All Blacks 2024
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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
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
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.
I feel dumberfor reading (most) of that.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@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.
So "goes ok ... otherwise unimpressive" is fair?
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
that's two 10s he's taken out in 3 weeks
Victor Matfield would be proud…
Finau will be in the squad no doubt about it.
For me a big problem to solve is who plays at openside. We need to settle on a player that we can build a combination with our other loose forwards (whoever they are).
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
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.
C’mon bro, you know not to read this rubbish.
Haven’t read the article and won’t, but all I’ll say is that the QF and Final were the two best tests I’ve seen RM play.
Doesn’t mean he is DC or any other extraordinary test player or that he hasn’t had highlight reel moments from other tests, but his control, defensive effort, awareness and doing the basics right along with the odd piece of brilliance was great.
Showed a far more rounded game that we have missed at 10 for a while, but I was pleased to see it come right on the biggest stage.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
that's two 10s he's taken out in 3 weeks
Victor Matfield would be proud…
Finau will be in the squad no doubt about it.
For me a big problem to solve is who plays at openside. We need to settle on a player that we can build a combination with our other loose forwards (whoever they are).
Well, it starts with Ardie, work from there. He's really quite capable at 7, and just shove him on the back of any attacking scrum if required. But I am a fan boy, and think he plays in the position called the 'Savea' where he is almost always the best player on the pitch.
Seeing that he' been voted players player in the ABs, I think they know more than me
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There seems to be more than a few articles at the moment in the media on tweaking the eligibility rules, many focussing on Mo'unga. Almost as if there was a campaign or something.
Robertson has 4 years to the next RWC and a good base to work from. Time to build.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
that's two 10s he's taken out in 3 weeks
Victor Matfield would be proud…
Finau will be in the squad no doubt about it.
For me a big problem to solve is who plays at openside. We need to settle on a player that we can build a combination with our other loose forwards (whoever they are).
It's not easy. Savea being savea adds a bit of a balance problem. I can sort of see why they persisted with cane and needed Frizzell.
I hope surf jesus doesn't just pick a bunch of 6.5s again.
The Blues Boys will protest, but I feel DP is best suited to a bench role. I reckon he's a bit slow to play openside, and provide that turnover heat.
But, there has to be a reason he's got bigger in thr off-season, and I doubt that reason is the Blues.We're all guessing because we have no clue how surf jesus wants to play and therefore what players he needs
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@ACT-Crusader it's the constant theme that RM is being excluded unfairly despite the fact that he, you know, signed a fucking contract overseas. That's what pissed me off.
Also fuck Frizzell, did.we.give that spud a sabbatical? Also cane is old news (no mafia I will not be surrendering my membership card)
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Also fuck Frizzell, did.we.give that spud a sabbatical?
No, just bad writing. He is gone.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I reckon he's a bit slow to play openside
I'd there a position to pick an out and out openside any more?
There's no "fetcher" anymore. The early McCaw type role I reckon has been superseded.
I'm having a debate with myself here, and keep contradicting myself.
Like the idea of a brute at 6 (Finau fanboi), a ball carrier at 8 and a complementary player at 7. But that dude isn't my idea of a traditional 7.
He's not first at the breakdown anymore as breakdowns are set up differently, and we can't wait for him like we used to.
I know what I mean, just don't words goodly.
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All I know is we haven't been a big turnover team for a while, we don't put huge pressure on the other teams' ruck, I wouldn't mind a different approach
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
All I know is we haven't been a big turnover team for a while, we don't put huge pressure on the other teams' ruck, I wouldn't mind a different approach
Probably didn't help given our defensive structure giving up ground.
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Don't know if this has been said. I think the best NZ 10 in 2023 and 2024 is/was DMac.
