All Blacks 2022
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@cgrant I think there could be a new tighthead prop to replace Taavao and Lomax. I'd pick Newell, but it could be Jager. Next couple of weeks will be interesting there.
The loose forward injuries potentially open up a chance for someone - I previously had 6 spots inked in and a plus one, who could have been capped or uncapped. Now there's likely plus three - with Ioane, Cane, Savea and Sotutu inked in. MMT and Robinson probably the best uncapped chances, since I don't think they'll pick an uncapped 7 unless we lose Cane or Savea.
There's probably at least one spot available in the midfield - I think RTS has the inside running, Sullivan if they're prepared to take two newbies.
And probably one in the outside backs - could go to a fullback (probably Perofeta) or a wing (Leicester, Talea or some other bolter).
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@Victor-Meldrew as long as they don't take him for the NPC 😉
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Debate has raged long and hard in New Zealand about the suitably of Rieko Ioane for centre, versus his undoubted appeal as a winger.
Let the record state that Ioane threw the last pass for three of the Blues’ tries, each of them a mini-masterpiece in his ability to recognise where the space was and pass before taking contact.
Simple perhaps, but only made to look simple by Ioane’s pace and soft touch. Coming on the same weekend when Jack Goodhue found himself out of position against Jordan Petaia and unable to make up lost ground, Ioane looks certain to start against Ireland with 13 on his back.
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I expect 2 new props and one new back minimum. Maybe two or three others through injuries. For me, Newell, Ross and either Fainga'anuku, RTS or B Sullivan. Maybe the chance for a bolter in the loosies and Perofeta/Moorby in DMac spot. Maybe Fakatava, but he is 4th in my view. Not sold on Sowakula and would start Finau over him for semis. I like Tom Robinson, but Vaii has surpassed him. So, maybe Frizell gets another chance... I think we to trial a bruising enforcer at 6 or 8, with Akira more of a wide spaces specialist.
Still think Jordie is the best bet for 12.
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I think there will be two new players: Fakatava and Perofeta with Hodgman coming back into the squad
Maybe RTS as a training member.
That's not what I think should be, but what I expect, including the return of Laulala, Frizell, Goodhue, Havili, and possibly even Bridge (I think he'll get pushed out by Clarke).
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
I'd be interested to see a poll f who people think will be selected, versus those who they think should be selected.
I think the who will be selected vs who will be, won't be shockingly different. But I think a preferred 23, that you expect to see, vs that you want to see, will have a bigger difference. Foster will mostly pick a decent squad, but his 23 will be horribly conservative, favouring experience & time in vs actual form & explosiveness IMO
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I am not expecting any new loose forwards. The question will be which ones from 2021 will miss out. Frizell seems the obvious player, and maybe one other. If Blackadder is out for a while, the decision becomes easier.
There will be some good scrum/prop matchups in the Crusaders-Chiefs game, which could decide a few close calls.
I don't see Moorby close to selection with plenty of fullback cover already in the squad, in addition to JB.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@cgrant I think there could be a new tighthead prop to replace Taavao and Lomax. I'd pick Newell, but it could be Jager. Next couple of weeks will be interesting there.
The loose forward injuries potentially open up a chance for someone - I previously had 6 spots inked in and a plus one, who could have been capped or uncapped. Now there's likely plus three - with Ioane, Cane, Savea and Sotutu inked in. MMT and Robinson probably the best uncapped chances, since I don't think they'll pick an uncapped 7 unless we lose Cane or Savea.
There's probably at least one spot available in the midfield - I think RTS has the inside running, Sullivan if they're prepared to take two newbies.
And probably one in the outside backs - could go to a fullback (probably Perofeta) or a wing (Leicester, Talea or some other bolter).
Newell had a mare against the Reds. He was surprisingly well dominated by his opponent at scrum time, conceding two successive penalties. Jager or maybe Williams could be the bolter on the TH side.
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@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
Maybe Fakatava, but he is 4th in my view.
I think we're OK at 9 with Christie & Weber backing up Nugget, but think Foster will want to have a look at Fakatava in the AB set-up.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
I'd be interested to see a poll f who people think will be selected, versus those who they think should be selected.
I think the who will be selected vs who will be, won't be shockingly different. But I think a preferred 23, that you expect to see, vs that you want to see, will have a bigger difference. Foster will mostly pick a decent squad, but his 23 will be horribly conservative, favouring experience & time in vs actual form & explosiveness IMO
I dunno. Foster has tried to balance experience with developing players (e.g. Akira & Christie) so I'd expect the squad to have some new talent. The match 23 for the 1st Test will probbly be conservative but I'd like to think we'll see some new faces blooded in later Tests
While I like his approach of giving players time to settle in, I'd be disappointed if he picked say, Bridge or Havili - they've had a fair chance and been found wanting.
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@cgrant I think there could be a new tighthead prop to replace Taavao and Lomax. I'd pick Newell, but it could be Jager. Next couple of weeks will be interesting there.
The loose forward injuries potentially open up a chance for someone - I previously had 6 spots inked in and a plus one, who could have been capped or uncapped. Now there's likely plus three - with Ioane, Cane, Savea and Sotutu inked in. MMT and Robinson probably the best uncapped chances, since I don't think they'll pick an uncapped 7 unless we lose Cane or Savea.
There's probably at least one spot available in the midfield - I think RTS has the inside running, Sullivan if they're prepared to take two newbies.
And probably one in the outside backs - could go to a fullback (probably Perofeta) or a wing (Leicester, Talea or some other bolter).
Newell had a mare against the Reds. He was surprisingly well dominated by his opponent at scrum time, conceding two successive penalties. Jager or maybe Williams could be the bolter on the TH side.
He did not have a mare. Jager was better than expected but newell looks very promising. There have been a heap of crap props in recent times but some of the youngsters look full of potential.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
I am not expecting any new loose forwards. The question will be which ones from 2021 will miss out. Frizell seems the obvious player, and maybe one other. If Blackadder is out for a while, the decision becomes easier.
There will be some good scrum/prop matchups in the Crusaders-Chiefs game, which could decide a few close calls.
I don't see Moorby close to selection with plenty of fullback cover already in the squad, in addition to JB.
I would be mighty surprised if Frizell misses out, he was best 6 by quite some until he got injured earlier in super this year, and I don't go along with crap he has been given a go an you didn't think he went well at test level, I reckon he ready now. But also think maybe Akira is slowly getting back to looking interested and he has a higher ceiling I think if he gets his head to tell his body to work.
Moorby I would doubt has even beeb mentioned by selection panel, and not even sure why anyone would think he is close, he looks at this stage a quite good super player to me, but nothing amazing, and there's nothing wrong with that. -
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
I would be mighty surprised if Frizell misses out, he was best 6 by quite some until he got injured earlier in super this year, and I don't go along with crap he has been given a go an you didn't think he went well at test level, I reckon he ready now.
He was erratic in SR. He had a shocker against the Crusaders
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
I would be mighty surprised if Frizell misses out, he was best 6 by quite some until he got injured earlier in super this year, and I don't go along with crap he has been given a go an you didn't think he went well at test level, I reckon he ready now.
He was erratic in SR. He had a shocker against the Crusaders
My opinion was while he was playing he was best 6 in comp, and I not a particular fan of his or anything. he only 6 that carried well in tight situations.
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...and he shat the bed vs the Crusaders. If the Highlanders had a competent 6 in that match they probably would have won
Normally he plays like superman in SR and then fails at Test level. This year he didn't even manage that. Yes, he had good games of SR this season but he did not maintain standards
We've seen enough of Shannon. He isn't up to it
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
...and he shat the bed vs the Crusaders. If the Highlanders had a competent 6 in that match they probably would have won
Normally he plays like superman in SR and then fails at Test level. This year he didn't even manage that. Yes, he had good games of SR this season but he did not maintain standards
We've seen enough of Shannon. He isn't up to it
Although I agree with you, I'm happy to bet that he'll be selected, especially with Blackadder out.
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It's possible but it would be a terrible selection. For experience? He's played a moderate number of Tests for very little reward.
In the AB's pattern Tu'u would be a 6 and he's a better option. If he improves his off the ball work he could be a like for like cover for Akira. There's so much more upside to selecting Tu'u
Robinson is also showing good form now he's over his injuries. Even Sowakula would be a better choice
