All Blacks 2022
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Last year they selected 5 locks and 7 loose forwards but might only decide on 4 locks, and as @Crucial says, have extra cover at loose forward. Lord will be the 5th lock if they go that way, but could also miss out.
Will Vaa'i be considered an option at 6 in the squad? If so, that might change the makeup of the loose forward mix and make Frizell surplus to requirements.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Last year they selected 5 locks and 7 loose forwards but might only decide on 4 locks, and as @Crucial says, have extra cover at loose forward. Lord will be the 5th lock if they go that way, but could also miss out.
Will Vaa'i be considered an option at 6 in the squad? If so, that might change the makeup of the loose forward mix and make Frizell surplus to requirements.
This is what I had a couple of days ago.
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (c), Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Hoskins Sotutu, (MMT/Finau/Grace/Frizzell)
I think that NZM may be a vehicle for some 'fringe' or 'surplus' squad members. eg My 5 locks included Lord but if he is NZM eligible it could be better from him to return to play via that path knowing he can switch back at a moments notice.
That would open up space for 2 of those bracketed loosies -
Papalii going the extra mile for selection this year
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300610012/dalton-papalii-avoids-extremely-excessive-speeding-charge-on-technicality -
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2022:
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
Yup indeed
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2022:
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
Mainly props are the biggest concern, don't think we bad off with locks, or even hookers.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2022:
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
Mainly props are the biggest concern, don't think we bad off with locks, or even hookers.
The locking problem is two aging greats, a good handful of inexperienced youngsters, and the often excellent Barrett who can't stop being a moron for cards.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2022:
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
Mainly props are the biggest concern, don't think we bad off with locks, or even hookers.
lock and hooker is based on hope
hope Taylor, Whitelock and Retallick aren't cooked, were just tired last year
Hope Barrett has another gear we haven't seen yet, and can stay on the field
Hope the young locks can step up (and they get meaningful game time) -
@Machpants I think if we get our props doing a bit more of the grunt work (which a few of those in super rugby are showing signs of) it will allow Whitelock and BR a bit more freedom, and maybe have some energy left to get around the park, and SB to make better decisions from his oxygen starved brain.
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@taniwharugby last year Moody was below his best, Laulala is more liability than anything else, Karl T has fallen off a cliff form wise, Ofa also had issues staying on the park, and we have a crop of “who’s next”
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2022:
Missed a lot of super rugby this year compared to the past .
Really enjoyed this thread to get me up to speed before the internationals start .
Lots of discussion around the backs and loosies which should be an area of strength given our depth .
How we looking in the tight 5 , that is still our area of concern yeah ?
That’s because backs win rugby matches (and get the hot women). And loosies just wish they were backs.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
And loosies just wish they were backs
it's true, we all want to play midfield
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@ACT-Crusader which is probably where the biggest drop off has come for AB rugby the past few years with little to no impact from our props around the park, even our hookers (exc ST) have had thier time where they have been well of thier game too.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader which is probably where the biggest drop off has come for AB rugby the past few years with little to no impact from our props around the park, even our hookers (exc ST) have had thier time where they have been well of thier game too.
I actually don't think Coles has been off his game, he's just been out of the game too often.
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An article about the loosie selections. Some similar points have been made in this thread, it’s still a reasonable summary:
Ethan Blackadder's injury could prolong some All Blacks careers
Ian Foster was going to struggle to narrow down his loose forward selections for the All Blacks' upcoming test series with Ireland but the loss of Ethan Blackadder to injury will perhaps make the picture a little bit clearer.
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2022:
I'd just do the Blues 10,12,13. I think there is a lot to say for a combination of guys that train and play together.
Then have the option to move JB in case RTS is out of his depth, which I highly doubt.Goodhue on bench as insurance. Also gives several tactical options in terms of whom he replaces.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2022:
I agree Frizell will be there. He wouldn't be in my squad but they'll pick him.
Big problem I have is that this is shaping like a squad which is very close to the EOYT one. That underwhelmed.
Sure the boys were burnt out by too much PlayStation, but I'd have thought one or two would have been identified as not quite top test standard.
If which case we need to see some new blood, surely?
