All Blacks 2021
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
I wrote down this two weeks ago as an AB 36 just after Super Rugby Aotearoa finished.
Props: Karl T, Hodgman, De Groot, Laulala, Ofa. T, Angus Ta'avao
Hooker: Taylor, Aumua, Eklund
Lock: S. Whitelock (c) , B. Retallick, S. Barrett, Vaa'i
Back row: A. Ioane, S. Frizell, C. Grace, A. Savea, D. Papali'i, L Jacobson, H. Sotutu
Half Backs: A. Smith, B. Weber, M. Drummond
First Fives: R. Mo'unga, B. Barrett, D. McKenzie
Midfield: D. Havili, ALB, Nankivell, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Back three: R. Ioane, W. Jordan, S. Reece, Leicester Fainga'anuku, C. Garden-Bachop, J. Barrett
Probably one too many outside back so one of Nankivell, PUJ or Connor Garden-Bachop can drop out. Tom Robinson and Lachlan Bolshier are in cracking form so could get picked in the back row if one. or more of the capped ABs are injured. Blackadder and Harmon are playing the best Rugby of their careers so far.
CGB is gone for the season and PUJ hasn't played or shown much
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I'd go for Akira at 6. Think he showed last year he's turned the corner and his work rate in the Trans Ta$man has been exceptional.
Would like both Robinson and Blackaddder to get some game time to see how they go. And I'd want to give Jacobson a start at 8 as well as Sotutu.
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@mackerzzzz Didn't know CGB was out for the season. Scrub him from my list and that makes 35.
I'd stick with PUJ even though his form hasn't been great. Think he's a handful off the bench for the opposition at International level. Rate his skills and potential more than Ennor's.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:
@sparky good list. #9 looks shallow.
I'm a bit happier about DM at 10 now.
Would suspect Rieko has an edge along with Leicester for potential midfield support.
Is Angus Ta'avao playing that well?
And doesn't SB have some lock/6 competition?Agree about 9. I've been impressed by both the Chiefs and the Highlanders scrums this year. I was worried a couple of weeks ago about Tom. Robinson's defensive work rate, but that has been improved in the last two games.
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Barring injuries i'd like to see this team get a crack early on in the season:
- Hodgman
- Taylor
- Tu'ungafasi
- Barrett
- Whitelock (c)
- Jacobson
- Savea
- Sotutu
- Smith
- Mo'unga
- Ioane
- Havili
- Leinert Brown
- Jordan
- J Barrett
- Aumua
- Tu'unukuafe
- Laulaula
- Rettalick
- Papali'i
- Weber
- McKenzie
- Fainga'anuku
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@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2021:
@bones That's the one. Probably a bit early yet but showing some real promise.
He's not exactly a newbie! Been around a few years now. I'm surprised he's only 24.
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An inexperienced All Blacks XV shows the unprecedented depth of New Zealand rugby in 2021
The gruelling test match intensity of Super Rugby Aotearoa claimed some casualties but it's also prepared the next generation of talent for the highest level of the game, giving New Zealand some unprecedented depth.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though. -
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though.How often has Coles discipline been an issue at test level? I feel the opposite but probably more from personal experience - the longer in the tooth you get, the more likely you'll be able to pick up opposition cards than your own.
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The back rowers that have impressed me the most this season have been papalii, Jacobson and blackadder. I was surprised how good the latter was at 7. Grace put in a good showing too vs the reds, but he has been otherwise somewhat quiet.
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@bones said in All Blacks 2021:
An inexperienced All Blacks XV shows the unprecedented depth of New Zealand rugby in 2021
The gruelling test match intensity of Super Rugby Aotearoa claimed some casualties but it's also prepared the next generation of talent for the highest level of the game, giving New Zealand some unprecedented depth.
Apart from Josh Ioane (I'd go for Otere Black), that AB (10 caps or less team) looks bloody potent.
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@sparky the guy is a walking fridge but can move aswell. Will be bloody tempting having him come off the bench this year.
