All Blacks XV 2022
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Stuff understands MacDonald will take charge of the All Blacks XV tour later this year, when those who miss out on All Blacks selection will be given the chance to impress in the northern hemisphere.
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The interesting one for me and this team is what they do at halfback.
It’s a new(ish) concept and we will want to win so do we take a couple of experienced heads or is this purely about eye to the future.
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@ACT-Crusader Yep, and then there's the cross-over between the senior squad and this squad. Games of the ABs XV may be used to give game time to ABs who haven't played much. For example, if they use Smith and Fakatava for most tests, Christie may get a run for this team.
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@ACT-Crusader Really hoping they don't take Perenara. Would like to see Ratima get a go. Maybe Roe too.
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@Stargazer Hope Weber is the senior halfback, if he isn't in the ABs.
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i hope they take Finau
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An AB XV vs the actual ABs would be interesting. Fozzie wouldn’t want to be losing that.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
@ACT-Crusader Yep, and then there's the cross-over between the senior squad and this squad. Games of the ABs XV may be used to give game time to ABs who haven't played much. For example, if they use Smith and Fakatava for most tests, Christie may get a run for this team.
I really hope that is the case. So you would think this squad would be no more than 25 or 26 players.
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@ACT-Crusader Also from a cost perspective, that's the sensible thing to do.
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Possible squad :
Eklund, Aumua, Thompson (McAllister, Vikena eventual bolters)
Norris, Williams, Jager, Newell, Ainsley
Gallagher, Sangster, IWL, PPP (if fit)
MMT, Robinson, Harmon, Suafoa, Grace + an openside (Gibson, Christie ?)
Weber, Ratima, TJP
Ioane + AN other (Morgan, Love, Gatland, Burke, Gilbert ?)
TUJ, PUJ, Nankivell + AN other (Sullivan, Proctor, Evans, Savea ?)
Telea, Stevenson, Lam, Sullivan, Moorby (DMac ?)
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@cgrant I hope Flanders is in the equation, too, although the Canes' selection policy and his injury late in the season haven't done him any favours. I guess it may depend on whether Grace will be in the ABs EOYT squad, as he should be. Otherwise, he may have to wait a year.
Bailyn Sullivan should not be listed under "AN other". I'd pick him over PUJ.
And whether we like it or not, Ennor is a near certainty for this team, unless he's in the ABs to stay. As a midfielder or a wing, or a utitlity back.
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@cgrant too many players. There will be unselected players in the AB squad who will be able to get an AB XV game.
My mix would be something like below if the ABs take their standard size squad.
5x props
3x hookers
3x locks
4x loose forwards
2x halfbacks
2x 1st 5s
3x midfielders
3x outside backs -
@ACT-Crusader Yep, that makes a lot of sense.
