All Blacks 2022
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
I don't agree that Karl T is a 'top grade scrummaging LH". Not consistently anyway.
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I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
How many in your ABs 23 won't be Blues?
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
How many in your ABs 23 won't be Blues?
Probably about 10. A (starting) hooker, two locks, (starting) halfback, (starting) fullback and (starting) right wing. Four others on the bench, depending on starting second row.
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Current status :
Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.
LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.
THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.
Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?
Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.
Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.
Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.
Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.
1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.
Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?
Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
Current status :
Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.
LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.
THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.
Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?
Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.
Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.
Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.
Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.
1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.
Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?
Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?
Good post, but who will be surprised if we don’t see any new caps (eg, TUG, Newell) or recalls (eg, Hodgman).
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He was MOTM last game and I think led the backs in metres (perhaps tackles too). I havent seen all of the game but what from I saw he threw one fantastic offload and has shown some quick feet.
If we had a 12 really jumping out, who was already capped, I doubt there would be much talk.
However…
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.Jeez, we've been really cursed with injuries since Ma'a & Conrad departed.
With ALB out and Goodhue easing himself back in, Reiko is clearly favourite at 13. My guess is Foster will watch how Goodhue goes and if OK, slot him in at 12 over Havili. If he's struggling, Fozzie will probably go back to Havili or go for Jordie Barrett (based on Test experience) with QT as backup.
Like you, I'd like to see Sullivan, TUJ in the squad. Haven't seen enough of RTS and would want a few more games at Super level first. Let's not have another Henry Paul.....
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.Jeez, we've been really cursed with injuries since Ma'a & Conrad departed.
Still so gutted for Charlie Ngatai. He was looking outstanding before getting hammered.
Selection hasn't helped, not identifying what you want in midfield and playing people there. Injuries are a major contributor, but I'd argue the selectors have to shoulder more of the blame. Kinda like 6.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
Obviously haven't looked at stats or anything, but what is the promise everyone sees in RTS? Strikes me as just reputation as he certainly doesn't seem to have looked special in any outings.
Just his defense alone puts him ahead of Havilli. Lots of potential in attack, that's starting to show on the field, but it's very early.
I would pick him in my squad, but it would be a bet that he will deliver next year. If we want him at the world cup we have to pick him now.
Other factor is that he will have the rest of this season, and mostly likely next season, to build a combination with Reiko who is the best centre in the country.
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
Current status :
Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.
LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.
THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.
Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?
Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.
Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.
Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.
Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.
1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.
Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?
Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?
Been any official comment about the mix?
I'd assume pack 9/5/7 = 21, so 15 backs. Allows 3 halves, 2 tens, five midfield, five back three.
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Been any official comment about the mix?
I'd assume pack 9/5/7 = 21, so 15 backs. Allows 3 halves, 2 tens, five midfield, five back three.
Seven loosies: Cane/DP/Akira/Frizell/Ardie/Sotutu and one of Blackadder/Jacobson (I'm not sure we need too many 'workrate' types)? Hard on Pita Gus. Or do they make a call that Frizell isn't quite top test level and try new blood?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
Obviously haven't looked at stats or anything, but what is the promise everyone sees in RTS? Strikes me as just reputation as he certainly doesn't seem to have looked special in any outings.
We need to wait and see how RTS goes against the better teams, but he does offer a point of difference to the other 12s. I don't think you would need RTS and Havili in the squad.
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Havili will be in he squad. Remember that this will be a more traditional squad number (as opposed to the bloated squads of last year) and he brings utility and experience.
Last year was the room to experiment and without DMac for this series we will need some flexibility in the backswith a need to bolster forwards.Can’t remember if it’s 32 or 33 in the squad but in the backs we may only see
Halfbacks: Smith, Weber, Christie (Fakatava, Ratima)
First-fives: BB, RM (Perofeta, Ioane)
Midfield: Havili, Tupaea, Goodhue, Ioane (RTS, TUJ)
Outside Back: JB, Jordan, Reece, ClarkeA third 10 will train to learn calls and patterns just in case. I see the midfield as Goodhue, Ioane. Tupaea has increased his bench value with his performances on the wing.
Jordan, Reece and JB the back three.In an ideal world we would have a spare wing/fullback should say JB get injured and Jordan move to 15 but they may rely on squad cover from Havili and/or having Bridge ready to come in.
Injuries aside I expect to see
Smith
BB
Reece
Goodhue
Ioane
Jordan
JBChristie/Weber
RM
Tupaea/HaviliNot much room for newbies in this series
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
Havili will be in he squad.
He probably will, but I don't see Havili as being a starter, or even a useful player to have in the reserves.
Remember that this will be a more traditional squad number (as opposed to the bloated squads of last year) and he brings utility and experience.
Is he really? There will be plenty of fullback cover with JB, Jordan and BB. I'd much rather the no.23 jersey is worn by a winger who provides impact and use JB as 2nd 5 cover. LF would also give you cover at centre, for example.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
Havili will be in he squad. Remember that this will be a more traditional squad number (as opposed to the bloated squads of last year) and he brings utility and experience.
Last year was the room to experiment and without DMac for this series we will need some flexibility in the backswith a need to bolster forwards.Can’t remember if it’s 32 or 33 in the squad but in the backs we may only see
“36 [players] for the first squad, that’s sort of a standard Steinlager Series-sized squad, but that can change,” Foster told The Breakdown.
Not much room for newbies in this series
