Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..)

[Bovidae]

@pakman said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Sotutu is excellent in lineouts, and has superb passing skills.

The problem has been that Sotutu sometimes doesn't pass when he should (for example, ignoring BB right before HT vs Fiji). Jacobson has always been used in the lineout in any team he has played for.

We should just be happy that we have some depth in the loose forwards, and there are options.

[nzzp]

@bovidae said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

We should just be happy that we have some depth in the loose forwards, and there are options.

^^^ This! Hansen fiddling around trying and failing to find a decent Test 6 (or balanced loose forward trio) was painful. Having a couple of decent contenders in each position now is bloody magic.

[Frank]

@muddyriver said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Sotutu, Obviously bigger,

Jacobson is 1kg heavier than Sotutu according to Wikipedia weights.

[nzzp]

@frank said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

@muddyriver said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Sotutu, Obviously bigger,

Jacobson is 1kg heavier than Sotutu according to Wikipedia weights.

Ardie is only 3cm shorter than Luke according to Wikipedia. Hah - just checekd All Blacks- Ardie is only 1 cm shorter htan Luke, and 2cm shorter than the Hos! Oh, my sides

[bobily2]

@frank said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

@muddyriver said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Sotutu, Obviously bigger,

Jacobson is 1kg heavier than Sotutu according to Wikipedia weights.

Sotutus weight there is likely old (when he first played for Auckland/U20s) . Wikipedia isn't reliable for weight.

Youre better off going off the ABs or Blues site. I think he's about 116kg from memory.

[Frank]

@bobily2 said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Youre better off going off the ABs or Blues site. I think he's about 116kg from memory.

Sotutu
Blues site - 106kg
https://blues.rugby/players/hoskins-sotutu/

All Blacks site - 106kg
https://www.allblacks.com/playerprofiles/hoskins-sotutu/

Jacobson
Chiefs site - 107kg
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/player/luke-jacobson

All Blacks site - 107kg

Luke Jacobson

LUKE JACOBSON has been on the national radar for several years as one of a trio of loose forward brothers making their mark in rugby. Jacobson first played alongside his older brother Mitch in the Cambridge High School First XV with both players then making Waikato and the Chiefs, with the oldest...

You're welcome.

[bobily2]

@frank said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

@bobily2 said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Youre better off going off the ABs or Blues site. I think he's about 116kg from memory.

Sotutu
Blues site - 106kg
https://blues.rugby/players/hoskins-sotutu/

All Blacks site - 106kg
https://www.allblacks.com/playerprofiles/hoskins-sotutu/

Jacobson
Chiefs site - 107kg
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/player/luke-jacobson

All Blacks site - 107kg

Luke Jacobson

LUKE JACOBSON has been on the national radar for several years as one of a trio of loose forward brothers making their mark in rugby. Jacobson first played alongside his older brother Mitch in the Cambridge High School First XV with both players then making Waikato and the Chiefs, with the oldest...

You're welcome.

He's definitely been listed as 116kg before, so msybe they've slimmed him down a lot.

Hoskins Sotutu
DOB: 12/07/98
Position: Loose forward
Mitre 10 Cup Team: Auckland
The scoop: Although just 20-years-old, dynamic loose forward Hoskins Sotutu has already tasted plenty of success in his burgeoning rugby career. In 2017, Sotutu was a vital cog in Auckland’s victory at the Jock Hobbs Under 19 tournament before helping the Blues to the Brisbane Tens title in early 2018. The **116kg** powerhouse then played a vital role in Auckland’s memorable 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership campaign. Blues fans will be hoping that Sotutu’s golden touch

https://www.allblacks.com/news/meet-the-blues-class-of-2019/

[Frank]

@bobily2
Point is that he is lighter or equal to Jacobson now.

[nostrildamus]

Jacobson plays as if he is considerably heavier, I'll go with that. As I said before, I don't think loose forwards and 8 are the issue.
Actually I was just thinking what of Foster's selections would I still have issue with...seems to me he is edging more to the general feeling on here, A Ioane at 6, Paps, R Ioane on the wing, Havili at 12, but still seems to be loyal to Bower, Dmac, Bridge and Savea at 8 and will still try to play JB at wing when no one is looking.

IMO most ferners seem to agree on Richie at 10, don't have an issue with Reece, or the midfield, the locks (well we don't have much choice there)... perhaps the big debate is still at 15 and whether DMac fits in the 15/23 now.

But I'm still not convinced on the Foster team tactics. Or the way the bench is used.

[DMX]

@bovidae said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

@pakman said in Hansen/Foster's recent selection philosophy & the consequences it has on team balance (back-row, back-three, bench etc..):

Sotutu is excellent in lineouts, and has superb passing skills.

The problem has been that Sotutu sometimes doesn't pass when he should (for example, ignoring BB right before HT vs Fiji). Jacobson has always been used in the lineout in any team he has played for.

We should just be happy that we have some depth in the loose forwards, and there are options.

Agree , I think Ardie is miles better than Sotutu when it comes to passing/ decision making from the base of the scrum.