All Blacks 2023
-
@Bones I wonder if Sotutu's numbers were bolstered by carving up the bottom half of Super Rugby as opposed to the other semi finalists (who the Blues went 0-5 against).
I don't think J Ryan rates him particularly highly.
There's been the odd spark for the ABs but overall I think Hoskins has disappointed at test level given the initial promise of his 2020 Super form.
It's a shame as he's a remarkably skilful player but I'm just not sure his game translates to test level.
-
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bones I wonder if Sotutu's numbers were bolstered by carving up the bottom half of Super Rugby as opposed to the other semi finalists (who the Blues went 0-5 against).
I don't think J Ryan rates him particularly highly.
There's been the odd spark for the ABs but overall I think Hoskins has disappointed at test level given the initial promise of his 2020 Super form.
It's a shame as he's a remarkably skilful player but I'm just not sure his game translates to test level.
A midfield of Ardie and him would probably be better than what we've had since 2015.
-
Players need consistent game time to get test rugby. Only the very very good come in and look to the manor born
Sotutu is stuck behind an ever-present who never gets hurt or tired, and plays a position that rarely makes the bench. So opportunity has been few and far between.
He's got a great skill set, and has definitely shown work rate, and I am so disappointed he's not picked.
-
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Players need consistent game time to get test rugby. Only the very very good come in and look to the manor born
Sotutu is stuck behind an ever-present who never gets hurt or tired, and plays a position that rarely makes the bench. So opportunity has been few and far between.
He's got a great skill set, and has definitely shown work rate, and I am so disappointed he's not picked.
Because he is a back masquerading as a loose forward, he doesn't hit enough rucks, lacks physicality, is noticeably skinny (106kg) for someone of his height & position, doesn't dominate collisions, only upside is attacking threat, but is simply not dominant enough on both sides of the ball to excel against better sides (non-Australian opposition).
-
Lol riiiiight
-
@kiwi_expat said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Players need consistent game time to get test rugby. Only the very very good come in and look to the manor born
Sotutu is stuck behind an ever-present who never gets hurt or tired, and plays a position that rarely makes the bench. So opportunity has been few and far between.
He's got a great skill set, and has definitely shown work rate, and I am so disappointed he's not picked.
Because he is a back masquerading as a loose forward, he doesn't hit enough rucks, lacks physicality, is noticeably skinny (106kg) for someone of his height & position, doesn't dominate collisions, only upside is attacking threat, but is simply not dominant enough on both sides of the ball to excel against better sides (non-Australian opposition).
Is he seven foot tall ?
-
-
Jason Ryan , when interviewed by Israel Dagg, identified Tamaiti Williams and Finau as having heavy shoulders and providing a point of difference.
Also basically said Sotutu did not front up in the semi-final.
Said Luke Jacobsen is a very hard worker and tough. Seen as an 8, not really a 6.
Josh Lord seen as having big potential.
-
Love all this talk of "hard shoulders"
Who is guaranteed to start at 8 again?
Oh
-
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Love all this talk of "hard shoulders"
Who is guaranteed to start at 8 again?
Oh
The ABs for the last 6 years….
-
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Love all this talk of "hard shoulders"
Who is guaranteed to start at 8 again?
Oh
The ABs for the last 6 years….
Fuck that's elite ferning
-
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:
@cgrant Afeaki's All Blacks profile says 124kg. Maybe he was heavier at some point, but probably not when he played that test match.
He was listed at 138 kg in a few profiles which seemed more likely than 124 kg.
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2023:
I also think that Frizell is very lucky to make the squad, but he's not the only player.
Ryan says their 6s are both big, physical players but they need to get more out of them.
Hard to know for sure, but it seems Weber going off shore counted against him but it didn't count against Shannon
I think Weber has perhaps got a weakness or 2(kicking) they see? Shannon isn't only one picked going off shore.
-
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Love all this talk of "hard shoulders"
Who is guaranteed to start at 8 again?
Oh
I think you will find in modern game you want a couple of pretty hard defenders in loosies. Ardie not a shit defender, not probably as hard on the tackle as one or two others, but caries especially post contach more than most.
-
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2023:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:
@cgrant Afeaki's All Blacks profile says 124kg. Maybe he was heavier at some point, but probably not when he played that test match.
He was listed at 138 kg in a few profiles which seemed more likely than 124 kg.
It's about what he weighed at the time he played his one test match for the ABs. It doesn't matter what he weighed later.
-
Thought this was an interesting read...
-
From the above article
"From 13 games Jacobson has 17 dominant tackles (numbers courtesy of Opta Sports), one ahead of Scott Barrett. Sotutu isn’t in the top 10.The Blues No 8 is an outstanding carrier, but Jacobson’s inclusion are clear signals that the All Blacks want players who can smash people. "
Stuff
