All Blacks 2023
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@frugby playing style alone I would still take Roigard over Fakatava, Christie and Weber. He's less experienced in terms of international footy, yes, but the way he plays is tailor made for test match rugby. He has a calm head on his shoulders, he's got a very accurate kicking game, his pass isn't slow, and he's a point of difference to all the other halfbacks because of his size. Fakatava is still way too unpredictable, and I wouldn't trust him to close out a WC finals match if he had to. Weber and Christie are just a bit meh for me but I guess it's all matter of opinion.
Stats show Roigard was by far and away the best halfback in NZ during Super and I don't think he's the sort of player that will be overawed by the big stage. Hopefully he gets some game time over the next two tests to show what he's made of because I'd rather have our best players at the WC, than guys being picked because they have more experience so to speak.
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@Canes4life No denying Roigard is great, but I'm not sure Fakatava's unpredictability is necessarily a criticism.
IMO, Smith should and will play the full 80 of knockout matches at the World Cup if they are close. The guy's fitness levels are top-notch, but if we are losing and looking for spark, Fakatava is that guy. Not to say Roigard doesn't have X-Factor, because those two will be a heck of a 1-2 punch post WC, but he hasn't got miles on the clock yet... that said, for me it is anyone over Christie, and I'd be happy to take Fakatava and Roigard, but was more so saying, if they wanted to take the latter, feel like he needed to give him as much game time in the lead up as possible.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2023:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
watching the 6 Nations, especially Ireland, it has rammed home to me that the ABs are really missing a front line breakdown menace.
Cane isn't that guy. I'm not actually sure Papali'i is either. Savea is good for a last ditch turnover but he's not a battle in the trenches guy. And who ever we have at 6 definitely aren't. Ireland have two in VdF and Doris is a massive pest. And they create a constant stream of shit ball for their opponents.
I'm battling to think of who around the country fits the bill?
The above is a brilliant post and remains my biggest fear for the ABs in World Cup year. Getting reamed at the breakdown in a big game.
I think Cane is a best breakdown man we got, it was no coincidence the Boks started doing better after he went off. He is still one of few players who can slow opposition ball too.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2023:
@Canes4life No denying Roigard is great, but I'm not sure Fakatava's unpredictability is necessarily a criticism.
IMO, Smith should and will play the full 80 of knockout matches at the World Cup if they are close. The guy's fitness levels are top-notch, but if we are losing and looking for spark, Fakatava is that guy. Not to say Roigard doesn't have X-Factor, because those two will be a heck of a 1-2 punch post WC, but he hasn't got miles on the clock yet... that said, for me it is anyone over Christie, and I'd be happy to take Fakatava and Roigard, but was more so saying, if they wanted to take the latter, feel like he needed to give him as much game time in the lead up as possible.
Mate you lose a lot of reason when you say anyone over Christie. Shows a bias against him. I not his greatest fan, but I getting feeling they like his defence.Keen on seeing Roigard have a crack, but not sure how things are looking at training.
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I didn't realise Altrad was this, corruption and asbestos plus oil and chemicals, good mix of sponsors 🤪
UK asbestos firm owners ‘whitewashing reputation’ with All Blacks sponsorship
Altrad, parent company of Cape Asbestos, faces accusation as it rejects call for £10m cancer donation
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Looks a fair bit like Canterbury A vs Ta$man B (well, B+).
Drubbing coming up!
Has Fozzie said when he'll name his 33 man squad for RWC? I've seen indications that some countries will name their squads starting around 7 August.
Which suggests time is short for the likes of Dave Havili and Ethan Blackadder to prove their fitness and make their runs.
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@Stargazer Possible I guess - but, it would surprise me these days.
I think they'd most likely name their preferred 33 with potentially one or two who aren't at full fitness - as per Kieran Read in 2011. If those guys didn't make it back they'd drop out.
I'm not sure Ethan has played enough in recent times to warrant that sort of special treatment, hence I would have liked to see him especially turning up this week.
I think the AB selections make it pretty clear they're holding a space for Dave, since Dallas McLeod would be his obvious back-up within the current squad, though I'm inclined to think Jack Goodhue is more likely.
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@Chris-B ABs were holding a space for Havili and Blackadder I have no doubt... Havili might be struggling if ALB does well this weekend, because Ennor has probably wrapped up one spot.
I still think they want to take Blackadder, which as he has played bugger all rugby in 18 months, I think it is nuts. I mean it isn't like he was that good in his, checks notes 9 tests, the last of which he was hooked after 60 minutes.
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@Chris-B ABs were holding a space for Havili and Blackadder I have no doubt... Havili might be struggling if ALB does well this weekend, because Ennor has probably wrapped up one spot.
I still think they want to take Blackadder, which as he has played bugger all rugby in 18 months, I think it is nuts. I mean it isn't like he was that good in his, checks notes 9 tests, the last of which he was hooked after 60 minutes.
I guess these really belong here.
I'd be pretty surprised if Ennor has a spot locked up. I think Jordie and Havili will be our second fives and Reiko and ALB will be our centres, with ALB our midfield bench man.
Ennor has been in the squad for the past several years but used infrequently and only started vs the minnows. I think he had a good game in the semi vs the Blues and I hoped he might have turned the corner, but then I thought he was pretty poor in the final.
I don't think they'll take Ethan unless he gets out on the park in the NPC and shows them what they're missing - the second part actually being easier than the first, I think.
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ALB is the next midfield option after JB and Ioane. He covers both 12 and 13, which neither Havili or Ennor do. When you look at all of the other fullback options in the squad, Havili's utility value is limited. That said, he's probably ahead of Ennor in their pecking order of backup players.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@canefan Started at 2nd five - I presume he moved to centre when SBW came on for Goodhue.
I'm not going to put it all on him, because there was plenty of blame pie to go around. But I don't remember him dominating in the ground battle. Jordie is the only one who carts it up, if he goes down we are in deep shit
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Marc Hinton picks his RWC squad. I think it is a big risk to select players who have a history of being injured too often.
Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Cane (capt), Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder; Finlay Christie, Aaron Smith, Cam Roigard, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa.
The important info:
The World Cup squad of 33 will be unveiled in Napier on Monday, August 7.
