All Blacks 2021
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Not at all keen on Weber or Christie
I think Christie probably will get picked though. Apparently he was going to get called up last year but got sick
With the lack of depth they might want to cap him before Scotland do
I can't remember the last time the halfback depth was this shitty?
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.
With TJP unavailable, Weber will make it. Not a fan, but that’s the situation with many inexperienced halfbacks and the couple of experienced ones being overlooked.
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@machpants said in All Blacks 2021:
Play DMac there as an emergency measure, then keep him in the pocket as an RWC back up!
TBH playing at halfback seems a silly way to utilise DMacs skills. He is best as first or second receiver on multiple phases. He basically carried the Chiefs this year doing that.
I don’t think just because he’s small that should automatically make him a halfback. If that was the thinking let’s give Mo a go there too.
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.
With TJP unavailable, Weber will make it. Not a fan, but that’s the situation with many inexperienced halfbacks and the couple of experienced ones being overlooked.
Wah, my two Crusaders are being overlooked. (Just thought I’d translate that for any newcomers). 😏
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@tim Personally I've not been particularly blown away by either Patrick T or Dane Coles this year. Senior players, with lots of experience and some great past performances but I'm not fully convinced about them as ABs going forward. Think Vaii and Eklund might be better players.
I'd give the Third Prop slot to Tamaiti Williams. Think he's an outstanding prospect.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.
Half Back is the position where selection is problematic.
Of the older guys it's Aaron Smith then daylight, then some more daylight. Weber and Drummond are adequate at international at best. Hall might do a job for the ABs especially in tandem with Mo'unga. TJP has been repeatedly tried and found wanting. Not convinced by TTT, Nock or Christie.
Of the young guys I rate Fakatava (but he's injured and might not be NZ available) and Roe (but the Chiefs haven't given him huge game time).
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
Personally I've not been particularly blown away by either Patrick T or Dane Coles this year
Patrick hasn’t started a game since March. He’s finally over the injury and was strong off the bench yesterday
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@duluth If he has been a bit injured all season then that would explain the drop off in his performance. Agree that Patrick Tuipulotu looked sharp yesterday. Worth his place in the squad if fully fit. If not there's Vaii or PPP.
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim Roigard looks bloody decent but he’s far too young.
I like what I've seen of Roigard but think he needs more Rugby under his belt before being considered for the International squad.
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@sparky 100% he's only twenty. A few more years in Super will do him good, I just hope the Canes have signed him up.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
@duluth If he has been a bit injured all season then that would explain the drop off in his performance. Agree that Patrick Tuipulotu looked sharp yesterday. Worth his place in the squad if fully fit. If not there's Vaii or PPP.
His lack of performance is down to not playing.
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@act-crusader said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.
With TJP unavailable, Weber will make it. Not a fan, but that’s the situation with many inexperienced halfbacks and the couple of experienced ones being overlooked.
I quite like Hall, but I think I'm influenced by the rugby podcast as much as his form (or relative lack of it).
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If everyone's fit I'd pick the following in the back row squad:
Sam Cane, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson and Tom Robinson have all had some cracking performances in Super Rugby this year. Even if they lack the physically of my top 6.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
If everyone's fit I'd pick the following in the back row squad:
Sam Cane, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson and Tom Robinson have all had some cracking performances in Super Rugby this year. Even if they lack the physically of my top 6.
Too many 7s, or too many 8s, and if you are planning on playing Grace at 6, there is no way that Cullen Grace should be picked ahead of Blackadder.
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Rolling over from the highlanders game thread
What’s everyone’s else’s thoughts on nareki for the abs?
If I try and be as unbiased as possible, I’d be worried he’s too much of a one man band, big fish small pond at the highlanders/Otago but would be fit in with an all blacks game plan, I’d like to see him try
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@kiwiwomble Nareki is the form left wing in the country and should be picked.
He has a huge left boot and has underrated power to go with his footwork - what I liked today was his cleanup work - he looked good when things were going the Rebels way.
Leicester will be in the mix too but there could be room for both.
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@gt12 Akira Ioane is the first choice 6. Sam Cane, Cullen Grace, Dalton Papali'i and Ardie Savea can all play there too.
Think Ethan Blackadder might get the nod in the forthcoming squad with Sam Cane out.
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First Five easy. Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett and Dmac should all be in the AB squad.
Who is the 4th choice 10 is an interesting call. I'd give Mitch Hunt the nod ahead of Otere Black. Like what I've seen so far from young Reuban Love at 10 but clearly another who needs more Rugby under his belt before he should be considered for international honours.
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Midfield. Havili, ALB, Reiko Ioane (as a 13 but not a 12), then I'd go with Nankivell or Peter Umaga-Jensen. Hopefully room for both in a big squad.
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Back three.
Jona Nareki and Leicester Fainga'anuku to cover left wing
Will Jordan and Sevu Reece to cover right wing
Jordie Barrett the best all round fullback, but BB, DMac and Will Jordan are strong backup.
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I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backsConsidering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.
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@stargazer there no reason to pick a bigger squad, but maybe extra apprentices. For training needs, getting an eye on them. But the rest games in NZ, there's a lot of flexibility to be had. Even resting players like mo'unga, who've played too many minutes for their franchise.
Not saying they'll do that, but the opportunity for a change and flexibility is there
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@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2021:
Rolling over from the highlanders game thread
What’s everyone’s else’s thoughts on nareki for the abs?
If I try and be as unbiased as possible, I’d be worried he’s too much of a one man band, big fish small pond at the highlanders/Otago but would be fit in with an all blacks game plan, I’d like to see him try
Just came on here to post that question.
Am 57 mins in.
Been impressed with him all season.
Composure. Boot. Speed . X factor.
This year's Will Jordan.
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@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?
3 halfbacks
Smith
?
?3 first five-eights
Mo'unga
Barrett
DMac4 midfielders
ALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anuku4 outside backs
Reece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi -
That leaves 5 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks, and 7 loose forwards.
Loose Forwards
Savea, Papalii, Jacobson, Ioane, Sotutu, Robinson, Crusader
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Karl Tu'inukuafe
Aidan Ross
Alex Hodgman
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tu'ungafasiCodie Taylor
Dane Coles
Asafo AumuaSam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott BarrettSavea
Papalii
Jacobson
Ioane
Sotutu
Robinson
CrusaderSmith
Weber
BolterMo'unga
Barrett
DMacALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anukuReece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi11 Blues
9 Crusaders
6 Chiefs
5 Hurricanes
1 Highlander
1 to be determinedUnavailable:
Moody, Cane, Perenara, Goodhue, Clarke, Bridge.
nb. Only one player from the 2021 Blues backline has been selected.
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The Maori All Black squad would be a much more logical place for Tamaiti Williams and Ruben Love than an AB training squad. No need to rush them in (particularly Love - who hasn't really shown much of anything at this point).
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@stargazer yeah certainly no need to rush Love, he's still far too young. Let him play Under 20s if they end up scheduling games against Australia, or if not let him focus on an NPC campaign with Wellington.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
11 Blues
What planet are we living on.... I see room for one or two tokens
😎
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@tim I think four Blues loose forwards is a little bit of a stretch. Can't see Robinson getting in especially with the way Blackadder has played. I woud have Grace ahead of Robinson aswell.
I also think they will pick PUJ with his ability to play 12/13. Rayasi to miss out there and Fainga'anuku to be picked as a winger.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks 2021:
I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backsConsidering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.
Quote below says 35 players for the championship and July tests
Foster said the plan was to pick 35 for July, then disassemble and re-select a second squad the same size for the championship and extra Bledisloe.
I'd think we'd select an extra hooker and a lock with the extra 2 spots. Perhaps a loose forward swapped out for a prop
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Karl T
Hodgman
De Grott (Maybe Ross)Taylor
Aumua
Eklund (Coles not doing enough this season to justify his place)Laulala
Ofa T
Williams (Lomax and Angus T miss out)Whitelock (c)
Retallick
Tuipulotu
S Barrett
Vaa'i (PPP to the Maoris)Grace
A Ioane
Blackadder
Papali'i
A Savea
Sotutu (Jacobson just misses out)Smith
Weber
Drummond (might gamble on Roe or only pick 2 half backs)B.Barrett
Mounga
DMacHavili
ALB
Nankiwell
R. Ioane (Peter Umaga-Jensen misses out)Leicester Fainga'anuku
Jona Nareki
W. Jordan
Reece
J. BarrettCrusaders 12
Blues 11
Chiefs 6
Hurricanes 3
Highlanders 3 -
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2021:
@kiwiwomble Nareki is the form left wing in the country and should be picked.
He has a huge left boot and has underrated power to go with his footwork - what I liked today was his cleanup work - he looked good when things were going the Rebels way.
Leicester will be in the mix too but there could be room for both.
Yeah, I'd be intrigued to see Nareki get a chance, if he could translate his super form to internationals it'd definitely be something different, I just feel it probably wouldn't quite get there (or like in super rugby he take quite a while to not have absolute clangers every game). Really liking Faingaanuku too, his early season form was irresistible and I was leaning towards him over Roane, but he's just quietened a tad (since being shifted for the overblown Ennor) and now I'm learning towards Roane his pace over the previous two wins hands down.
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@bones I think Julian savea form has been very good recently! Would not rule him out as the power winger. Finding form at the right time I think and has that experience.
I am a big nareki fan and would love him to get picked
Fainganuku I think lacks the X factor! Ok he has the power but lacks pace and just looks a bit disinterested at times -
@family-man Good call. Great to see Da Bus back in form. Hopefully he can continue that in the next few weeks for the Hurricanes and then for the ABs.
I'd love to see the big man from Miramar score more tries for the ABs.
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@family-man @sparky tell him he's dreaming!
No complaints about his form this weekend though.
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