AB Depth Chart 2020
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@Tim said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Lock
Another tough one. There are three names automatically on the sheet, but all have real limitations or concerns.
Whitelock - One of the best ever for NZ, and pretty much a complete player. Has played a lot over the last three seasons, and form has slid over the last two. May not be an automatic starter any more. Hopefully a break has rejuvenated him. Had a poor World Cup by his standards. ABs need a couple of good years out of him, so needs to have time managed.
Barrett - An "inbetweener". Will never be physically dominant as a lock, but has a great work rate and pace around the field. Not a starter against a big pack (SA, England, France). Not a six. Overrated by NZ media. Decent but not particularly good lineout target.
Tuipulotu - A "power" lock. Physically dominant around the park, improved at set piece a lot, work rate improved. Not a good lineout target at top level. Decent at steals. Should start against the big packs.
Retallick - Potentially the best player in the world. Frequently injured over last two seasons. Not back until next year, and not playing Super Rugby in 2021 either. Don't rely on him as AB saviour ...
Contenders:
Dunshea, Strange, Walker-Leawere.
huge concern. also tied in to Foster needing to have a bit of a rethink around the way we play test football
Whitelock may just be cooked. He's not that old, but he's played a lot of test footy. I hope not, because he's a fucking gun, and probably now in the conversation as an "all-time" AB
Retallick is nearly our most important player. He's the difference maker in our pack. We are so much more average when he is out, or under-cooked. Those days will only be more frequent.
My thoughts on SB are well known. Decent squadie, but to be great, we need an upgrade.
Patty T is my big hope, he's the kind of guy that can just bash opposition packs in to surrender. I really hope this year it finally clicks, because it hasn't yet. But he's going to need a Whitelock-type next to him.
No one really looks "to the manor born"
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For me the concern is come the next RWC some of our current top players may be past it and I don't see replacements who have the potential to get to the level of these players coming through. Guys like Aaron Smith, Beauden, Retallick, Whitelock, Taylor, Coles and Cane come to mind.
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@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
2012: Our best ever lock; a try scoring phenom; arguably our best ever halfback; 2 x World Player of the Year; one of our best Pro hookers
2016: Back up openside; Squadie with a handful of meaningful caps; part of the midfield rotation; squadie; didn't make the World Cup
I hope 2020 is a bit more inspiring than 2016
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@mariner4life said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
2012: Our best ever lock; a try scoring phenom; arguably our best ever halfback; 2 x World Player of the Year; one of our best Pro hookers
2016: Back up openside; Squadie with a handful of meaningful caps; part of the midfield rotation; squadie; didn't make the World Cup
Ardie was 6 inches of height away from being a miracle flanker
ALB could have been the standout if Hansen had settled on a midfield.
Ioane was injured last year, and timing was just horrificYou're pretty harsh fella
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@mariner4life said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
2012: Our best ever lock; a try scoring phenom; arguably our best ever halfback; 2 x World Player of the Year; one of our best Pro hookers
2016: Back up openside; Squadie with a handful of meaningful caps; part of the midfield rotation; squadie; didn't make the World Cup
I hope 2020 is a bit more inspiring than 2016
Aye? We're talking Rieko, right?
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@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
How is Sam Cane not included in the 2012 group and how is Scott Barrett included in the 2016 gropup?
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@Nepia said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
How is Sam Cane not included in the 2012 group and how is Scott Barrett included in the 2016 gropup?
Cos I missed Cane, I thought he was capped earlier, and Scott Barrett first capped in '16. And I think he is a great player, as do the ABs coaches
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@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Nepia said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
@Machpants said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Post RWC names of note
2012: Brodie, the bus, Aaron Smith, beaudy, Coles
2016: Ardie, DMac, ALB, Scott Barrett, IoaneSo hopefully we'll get another 5 this year too!
How is Sam Cane not included in the 2012 group and how is Scott Barrett included in the 2016 gropup?
Cos I missed Cane, I thought he was capped earlier, and Scott Barrett first capped in '16. And I think he is a great player, as do the ABs coaches
Each to their own.
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@Tim said in AB Depth Chart 2020:
Tighthead Prop
Tyrel Lomax - okay scrummager with potential to improve a lot, has been drilled by a few looseheads. Good around the field but not outstanding.
Lomax has come on in leaps and bounds. He's the way of the future at tighthead. Paul Cully agrees...
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@Frank Depends on the type of lock they're looking for. If they want a big power lock, IWL is definitely the man. If you want a fast runner and better line-out jumper, it may be Quinten Strange. I'm not totally sold on Dunshea (yet).
