All Blacks 2024
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@Canes4life i was going to say, Ratima is exceptional. I would pick him over Hotham
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@Ruginmel yeah I would have Perenara starting and Ratima off the bench for the English tests. I just mean down the track Hotham, Ratima and Funaki will be battling to be the backup to Roigard which is some insane talent.
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Hotham an outside chance for a black jersey
It depends if Razor is looking forward or just series to series.
My pick Hotham may get a chance in the rugby championship,He may not get picked for the England series ,I understand a squad wil be selected for the England and Fiji tests,then re selected for the Rugby Championship. -
@Chris said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
Hotham an outside chance for a black jersey
It depends if Razor is looking forward or just series to series.
My pick Hotham may get a chance in the rugby championship,He may not get picked for the England series ,I understand a squad wil be selected for the England and Fiji tests,then re selected for the Rugby Championship.Roigard should be back for the RC so if he doesn’t make the initial squad it will be even harder.
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@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
@Chris said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
Hotham an outside chance for a black jersey
It depends if Razor is looking forward or just series to series.
My pick Hotham may get a chance in the rugby championship,He may not get picked for the England series ,I understand a squad wil be selected for the England and Fiji tests,then re selected for the Rugby Championship.Roigard should be back for the RC so if he doesn’t make the initial squad it will be even harder.
I guess that depends on how the HBs that are selected in those first tests perform.
That injury Roigard suffered takes a while to get back to your best I hope he doesABs need him,but some players have never returned to what they were or have taken 12 months to get back to where they were. -
@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
@Ruginmel yeah I would have Perenara starting and Ratima off the bench for the English tests. I just mean down the track Hotham, Ratima and Funaki will be battling to be the backup to Roigard which is some insane talent.
I know he hasn’t had his greatest season but it’s crazy to me that Fakatava is always left out in these conversations. Hes definitely more in the conversation than most give him credit for.
One thing we have found out though is if a forward pack isn’t going forward he’s not the best at adjusting, that’s an experience thing. Get those dumb mistakes out of his game from trying too hard and he’s fine. I think if you put any of the above halfbacks behind the Highlanders forward pack they would have similar struggles.
That isn’t to say the guys above don’t deserve the recognition because they sure as hell do and Fakatava has most likely slipped behind them but to always be left out of the conversation I think is a bit knee jerky.
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@Landers92 said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
One thing we have found out though is if a forward pack isn’t going forward he’s not the best at adjusting, that’s an experience thing. Get those dumb mistakes out of his game from trying too hard and he’s fine. I think if you put any of the above halfbacks behind the Highlanders forward pack they would have similar struggles.
I think the issue with Fakatava is it's the same issues year after year. He debuted in Super Rugby in 2019.
Admittedly he has had huge injuries and this is his first year as the true starter.
I'm just not sure he will ever get those errors out of his game.
His whole game seems a bit frantic to me.
Having said that I tend to agree with your overall theme that he's more in the frame than some realise.
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@Landers92 said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
One thing we have found out though is if a forward pack isn’t going forward he’s not the best at adjusting, that’s an experience thing. Get those dumb mistakes out of his game from trying too hard and he’s fine. I think if you put any of the above halfbacks behind the Highlanders forward pack they would have similar struggles.
Can be taken into consideration, but his issues don't appear to be to do with forwards not going forward. Even with clean ball he gets to the ruck but then seems to take an age to even step up to it, let alone clear the ball.
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
@Landers92 said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
One thing we have found out though is if a forward pack isn’t going forward he’s not the best at adjusting, that’s an experience thing. Get those dumb mistakes out of his game from trying too hard and he’s fine. I think if you put any of the above halfbacks behind the Highlanders forward pack they would have similar struggles.
I think the issue with Fakatava is it's the same issues year after year. He debuted in Super Rugby in 2019.
Admittedly he has had huge injuries and this is his first year as the true starter.
I'm just not sure he will ever get those errors out of his game.
His whole game seems a bit frantic to me.
Having said that I tend to agree with your overall theme that he's more in the frame than some realise.
Yeah, Razor tried to get him to the Crusaders so he clearly rates, or has rated him in the past, so I think he's probably more in the thinking than some on here believe.
@Bones said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
Even with clean ball he gets to the ruck but then seems to take an age to even step up to it, let alone clear the ball.
That style of play didn't hinder the ABs number 2 halfback's selection chances last year ....
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Landers92 said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:
One thing we have found out though is if a forward pack isn’t going forward he’s not the best at adjusting, that’s an experience thing. Get those dumb mistakes out of his game from trying too hard and he’s fine. I think if you put any of the above halfbacks behind the Highlanders forward pack they would have similar struggles.
Can be taken into consideration, but his issues don't appear to be to do with forwards not going forward. Even with clean ball he gets to the ruck but then seems to take an age to even step up to it, let alone clear the ball.
Yeah fair point, you’re right that it isn’t all about not going forward. It’s puzzling because he never used to slow it down at ruck time. It’s as if he’s been told to slow it down and it’s affected his play. Let’s hope coaches can adjust for his sake because NZ rugby has a huuuge amount of halfback depth and all this competition is great.
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@KiwiMurph He's alright at fullback. Kicking the ball away in the opposition 22 had me thinking of Barrett in 2023 ...
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@KiwiMurph He's alright at fullback. Kicking the ball away in the opposition 22 had me thinking of Barrett in 2023 ...
Not good enough for ABs.
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