2022 Black Ferns
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@Crucial said in 2022 Black Ferns:
Taumata has been massively dominant in FPC and I guess they want to have a good look in camp to see if that can translate up. There is the makings there of a very strong front row.
Taumata was in the Chiefs Manawa squad but obviously the junior prop as I don't remember her playing much.
From what I have seen the most dominant front row has been the Chiefs front row (Mulu-Connor-Kalounivale). Good to have more depth though.
I'm curious as to where they see Nathan-Wong fitting. Fullback?
IIRC she played more at fullback for Northland.
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Getting a bit excited for this new look team vs Aus on the weekend. I see from the article below that TN-W (no not Timmy) is available for the first test only, so kind of expect to see her take part.
also
https://www.allblacks.com/news/charmaine-mcmenamin-returns-to-black-ferns/
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@Bovidae said in 2022 Black Ferns:
I expect Smith will mix and match the 23s across both games. I wouldn't start Cocksedge in both tests, for example, as you need to look at the other halfbacks if injury strikes.
Marino-Tauhinu looks an exciting prospect at 9. I like the speed she brings.
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Great how they have brought in all these experienced coaches and former ABs to help the BFs improve. I think this is all on Smith, who's doing everything he can to turn the BFs into a champions team. Whether it will be enough to win the RWC, I don't know, but at least he's giving them the best possible ammunition to fire.
Edit: Maybe they should do the same with the ABs after the women's RWC. -
There's one tiny little flaw in the plan (which I'm sure they are aware of)
When NZRU put their money where their mouth was finally a list had to be drawn up of who was going to be paid as a pro rugby player and who wasn't. Kind of a pre-selection before the trialling that has been going on.
This has been a little self-fulfilling in that the players that got paid have been able to apply themselves more and have the best fitness and skills levels. Meanwhile the odd other players has shown more potential or ability but is falling behind in comparison with conditioning.
I think a handful more contracts have been dished out but selection wise for the RWC there is a bit of an uneven playing field.
On the other side of the coin there are a few contracted players earning salaries that have now been put aside.
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Smith should select the best available 23 for that last pre-RWC test.
I realise it's difficult for a new coach, who didn't know the players and probably hadn't seen too many of them play before he started his job, to select a squad, but there have been enough (probably too many) trials. Not enough time for combos to gel. The women's RWC is shorter than the men's.
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@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
World Cup jersey. No Altrad!
WR regulations that you can't have any sponsors except the jersey manufacturer. You can bet all their training gear will be covered in Altrad and Ineos logos.
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@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae Ah, that explains it!
I like that fern pattern on the jersey. Nice and simple.
That's why the only ABs jersey I buy are RWC ones
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@Machpants said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae Ah, that explains it!
I like that fern pattern on the jersey. Nice and simple.
That's why the only ABs jersey I buy are RWC ones
Yeah, no advertising on them
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@canefan said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Machpants said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae Ah, that explains it!
I like that fern pattern on the jersey. Nice and simple.
That's why the only ABs jersey I buy are RWC ones
Yeah, no advertising on them
Still some fucking Hermann company rather than CCC, sadly
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@Machpants said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@canefan said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Machpants said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Stargazer said in 2022 Black Ferns:
@Bovidae Ah, that explains it!
I like that fern pattern on the jersey. Nice and simple.
That's why the only ABs jersey I buy are RWC ones
Yeah, no advertising on them
Still some fucking Hermann company rather than CCC, sadly
Who cares anymore? CCC isn't NZ, and hasn't been for years
What's more damning is they haven't made a decent ABs shirt since before 2015. I have a 2019 RWC shirt (aside from the obvious connotations it is shit), a 2015 (not a great shirt, it's ok), and a 2011 RWC shirt which is brilliant. White collar, proper embroidered silver fern, a classic