All Blacks 2021
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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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@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 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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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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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?
