All Blacks 2024
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
I think the changes are going to be relatively straightforward. I don’t think anyone played themselves out of the 32 but there will be replacements if the injured players are now fit.
Additions to the 32 man squad
- 1 x prop (Numia?)
- 1 x lock (Darry or Lord)
- 1 x loosie (Cane)
- 1 x back (Jordan)
Replacements (if fit)
- Sami for Bell
As per the discussion further down, I don't think they'll pick another prop. But otherwise I think you're right.
I think the final guy will be any one of Plummer, Havili or Love - with a slight possibility that they might pick Lakai.
I'm still struggling with working out what the new gameplan is - and I don't see many others making bold statements about it - so I'll hazard a guess.
What seems reasonably obvious is that at least some of the time the backs are taking a more staggered formation (as opposed to the flat backline). That gives our backs a little bit more time and space - and a chance to work the ball wider - but, the downside is that there's more chance of being caught behind the gain line - and when we are, we're further from the forwards - which might be a plus). Definitely seems like they're trying to get wider faster with less loop plays.
Was interesting watching how they used Blackadder - sometimes hitting the ball up in midfield, sometimes one off the ruck and sometimes running a very retro wide line to where the more staggered 13 was the likely tackle target. A couple of times it looked like Ethan was running a line borrowed from the 1970s. Certainly a lot different to how they used Dalton against England's much more aggressive rush defence (where they struggled to get the ball to Rieko - and when they did he got the tackler and ball at the same time). I'd be tempted to bring in Lakai (perhaps as a project), who looks more of a greyhound - compared with Ethan (and Dalton) who look like a 6.5s playing 7.
Be interesting to see what bells and whistles are planned to be added to this more staggered formation. Ethan hitting it up in midfield was one. I think Will Jordan's extra speed from the back could add lots of additional threat (sort of John Gallagher).
Question about who they add might depend a bit on who they think can best play these new roles. Which of Plummer (first five) or Havili (2nd five) can shift the ball and hit the runners I think (?) are coming - and whether Love's speed from the back might also be what they're looking for.
Edit: possibility they'll pick Hoskins as well if they want more muscle in tight. But, I think they'll be valuing mobility.
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Given where we are at the aim should be to retake the number one in the world by looking Test to Test and winning as many of them as possible.
A couple of years out from the World Cup we can assess whether we have three players in every position ready for World Cup knock out Rugby. But we are probably there in most positions already.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2024:
Another genuine 6 or 8 on the other hand would be most welcome.
how many do we have left?
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@nostrildamus Once you exclude Blues players not many. A few Crusaders who were mentioned in dispatches previously, but haven’t kicked on.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2024:
@nostrildamus Once you exclude Blues players not many. A few Crusaders who were mentioned in dispatches previously, but haven’t kicked on.
And I was thinking one Cane, who might find the international level a step up. I've also liked Harmon, but he appears a different player in 2024 and he's really a 7. Shame, as someone said, Hemopo left.
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Extra Prop: Numia
Lock: Darry
Backs: Jordan and probably Havili, although I'd prefer Plummer.Cane might get in there somewhere. Sami T will return if fit.
I'd love to see Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu and Ruben Love in there, but I am not holding breadth for them to get picked.
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If we take Cane and Jordan as given, then to me another lock is a must, so Lord or Darry. The latter is fit, and heavier, so would get my vote, with Lord on standby.
The obvious area to shore up is at 12, and Lam would be worth a look. Tupaea and Poihipi would also have supporters, given Havili is fairly long in the tooth.
My roughy would be to bring in Suafoa, and let LJ go. He's Kaino sized, a lineout target, who can cover lock, and has proven his intestinal fortitude in spades. -
Which is the worst reason to select anyone ever.
So you want to cap him again to make him ineligible for another 3 years for England and presumably once he has done that then he can be dropped again?
He won’t get picked in TRC squad.
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On Havili, in my opinion he shouldn’t be anywhere near being added to this Rugby Championship squad. If we are going off form like the coaches have preached, Havili is no where near it. Add in the fact he will be 32 come 2027 World Cup, makes you wonder if you should just let that ship sail now.
I have nothing against the guy, he’s a good player but has peaked and Super Rugby is his level. I think we could do better with an eye on that spot going to someone who will be a good shot at the next World Cup. Thats just my opinion anyway.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024:
On Havili, in my opinion he shouldn’t be anywhere near being added to this Rugby Championship squad. If we are going off form like the coaches have preached, Havili is no where near it. Add in the fact he will be 32 come 2027 World Cup, makes you wonder if you should just let that ship sail now.
I have nothing against the guy, he’s a good player but has peaked and Super Rugby is his level. I think we could do better with an eye on that spot going to someone who will be a good shot at the next World Cup. Thats just my opinion anyway.
I’ve got no hate for him but with alb in sharp form , I don’t see why he is needed ,
If we didn’t have alb , then I would get it more
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On the plus side we appear to be developing in all area's aside form the loose forwards.
Have depth in the front row and hooker.
Locks which were a concern have been bolstered by Patty T (especially with his running) and Vaai has had good impact.
Ratima has added depth at HB.
BB and DMac look like quite a good dual playmaker option.
ALB and Proctor adding depth in the midfield.
Wings we have in abundance
Perofeta has played well at FB (above my expectations honestly).Only real concern is the loose forward trio, Finau has been underwhelming and appears to emulate Reubean Thorne, plays a lot of minutes but you never see him doing anything, Papps has been great on defence but limited on attack. Savea has been Savea and Sititi of course has added impact (both positives but both are playing at
but as a trio it just can't seem to fire. Blackadder looked terribly off the pace, grasping tackles as he was a step or two out of position and Jacobsen seemed to beat him to the ruck continually. I really wish Lakai had been given the oppertunty instead.Depth-wise I'm feeling more optimistic, game-plan wise not so sure. Exits, being outsmarted and out performed in the tactical kicking game and lack of go forward ball in the forwards have been key weaknesses for years and don't show much signs of improvement.
It feels like were doing ok, and then well hit into a brick wall like SA or Ireland and it will all come crashing down.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024:
On Havili, in my opinion he shouldn’t be anywhere near being added to this Rugby Championship squad. If we are going off form like the coaches have preached, Havili is no where near it. Add in the fact he will be 32 come 2027 World Cup, makes you wonder if you should just let that ship sail now.
I have nothing against the guy, he’s a good player but has peaked and Super Rugby is his level. I think we could do better with an eye on that spot going to someone who will be a good shot at the next World Cup. Thats just my opinion anyway.
Agree.
There are not many options out there that are like DH if they are looking for that type of player, but there is one that stands out - Plummer.
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They should pick Sotutu not because he's Pom eligible, but because he's more than good enough, and because he doesn't play exactly the same as Cane, Dalton and Jacobson. Adding Cane without dropping Jacobson would be dumb, and I don't know why you would choose Cane over Jacobson - he may be a hell of a guy but he's 5 years older, injury-plagued and close to retirement.
The balance problem is vs big packs we have a small 8 so need a big 6, and we only have Finau. Playing any 2 of Cane/Jacobson/Dalton/Blackadder with Savea is a small loose trio, and (particularly if not Blackadder) it's a loose trio that lacks ball runners, when we have a front row that lacks ball runners too. Maybe Hoskins is a chance due to Finau not lighting it up, but unfortunately I doubt it.
How long since Lord played?
Havili would be a poor selection. Not because he's a bad player but because we already have ample injury cover in our side, meaning his utility value is severely diminished. He also plays 12 nothing like JB plays 12, so he's not a like-for-like injury replacement to keep the team pattern.
Plummer would be a good idea because every side is going to target McKenzie, as he is both our most creative player and small. And if we lose him, we're in big trouble. That was the case before the initial selections too though, so they probably won't. -
Anyone know when the Rugby Championship squad is announced?
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024:
It feels like were doing ok, and then well hit into a brick wall like SA or Ireland and it will all come crashing down.
Or England in England. We have to get a lot better by the time we get over there or they'll grind us out at home. They'll be fresh, and we will be coming to the end of a long season.
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@Canes4life This coming Saturday I believe
