All Blacks 2022
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
He offers something different to Brad Weber IMO, defensively he’s the best halfback in NZ. Yes his pass isn’t rapid but the leadership and other areas of his game that he brings are top notch and he's been exceptional over the last month or so.
Leon McDonald sung his praises after the All Blacks XV game on Saturday aswell.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
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@Canes4life when TJ can keep his emotions in check, he still has alot to offer, and agree, his form has been excellent in recent months, and despite some of the criticism of him in the match thread, I thought he went well in the game on the weekend, and we know he is a bloody smart player who is switched on to the rules and playing the ref, as evidenced on the weekend with the ref allowing the 9's arm to be played once he lifts the ball
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life when TJ can keep his emotions in check, he still has alot to offer, and agree, his form has been excellent in recent months, and despite some of the criticism of him in the match thread, I thought he went well in the game on the weekend, and we know he is a bloody smart player who is switched on to the rules and playing the ref, as evidenced on the weekend with the ref allowing the 9's arm to be played once he lifts the ball
100% agree, having watched TJ over the years he always plays best when he can channel his energy in an effective way.
He's definitely been less erratic over the last couple of months so hopefully he can continue that for the All Blacks if he does end up getting on the field. -
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
Both of these guys have all of that experience anyway.
I'm not so convinced that they are wedded to Fakatava being at the RWC to be honest. What indicators (apart from initial selection) have they shown so far?
My theory on this may well be way off though as they do seem to treat the 'backup' squad memebers strangely with regard to even giving them a taste of game prep. If you want a free ride of training to never play it seems a good bet to be a low ranked member of this squad.
Perofeta, LF, RTS Fakatava etc. Hell there have even been guys they bring in then throw away without even trying them despite giving them pass marks at training. Quite baffling at times.
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
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Weather forecast for Scotland looking not too bad.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2650225
Might be worth picking a side to run with ball.
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@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial add Aidan Ross to that list. Maybe Telea and Dickson. But I hope Telea gets a chance v Scotland.
Ross was one I was specifically thinking of.
Gets selected, gets talked up for what he is doing at training, doesn’t play. Gets deselected.
I don’t have too many qualms about where they ended up front row wise but Ross was never given his chance. Bower isn’t much more than adequate and it would have been good to see someone pushing him. -
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
Half the starting AB XV backline will be different with the AB comings and goings. Weber starts in place of TJP, an entirely new midfield, and LF in for Lam. And they've added two late replacements in the forwards...
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
You haven't watched most Highlanders game, have you? He came back from a terrible ACL injury that kept him out of the game for 9-10 months, so the first SRP games obviously he lacked match fitness. But he got better every game he played and was really pushing Smith (to Smith's own admission) near the end of the SRP season. He was excellent! He struggled a bit in his two short outings in black with his decision-making, but it's not fair to judge him on those performances as he was thrown into the deep end in that 2nd Irish test when the ABs were already trailing and playing terrible as a squad. Not sure how a 22-year old rookie was supposed to "fix" that. The ABs weren't any better in the 3rd test, as we all know.
I've found Christie only just adequate in his outings.
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@FakatavaAllBlack IIRC the latest update stated that they were waiting for scans to determine whether he needed surgery. If he needed surgery, it could take about 8 months. I remember reading something that they were hoping - in that case - he could feature for the Highlanders at the end of the season, but obviously that also depends on whether the Highlanders make the play-offs. If he doesn't need surgery, the time frame for his return could be shorter. I don't remember reading anywhere that he's had surgery or will have surgery.
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@Stargazer I don't disagree with any of that just not convinced that the coaching team have him nailed in.
That could be because of injury and the time it will take to get going again. The lack of high level experience because of that situation. Maybe he had a lot of work ons coming through at training. I don't really know.
That could mean that TJ, Weber and Christie are now the focus and they are trying to give each a fair chance of stating their case. -
@Crucial I'm convinced it's because of the injury and that he'd have had game time (maybe even a start v Scotland) during the EOYT if he had been available. Japan, Wales, Scotland would have been excellent opportunities for him, but that bloody ACL just ruined it. Fakatava just brings something different to the other halfbacks. He's fast and physical, good on defence. Those skills are all there and only need polishing; the decision-making is something that will improve with experience.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial I'm convinced it's because of the injury and that he'd have had game time (maybe even a start v Scotland) during the EOYT if he had been available. Japan, Wales, Scotland would have been excellent opportunities for him, but that bloody ACL just ruined it. Fakatava just brings something different to the other halfbacks. He's fast and physical, good on defence. Those skills are all there and only need polishing; the decision-making is something that will improve with experience.
He just doesn't have much chance to get experience now.
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i have to say im really struggling with those willing to forgive a halfback having even an average pass for the other things they might bring.....he's a fucking halfback...good passing is a huge part of his job...this is how we end up with hookers that cant throw or props who cant scrummage
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2022:
i have to say im really struggling with those willing to forgive a halfback having even an average pass for the other things they might bring.....he's a fucking halfback...good passing is a huge part of his job...this is how we end up with hookers that cant throw or props who cant scrummage
Justin Marshall has entered the chat.
