AB squad next RWC (2023)?
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@Tim that’s a good question in and around the 2 x Hawkes Bay flankers..completely forgot about big red and Sotutu..I would expect Papalii to be in the mix somewhere ...lock is definitely a concern..
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@Steven-Harris With an underdone Retallick, and Whitelock playing a lot of minutes in his absence, we really got done there.
Barrett is too small against big packs. Pat T is a beast, but he's not a great lineout target.
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@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
We're going to need some new locks.
Most interested to watch will be Walker-Leawere next year. Then Strange and Parkinson. Might be a year too early for Pierce and McWhannell.
Another point of interest is if two open-sides will be the preferred choice. Hopefully refs will start policing the ruck again, and the incentive will go away.
A lot of young sixes about, a couple of which play seven as well (Blues region is stacked here but not at hooker):
Jacobson
PapaliiFrizell
Robinson
SotutuThere's the two the Crusaders have been looking at: Ethan Roots and Cameron Suafoa
Who's more promising out of Mikaele-Tu’u and Flanders?
Ethan Roots has signed for the Crusaders so I understand .Cameron Suafoa Hasn’t as yet been signed.
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@MajorRage said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
Oh and instead of Akira, I reckon it'll be Steve Luatua.
It would be great to have him back.
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@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
I was really disappointed Manaaki Selby Rickit got himself into trouble with the law this year..at 22 years old, 6’7 and 112kgs this kid is an athlete..incredibly good in the air, I have no doubt he would have picked up a super contract next year, given the shortage of quality locks...it’s a real bugger,but only has himself to blame . -
@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@sparky
Alex Fidow would have to improve his scrummaging big time
Asafo Amua would have to improve throwing his darts
Akira Ioane ..would will require a massive attitude shift..I'm hoping the next set of All Blacks coaches can do something about all three in the same way Eddie Jones has improved the England forwards.
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@cgrant said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
That German loose forward playing for the NZ schoolboy team is one to watch.
Aaron Segner. Technique at breakdown looks excellent for an 18 year old.
Hopefully he'll stick with NZRU rather than be tempted back to Europe. Wouldn't be surprised if the Paris or London clubs were keeping an eye on him.
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Just to throw a couple of names in the hat:
Tyrel Lomax (Prop Ta$man)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Lock Hawkes Bay)
Folau Fakatava (Halfback Hawkes Bay) -
@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
Zach Gallagher (Lock) is another name to watch.
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@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
I was really disappointed Manaaki Selby Rickit got himself into trouble with the law this year..at 22 years old, 6’7 and 112kgs this kid is an athlete..incredibly good in the air, I have no doubt he would have picked up a super contract next year, given the shortage of quality locks...it’s a real bugger,but only has himself to blame .I got to shake Pari Pari's hand on Saturday night.
He is just an enormous unit - I think he's the biggest person I've ever stood right next to. TV gives no idea really. You can see where stories like David and Goliath can come from.
Then I looked up Steven Adams and he's 7cm taller than Pari Pari!
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@Nepia said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
Who's more promising out of Mikaele-Tu’u and Flanders?
Flanders I'd say, although Mikaele-Tu'u can put in some blockbusting performances.
I thought the 2017 U20 loose forward trio of Jacobson, Papalii and Mikaele-Tu'u was great and very balanced. Mikaele-Tu'u is a the dynamic ball runner so hopefully he gets a chance now at the Highlanders.
If we are wanting some tall locks a player like Josh Lord should have developed nicely in 4 years. There is also Sam Darry.
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@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Bovidae How about McWhannell? Seems to have been injured a lot.
Only one injury, a broken leg I think. He was back for the last 2 Waikato games and I hope he's signed for the Chiefs again. McWhannell is listed at 1.98 m so not really tall for a modern-day lock. He has plenty of potential though, mobile and good in the lineout.
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@Bovidae said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Nepia said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
Who's more promising out of Mikaele-Tu’u and Flanders?
Flanders I'd say, although Mikaele-Tu'u can put in some blockbusting performances.
I thought the 2017 U20 loose forward trio of Jacobson, Papalii and Mikaele-Tu'u was great and very balanced. Mikaele-Tu'u is a the dynamic ball runner so hopefully he gets a chance now at the Highlanders.
If we are wanting some tall locks a player like Josh Lord should have developed nicely in 4 years. There is also Sam Darry.
I wasn't wanting to put down Mikaele-Tu'u, I just think Flanders has the potential to be a long term AB.
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@Chris-B said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
I was really disappointed Manaaki Selby Rickit got himself into trouble with the law this year..at 22 years old, 6’7 and 112kgs this kid is an athlete..incredibly good in the air, I have no doubt he would have picked up a super contract next year, given the shortage of quality locks...it’s a real bugger,but only has himself to blame .I got to shake Pari Pari's hand on Saturday night.
He is just an enormous unit - I think he's the biggest person I've ever stood right next to. TV gives no idea really. You can see where stories like David and Goliath can come from.
Then I looked up Steven Adams and he's 7cm taller than Pari Pari!
I shook hands today with BBBR. Firm handshake and big unit.
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@pakman said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Chris-B said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
I was really disappointed Manaaki Selby Rickit got himself into trouble with the law this year..at 22 years old, 6’7 and 112kgs this kid is an athlete..incredibly good in the air, I have no doubt he would have picked up a super contract next year, given the shortage of quality locks...it’s a real bugger,but only has himself to blame .I got to shake Pari Pari's hand on Saturday night.
He is just an enormous unit - I think he's the biggest person I've ever stood right next to. TV gives no idea really. You can see where stories like David and Goliath can come from.
Then I looked up Steven Adams and he's 7cm taller than Pari Pari!
I shook hands today with BBBR. Firm handshake and big unit.
Think his fingers were clutching my wrist!
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@Nepia said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
I wasn't wanting to put down Mikaele-Tu'u, I just think Flanders has the potential to be a long term AB.
Understand but Flanders is a similar player to Jacobson and what the ABs will need is a bruising no.8 to complement those types of players. Akira if he gets his shit together, but Mikaele-Tu'u has all those attributes.
