All Blacks 2023

canefan

DMac's stock may rise from the bench, if Richie or BB fail to fire given their opportunities

KiwiMurph

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2023:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

DMac has done enough to be given a shot at 10 in a black jersey prior to the World Cup. Up to him what he does with it.

Which of the following fixtures would you give him?

vs Oz @ MCG
vs Springboks @ Mount Smart Stadium
vs Pumas @ Mendoza
vs Oz @ Forsyth Barr

With the way the schedule is set up i'd probably give him Wallabies @ MCG. Realistically Pumas at Mendoza might be his best bet as ABs will likely have to split teams with the Bok game only 6 days later.

I was thinking the MCG fixture as well, but I doubt the coaches would give him the first attempt. I suspect that Richie will be given one and Beaudy the other if they do split the squad, which would likely mean DMac will have to impress from the bench.

Just a note the MCG game is 3rd, to be played after the Puma and Bok game.

Bovidae

I have been really impressed with Vaa'i in the last two games. He is likely in a fight with Tuipulotu as the 4th lock in the squad. Five locks may be selected for the RWC, of course.

antipodean

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2023:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2023:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs v Hurricanes:

DMac has done enough to be given a shot at 10 in a black jersey prior to the World Cup. Up to him what he does with it.

Which of the following fixtures would you give him?

vs Oz @ MCG
vs Springboks @ Mount Smart Stadium
vs Pumas @ Mendoza
vs Oz @ Forsyth Barr

With the way the schedule is set up i'd probably give him Wallabies @ MCG. Realistically Pumas at Mendoza might be his best bet as ABs will likely have to split teams with the Bok game only 6 days later.

I was thinking the MCG fixture as well, but I doubt the coaches would give him the first attempt. I suspect that Richie will be given one and Beaudy the other if they do split the squad, which would likely mean DMac will have to impress from the bench.

Just a note the MCG game is 3rd, to be played after the Puma and Bok game.

Quite right. I ignorantly thought the All Blacks website would list fixtures by descending date.

Billy Tell

@Bovidae

I give up if tuipolotu is selected. Hopeless at international level.

antipodean

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks 2023:

@Bovidae

I give up if tuipolotu is selected. Hopeless at international level.

I think its our pattern of play that's partly the problem. We don't seem to recognise that the nations we play aren't outclassed in fitness or skill sufficiently anymore, so big bodies aren't utilised as well. NH nations like France know how to make big bodies work at club and international level.

canefan

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks 2023:

@Bovidae

I give up if tuipolotu is selected. Hopeless at international level.

I think its our pattern of play that's partly the problem. We don't seem to recognise that the nations we play aren't outclassed in fitness or skill sufficiently anymore, so big bodies aren't utilised as well. NH nations like France know how to make big bodies work at club and international level.

Based on how Fozzie had us play in the first half of the year, he still thinks we can run them all over the park and the opposition will be gassed with 20 to play

Kruse

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2023:

Quite right. I ignorantly thought the All Blacks website would list fixtures by descending date.

First time on that particular website?

They are fucking retards.

Chris B.

In the midfield, I reckon most likely it will be Jordie and Rieko, with Havili and ALB as the back-ups.

But then - in case we need another - who - out of:

Tupaea, Ennor, RTS, Goodhue, Aumua, Nankivell, Heem, Sullivan, Proctor - and anyone else who might realistically be in the frame?

Chris

@Chris-B said in All Blacks World Cup bolters:

in the midfield, I reckon most likely it will be Jordie and Rieko, with Havili and ALB as the back-ups.

I think you are 100% that barring injury those 4 will go,D Mac,Jordan,BB and Jordie can all cover FB ,
Rieko could cover Wing so maybe room for another utility Back.

Chris B.

@Chris We've got so much utility in our team already, I'm not sure it will be a prized trait.

Important question for me is whether we go with a 18/15 or 19/14 split between forwards and backs.

Given the above utility comment, I'm somewhat leaning to 19/14. Depends on who they decide is the first choice fullback - Beaudy is the incumbent and if he stays there (or is replaced by DMac) we probably need one less back.

Crucial

Backline squad last WC had 11 players (not counting 9s).
A guess at where the selectors might go..

2 10s (Mounga, DMac)
4 Midfielders (JB, RI, ALB, Havili)
3 wings (Telea, Jordan, Narawa)
2 Fullbacks (Stevenson, BB)

Coverage would be
10 - 3 (4 with Havili)
12 - 3
13 - 2
11/14 - 5
15 - 6

Obvious thing there is that 15 is too well covered. Out and wings a bit light. 13 also a bit light.
Could use one of the extra squad spots (from size increase) for a Wing/Centre. They are probably looking at Ennor but Heem would be an option. Given the lack of depth at 13 I wonder if Proctor could be the bolter? Not sure how we get him game time except during minnow games but it does balance things a bit better.
I'm not too concerned about wings. For minnow games there are plenty of players that can have a run there.
Perofeta and Clarke to be in the 'keep warm and train' back at home squad.

Stargazer

Fainga'anuku instead of Narawa gives that extra 13 cover.

Frank

@Crucial I cant see them dropping Clarke, they seem very wedded to the idea of a power winger (and all the wings you named are right wingers)

Edit: Or, as Stargazer just said, Fainga'anuku at left wing.

Duluth

It's a close call if Leicester makes the squad and he's opted for the money over an AB career. Foster has said he'll opt for players who are committed to NZ rugby if its a close call.

Stargazer

@Duluth Yeah, true, but eventually the squad make-up/balance will be an important consideration. So if it's the choice between a wing/centre (Fainga'anuku) or a wing/fullback (Narawa), then it may not be a close call, because there' s already plenty of fullback cover. It all depends on what you consider to be a "close call".

Kiwiwomble

@Frank shit i wish Nareki wasn't so injury prone!

Crucial

@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:

Fainga'anuku instead of Narawa gives that extra 13 cover.

That's true. I just have a feeling that LF has shit in that bed.

@Frank I take your point but also wonder if a roaming back 3 set up could be a plan.

Not convinced that a power winger is that valuable at the moment. They can be a liability in getting too easily isolated. What we definately need is skilled finishers. That ability to dot in the corner under pressure is very valuable.

Steve

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2023:

It's a close call if Leicester makes the squad and he's opted for the money over an AB career. Foster has said he'll opt for players who are committed to NZ rugby if its a close call.

Charles Piutau got shafted in 2015 for taking the money.....

Leicesters goose is cooked.

Someone on here mentioned they had inside info his time in AB's camp was a disaster last year. Went home for "personal reasons" in Japan too.

Something not right there. 10 tries this season......shame.

Steve

Terrible "on the fence" punditry from the gang as usual.

They still have Beauden at FB and Goldie suggests Jordan on the left wing.

Clowns.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks 2023