2020 All Blacks Squad
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I think people putting far too much weight into that England game, we were flat as England were against SA. Our “small” team was certainly big enough when we played the Boks and I would say our back row and midfield came out on top. ALB/Laumape/Goodhue/Ennor all have the physical/skill requirements to excel at Test level. My one question would be our line speed in defence, we have not been that consistent as to whether we push really hard or hold back a little even though results have tended to be good if not a little mixed. I think Savea cannot be left out f starting XV and Cane if fit has to have a place which definitely leaves room for one big unit in Reads abscence and though all contenders have all been a little dissaponting you hope someone puts their hand up this season. In the second row Tuipolotu can solidify his spot and Barrett minus silly penalties plays above his size.
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I can seen Savea becoming a So'oialo Mark 2 at number 8. Add in Cane at 7 and an enforcer at 6 and that's a beautiful loose forward trio.
I'd love to see Barrett get a season at 6 because he'd be perfect I think. Although I am always sceptical of converting athletic locks to 6. An athletic lock is too often a below average athlete at blindside, turning one of their biggest strengths into a weakness.
Really depends on whether the crusaders are willing to try it out.
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@Cyclops said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:
I can seen Savea becoming a So'oialo Mark 2 at number 8. Add in Cane at 7 and an enforcer at 6 and that's a beautiful loose forward trio.
I'd love to see Barrett get a season at 6 because he'd be perfect I think. Although I am always sceptical of converting athletic locks to 6. An athletic lock is too often a below average athlete at blindside, turning one of their biggest strengths into a weakness.
Really depends on whether the crusaders are willing to try it out.
Probably not during the 2020 season because Sam Whitelock won't play SR in 2020.
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@Cyclops said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:
I can seen Savea becoming a So'oialo Mark 2 at number 8.
So long as he isnt worked into the ground so that his form dropped off a cliff.
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This seems the best thread to post this.
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@Stargazer I hadn't previously registered that Brodie is skipping a big chunk of next year's Super rugby, as well.
Will be interesting to see how he comes back.
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@Chris-B said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:
@Stargazer I hadn't previously registered that Brodie is skipping a big chunk of next year's Super rugby, as well.
Will be interesting to see how he comes back.
Could be a smart move on the part of the NZRFU
Playing in Keeps them match fit without the pressure from S15 and their return can be managed.
Might help the game in Japan with 2 world class players drawing spectators in
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Combined wise heads of the Fern,
Thought I'd seek some guidance about who to look out for this coming Super Season, particularly those bubbling under and around the fringes, and the potential young stars on the way up.
I've started a list based on who has been there before (current or recent squad members), and then added guys for whom I've noticed some hype, or perhaps mention.
Appreciate your feedback as to whether they are real contenders, and who else may or should be added. Probably missed a few too.
? - indicates possible
'*' - indicates multiple positions (may not have got all of those)I also lumped all the loosies into one group, as I did the midfield, coz I got lazy.
Some feedback on the Saders would be good as I felt I've under represented them, but they look a real strong squad.
Thank You in anticipation.
Player list as follows (pretty sure you don't need numbers or position names
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Moody, Moli*, Ta'avao*, Tu'inukuafe, Lidenmuth?, Alaalatoa?,
Coles, Taylor, Coltman, Harris, Aumua, Taukei'aho?, Riccitelli?, Makalio?,
Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao*, Moli*, Fidow?,
Barrett, Tuipolotu, Parkinson, Walker-Leaware?,
McWhannel?, Romano?,Cane, Savea, Jacobsen, Frizell, Ioane, Papalii, Evans, Fifita, Robinson?, Kirifi?,
Smith, Perenara, Weber, Tahuriorangi, Drummond, Enari?, Hall?, Fakatava?,
Barrett, Mo'unga, Ioane, McKenzie*, Cruden?, Perofeta?, Falcon?, Plummer?, Cameron?,
Lienert-Brown, Goodhue, Laumape, Ennor, Tupaea?, Aso?, Procter?,
Bridge, Reece, Ioane, Jordan*, Alaimalo?, Clarke?,
Smith, Barrett, Mckenzie*, Jordan*,
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@booboo Alaalatoa is a tighthead , but no use watching him as he's capped for Samoa.
I think Romano is done at test level - Quinten Strange is one to keep a loose eye on - he's one who could be ready to step his performance up significantly.
Whetu Douglas at No. 8 probably the most likely Crusaders loose forward.
Alex Nankivell at the Chiefs at 2nd five. Vast improvement last year.
David Havili at fullback - but, any of the Crusaders outside backs - Manasa Mataele and Big Leicester could both potentially wreak havoc if they're given chances. Jona Nareki also one to watch for the future.
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Not sure about Douglas. I thought he looked a class below his All Black Crusader team mates last year. Good Super player, but a way to go.
Jordan is the biggie for me. Can't wait to see what he can do, injury permitting.
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@Crazy-Horse Watching how Will Jordan goes is what I'm most looking forward to in Super rugby.
Hope that both Razor and Foster find plenty for him to do.
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Update
Moody, Moli*, Ta'avao*, Tu'inukuafe, Lidenmuth?,
Alaalatoa?,Coles, Taylor, Coltman, Harris, Aumua, Taukei'aho?, Riccitelli?, Makalio?,
Laulala, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao*, Moli*, Fidow?,
Barrett, Tuipolotu, Parkinson, Walker-Leaware?,
McWhannel?,Romano?, Strange?Cane, Savea, Jacobsen, Frizell, Ioane, Papalii, Evans, Fifita, Robinson?, Kirifi?, Douglas??
Smith, Perenara, Weber, Tahuriorangi, Drummond, Enari?, Hall?, Fakatava?,
Barrett, Mo'unga, Ioane, McKenzie*, Cruden?, Perofeta?, Falcon?, Plummer?, Cameron?,
Lienert-Brown, Goodhue, Laumape, Ennor, Tupaea?, Aso?, Proctor?, Nankiville?
Bridge, Reece, Ioane, Jordan*, Alaimalo?, Clarke?, Nareki? Mataele?, Faingaanuku?
Smith, Barrett, Mckenzie*, Jordan*, Havili
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@booboo Yeah - I wouldn't put a lot of money on Whetu, but he's probably the best Crusaders loosie prospect - though Ethan Roots seems to have some wraps (or raps?) on him. I was very impressed with Sanders when I first saw him for the U20s (or NZ schools?), but injury has hampered him - and will hamper Blackadder this season.
I really hope Fozzie puts some thought into incorporating some size into his backline this year. Laumape will help with that, but people like Mataele and Faingaanuku (even though they're raw) could as well.
I think we missed having the power of people like Nonu and Big Jules in last year's team.
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@booboo Have you forgotten R Ioane among the midfielders, or was that intentional?
If you list McKenzie among the 10s and 15s, you should do the same with B Barrett IMO.
Pedant alert: initials help if there are multiple players with the same last name.
