All Blacks 2021
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@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
My thoughts are that Ross needs to beat Tu'inukuafe or Hodgman for a spot as Bower will be seen as the cover for both sides (who will be competing more against Moli when he's fit).
That said, I would still like to see him selected just to see how he goes.
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@bobily2 The (supposed) ability to play LH/TH was only important last year with the travel restrictions. That isn't really a factor this year, and Ofa has been used previously as a LH too. I'd prefer they just selected the best specialists and reward current form.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
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@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
I was just listing which props I think will be selected, not the pecking order within the squad. Agree that Hodgman hasn't been as prominent this year. Ofa was poor yesterday as well.
Tu'inukuafe and Laulala would be my starters.
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@ploughboy I’ve really been impressed with Xavier numia! Not sure his scrummaging is up to it though but his work rate is fantastic
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@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
Hit the squat rack?
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@pakman we have to remember that Numia is still only 22 so he’s doing a good job for his age IMO. He’s held his own against numerous AB props who are a lot more mature. Put a little bit of size on him and get bigger locks to help push and he could be a real weapon.
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Split loyalties may yet play a part with key All Blacks off-contract beyond 2021
While there are few players in recent years who NZR have lost overseas that they would have dearly loved to have kept in NZ, palms will always get somwhat sweaty when key All Blacks enter the final year of their contracts.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@bobily2 The (supposed) ability to play LH/TH was only important last year with the travel restrictions. That isn't really a factor this year, and Ofa has been used previously as a LH too. I'd prefer they just selected the best specialists and reward current form.
It's been important in years prior to 2020, too (we only took 5 props to the 2019 RWC) . If I remember, the All Black selectors tried Tu'inukuafe at tighthead once or twice before last year, despite him never playing SR there. I imagine it was them testing whether he could be a long-term option as their dual-sided prop.
I agree that it is increasingly becoming less important (especially as tournament squad allowances increase over time) , but I think there is still some relevance, particular in situations where travel restrictions are one lockdown away from changing.
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@canes4life Scrafton is the lock packing behind Numia for the Canes, not the much-criticised Blackwell.
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@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
Nope. I watched the game today. Blackwell is on the TH side and Scrafton on the LH side.
