All Blacks 2024
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@Bones Kriel is a specialist 13 that was pushed out to wing due to the meteoric rise of Am. It was also during a period when their first choice wingers weren't available iirc. In South Africa, moving a player from a more complex role like 13 to wing (seen as the "easier" position) on a temporary basis is not uncommon. A move in the opposite direction (from being a specialist wing to playing as a 13) is far more rare in the Republic though. I don't think I've seen them attempt the 15 to 13 switch at test level like the ABs have done three times.
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@Victor-Meldrew Yeah, I agree to a degree and I suspect they'll do as you suggest, but just want Razor (or should I say Holland) to pick some new midfielders and start giving them gametime as combinations a.s.a.p.
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@Punch_up said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones Kriel is a specialist 13 that was pushed out to wing due to the meteoric rise of Am. It was also during a period when their first choice wingers weren't available iirc. In South Africa, moving a player from a more complex role like 13 to wing (seen as the "easier" position) on a temporary basis is not uncommon. A move in the opposite direction (from being a specialist wing to playing as a 13) is far more rare in the Republic though. I don't think I've seen them attempt the 15 to 13 switch at test level like the ABs have done three times.
I mean if you want to go down that route, JB is a specialist 12 and RI is a specialist 13. They just got moved to "easier" positions first....
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Don't forget Nonu developed his passing and kicking skills over time
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@Victor-Meldrew Razor is so smart for doing this.
Me: "Razor and the AB selectors totally ignored my favourite 1st Five--"
Razor: "Don't blame me. Send your hatemail to Hansen."
Me: "And why didn't you pick those three fullbacks I like?!"
Razor: "Here's Leon MacDonald's email address. All complaints re outside back go to him."
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Don't forget Nonu developed his passing and kicking skills over time
Still playing too.
If he’s keen to become the oldest AB ever I’d thoroughly endorse any attempts he made at a comeback too.
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@Punch_up said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew Yeah, I agree to a degree and I suspect they'll do as you suggest, but just want Razor (or should I say Holland) to pick some new midfielders and start giving them gametime as combinations a.s.a.p.
Why? They need to demonstrate that they're the best in their positions at the lower level and then impress in the squad first.
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Aaron Golie suggesting Cane as captain again this year:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opinion/133533229/scott-barrett-as-all-blacks-captain-lets-just-hold-our-crusaders-horsesI don't think that makes sense. Cane's output isn't as consistent as what it was and it's hard to see that improving with another year on the clock
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@antipodean Of course. I just don't want Holland to be too conservative in his selections when uncapped midfielders do impress at super level.
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@Bones They started in those positions, but spent significant time outside of midfield (JB bc he moved to a team where he played everywhere but 12 and Rieko bc his speed made wing seem logical). At times their current play makes that clear - they lack some of subtleties that come from consistent years in midfield.
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@Punch_up said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@antipodean Of course. I just don't want Holland to be too conservative in his selections when uncapped midfielders do impress at super level.
On that we agree. I want form players given opportunities, otherwise what's the point?
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Punch_up said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@antipodean Of course. I just don't want Holland to be too conservative in his selections when uncapped midfielders do impress at super level.
On that we agree. I want form players given opportunities, otherwise what's the point?
But it has to be done within a framework of existing core players. Foster's penchant for picking a swag of new players all at once is counter productive and doesn't build combinations or confidence
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Wait - wasn't one of the more common criticisms of Foster that he was overly loyal to existing players?
But now also - a penchant for picking swags of new players all at once?
He was truly a troublesome little (or not-so-little, compulsory fat-joke, guffaw) devil, wasn't he? -
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Anyone know the confirmed NZ NH Tour itinerary 2024.
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Anyone know the confirmed NZ NH Tour itinerary 2024.
As per normal we only find out well late, and the best way to see what is happening is to see what the NH say they are playing. But 2x england home, fiji home/away, 2x SA away, split Oz, 2x arg home, Fr and Ire away, I think. Not necessarily in that exact order
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Fr and Ire away, I think.
Eng & France away. Probably Ireland too and there’s been a suggestion we play Japan on the way home
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@Bones I don't think I need to concede anything of the sort. Name a country other than NZ that converted their test fullback into a 13 not once, not twice, but on three seperate occasions? Name a country other than NZ that converted their test winger into a 13 on two different occasions? That's five different positional switches by outside backs to the 13 jersey in the span of approximately 25 years.
