All Blacks Squad for France
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
You've got a good part of your answer right there.
Size matters in rugby and in some positions more than others. We've seen Hansen asking people like Coles to add several kilos to their frames.
DLB's internet stats have him being only the size of a big hooker and, not only that, when you see him on the field he looks like a small prop.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@bovidae Yep - he's a very good and destructive scrummager - but, he will struggle to get past Moody who is also an excellent scrummager, but also significantly bigger.
I'm not saying he will, just pointing out that DLB's lack of size won't be the only reason he was overlooked. And size doesn't translate into scrummaging power, e.g. Mackintosh.
We're building up some depth at prop when you bring back Laulala and add Moli and Ross to the mix.
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@bovidae Not the only reason, but an important one.
You will find plenty of fat club props running around - who have the size but aren't going to play for the ABs.
But, if you look at most of the props who've been picked for the ABs in recent times they've tended to be getting up around 120kgs. Some like Faumuina have been bigger.
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@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
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@bones said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
'Player doesn't get picked because incumbents have been there and done that'
Shit, what a scoop.
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@bones said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@tim I was just about to post that!
Has this been posted?
Why Ben Lam missed out on All Blacks spot
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has cleared up questions regarding the omission of Hurricanes wing Ben Lam from the national squad to take on France next month.
From the quotes in that, which could just be selective, it sounds like Lam was in direct competition with Reiko and Naholo and not so much NMS.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
Tu’inukuafe has a reputation of being a very good scrummager, which was one of the main reasons that the Chiefs brought him in. I'm sure the Chiefs will want to keep him and add another to the list of one that got away from the Blues.
More than just reputation. He conducted himself well against Wilco Louw (Stormers) and Forearm Franks, whom I'm sure was asked his opinion by the AB selectors. In fact a step up in this department from Perry.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
"including All Blacks' test series against France". WTF, they're dropping like flies!
Cue Todd training with squad as precaution. Crafty AB selectors getting 35 in squad for price of 32 -- cake and?
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@broughie said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer Because we need to develop the squad. Crockett has retired. Next please.
One area the French team isn't injury weakened is prop. It could be a steep 'learning'?!
