AB squad next RWC (2023)?
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A long way out I know, but I had a little think about who could still be around or might break through by then.
Props
Atu Moli (28 at start of next RWC)
Alex Fidow (26)
Karl Tu'inukuafe (30)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (31)
Tyrel Lomax (27)Hookers
Codie Taylor (32)
Nathan Harris (31)
Asafo Aumua (26)Locks
Scott Barrett (29)
Patrick Tuitupolou (30)
Brodie Retallick (32) or Pari Pari Parkinson (27)Back row
Luke Jacobson (26)
Nico Jones (22) or Aaron Segner (22)
Ardie Savea (29)
Dalton Papali'i (25)
Akira Ioane (28) or Devan Flanders (24)
Shannon Frizzell (29) or Sam Cane (31)Half Backs
TJ Perenera (31)
Mitchell Drummond (29)
Leroy Carter (24) or Folau Fakatava (23)First Fives
Beauden Barrett (32)
Richie Mo'unga (29)
Josh Ioane (28)Midfield
ALB (28)
Jack Goodhue (28)
Jordie Barrett (26)
Vince Aso (27) or Ngani Laumape (30)Back Three
Reiko Ioane (26)
Sevu Reece (27)
Damian McKenzie (28)
Will Jordan (25)
Leicester Fainga'anuku (23) or George Bridge (28)Any other suggestions?
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@MajorRage You reckon they're taking a deal overseas?
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@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@MajorRage You reckon they're taking a deal overseas?
Yep, not now though. I have no inside knowledge or anything like that, but I predict the new coach still won't pick Akira & he'll upsticks probably 2021 with Rieko following shortly after.
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@sparky
Alex Fidow would have to improve his scrummaging big time
Asafo Amua would have to improve throwing his darts
Akira Ioane ..would will require a massive attitude shift..I reckon a couple of players who could be ripe for the picking in 2023 are.
Kaleb Trask..Bay of Plenty (First Five/Fullback)
Quinn Tupaea Waikato (centre)
Teariki Ben Nicolas Wellington (number8)
Devon Flanders Hawkes Bay (6/8) -
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@MajorRage isnt Reiko signed up through to the next RWC?
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@taniwharugby said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@MajorRage isnt Reiko signed up through to the next RWC?
No, just to end of 2022.
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@MajorRage if he regathers form or has moved closer in if he loses a yard of pace, 2023 RWC oculd be a big carrot for him given he is still so young
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That German loose forward playing for the NZ schoolboy team is one to watch.
Tamaiti Williams is the next big thing at LHP IMO.
As the semi final against England has shown, big bruisers are needed in the backrow. So Papali'i and Jacobson could fit in perfectly. -
@taniwharugby yeah, that was why he signed to 2022. As hoped to be in a more powerful position before next WC to negotiate better contract. That was Hinton's take a year ago.
FWIW, I do genuinely hope I'm wrong as both the Ioane's are / have the capability of being phenomenal players.
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We're going to need some new locks.
Most interested to watch will be Walker-Leawere next year. Then Strange and Parkinson. Might be a year too early for Pierce and McWhannell.
Another point of interest is if two open-sides will be the preferred choice. Hopefully refs will start policing the ruck again, and the incentive will go away.
A lot of young sixes about, a couple of which play seven as well (Blues region is stacked here but not at hooker):
Jacobson
PapaliiFrizell
Robinson
SotutuThere's the two the Crusaders have been looking at: Ethan Roots and Cameron Suafoa
Who's more promising out of Mikaele-Tu’u and Flanders?
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@Tim that’s a good question in and around the 2 x Hawkes Bay flankers..completely forgot about big red and Sotutu..I would expect Papalii to be in the mix somewhere ...lock is definitely a concern..
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@Steven-Harris With an underdone Retallick, and Whitelock playing a lot of minutes in his absence, we really got done there.
Barrett is too small against big packs. Pat T is a beast, but he's not a great lineout target.
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@Tim said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
We're going to need some new locks.
Most interested to watch will be Walker-Leawere next year. Then Strange and Parkinson. Might be a year too early for Pierce and McWhannell.
Another point of interest is if two open-sides will be the preferred choice. Hopefully refs will start policing the ruck again, and the incentive will go away.
A lot of young sixes about, a couple of which play seven as well (Blues region is stacked here but not at hooker):
Jacobson
PapaliiFrizell
Robinson
SotutuThere's the two the Crusaders have been looking at: Ethan Roots and Cameron Suafoa
Who's more promising out of Mikaele-Tu’u and Flanders?
Ethan Roots has signed for the Crusaders so I understand .Cameron Suafoa Hasn’t as yet been signed.
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@MajorRage said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
Oh and instead of Akira, I reckon it'll be Steve Luatua.
It would be great to have him back.
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@Tim cupboard is pretty bare after Patty T and Paripari Parkinson hopefully he comes on big time for the Blues..
I was really disappointed Manaaki Selby Rickit got himself into trouble with the law this year..at 22 years old, 6’7 and 112kgs this kid is an athlete..incredibly good in the air, I have no doubt he would have picked up a super contract next year, given the shortage of quality locks...it’s a real bugger,but only has himself to blame . -
@Steven-Harris said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
@sparky
Alex Fidow would have to improve his scrummaging big time
Asafo Amua would have to improve throwing his darts
Akira Ioane ..would will require a massive attitude shift..I'm hoping the next set of All Blacks coaches can do something about all three in the same way Eddie Jones has improved the England forwards.
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@cgrant said in AB squad next RWC (2023)?:
That German loose forward playing for the NZ schoolboy team is one to watch.
Aaron Segner. Technique at breakdown looks excellent for an 18 year old.
Hopefully he'll stick with NZRU rather than be tempted back to Europe. Wouldn't be surprised if the Paris or London clubs were keeping an eye on him.
