All Blacks 2024
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Grace as well as scoring a great try,Pinched a couple of Canes line outs,Pulled of some big hits a lot of the defence was lead by Grace.He ran at the line hard bent it a few times.Best game he has put out in sometime.
I am not saying he played his way in to AB contention on one game but if you were really watching you would seen a lot more than a try. -
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Best game he has put out in sometime.
Agree he had a good game last night. He's been well off the pace in the first three weeks though. Gardiner has been worse so not many commented on Grace
Yep that's a Fair call.
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have a read of this tripe
did i blink and miss where RM somehow turned in to this all-conquering test match 10 we desperately can't live without?
Even the rest of the list of names he references sounded like last year's news.
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@mariner4life so it appears to me that FAS isn't a barrier to being a "sports journalist".
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@mariner4life I was wondering what I missed too. He was a bloody good 10 on his day, but I missed the bit where he was going to drag us to wins we couldn't otherwise win.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Grace falls down my rankings. Didn't offer much.
Made Flanders look like a chump.
The only thing Grace has done for about a year and a half.
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@ARHS said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Is the writer a rugby fan or just taking the mickey? Very wishy washy article and no real thought of the consequences of what he was writing.
Hamish Bidwell is probably the worst rugby writer in NZ and there’s plenty of competition
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@Duluth He doesn't deserve the time of day. How do clowns like him get jobs in the media?
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Duluth He doesn't deserve the time of day. How do clowns like him get jobs in the media?
Probably cos he looks good compared to a typical journo who writes for stuff.co.nz
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@mariner4life Yeah don't get me wrong, he was the best option we had in the last cycle, but he's a step down from our great 10s we've had.
We'll be fine without him.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Duluth He doesn't deserve the time of day. How do clowns like him get jobs in the media?
Probably cos he looks good compared to a typical journo who writes for stuff.co.nz
He used to write for stuff.....
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@ARHS said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Is the writer a rugby fan or just taking the mickey? Very wishy washy article and no real thought of the consequences of what he was writing.
Hamish Bidwell is probably the worst rugby writer in NZ and there’s plenty of competition
Ding ding ding. Bidwell should not be taken seriously. Ever. He's like Rattue-lite
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
. Still wating for Lakai to impress. Goes ok at this level admittedly... but otherwise unimpressive.
Interesting observation, Lakai isn't really renowned as a 7 and has done an adequate job of stepping into that role for the Canes. He was very impressive playing number 8 in the first two rounds which is his proper position and the position that he'll play most of his rugby in the future.
For a 21 year old to be the top ball carrier and the third best tackler in the competition to me is pretty impressive, especially considering he's still only finding his feet at this level. He's dominated both Under 20 rugby (age grade player of the year in 2022) and NPC rugby thus far in his career, but it will take him a couple years (like it does for most players) to begin to make a mark at Super.
It's too early to put Lakai in the frame for the All Blacks but he'll be there or there abouts by the next World Cup, especially if he forms a combination with Ardie (7) and Roigard (9) at the Canes from next year.
You only have to look at someone like Segner, he's only now starting to dominate at this level after taking a few years to find his feet. Lakai has made a good start and is far from the finished product. He's only going to get better especially considering who he's learning from at the Canes.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
He was very impressive playing number 8 in the first two rounds
Nah, he was about as impressive as when he's been playing 7. Hence half of us probably didn't even realise he'd changed numbers...
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After four rounds of Super Rugby the below players from each team have really stood out to me as being contenders for the Black Jersey later in the year (not including current ABs). Some of them may be too young i.e. Jamie Hannah and Josh Beehre but they've been very solid when given an opportunity.
Highlanders:
Key player: Billy Harmon (Highlanders) if anyone deserves a crack at the next level it's this guy. Harmon is in the form of his life, if he doesn't get an opportunity this year I think it's time to look overseas and take the money. He's scored my favourite try of the year already, what a screamer against the Brumbies on Saturday.
Other notable mentions: Jacob Raitumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Hugh Renton
Crusaders:
Key player: Sevu Reece (Crusaders) I know he's been an AB but he's a player that will be keen to put himself back into contention when the first AB side is announced. Had a scorching game on defence against the Canes on Friday, saving about 20 points on his own. If all players had the work-rate of this guy the All Blacks would be nearly impossible to beat. Get him back in the Black jersey I say.
Other notable mentions: Macca Springer, Jamie Hannah
Hurricanes:
Key player: Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) he's been Mr Reliable for the Canes for the past few seasons now and continues to be the glue in their backline. Similar defensive attributes to Canes legend Conrad Smith, Proctor has been one of the Cane's best to start the season. After scoring four tries in one game for the All Blacks XV last year to compliment his defensive prowess, he has to be in the conversation.
Other notable mentions: Asafo Aumua, Ruben Love, Caleb Delany
Chiefs:
Key player: Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) he made his All Black's debut last year but is surely eager to make a stamp in this campaign for the Chiefs. He's had a flyer to kick off the year and I hope he gets another chance after he was rudely snubbed by the All Black's in 2023.
Other notable mentions: Eteni Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi,
Blues:
Key player: Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) had a fantastic first two rounds for the Blues before being dropped to the bench (absolutely baffling). If he can continue that form he'll be back into the ABs in no time. Vern Cotter looks to be getting the best out of him.
Other notable mentions: Anton Segner, Josh Beehre
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@Bones agree to disagree. As I said he’s only a young buck so him being solid over the first four rounds isn’t necessarily disappointing, especially considering he’s come up against arguably the three best loose forward trios three weeks in a row (outside the Canes and Chiefs)
Aside from the extraordinary like McCaw, loose forwards in NZ don’t usually hit their prime until 25. Plenty of time for him to develop into a dominant force like he has been at the lower levels.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones agree to disagree. As I said he’s only a young buck so him being solid over the first four rounds isn’t necessarily disappointing, especially considering he’s come up against arguably the three best loose forward trios three weeks in a row (outside the Canes and Chiefs)
Aside from the extraordinary like McCaw, loose forwards in NZ don’t usually hit their prime until 25. Plenty of time for him to develop into a dominant force like he has been at the lower levels.
None of that is at odds with what I said. I'm talking about his performance regardless of his age. You're talking about him being the best 21yo 7/8 - but that's not typically what gets you in the ABs
