All Blacks 2022
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
If Retallick can't hit his straps, Romano is showing everything the ABs have been lacking.
He is playing very very well (and it is awesome), but it really points out everything that has gone wrong with developing the younger locks (and our lack of class in that position) if Romano is the answer.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
If Retallick can't hit his straps, Romano is showing everything the ABs have been lacking.
He is playing very very well (and it is awesome), but it really points out everything that has gone wrong with developing the younger locks (and our lack of class in that position) if Romano is the answer.
Does it? I think Lord shows a lot of promise with the way he throws himself about with not much to back him up, hopefully he fills out!
Two or three of the debutantes this season also showing a high level of aggression.
The generation in between the only ones that play similar are just too short!
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
If Retallick can't hit his straps, Romano is showing everything the ABs have been lacking.
He is playing very very well (and it is awesome), but it really points out everything that has gone wrong with developing the younger locks (and our lack of class in that position) if Romano is the answer.
Does it? I think Lord shows a lot of promise with the way he throws himself about with not much to back him up, hopefully he fills out!
Two or three of the debutantes this season also showing a high level of aggression.
The generation in between the only ones that play similar are just too short!
I dunno, I'm a fan of Lords (I went to Kihikihi, every fucking good rugby player is either a Lord or a Hohepa), and I really love seeing Romano succeed, but there is something about the lack of development of our younger players that is really bugging me. I really want to see the AB15 (or whatever the fuck our second team is) out and playing. I feel like we let that go and we are paying for it now.
For example, in 2011, we won the world cup, but during the lead up to that tournament in 2009 we were running out the AB Junior team. This team from 2009 shows that some future long term ABs were getting their early chances at the level below - a few of those went on to the 2011 and 2015 squads (I think 6?). During the last few years I feel like if we'd been running out the AB15 for 5 matches a year we'd be developing that next level and not relying on the superstars to separate themselves from long-term greats - it's very hard to displace BBBR or Whitelock until it may be far too late.
Would Israel Dagg be ready to score his try against Oz in 2011 on that stage, without his experience of the Junior ABs in 2009 before the full squad in 2010? I dunno.
But, it's something I've been thinking about a lot lately (when I think about the ABs and where things might be going a bit haywire).
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
Anyone know what this article was all about? I don't have a Herald subscription.
NZME writers roundtable: The ABs who should be cut for Ireland
NZME rugby writers weigh in on who should be in the All Blacks squad.
Tuivasa-Sheck.....could sneak onto the bench for the third test in July if the All Blacks manage to win the first two.You have to admire Liam Napier's optimism
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@FakatavaFuture said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones Luke Romano has that 2011 Brad thorn mana about him!
Certainly not shirking his duties either, fitness doesn't appear to be an issue at all. Playing his best rugby imo
With his shirt off you’d never guess how well he gets around the field for 60 minutes!
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
If Retallick can't hit his straps, Romano is showing everything the ABs have been lacking.
It's a concern. Limited athleticism, but he's putting it all out there week after week. We seem to be missing that power lock at the moment; plenty of loose locks, but the BBBR Brad Thorn type who just smashes people and rucks isn't common
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@FakatavaFuture said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones Luke Romano has that 2011 Brad thorn mana about him!
Certainly not shirking his duties either, fitness doesn't appear to be an issue at all. Playing his best rugby imo
With his shirt off you’d never guess how well he gets around the field for 60 minutes!
Tyson Fury syndrome
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@nzzp problem is we no longer have BBBR, just BR is about.
Our coaches need to light a fire under our tight 5.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@nzzp problem is we no longer have BBBR, just BR is about.
Our coaches need to light a fire under our tight 5.
He’s got one (hopefully 3) games to get up to speed.
I thought signs were promising against Drua. He drifted in and out a little (match fitness?) but his carries made good metres bending the line and he put in some dominant hits.
Way too good a player to write off based on a under done season.
I am a big fan of Vaa’i but against hardened experience from Ireland I’d still start with Whitelick and Retallick.
Vaa’i always seems to work his way into games and reaches peak at about 50 minutes if he starts. -
@gt12 TBH, after reading that article, I don't know if the Junior team is really that much of a prep for the ABs.
Since we're discussing BBBR, he didn't play juniors, he got booted from Canterbury, starred for the Magpies, played U20s, starred for the Chiefs in 2012 and then was our top lock by the end of the year.
Also, that team you linked to didn't have that many players that went on to long AB careers (Dagg, Crotty and Vito).
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All Blacks: Ian Foster looking for his side to ‘learn new habits’
All Blacks coach Ian Foster says other teams have learnt to match his side’s tempo and looks ahead to adapt and evolve in 2022.
More about that interview
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a perverse part of me wants them to go in to the first test with all of Bridge at 11, Goodhue and Havili midfield, Blackadder at 6, Reiko the bench as excellent cover/impact, Laulala to start,
just for the epic melts (of which i will gleefully partake myself)
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A long-term Crusader picks his AB captain:
SENZ Breakfast co-host Israel Dagg has named his personal frontrunner for the All Blacks captaincy role.
Loose forward Sam Cane is the current captain of the national side, however, injuries have marred his time at the helm in recent years, prompting calls for his replacement.
While several players including Ardie Savea and Sam Whitelock have attempted the role, Dagg believes one contender “knows what it takes” to lead the side back to their former glory.
“Look for me, I’d probably go with Beauden Barrett if I’m going to be completely honest,” Dagg said.
“I’ll probably go with him just because he’s got a ton of experience, he’s got so much respect and mana in that team.
“You need someone that’s going to be able to (front up) when questions need to be asked, and he’s obviously a driver within that team so he’s got a big voice anyway.
“He’s the person that’s going to be doing most of the talking … all of the decision making out there and having a real connection with that backline (and through) to that forward pack.
“So if I’m going to pick the captain, mine would be Beauden Barrett going into the July series just because he’s played over 100 Tests, he’s got the mana and respect and he knows what it takes to play at that top level.”
With the July Test series against Ireland fast approaching, it will soon be known whether Cane has retained his position or if someone else has been handed the reins.
“He’s got a ton of experience”: The player Dagg has tipped for All Blacks captaincy
Izzy has made his call.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@broughie why 2 years down the road? I'm looking more at the rwc...
I guess it is only one year. Still too old in my book and one good outing against the Waratahs and good super rugby comp shouldn’t book his ticket. But 8 people agreed with you and it helps because his contribution at scrum time and needing an engine room type lock.
On the other hand that fact that Foster has only until 2023 to stuff things up is good news. Time flies.
