All Blacks 2022
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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?
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Foster explained Luke Jacobson was a victim of being forced to play all three loose forward roles and that the All Blacks are keen to use Dalton Papalii and Tupou Vaa'i as blindside options which paved the way for Sowakula's maiden call-up.
"Pita Gus gives us that six-eight type role. He's a big man, he carries hard, we think there's more to his game at the contact than perhaps he's shown. He can offload and step and we'd like to see more of that, but it's a chance to put a big man into that space and test him at that next level."
"Ireland are a very strong set piece team and if you look at our looseheads with George Bower and Aidan they're relatively new and that probably swung it around for Karl. He's our strongest loosehead scrummager and we think for right now it's the best way to support the other two players.
"We think Ethan can get fitter and there's more to him about getting up off the ground and getting involved. We've got a very high regard for him but we'll put a plan in place for him to come back."
That wasn't the only message Foster sent. As he attempts to juggle the need to deliver immediate results following two successive losses to Ireland and France while blooding players with a view to next year's World Cup, Foster strongly intimated several incumbents were on notice.
"When you inject a bit of talent that has a significant impact on others in the group. Sometimes it's a matter of relying on a new energy to bring a bit more from the players who have been there a while. The next three or four months are going to be vital for some players to make sure they're progressing because there's still two more squads to be named this year."
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
Hard to say. Cane has risen to the test occasion in the past when his Super form has been okay-ish. He still has one of the best shoulders going around and unless he is under a fitness cloud I expect him to start and get the boys going.
Some might say I’m a fatalist for this, but I’m starting to get excited for this genuine test series and seeing the ABs in action again. I quite like the squad. Plus playing Ireland will be different and not same-same 4Ns stuff.
Ian Foster explains squad selections as All Blacks chase power and tempo
