All Black props
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Rugby Pass:
Ian Foster has somewhat of a conundrum on his hands.
While elder heads Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Angus Ta’avao were all selected in the front row for the All Blacks‘ July series with Ireland, injuries and a change in tack saw the former three absent from the more recent trip to South Africa.
30-year-old George Bower – in his second year as an All Black – started the season as the side’s first-choice loosehead prop in the absence of the sidelined Joe Moody while Laulala and Tuungafasi shared starting duties on the tighthead side of the scrum throughout July.
Video SpacerBower was again employed in the No 1 jersey in the first leg of the South African tour with the experienced Ta’avao partnering him in the front-row but after a middling performance in Mbombela, coach Foster decided to change things up by handing spots in the match-day 23 to Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell – three players who weren’t even included in the squad for July.
All in all, nine props have been handed opportunities throughout the All Blacks’ opening five Tests of the season – and nine props certainly won’t be required for the remainder of The Rugby Championship, which will see NZ take on Argentina and Australia over the coming four matches.
Injuries to Laulala and Tuungafasi paved the way for the inexperienced duo of Lomax and the uncapped Newell to feature against the Springboks but the former two will make their returns to the field for their respective provincial sides this weekend and, as such, should be available to take on Los Pumas in Christchurch on August 27. As such, Foster will need to make the call whether to stick with the new breed of props or revert to the more experienced options.
Had Foster fallen on his sword and been replaced, a new coach may have been able to put loyalty aside and opt for the younger models but that’s probably less likely with the status quo being maintained. Perhaps the biggest fault Foster has shown throughout his tenure in charge of the All Blacks is his commitment to sticking with incumbents (both players and coaches) when there’s been an obvious need for change.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was used off the bench in the opening two matches of the season when it was clear to all and sundry that he should have been Foster’s first-choice hooker and it came as a surprise to no one when the 25-year-old was one of the best players throughout the two Springboks clashes. His elevation into the No 2 jersey came far too late and the same could be said for the promotions of Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell, who Foster was almost forced to play after injuries prevented him from sticking with the tried and tested.
The likes of De Groot and Newell are young and still not yet entirely proven but they’re also clearly long-term options in the All Blacks scrum. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not ready to be regularly playing big Test matches, however.
“For [De Groot and Lomax] to start in that test match, without a doubt the biggest Test that they’ve had in their careers, to perform the way they did was awesome,” said All Blacks captain Sam Cane following the 35-22 win in Johannesburg.
“I’m really stoked for those guys, it makes for some really healthy competition going forward.”
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@DaGrubster said in All Black props:
Yes it can and he can also be maniacal in practicing to make perfect.
If he doesn’t become a regular AB/starter it is an absolute waste of potentially the best hooker of his generation.
Hopefully it clicks for him soon as I can see him playing most of his career in France
Seeing his first year NPC play the world was at his feet,.and still could be. We can but hope.
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@BartMan said in All Black props:
@Nepia said in All Black props:
@Chris-B said in All Black props:
@BartMan Good stuff!
Very interesting your pick of McAlister. I haven't seen much of him, but when he finally got back from injury for the Crusaders he was very impressive with limited opportunities. Ryan will know all about him.
Wellington actually had a couple of promising looking hookers trapped behind Coles and Aumua - Thompson was one, the other's name escapes me right now.
He's wisely come home.
Looks handy but needs games at super level.
Yeah, although he's kind of stuck behind the number 1 AB hooker now though at Super level. Wisely came home to the Bay but probably unwise to go to Chiefs.
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@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
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@pakman said in All Black props:
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
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@Rapido said in All Black props:
@pakman said in All Black props:
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
I looked at the YT channel but there is stuff all there and what is, is very short and doesn't achieve what it sets out to do.
At least someone is having a crack I guess.
I found that clip above an interesting observation. -
@pakman said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
Usually put your big munter at TH, as your TH prop is working overtime on hooker and LH prop. Needs more power. I played a festival/charity match yesrs ago at TH. Had Brent Anderson at lock. He said just keep your back straight son and I'll do the rest. Felt like a D8 bulldozer when the power came on!
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@NTA said in All Black props:
@nostrildamus said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
And where do you think Ethan De Groot was born? Forged in fire in the bellows of Mordor?
Gold Coast. So Queensland, which is close enough
Gold Coast is either East South Africa or North West New Zealand.
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@BartMan said in All Black props:
@pakman said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
Usually put your big munter at TH, as your TH prop is working overtime on hooker and LH prop. Needs more power. I played a festival/charity match yesrs ago at TH. Had Brent Anderson at lock. He said just keep your back straight son and I'll do the rest. Felt like a D8 bulldozer when the power came on!
Ha, he was my PE teacher at school, and he's back again this year!
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@Machpants said in All Black props:
@BartMan said in All Black props:
@pakman said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
Usually put your big munter at TH, as your TH prop is working overtime on hooker and LH prop. Needs more power. I played a festival/charity match yesrs ago at TH. Had Brent Anderson at lock. He said just keep your back straight son and I'll do the rest. Felt like a D8 bulldozer when the power came on!
Ha, he was my PE teacher at school, and he's back again this year!
Geez ferners are getting younger and younger. Hope you get to graduate soon.
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@Bones said in All Black props:
@Crucial said in All Black props:
Everyone fluffing Laulala as our best TH scrummager needs to watch him getting screwed by Waikato tonight
It gets worse.
No wonder laulala was struggling, everyone else in his scrum was about 60 kegs!
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@Machpants said in All Black props:
@Bones said in All Black props:
@Crucial said in All Black props:
Everyone fluffing Laulala as our best TH scrummager needs to watch him getting screwed by Waikato tonight
It gets worse.
No wonder laulala was struggling, everyone else in his scrum was about 60 kegs!
Nepo Eti Laulala (born 6 November 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays as a Tighthead Prop for Counties Manukau Steelers
