All Blacks 2021
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I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backsConsidering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.
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@stargazer there no reason to pick a bigger squad, but maybe extra apprentices. For training needs, getting an eye on them. But the rest games in NZ, there's a lot of flexibility to be had. Even resting players like mo'unga, who've played too many minutes for their franchise.
Not saying they'll do that, but the opportunity for a change and flexibility is there
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@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2021:
Rolling over from the highlanders game thread
What’s everyone’s else’s thoughts on nareki for the abs?
If I try and be as unbiased as possible, I’d be worried he’s too much of a one man band, big fish small pond at the highlanders/Otago but would be fit in with an all blacks game plan, I’d like to see him try
Just came on here to post that question.
Am 57 mins in.
Been impressed with him all season.
Composure. Boot. Speed . X factor.
This year's Will Jordan.
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@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?
3 halfbacks
Smith
?
?3 first five-eights
Mo'unga
Barrett
DMac4 midfielders
ALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anuku4 outside backs
Reece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi -
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Aidan Ross
Alex Hodgman
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tu'ungafasiCodie Taylor
Dane Coles
Asafo AumuaSam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott BarrettSavea
Papalii
Jacobson
Ioane
Sotutu
Robinson
CrusaderSmith
Weber
BolterMo'unga
Barrett
DMacALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anukuReece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi11 Blues
9 Crusaders
6 Chiefs
5 Hurricanes
1 Highlander
1 to be determinedUnavailable:
Moody, Cane, Perenara, Goodhue, Clarke, Bridge.
nb. Only one player from the 2021 Blues backline has been selected.
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@stargazer yeah certainly no need to rush Love, he's still far too young. Let him play Under 20s if they end up scheduling games against Australia, or if not let him focus on an NPC campaign with Wellington.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
11 Blues
What planet are we living on.... I see room for one or two tokens
😎
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@tim I think four Blues loose forwards is a little bit of a stretch. Can't see Robinson getting in especially with the way Blackadder has played. I woud have Grace ahead of Robinson aswell.
I also think they will pick PUJ with his ability to play 12/13. Rayasi to miss out there and Fainga'anuku to be picked as a winger.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks 2021:
I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backsConsidering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.
Quote below says 35 players for the championship and July tests
Foster said the plan was to pick 35 for July, then disassemble and re-select a second squad the same size for the championship and extra Bledisloe.I'd think we'd select an extra hooker and a lock with the extra 2 spots. Perhaps a loose forward swapped out for a prop
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Karl T
Hodgman
De Grott (Maybe Ross)Taylor
Aumua
Eklund (Coles not doing enough this season to justify his place)Laulala
Ofa T
Williams (Lomax and Angus T miss out)Whitelock (c)
Retallick
Tuipulotu
S Barrett
Vaa'i (PPP to the Maoris)Grace
A Ioane
Blackadder
Papali'i
A Savea
Sotutu (Jacobson just misses out)Smith
Weber
Drummond (might gamble on Roe or only pick 2 half backs)B.Barrett
Mounga
DMacHavili
ALB
Nankiwell
R. Ioane (Peter Umaga-Jensen misses out)Leicester Fainga'anuku
Jona Nareki
W. Jordan
Reece
J. BarrettCrusaders 12
Blues 11
Chiefs 6
Hurricanes 3
Highlanders 3 -
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2021:
@kiwiwomble Nareki is the form left wing in the country and should be picked.
He has a huge left boot and has underrated power to go with his footwork - what I liked today was his cleanup work - he looked good when things were going the Rebels way.
Leicester will be in the mix too but there could be room for both.
Yeah, I'd be intrigued to see Nareki get a chance, if he could translate his super form to internationals it'd definitely be something different, I just feel it probably wouldn't quite get there (or like in super rugby he take quite a while to not have absolute clangers every game). Really liking Faingaanuku too, his early season form was irresistible and I was leaning towards him over Roane, but he's just quietened a tad (since being shifted for the overblown Ennor) and now I'm learning towards Roane his pace over the previous two wins hands down.
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@bones I think Julian savea form has been very good recently! Would not rule him out as the power winger. Finding form at the right time I think and has that experience.
I am a big nareki fan and would love him to get picked
Fainganuku I think lacks the X factor! Ok he has the power but lacks pace and just looks a bit disinterested at times -
@family-man Good call. Great to see Da Bus back in form. Hopefully he can continue that in the next few weeks for the Hurricanes and then for the ABs.
I'd love to see the big man from Miramar score more tries for the ABs.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
The tight five selections for the next squad seem pretty locked in now (Moody is out), except for 3rd tight head prop.
Props
Karl Tu'inukuafe
Aidan Ross
Alex Hodgman
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
?Hookers
Codie Taylor
Dane Coles
Asafo AumuaLocks
Sam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott BarrettTrain with the team:
Tamaiti Williams
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Tupou Vaa'iProbably only one thing I would change is I think I would have Vaa'i ahead of PT, think he is already ahead of PT!
Stuff
