All Blacks 2021
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@antipodean well assuming no injuries, only Christie for TJ? Is Cane back for RC or was he gone for the season?
Thing is Aaron needs a light series given his super work load, meaning Christie WILL get a decent chunk of minutes I expect
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@arhs said in All Blacks 2021:
Surely it was either Christie or Drummond to cover TJ absence. No shock there for me. B
Then Drummond was a walk up start. I'm near astonished anyone could watch Christie play and think he's Test quality. Our game depends on speed and they pick the slowest person to get to rucks, with the slowest decision making and a shit pass to round things off.
Look up Aaron Smith in the dictionary and under antonym it says Finlay Christie.
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The somewhat unfortunate thing about this year's squad is that during Super Rugby Aotearoa, it was looking to me that we'd have a significantly better AB team than last year - but, I think injuries and unavailability have made this squad look a little bit fragile.
But, when you slot Moody, Tu'ungafasi, Cane, Perenara, Goodhue and Clarke into that team, it's going to look significantly stronger. I've probably forgotten a missing stalwart or two, as well.
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@bones said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae Ennor and Bridge - I mean, at least Faingaanuku showed something on the park. Sure Bridge and Ennor have been selected before, but not like they've absolutely blown everyone away - they've been ordinary mostly.
I think Robertson would have chosen Ennor and Bridge as well.
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Final test XXIII?
1 Tui'nukuafe
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Ioane
7 Savea
8 Sotutu9 Smith
10 Barrett
11 Ioane
12 Havili
13 ALB
14 Jordan
15 McKenzie16 Coles
17 Bower
18 Ta'avao
19 Barrett/Tuipulotu
20 Papalii
21 Weber
22 Mo'unga
23 J Barrett -
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@stargazer said in All Blacks 2021:
The worst selection IMO is Christie. Great liability, but he's obviously only there because TJP and Fakatava aren't in the squad. He won't be in the Rugby Championship squad, when TJP returns.
I agree. For me, watching SA & Trans Ta$man from afar, Christie is the clear 3rd choice at 9. I'm OK with his selection, but def. not OK with the depth at 9 in NZ at the moment. The gap between AS and the rest is worrying.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
For the loose forwards, it must have been Blackadder vs Robinson. I would have chosen the latter as he offers something different but Plumtree seemed to like the fact Blackadder could also play 7.
Not sure about that.
I reckon Ardie will be the starting 7, with Papali'i his understudy.
Jacobson and Sotutu the No. 8s.
Akira and Frizell the blindsides.
I reckon Blackadder becomes the sort of Ardie/Masoe bench man who can cover all three.
Tom might have needed to push out Akira or Shannon?
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@kirwan highlights the gulf in class behind Smith!
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Final test XXIII?
6 Ioane
7 Savea
8 SotutuSavea and Sotutu are too similar for me. Apparently on the NZH Plumtree mentions a loose forward trio of Papalii/Jacobson/Savea.
Jesus wept.
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@higgins said in All Blacks 2021:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2021:
I thought ALB was out?
Didn't they set the precedent when Charles Piatau was not selected when he announced that he was leaving to play overseas?
Sorry missing your point.
ALB is injured.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2021:
@kirwan highlights the gulf in class behind Smith!
Even TJ is miles behind him. He’s the GOAT IMO.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks 2021:
Not sure about that.
I reckon Ardie will be the starting 7, with Papali'i his understudy.That would make sense with these clowns. A bloke who says he is no longer an openside, no longer plays openside would be selected to address the failings of 2019...
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Great to see a bunch of proven failures given another crack at it. Real high performance stuff
