All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023
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I can't really say that the depth in the AB's worries me - however we've got more than enough threads about that
For me.
6 - we lack anyone above adequate.
8 - lack a back up to ArdieLoose forward trio - with the existing players we have we just can't seem to find a trio that "gels".
9 - haven't really groomed a back up for A Smith. Christie appears to lack any sort of leadership on the field, TJP has plenty of leadership but an equal amount of brain farts when it comes to game management. Webber hasn't had time, or done enough with the time he's had to put pressure on Smith.
12 - we have to hope that ALB is fit or that JB gets consistently picked to play there.
13 - we have Reiko and no-one else, no-one is putting pressure on him for the starting position.
So basically it's the loose forward trio and midfield combination where we are a bit short. The tight 5 we have enough cover and we have wingers/fullbacks galore.
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My depth worry is 10. I could see Bryn Gatland brought into an extended squad earlier in the year if they get serious on the need for better positional kicking and match control.
If he or DMac or anyone else shows an ability to get long hang time on their depth kicking then that player needs to become a bench option for RWC if they stay with Richie Mounga. Hopefully RM can become far more assertive in closing out matches and far more accurate in execution when not under pressure.
Should also look for a half back with a high box kick and long clearance. Need to watch Roigard closely as he could be the bolter with TJ injured.
Will be interesting to see whether the AB coaches admit this weakness and challenge players to demonstrate capability in the tactical kicking area during Super 12.
I can also see the workaholic Blackadder in with a shout and maybe a revitalised Joe Moody.
Naitoa Ah Kuoi looks promising at 6 but maybe not up to Frizzell or Barrett capability. -
@cgrant great post but i think it shows the opposite of your 2nd line
We have maybe 18 really good test players, a few jobbers, and the rest would battle to make other nations.
Agree the tight 5 looks pretty sorted. It would look more sorted if our best lock didn't have to play 6. Loosies are good to start, but i worry about the bench. And if Savea gets injured we're in trouble as the rest of the trio are picked to compliment him, AND no one else can get a minute on the pitch.
We have 1 halfback. we have no 10s. JBarrett is the 12 by default really. We have one centre. We have wing options but not a single one feels like a "penned in to the team" presence. Our fullback is a shadow of his former self.
Given the shape of our team we would be fucking ace with a boring game manager at 10. Reward our dominant forwards with field position, use the weapons when that pressure eventually tells.
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@ARHS said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Hopefully RM can become far more assertive in closing out matches and far more accurate in execution when not under pressure
lol this is fantasy stuff
There's basically only Super rugby between now and the World Cup
RM will go back to kicking duels against even worse players than him, look great doing it, and walk in to the 10 jersey next year/ Seriously, he only has to win kicking duels against other noodle-legged NZ 10s, and a bunch of park footballers masquerading as professional 10s in Australia (there is a reason Rennie prays for Cooper to miraculously recover for next year, ever other option he has is club standard).
We'll get to the World Cup and our lads will wonder why the fuck their kicks that look so good in March at Hamilton suddenly disappear back over their heads.
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I don't mind the thought of a positional 10 as it makes sense, however they have been playing dual playmakers now for so long, I can't see any strategic change. I can only hope that all 10s use the beginning of 2023 to begin their meteoric form rise because that cupboard just has crumbs
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@bayimports said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
I don't mind the thought of a positional 10 as it makes sense, however they have been playing dual playmakers now for so long, I can't see the any strategic change. I can only hope that all 10s use the beginning of 2023 to begin their meteoric form rise because that cupboard just has crumbs
Need a new Mehrts to rise in a WC year like in 94/95 and be trusted by the coaches. Zero chance of either happening
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So:
Squad depth:- De Groot, Bower, Ross, Hogman, Norris, Williams
- Taukeiaho, Taylor, Aumua, Coles, McAllister, Ekland, Bell, Thompson
- Lomax, Newell, Tu'ungafasi, Taavao, Williams, Jager
- Retallick, Vaii, Lord, Walker-Leawere, Gallagher, Holland
- Whitelock, S Barrett, Vaii, Lord, Tuitupou, Dickson
- S Barrett, Blackadder, A Ioane, Mikaele-Tu, Vaii, Frizzell
- Papalii, Cane, Blackadder, Jacobson, Harmon, T Christie
- Savea, Sotutu, Grace, Mikaele-Tu, Sowakula, Jacobson
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, Roigard, Roe
- R Mo'unga, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Gatland, ?? J Ioane?
- Clarke, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Rayasi, Telea
- J Barrett, Tupea, Lenert-Brown, RTS, Nankivell, Havili, T Umaga-Jensen, P Umaga-Jensen
- R Ioane, Lenert-Brown, Goodhue, T Umaga-Jensen, B Sullivan, Ennor, Proctor
- Jordan, Telea, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Stevenson, Nareki
- Jordan, J Barrett, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Z Sullivan, Stevenson
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@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
So:
Squad depth:- De Groot, Bower, Ross, Hogman, Norris, Williams
- Taukeiaho, Taylor, Aumua, Coles, McAllister, Ekland
- Lomax, Newell, Tu'ungafasi, Taavao, Williams, Jager
- Retallick, Vaii, Lord, Walker-Leawere, Gallagher, Holland
- Whitelock, S Barrett, Vaii, Lord, Tuitupou, Dickson
- S Barrett, Blackadder, A Ioane, Mikaele-Tu, Vaii, Frizzell
- Papalii, Cane, Blackadder, Jacobson, Harmon, T Christie
- Savea, Sotutu, Grace, Mikaele-Tu, Sowakula, Jacobson
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, ?? TTT?
- R Mo'unga, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Gatland, ?? J Ioane?
- Clarke, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Rayasi, Telea
- J Barrett, Tupea, Lenert-Brown, RTS, Nankivell, Havili
- R Ioane, Lenert-Brown, Goodhue, T Umaga-Jensen, B Sullivan, Ennor
- Jordan, Telea, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Nareki
- Jordan, J Barrett, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Z Sullivan
close man but there might be maybe 2 or 3 professional rugby players in NZ that you missed.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
So:
Squad depth:- De Groot, Bower, Ross, Hogman, Norris, Williams
- Taukeiaho, Taylor, Aumua, Coles, McAllister, Ekland
- Lomax, Newell, Tu'ungafasi, Taavao, Williams, Jager
- Retallick, Vaii, Lord, Walker-Leawere, Gallagher, Holland
- Whitelock, S Barrett, Vaii, Lord, Tuitupou, Dickson
- S Barrett, Blackadder, A Ioane, Mikaele-Tu, Vaii, Frizzell
- Papalii, Cane, Blackadder, Jacobson, Harmon, T Christie
- Savea, Sotutu, Grace, Mikaele-Tu, Sowakula, Jacobson
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, ?? TTT?
- R Mo'unga, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Gatland, ?? J Ioane?
- Clarke, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Rayasi, Telea
- J Barrett, Tupea, Lenert-Brown, RTS, Nankivell, Havili
- R Ioane, Lenert-Brown, Goodhue, T Umaga-Jensen, B Sullivan, Ennor
- Jordan, Telea, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Nareki
- Jordan, J Barrett, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Z Sullivan
close man but there might be maybe 2 or 3 professional rugby players in NZ that you missed.
Do yah want me to do 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th options?...
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@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, ?? TTT?
Roigard will be likely Hurricanes number 1 halfback while TJ is injured. Who is TTT playing for next year and who will cover TJ injury at Canes.
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@mikedogz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, ?? TTT?
Roigard will be likely Hurricanes number 1 halfback while TJ is injured. Who is TTT playing for next year and who will cover TJ injury at Canes.
TTT is at the Landers covering for Fakatava.
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@booboo said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
On the subject of halfbacks, seems TJP has blown an ACL. Out for 9 months.
Pretty much rules him out of RWC.
Achilles not ACL as I first heard on SENZ.
But 9 months nonetheless.
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@booboo said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@booboo said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
On the subject of halfbacks, seems TJP has blown an ACL. Out for 9 months.
Pretty much rules him out of RWC.
Achilles not ACL as I first heard on SENZ.
But 9 months nonetheless.
I reckon a pro sportsperson could be back within 6 months with no complications.
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@Mackerzzzz said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
So:
Squad depth:- De Groot, Bower, Ross, Hogman, Norris, Williams
- Taukeiaho, Taylor, Aumua, Coles, McAllister, Ekland
- Lomax, Newell, Tu'ungafasi, Taavao, Williams, Jager
- Retallick, Vaii, Lord, Walker-Leawere, Gallagher, Holland
- Whitelock, S Barrett, Vaii, Lord, Tuitupou, Dickson
- S Barrett, Blackadder, A Ioane, Mikaele-Tu, Vaii, Frizzell
- Papalii, Cane, Blackadder, Jacobson, Harmon, T Christie
- Savea, Sotutu, Grace, Mikaele-Tu, Sowakula, Jacobson
- Smith, Webber, F Christie, Fakatava, Ratima, ?? TTT?
- R Mo'unga, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Gatland, ?? J Ioane?
- Clarke, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Rayasi, Telea
- J Barrett, Tupea, Lenert-Brown, RTS, Nankivell, Havili
- R Ioane, Lenert-Brown, Goodhue, T Umaga-Jensen, B Sullivan, Ennor
- Jordan, Telea, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Lam, Nareki
- Jordan, J Barrett, B Barrett, Mckenzie, Perofeta, Z Sullivan
- Thompson, Bell ??
- Wouldn’t rate IWL
- Roigard Roe
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- Stevenson
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Fact is we'd get by with a reasonable level of rugbying and make it out of pool play even losing our top XV (whoever that actually is).
Not much further ... but we do have depth
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Could we add Billy Proctor to this list ? He is highly rated by the Canes and by the Lions coaches (not by the Ferners though). Not brilliant, but sound and reliable in defensive situations. He is not going to win you a game, but he is not going to make you lose it either.
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question re depth, would anyone else prefer for our 3rd and 4th choice players in a squad to generally be younger guys coming through?
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Could go on a few threads this. We mostly hate him but a few of these points have been discussed on here by the fern, potentially he stole our material and then added his sour tone to it..
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@bayimports I unfortunately read it
Terrible article. And frankly damning of the guy it's supposed to support.
Absolutely packed with bullshit though.
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His point kept changing and I agree a lot of it is vent but I do agree with that Foster needs to the the combo of RM and JB a good run together barring injury.
Also agree that I think in context of that match the drop goal was wrong option, although didn’t really think it added to his central point lol
