All Blacks XV 2022
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Aumua Sullivan Heem and Nankivell were all original selections as midfielders. Wonder how many of them will get a start in midfield on this tour.
For all those calling for better all round skills in our front rowers the front row replacement selections are a step the other way. A bit like saying we don't have the skills to improve your scrummaging but we can help you maul better.
The loosies are odd also in who is starting in what position. Thought Gardner is mainly a bench choice and Luke J is a number 8 option foremost and MMT showed promise as a 6.That all said I do wonder if other options may have ruled themselves out.
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@akan004 iIRC he looked handy when he got on for the Crusaders, but wasnt as good in NPC
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:
@akan004 iIRC he looked handy when he got on for the Crusaders, but wasnt as good in NPC
He was completely outplayed in the NPC final by Delany, Blackwell and Bird at lineout time and he fell off a couple one on one tackles.
NZ Rugby need to stop selecting teams before the final has been played. No better measure of a player than when the heat is on. Gardiner isn't up to International standard. (yet)
Same goes for the non-selection of Cullen Grace in the ABs earlier this year when he was an obvious stand-out in the Super final.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV:
Do we know how to watch this in various countries?
I can't find any other official source than Virgin 2, in Ireland. It's free to air so you may be able to get it to work with a VPN.
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Josh Ioane is such a pointless selection considering that McKenzie and Love both play 10.
Ioane doesn't have a future with ABs anyway, he's already 28, not worth investing in.
Swap him out for Bailyn Sullivan on the bench, he can play anywhere from 11-15.
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@kiwi_expat said in All Blacks XV:
Josh Ioane is such a pointless selection considering that McKenzie and Love both play 10.
Ioane doesn't have a future with ABs anyway, he's already 28, not worth investing in.
Swap him out for Bailyn Sullivan on the bench, he can play anywhere from 11-15.
But if 10s start dropping like flies next year ala 2011, Ioane could very easily get a call up given he’s been there before.
Love isn’t going to get the call up.
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After Mo'unga, Barrett - McKenzie, Perofeta, Havili (yes), all capped, more experienced in the environment & better options at 10 in an emergency.
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@kiwi_expat said in All Blacks XV:
After Mo'unga, Barrett - McKenzie, Perofeta, Havili (yes), all capped, more experienced in the environment & better options at 10 in an emergency.
They might even put Jordie near the end of that list, maybe before Havili...
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@sparky RWC squads aren't that big. If a player is added, at least one other has to drop out. I can see Dmac make the squad instead of Perofeta, but I expect that Love will have to wait until the next RWC unless there's more than one injury at fullback.
I hate TJP's slow passes, so that's a big 'no' from me.
PT will be challenging Vaa'i.
Gardiner will only get a look in if Blackadder doesn't get back to his good form, but even then it will be hard to knock someone out of the team. I can't see it happening. 2027 RWC, yes.
MMT is competing with Sotutu who hasn't been very convincing and MMT is a more physical specimen, but it's harder to drop out of the squad than to get in, so it will maybe only happen in case of injury.
RTS hasn't been that convincing (especially his positioning and defence are weak) and I can't see him in the RWC squad if Tupaea (who has a much higher ceiling) can get back to full fitness.
Stevenson is probably competing with Jordan. If Jordan is injured, maybe, although I'd also happily swap him for Clarke, who I find disappointing (hopefully he proves me wrong this month, because he has great potential).
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@Stargazer it would be nice if one of Tupaea or RTS really kicked on next year. Both have real issues on defence they need to iron out. I'm skeptical for both.
Agreed that MMT is putting real pressure on Sotutu.
Whilst Clarke still has a lot of improvement he is the first choice left wing who has a great bounce back year this year. His power in the backs has really helped the attack.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
MMT is competing with Sotutu who hasn't been very convincing
Sotutu has barely played so he hasn't had a chance to be very convincing or not convincing (and the one match he did play he was pretty good) - and obviously I want MMT in the ABs.
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I wish this team had a different jersey, even adidas stripes. They are diluting the AB brand playing in the exact same shirt.
It should be obvious who the All Blacks are.
That said, I hope they keep this concept going, had an old school tour vibe of seeing the up and coming players.
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@Kirwan Yeah, really enjoyed watching this team and watch the players who are either challenging current ABs for a spot in the senior squad or who are showing why they could be the ABs of the future (after the 2023 RWC), with some older players adding some experience and leadership.
Good to see how our depth compares to that of other countries.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
@Kirwan Yeah, really enjoyed watching this team and watch the players who are either challenging current ABs for a spot in the senior squad or who are showing why they could be the ABs of the future (after the 2023 RWC), with some older players adding some experience and leadership.
Good to see how our depth compares to that of other countries.
Yeah, I’ve been pretty negative about our depth recently. But that looks more to be an individual player issue at a level they aren’t comfortable at yet.
Was really impressed with Stevenson, who I’m not a fan of. Was like watching a more powerful Will Jordan at times. Great for wing depth, as that’s looked pretty shaky.
I’d be happy with him, Telea, Lam all getting a shot.
