All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023
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Tangentially relevant to ABs depth. Pretty spot on too
The All Blacks playing for their careers in this year's Super Rugby Pacific
If I have a wish for Super Rugby Pacific, it’s that guys grind it out game after game. I don’t want to see a good 40 minutes here or a barnstorming fortnight there. I want to see guys demand selection.
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I'll post the opensides separately (perhaps on Monday), but these are the guys that started at least one game at 6 or 8 last year. Personally, I believe Hugh Renton is one of the most underrated players - 2 turnovers a game is pretty impressive, though he's a bit of a one trick pony.
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@tim said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Given the effectiveness of Francois Steyn's kicking game in his cameos off the bench, do you think we might see Zarn Sullivan used in the same way this season?
I think he needs to show a little bit more on attack to get into AB contention
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@duluth said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@tim said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Given the effectiveness of Francois Steyn's kicking game in his cameos off the bench, do you think we might see Zarn Sullivan used in the same way this season?
I think he needs to show a little bit more on attack to get into AB contention
I agree. I like his game - decision making, excellent kicking game. It would come in handy for test football. But he looks pedestrian at times and hasn't shown that something extra in attack. He's only had one season of Super Rugby so hopefully we'll see more this year.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Jordie should be at fullback, so already provides a big boot.
Jordie has a big boot but doesn't use it that effectively (off the tee he does but not in the field of play).
Need to see more from Zarn but so far he has really shown a real ability to pin teams back / control field position with his boot. This becomes even more useful with the 50-22 rule.
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@kiwimurph said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@bovidae said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Jordie should be at fullback, so already provides a big boot.
Jordie has a big boot but doesn't use it that effectively (off the tee he does but not in the field of play).
Need to see more from Zarn but so far he has really shown a real ability to pin teams back / control field position with his boot. This becomes even more useful with the 50-22 rule.
Is he asked to use it? Because he used to, and certainly could improve his execution if it was pat of the game plan - both canes and ABs
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@machpants said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@bovidae said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Jordie should be at fullback, so already provides a big boot.
Jordie has a big boot but doesn't use it that effectively (off the tee he does but not in the field of play).
Need to see more from Zarn but so far he has really shown a real ability to pin teams back / control field position with his boot. This becomes even more useful with the 50-22 rule.
Is he asked to use it? Because he used to, and certainly could improve his execution if it was pat of the game plan - both canes and ABs
There was at least one game where Jordie came on and used his boot very effectively. Perhaps the gameplan or conditions?
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Retallick got outplayed by Blues journeyman Josh Goodhue, who is having his best season, but it's so obvious that he is done for at test level.
It's completely unheard of that a player could take two years out of NZ rugby then expect to come straight back into the ABs. It was absolute bullshit that they allowed that. Retallick was awful last year.
Whitelock is one hundred years old.
Foster and his gang of retards could use Tuipoluto up the middle, rather than out wide, but they are so stupid.
Hope Tupou Vaai develops very fast, because we are out of options.
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I thought Goodhue was quite quiet today, in comparison to last week when he was probably best on the field (1 pass, 4 runs, no metres, 9 made, 1 missed).
I don't think Retallick was great either, but he played reasonably well for an older AB coming to it. He led the locks for tackles made (11 made, none missed), and gave up one penalty but also had the nice turnover that you mentioned.
He didn't do much with the ball though ( 6 runs, 2 metres) and I can't dispute your point about his form in the last two years, but I've got some hope that he'll work his way into it.
With Lord's form today (25 metres, 7 passes, 7 runs, 2 offloads, 2 defenders beaten) and Goodhue's last week, I'm feeling like lock might not be as bad as it appeared and I'm still confident that at least one of BBBR and Whitelock will be there next year playing well enough. However, your question about who is coming next is a good one and I can't say I'm confident - with luck one of them will turn out to be AWJ like and go great guns far beyond the age that they should do (much more important for Whitelock).
Separate point, but the Canes aren't fucking helping by centennially choosing undersized locks who have no chance of ever making the Abs.
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Our entire tight 5 is cooked. Where are the units NZ?
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@tim said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
It should be unthinkable, but it's a distinct possibility now that Ireland could beat us at Eden Park.
Eden Park, a fortress since 1994.
If that happens the entire panel of clowns that coach NZ need to go.
I'm not pinning this all on them. Our pathways are fucked all of a sudden. Hermit kingdom NZ has definitely set us back.
Our forwards are fucked. The old guys are cooked. The next level (hi Ofa) who should be stepping up are dumb as shit. Oh and not very good.
No big munters. Anywhere.
Guys who we know are not capable at the next level are locked in at Super level.
Super coaches appear to he fucking terrible at development, all of them, even the surfy messiah.But hey, we'll beat Australia, all good, everyone gets an extension.
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So, when was the last time Retallick had a decent game for the All Blacks?
It wasn't last year, and it sure as hell wasn't in 2019.
Four fucking years ago he had a good game. Better spend all the money on his contract.
There has never been a player who has had an easier ride. And has produced nothing.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
Our entire tight 5 is cooked. Where are the units NZ?
Taukei'aho is actually looking really fucking good, and accurate when he has jumpers to throw to. His post contact metres today were fucking awesome.
Apart from that though, I think your point stands.
