All Blacks 2022
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@Gunner Robinson is too small to be a genuine international lock.
correct.
He's squad cover for lock/loosie. As discussed above. Not a front line lock (but seemed to do well in the scrums last night, despite my trepidation)
Barrett and Vaa’i can cover 6 in emergencies.
I’m more in the genuine lock plus a bruiser loosie on the bench. And it makes more sense if we continue to start both Cane and Savea. Hence someone like Robinson is surplus unless he is in the top 4 locks.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Would not be hoping mad with that, although I'd go Ginge over Frizell.
Toss up for me Weber v Christie
Not sold on Faiunga'anuku ... but not sure who is better
Who misses out from that lot?
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@nzzp As much as I think Robinson would be vwry good in the test environment, who does he replace?
In a way I think he is competing directly with Vai who is a lock that can play 6 while Robinson is a 6 that can play lock, and Vai has shown enough to continue the investment in him.
And this is where the NZ Maori is an issue for guys like Robinson, Eklund, Seger, Holland, MMT, Morgan, Roe etc, even Frizzel if he isn't in the main squad*
Guys that would likely thrive if given a chance against Ireland if it was NZ A, not NZ Maori playing them.
*Assuming none have any Maori ancestors.
Frizell
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If it's the end of Bridgey's run in black tomorrow then he can always cherish 2019 where he scored four tries on a sunny Hamilton afternoon & was then starting in the 11 Jersey at a World cup! in all seriousness I would like to see Fakatava, MMT & Perofeta named as new caps, we shall see what transpires at noon
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Leinster/Ireland have lost twice in a fortnight to teams fielding power locks. If we want the win, Romano would make more sense than Lord, who could continue as an apprentice.
For RWC I’d prefer they stuck with four locks and added an eighth loosie: MMT/Grace/PGS(whom I thought looked one dimensional in semi).
And for Leicester to get in requires Clarke to be injured and Havili and Perofeta to miss out, which seems to me unlikely.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Pretty close I think.
I'd like to see MMT in the squad, rather than Frizzell - even if it's so they coaches can have a look at him. Not too sure about LF (who I think is a wing anyway). I have a sneaking suspicion they may go with someone like Mark Telea or Lam or they might go with Havili on experience in midfield.
All in all, I think that's a pretty good squad with a mix of experience and coming players.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman One thing this season has shown is that Romano got sidelined too early for the ABs and Crusaders.
I don't think he'll make it, but he wouldn't be a bad pick.
I respectfully disagree. His lack of athleticism is usually covered in Super, but he'd be horribly exposed in tests.
FascisticFantastic experienced leader, but he's not a credible option at the top level.I'm a fan, but the only scenario they turn to him for is deep injuries in the squad
Edit: correct fascistic to fantastic...
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
What are the chances of players like Telea or Lam ? I am convinced the latter is of international calibre.
Telea could be a safe option as a good, solid, reliable winger (think Bridge but without the fuck-ups). Lam would be a bolter.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman One thing this season has shown is that Romano got sidelined too early for the ABs and Crusaders.
I don't think he'll make it, but he wouldn't be a bad pick.
I respectfully disagree. His lack of athleticism is usually covered in Super, but he'd be horribly exposed in tests. Fascistic experienced leader, but he's not a credible option at the top level.
I'm a fan, but the only scenario they turn to him for is deep injuries in the squad
Just going off the eye test, he seems to have been pretty busy for a decent amount of minutes when he's played... what's lacking?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman One thing this season has shown is that Romano got sidelined too early for the ABs and Crusaders.
I don't think he'll make it, but he wouldn't be a bad pick.
I respectfully disagree. His lack of athleticism is usually covered in Super, but he'd be horribly exposed in tests. Fascistic experienced leader, but he's not a credible option at the top level.
I'm a fan, but the only scenario they turn to him for is deep injuries in the squad
Just going off the eye test, he seems to have been pretty busy for a decent amount of minutes when he's played... what's lacking?
He just doesn't get aroudn the paddock, moves reasonably slowly. I think it's fine at Super, but can see his mobility issues being brutally exposed at the top level.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman One thing this season has shown is that Romano got sidelined too early for the ABs and Crusaders.
I don't think he'll make it, but he wouldn't be a bad pick.
I respectfully disagree. His lack of athleticism is usually covered in Super, but he'd be horribly exposed in tests. Fascistic experienced leader, but he's not a credible option at the top level.
I'm a fan, but the only scenario they turn to him for is deep injuries in the squad
Just going off the eye test, he seems to have been pretty busy for a decent amount of minutes when he's played... what's lacking?
He just doesn't get aroudn the paddock, moves reasonably slowly. I think it's fine at Super, but can see his mobility issues being brutally exposed at the top level.
Is Whitelock any more mobile?
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
I hope Alex Hodgman makes the cut. I think they will go with David Havili ahead of Leicester F. Rest looks right.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
I hope Alex Hodgman makes the cut. I think they will go with David Havili ahead of Leicester F. Rest looks right.
I don't know if Lester confirmed any doubts in the semi but he was fairly anonymous. I don't see him as any more than midfield cover or an attacking wing. He seems to be a bit of a flat track bully. Shines when the opposition suits him but does little otherwise.
Good player but I dont see where he fits at the moment.
