All Blacks XV 2022
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones thing is, at 27, he is, or should be in his prime now, and looking over the main squad and this odd development/retirement 15, I do think he will struggle for another cap next year...I know he said it was his dream to play for the ABs, so I guess he achieved his dream, maybe he is happy regardless?
I thought he was a late comer to rugby anyway? He was a basketball player in his youth from what I recall. So probably not following the same path as your typical player...bit hard to be an age grade rugby star if you're not playing rugby.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones thing is, at 27, he is, or should be in his prime now, and looking over the main squad and this odd development/retirement 15, I do think he will struggle for another cap next year...I know he said it was his dream to play for the ABs, so I guess he achieved his dream, maybe he is happy regardless?
I thought he was a late comer to rugby anyway? He was a basketball player in his youth from what I recall. So probably not following the same path as your typical player...bit hard to be an age grade rugby star if you're not playing rugby.
Ease up on the sarcasm, we get your point
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@MN5 said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones thing is, at 27, he is, or should be in his prime now, and looking over the main squad and this odd development/retirement 15, I do think he will struggle for another cap next year...I know he said it was his dream to play for the ABs, so I guess he achieved his dream, maybe he is happy regardless?
I thought he was a late comer to rugby anyway? He was a basketball player in his youth from what I recall. So probably not following the same path as your typical player...bit hard to be an age grade rugby star if you're not playing rugby.
Ease up on the sarcasm, we get your point
EABOD.
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Should Ta'avao be going with the amount of head knocks he's taken lately?
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A few thoughts :
- a huge number of props, considering there are six other ones traveling with the All Blacks.
- MMT and CLW are very similar players. Gutted for Suafoa who has been very good for NH and the Maoris.
- No Moorby, no Stevenson : both are better than Love, IMO. Maybe the latter's versatility (1st Five / fullback) has pleaded for him ?
- Brewis in the touring team but not Hodgman shows how big is Ryan's influence.
- Heem selected but none of the UJs is weird.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So a top XV of:
Ross
Aumua
Ta'avao
Tuipulotu
Dickson
MMT
Harmon
Jacobson
Weber/TJP
Gatland
Lam
Nankivell
Sullivan/Aumua
Telea
DMacI’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench. Can’t Bailyn play fullback too? Heem to start in the midfield (or RTS)
Forward pack looks right.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So a top XV of:
Ross
Aumua
Ta'avao
Tuipulotu
Dickson
MMT
Harmon
Jacobson
Weber/TJP
Gatland
Lam
Nankivell
Sullivan/Aumua
Telea
DMacI’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench. Can’t Bailyn play fullback too? Heem to start in the midfield (or RTS)
Forward pack looks right.
I personally think DMac will get play as a dual play maker, with Perofeta getting some time on the field.. they may switch during a match), but I suspect this is what will happen.
They always did say some ABs would play
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks XV:
Same with Peter Umaga-Jensen. Mind you, he looks to be carrying a shoulder injury
Bugger me, there's a surprise. Poor bloke's becoming the new Richard Kahui
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
I don’t mind Heem. He’s a pretty good player that has versatility.
I think they should have selected one more specialist winger (or outside back) and one less midfield back. Heem is a wasted pick for me.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
I’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench.
I picked DMac at fullback as I wouldn't be starting Love there.
Can’t Bailyn play fullback too?
No, midfield or wing. He may end up playing a game on the wing.
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Having not watched much NPC a couple of genuine questions and vague rambling comments:
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Gatland. Deserved? Been kinda average for a few years. He come right?
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Got the impression Burgus Ferk is one for the future. Am I wrong given he misses out to BG?
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Heem is an interesting pick. Selectors obviously think he is close because he's not "the future". Selectors think he is next cab off the rank?
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PGS. An obvious error early in the year.
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Surprised at the captain . Would have picked Jacobsen.
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Hookers. How close was Thompson?
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Know nothing of midfield Aumua. He ok?
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Halves. Obviously picked with RWC in mind.
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Overall again like the AB squad a fairly predictable squad which is a good thing. Lots of test caps which bodes well for the younger guys.
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PGS has been a shadow of himself since he was dropped and has paid the price. What a shame. I really hope he bounces back in 2023
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Why they didn’t pick Stevenson is a mystery. Dude has been the form fullback of the NOC and tore it up for the Māori this year
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Naitoa Ah Khoui has been playing well with his versatility. Unlucky.
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Christian Lio-Willie? What exactly has he done? Suafoa given his versatility would’ve been a better pick or even Braydon Iose
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Would’ve likes to have seen Fabian Holland tour given the likely departures of Whitelock and potentially Retallick after RWC
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I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
Has he been named as a wing? I would've thought he's probably being looked at as a midfielder who can cover back 3.
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
AJ Lam plays wing for the Blues.
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:
@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
He can't be called up into ABs, but this is a non capture team so no problem.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role".
So why not pick Savea? He's even a year younger.
They've missed a trick by not selecting Thompson. It would be nice to have a hooker in the mix with some size, like Marx. Bell isn't any bigger than Eklund.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:
@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
He can't be called up into ABs, but this is a non capture team so no problem.
MP isn't a capture team either, so playing for either team is no problem.