All Blacks 2022
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew In terms of experience, Christie has only ever started one test vs USA.
Weber has only started in four, I think.
Christie has had a load of time off the bench against good opposition and has been really solid. Think he'll start in 2 games on the EOYT.
For a guy who got moved on from two Super franchises, he has vastly exceeded expectations. Watching him live for the Blues, his big work on for me is running occasionally - he is so focussed on where to throw the bal lhe can ignore gaps in front of him.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
Def. needs to be on the EOYT as 3rd 9
He’d get more time as starting 9 for XV
That's a good point, but assuming Smith steps down next year, we'll need 2-3 halfbacks with Test experience. Weber will be 32 and Fakatava is currently the next cab off the rank after Christie.
XV is not test experience but its good enough. It's certainly a step above SR. I'd be much better, along with RTS, ALB (back from injury), perofeta, etc etc playing lots of minutes for XV, than virtually none for ABs. IMO the XV should be all the 3rd stringers, starting every game
In normal times I'd agree 100% but we're only a few Tests away from RWC2023. I'm a bit concerned by lack of experienced cover at 9 if AS or Christie get injured
But he'd get much more minutes for the XV, unless you're suggesting we rest Smith a lot for the NH tour?
Think he'll go as 3rd 9 as he's more the future. Cupboard looks bare if Nugget or Christie get injured. Wouldn't be surprised to see Christie start against Japan and Fakatava on the bench for that game and poss. Scotland or Wales. Nugget hasn't had a break all season has he?
Then again they might take Weber and give Faka to the XV...
If they go down injured just before or during the RWC that’s when you do an SOS call to TJ Perenara or Weber.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
Def. needs to be on the EOYT as 3rd 9
He’d get more time as starting 9 for XV
That's a good point, but assuming Smith steps down next year, we'll need 2-3 halfbacks with Test experience. Weber will be 32 and Fakatava is currently the next cab off the rank after Christie.
XV is not test experience but its good enough. It's certainly a step above SR. I'd be much better, along with RTS, ALB (back from injury), perofeta, etc etc playing lots of minutes for XV, than virtually none for ABs. IMO the XV should be all the 3rd stringers, starting every game
In normal times I'd agree 100% but we're only a few Tests away from RWC2023. I'm a bit concerned by lack of experienced cover at 9 if AS or Christie get injured
But he'd get much more minutes for the XV, unless you're suggesting we rest Smith a lot for the NH tour?
Think he'll go as 3rd 9 as he's more the future. Cupboard looks bare if Nugget or Christie get injured. Wouldn't be surprised to see Christie start against Japan and Fakatava on the bench for that game and poss. Scotland or Wales. Nugget hasn't had a break all season has he?
Then again they might take Weber and give Faka to the XV...
If they go down injured just before or during the RWC that’s when you do an SOS call to TJ Perenara or Weber.
Not TJ please. His pass is slow motion now.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@Frye workhorse, hits hard, no respect for his own wellbeing, accurate... but just not enough impact to be a feared blindside.
I'd also query whether he is accurate enough to add more than what we currently have
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
that’s when you do an SOS call to TJ Perenara
Or Meg from the commentary box.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
that’s when you do an SOS call to TJ Perenara
Or Meg from the commentary box.
That sounds better.
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
Jordie is a shoe in to start against Wales, Scotland and England.
So does Fozzie leave him at 2nd 5 for all or just a couple of those and have a scenario of perhaps Havili playing 12 against Japan and Wales and Jordie against Scotland and England?
Think Foster will be obviously impressed by Jordie at 12 against Oz but that will be tempered by how good or bad he thinks the Oz team actually were - similar to how some on here have attributed the win to a weak opposition, rather that a good AB performance. Foster/Schmidt probably still see Havilli and Reiko as the top pairing until they see more of JB at 12 so wouldn't be surprised to see him there against Japan and one of Scotland or Wales before he's a shoe-in at 12 for Twickenham.
Does Beaudie start at 10 against Japan and and then bench for Wales and then 15 for Scotland and England?
I'd like to see either Perofeta or DMac. BB is a known quantity at 10.
With ALB coming back you could give ALB 13 for Japan and partner with Havili. They played 5 times as a pairing last year against Wales, Boks, Oz and Fiji.
That's a real conundrum. I'd want a fit and firing ALB in my starting team every time, but, with the current midfield permutations, where do you put him?
If Jordie used at 12, ALB to centre and Rieko to a wing.
That would be the worst outcome IMO. They've invested so much with Rieko at 13 and he's shown the development, maturity plus out and out lethal on attack. He's not the finished product and IMO will never be a Conrad Smith but he could be better. If they shift him to the wing now I can't imagine what that will do to his confidence.
Like the front row we are going to have amazing depth at 12/13. Jordie, Havili, RTS at 12 with Goodhue & Tupaea also options. Rieko and ALB primary options at 13.
Come the RWC I want our savviest midfielder on park for 80: that’s ALB.
So ALB/Rieko (or Jack) OR ALB at 13. If Barrett (J) at 12 I definitely want ALB at 13.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew I think he needs to.
From watching a lot of halfbacks alternating over the years (especially Drummond and Hall, but a number of others), I've concluded it's quite a lot easier to shine off the bench than it is to start.
We are really light on experience if Smith goes down (assuming TJP is done).
But, developing Christie further reduces chances for Fakatava. We might be best to send him with the ABs XV and take Weber with the ABs.
All good points. Boils down to whether we develop Falatava for RWC2023 or not I guess.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
Jordie is a shoe in to start against Wales, Scotland and England.
So does Fozzie leave him at 2nd 5 for all or just a couple of those and have a scenario of perhaps Havili playing 12 against Japan and Wales and Jordie against Scotland and England?
Think Foster will be obviously impressed by Jordie at 12 against Oz but that will be tempered by how good or bad he thinks the Oz team actually were - similar to how some on here have attributed the win to a weak opposition, rather that a good AB performance. Foster/Schmidt probably still see Havilli and Reiko as the top pairing until they see more of JB at 12 so wouldn't be surprised to see him there against Japan and one of Scotland or Wales before he's a shoe-in at 12 for Twickenham.
Does Beaudie start at 10 against Japan and and then bench for Wales and then 15 for Scotland and England?
I'd like to see either Perofeta or DMac. BB is a known quantity at 10.
With ALB coming back you could give ALB 13 for Japan and partner with Havili. They played 5 times as a pairing last year against Wales, Boks, Oz and Fiji.
That's a real conundrum. I'd want a fit and firing ALB in my starting team every time, but, with the current midfield permutations, where do you put him?
If Jordie used at 12, ALB to centre and Rieko to a wing.
That would be the worst outcome IMO. They've invested so much with Rieko at 13 and he's shown the development, maturity plus out and out lethal on attack. He's not the finished product and IMO will never be a Conrad Smith but he could be better. If they shift him to the wing now I can't imagine what that will do to his confidence.
Like the front row we are going to have amazing depth at 12/13. Jordie, Havili, RTS at 12 with Goodhue & Tupaea also options. Rieko and ALB primary options at 13.
Come the RWC I want our savviest midfielder on park for 80: that’s ALB.
So ALB/Rieko (or Jack) OR ALB at 13. If Barrett (J) at 12 I definitely want ALB at 13.
I'd definitely, definitely start off with ALB in my starting XV as he's a smart, solid experienced player who rarely has a bad game and give stability. However Foster & Co have seen ALB as the top 13 and that means Reiko missing out at centre where he's done OK and with a bit more work has big potential.
So I'd expect ALB to be on the bench for his first few Tests while the JB at 12 thing is given another run and then see he goes at 12 with Reiko or 13 with JB. After that I think they'll decide on the best combo for RWC2023.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
start off with ALB in my starting XV
Maybe next year, no way he can be a starter now. He's not played forever
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What was ALBs injury? It seems like he's always injured, and when he returns it's only a matter of time before he breaks again. He's a classy player but for mine he's got an awful lot of work to do to break back into the starting 15, and little time to do it. He's a wonderful player to have on the bench though.
What we need to focus on for this RWC is giving Jordie and Rieko as much time as possible together. They are our best 12 and 13 by quite a margin.
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On Blackadder, I remember him being very busy but not particularly accurate. Lots of potential there but at this stage it's just that - potential. I think it's clear our best 6 and 8 is Akira and Ardie. Then I don't really mind if it's Cane or Dalton at 7, personally I'd lean towards Dalton but I can see what Cane brings on defense which is important against the bigger teams.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2022:
On Blackadder, I remember him being very busy but not particularly accurate. Lots of potential there but at this stage it's just that - potential. I think it's clear our best 6 and 8 is Akira and Ardie. Then I don't really mind if it's Cane or Dalton at 7, personally I'd lean towards Dalton but I can see what Cane brings on defense which is important against the bigger teams.
Clear for Ardie at 8.
But about as clear as mud for Akira given there were 2 other starters used when Akira was fit.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2022:
On Blackadder, I remember him being very busy but not particularly accurate. Lots of potential there but at this stage it's just that - potential. I think it's clear our best 6 and 8 is Akira and Ardie. Then I don't really mind if it's Cane or Dalton at 7, personally I'd lean towards Dalton but I can see what Cane brings on defense which is important against the bigger teams.
Clear for Ardie at 8.
But about as clear as mud for Akira given there were 2 other starters used when Akira was fit.
I should be more specific, it's clear to me Akira is our best 6. For some reason that's not so clear to the coaches, I can only assume Cantab Ryan has the same irrational dislike of Akira as every other Cantab in existence.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
start off with ALB in my starting XV
Maybe next year, no way he can be a starter now. He's not played forever
People seem to be ignoring this factor. He needs to demonstrate some form and that opportunity is next years SR.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
start off with ALB in my starting XV
Maybe next year, no way he can be a starter now. He's not played forever
I meant that's what I'd do in a ideal world with a fit ALB.
But we don't and, as I said, I'd expect him to be on the bench for 2-3 Tests
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2022:
It seems like he's always injured, and when he returns it's only a matter of time before he breaks again.
Is he that injury-prone though? I thought he was pretty much always available until his shoulder injury in he EOYT France game.
He's a wonderful player to have on the bench though.
I think he'll be there for the EOYT.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
start off with ALB in my starting XV
Maybe next year, no way he can be a starter now. He's not played forever
People seem to be ignoring this factor. He needs to demonstrate some form and that opportunity is next years SR.
Absolutely. Also that Ireland A fixture could be tricky so another experienced head would be valuable for the All Blacks XV
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2022:
On Blackadder, I remember him being very busy but not particularly accurate. Lots of potential there but at this stage it's just that - potential. I think it's clear our best 6 and 8 is Akira and Ardie. Then I don't really mind if it's Cane or Dalton at 7, personally I'd lean towards Dalton but I can see what Cane brings on defense which is important against the bigger teams.
Sounds bit like Adam Thomson. Does a lot but doesn’t achieve much.
