All Blacks 2022
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Is this going to be more of the same the backs taken out of the game by us not getting over the gain line up front.
PGS there for that I suppose but won't start ahead of Ardie,RTS,LF will not get much game time it looks a lot like last year to me.The 23 looks like it will not change from last season.PGS will be the backup six to Akira, IMO. If they start ST instead of Taylor, and with Ofa's improved ball running/fitness (probably from the bench) you have two great ball running options just from the front row.
Akira/Ardie/Cane with Dalton on the bench gives good options there too. Really the locks that have to up that area of the game, so a lot resting on Scott Barrett IMO.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Is this going to be more of the same the backs taken out of the game by us not getting over the gain line up front.
PGS there for that I suppose but won't start ahead of Ardie,RTS,LF will not get much game time it looks a lot like last year to me.The 23 looks like it will not change from last season.PGS will be the backup six to Akira, IMO. If they start ST instead of Taylor, and with Ofa's improved ball running/fitness (probably from the bench) you have two great ball running options just from the front row.
Akira/Ardie/Cane with Dalton on the bench gives good options there too. Really the locks that have to up that area of the game, so a lot resting on Scott Barrett IMO.
If that is our starting loose trio and it most likely will be, I really hope they go for Sotutu on the bench.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Is this going to be more of the same the backs taken out of the game by us not getting over the gain line up front.
PGS there for that I suppose but won't start ahead of Ardie,RTS,LF will not get much game time it looks a lot like last year to me.The 23 looks like it will not change from last season.PGS will be the backup six to Akira, IMO. If they start ST instead of Taylor, and with Ofa's improved ball running/fitness (probably from the bench) you have two great ball running options just from the front row.
Akira/Ardie/Cane with Dalton on the bench gives good options there too. Really the locks that have to up that area of the game, so a lot resting on Scott Barrett IMO.
Maybe, I just don't have much faith in Fosters and co's selections when it comes to the 23.I can see better options in the squad than what they might actually pick.
It will be interesting to see that first 23 for the first test v Ireland.
I think Barret is probably the no.1 lock ATM. -
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Which props offer us that? Hodgman maybe. As I've said before, the Aust props are more effective ball-carriers than the AB props. This is a NZ-wide problem.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Which props offer us that? Hodgman maybe. As I've said before, the Aust props are more effective ball-carriers than the AB props. This is a NZ-wide problem.
So we settle for that do we.There are some who carry better than that group.
Norris,Williams,Hodgman,Ainsley,Raketie-stones take a punt on a couple we need it come WC time. -
I think we just need to use our props better rather than it being about ball running. Owen wasn’t a big ball runner (might surprise a few on here), but he had good hands so he would get in at first receiver and make pop passes to our locks or loosies to vary the attack, plus he was there for the next clean out. It was pretty effective for our go forward.
Sure they will be called upon to carry and provide something there, but there are other positive ways to use them without compromising our set piece.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
I think we just need to use our props better rather than it being just about ball running. Owen wasn’t a big ball runner (might surprise a few on here), but he had good hands so he would get in at first receiver and make pop passes to our locks or loosies to vary the attack, plus he was there for the next clean out. It was pretty effective for our go forward.
Sure they will be called upon to carry and provide something there, but there are other positive ways to use them without compromising our set piece.
Owen shifted bodies at rucks beautifully. If our props aren't used for carrying, they need to be told their job is to get there quick and shift the opposition to give us the quick ball our game needs.
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@WillieTheWaiter said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@WillieTheWaiter Maybe it's just for the July Series, and they may go for a different selection for the Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup?
its a consideration the question would be why tho?!
only 18 games til the WC
Because there's very little time to prepare for the Steinlager Series?
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@ACT-Crusader those pop passes are getting too predictable and would prefer to see the fatties hitting the line a relative pace. Always liked how the Aussie props run onto then ball.
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@broughie said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader those pop passes are getting too predictable and would prefer to see the fatties hitting the line a relative pace. Always liked how the Aussie props run onto then ball.
We’ve hardly used the pop pass in the last two years. Fatties running on to the ball is only good after quick ball or else they are just running into a wall and most do not have an offload game.
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I'm not a Bower fan, but anyone who thinks he can't run, should have a look at the highlights of the Crusaders v Chiefs SF. That's just one example and there have been more, but he can run with the ball. Unfortunately, he also suffers from the occasional flair-up of BradShieditis (translation: soap on his hands).
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@number9 agree about Karl T, his form has been patchy and he’s heading overseas 🤷🏻♂️.
On Angus Ta’avao, I don’t believe he’s an international class tighthead prop , thought he was average when he first made the Blues, improved when he went to the Warratahs, but in my opinion is no better than super level ..would get eaten by most international loose head props ..De Groot and Fletcher Newall would have been in my team ..
Callum Grace who has been the best lineout forward on his own ball is bloody unlucky , been superb at number 8. -
@ACT-Crusader I don’t think the pop pass has gone away. Spent plenty of time yelling at the TV over its use or overuse. And their job, in my book, is to dent the line so perhaps, quick ball or not, they need to get their sorry asses in position. The Aussies can do it.