Blacks Squad for France:
As Selectors pointed out its work rate and energy levels for Akira. ABs need the forwards to work, clean out rucks, link etc so backs can finish which is probably why Akira not chosen
Is "workrate and energy levels" a euphemism for masquerading on the wing ala Fifita?
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havent people been moaning about how boring and predictable our squad namings have been in recent years
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I don't watch enough of the teams to provide a knowledgable opinion.
But my hunch is they've got the man-management wrong here. I reckon now is the time for the carrot for Akira, see how he goes in an elite environment.
I have such a raging boner for the All Black lineout that Taufua's selection concerns me a bit. I'd be uncomfortable seeing him in the ABs in any other role than a Masoe-like role covering all 3 loosies off the bench. But I tip my hat to his dedication in reaching this awesome achievement, I can't say he hasn't deserved it.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life Weak loose forwards. Cane the only top quality player.
Good thing we're only playing France, and the SANZA teams are so weak.
Now that perma-crocked Read can't be relied on, what's the plan at #8? If it's A Savea (who is a shit test player) then we're basically Australia.
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
I don’t want to sound like a stuck record , the one bloke we couldn’t afford to lose was victor Vito , he should’ve been a priority to keep , couldn’t believe how he left with a minimum of fuss .
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@mariner4life Weak loose forwards. Cane the only top quality player.
Good thing we're only playing France, and the SANZA teams are so weak.
Now that perma-crocked Read can't be relied on, what's the plan at #8? If it's A Savea (who is a shit test player) then we're basically Australia.
If we lose either of our top locks we are fucked.
I don’t want to sound like a stuck record , the one bloke we couldn’t afford to lose was victor Vito , he should’ve been a priority to keep , couldn’t believe how he left with a minimum of fuss .
Or Luatua. Both those guys would have slotted into this lineup very nicely , thank you very much.
Wiki tells me VV is 1.92, and Luatua is 1.94
for fun, Ardie is apparently 1.88 m. Doesn't say with or without hair
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@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Damn, I hope that Rieko doesn't get as pissed off with Akira's non selection as we do and decide to bugger off immediately after the RWC.
long way to go in the season yet. I suspect Akira is now being shown explicitly what training hard means - and asked if he wants to be an All Black. My fear is that people will be knocking on his door offering telephone unmbers to head north.
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I guess the selectors didnt watch the Highlanders game last night then. Frizell's bench impact involved losing the ball and missing tackles. Good talent for sure but also a poach which this regime has no problem with.
Workrate and energy levels issues? You can thank Tana for that. Akira has been played into the ground by Tana. At least this way he'll get some much deserved game time off in June.
I reckon NMS is a tad lucky. I'm a huge fan but I dont think hes the same player he was in 2015.
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