All Blacks 2022
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Was Sowakula selected to stop him playing for Fiji?
I dont know but his selection could be a big clue to some loose forward re-thinking. Not so much that he will start but around versatility of others. Without Blackadder I thought Jacobson would be a cert as a like for like covering all spots.
They could now be looking at DP on the bench with Akira shifting to 8. Vai'i as lock/6 or even using Savea as impact rather than starting. -
Yes!
A few players who really struggle without quick ball, and few forwards, or power carrying backs, who can generate it.
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@bobily2 said in All Blacks 2022:
Also, they want de Groot to work on his fitness and speed getting off the ground after contact.
He’s been asked to model his game on Karl T, is that it?
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@Tim well a backline of Smith-BB-Clarke-RTS-RI-Jordan-JB has its appeal...reckon that is at least a back division that could operate with less forward domination
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
@bobily2 said in All Blacks 2022:
For those who don't want to watch the video, Foster mentioned they are interested in Papali'i and Vaai at 6.
Also, they want de Groot to work on his fitness and speed getting off the ground after contact.
Did he talk about Hodgman? I just can't get past them choosing Karl over Hodgman. That makes little sense to me.
The PGS selection is not what I would do, but I can see that as a 6 he would be similar to Akira on the edges and around the ruck.
No - in general he was quite reluctant to talk about why players missed out, but he was specifically asked about de Groot. He said they've been impressed by Bower, Karl is the best scrummager and they need his experience given Bower and Ross are light in that area, and that Ross has kicked it up a notch and shown a lot of consistency in the scrum.
They like PGS because of his contact work, and they think they can improve that further by helping him work on his footwork (and something else - I can't remember) as well.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Yes!
A few players who really struggle without quick ball, and few forwards, or power carrying backs, who can generate it.
I guess, it's all about roles and a plan.
We have the talent, it's how we use it. -
@taniwharugby If they pick it. Can see them starting without a power wing, so hopefully Tupaea can carry against Ireland like he does for the Chiefs.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
A few players who really struggle without quick ball, and few forwards, or power carrying backs, who can generate it.
At least this year there's an extra ball carrying loose forward, halfbacks who deliver quick ball and more power in the backs.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby If they pick it. Can see them starting without a power wing, so hopefully Tupaea can carry against Ireland like he does for the Chiefs.
I think CC is bolted in to start if fit, and LF has been picked to play the same roll if not.
WJ and SI fighting for the 14, and Jodie (if fit) starting at 15.
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Karl T is a real interesting selection.
Maybe an indicator of how under pressure the selectors are feeling. Which they should be — good — but still a selection that looks shortsighted when we have a world cup only a year away. You'd think they should really be investing in De Groot or Hodgman as much as possible. It suggests they are putting a lot of faith in Moody making a full recovery which looks a pretty foolish move when he's been as wracked with injury as he has been. He'll be 35 by kickoff next year. Doesn't matter how willing the mind is if his body is failing him.
Hopefully Ross gets a shot and we get to see what he's made of. And surely Karl doesn't make the rugby championship squad, that would be a joke.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
A few players who really struggle without quick ball, and few forwards, or power carrying backs, who can generate it.
At least this year there's an extra ball carrying loose forward, halfbacks who deliver quick ball and more power in the backs.
That really depends on who they select.
If we see Taukeiaho starting and two of Akira, Sotutu, and PGS from the forwards getting starts, with at least two of Clarke, Reece, and Fainga'anuku in the backs we'll be dealing with those issues. Much more dangerous. If not, we'll be pretty much the same as last year.
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@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@chimoaus if the Blues dominate both areas in the final I’ll agree with you, if they don’t you are wrong.
Are there loose forwards you would select that weren't selected or you just feel it's a low talent area at the moment?
