Predictions 2023
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My concern about Cane is he is in the 2007 McCaw captaincy arc. He did not control the ref or make decisions well in the final.
Would feel better with Whitelock as captain.
As for who is the better seven, huge Dalton fan but not much difference IMO and his year will be next year.
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@Kirwan said in Predictions 2023:
Would feel better with Whitelock as captain.
Herald article yesterday (I know, I know) suggesting Whitelock should be a bench option as form isn't as good as Retallick and Barrett's.
As above can't comment on form but Having Whitelock come on to take over captaincy from a subbed Cane sort of makes some sense. Of course Whitelock could still take over even if he had started.
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@Windows97 said in Predictions 2023:
My prediction is that Sam Cane will have a MOM performance in the RWC final this year...
christ I hope yuo're right.
I'm concerned about getting past the quarters at the moment. Or losing a pool game for the first time. WE are well and truly back in the international pack, and I can't see that changing with the forwards we are developing at the moment, and the mismatch between Super and International rugby.
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TBH this is one of the worst teams we've ever had in terms of talent. We've got maybe two world class players in the forwards (Retallick yes, Whitelock - maybe) and probably 0 in the backs on current form (though Will Jordan is rated higher overseas than in his own country it appears).
I've always though that NZ had an incredible pipeline of talent, now I'm not so sure...
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The sky is falling!
Nothing wrong with NZ players, our issue is that we haven't evolved with the game as it's being played at the power brokers. It's a strength and card based game now, that's what we need to play to be at the big table.
Our speed will keep us competing, but whether or not it will win us the big trophies, I'm not so sure.
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@nzzp said in Predictions 2023:
WE are well and truly back in the international pack, and I can't see that changing with the forwards we are developing at the moment,
I'm not so sure. Think the problem is the head-space more than anythng else. We can be utterly dominant for long periods of the game then demonstrate a series of collective brain-farts. Been going on for 5-6 years now.
and the mismatch between Super and International rugby.
Or is it the mismatch between Super and NH Club rugby?
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There may be others in the SF, but the finalists seem right
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@ARHS said in Predictions 2023:
Yep NZ v France rematch. Then Sam Cane raises the trophy.
If that happens, I hope certain posters on here have purchased edible hats.
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@nostrildamus said in Predictions 2023:
@ARHS said in Predictions 2023:
Yep NZ v France rematch. Then Sam Cane raises the trophy.
If that happens, I hope certain posters on here have purchased edible hats.
thing is, three weeks doesn't make up for 3 years. I'd be delighted, surprised and shocked if we won it - but it wouldn't paper over the terrible job that foster has done for 4 years, or the incompetence of NZR
Would eat my hat though
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@nzzp said in Predictions 2023:
@nostrildamus said in Predictions 2023:
@ARHS said in Predictions 2023:
Yep NZ v France rematch. Then Sam Cane raises the trophy.
If that happens, I hope certain posters on here have purchased edible hats.
thing is, three weeks doesn't make up for 3 years. I'd be delighted, surprised and shocked if we won it - but it wouldn't paper over the terrible job that foster has done for 4 years, or the incompetence of NZR
Would eat my hat though
hehe I was really referring to the Sam Cane bit
Yes I would be shocked as well.
I have been a fairly consistent critic of Foster, well, just his tactics, selection, and press...but I've seen improvement with the 2 assistants (and maybe Foster as well?) and I'd be overjoyed.
I suspect there are at least 4 major rivals/contenders (SA Ireland France and England?) with France in the box seat... -
@nostrildamus said in Predictions 2023:
France in the box seat
Yeah but they're France. As likely to lose to Tonga as to run the table. Not sure the favorites tag will suit them
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@nzzp said in Predictions 2023:
@nostrildamus said in Predictions 2023:
France in the box seat
Yeah but they're France. As likely to lose to Tonga as to run the table. Not sure the favorites tag will suit them
We shall see, they seem more consistent than before and they are playing at home but anyway we shall see in what -34? - days?!
