All Blacks 2023
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:
@chimoaus You've watched another Christie than I have.
How very dare you besmirch Tom. I thought he'd be your boy.
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The selection of the props and loose forwards will tell us if Foster/Ryan/Schmidt are conservative or bold. I'm expecting the former.
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Hookers: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Aidan Ross, Tamaiti Williams
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett, Josh Lord
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Christian Lio-Willie
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Cam Roigard
No 10s: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, Bryce Heem
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Shaun Stevenson, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Caleb Clarke
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2023:
The selection of the props and loose forwards will tell us if Foster/Ryan/Schmidt are conservative or bold. I'm expecting the former.
I feel we could find out our World Cup fate by the end of the announcement based on the above.
The likes of Stevenson, Fainga'anuku, Roigaad are "weather vanes" for me.
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@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring, so they'll give someone else a go who might bring more.
Regardless, I think Big Tamaiti will get picked - he's been outstanding and they're short on looseheads.
I think most likely, de Groot, Ross, Williams, Lomax, Ofa, Nepo - but, they might pick someone else instead of the latter two - and they might decide Williams is playing tighthead for the ABs.
On the loose forwards, I'm mainly wondering if they like Blackadder enough to take him without match play.
Won't surprise me if there are a couple of extras picked to "train with" or "injury cover" - Whitelock and Blackadder open that door for a start.
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Folau Fakatava was running around for Dunedin yesterday in club rugby. So good to see he is keeping himself up to scratch
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@Mr-Fish Not bad.
I don't think Lio-Willie will make it and I'll be a little bit surprised (but not amazed) if Jacobson does.
I reckon they might do something like name Lord as injury cover for Whitelock, which would allow an extra loose forward - Akira, Blackadder and Sotutu.
Goodhue for Heem.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring, so they'll give someone else a go who might bring more.
Regardless, I think Big Tamaiti will get picked - he's been outstanding and they're short on looseheads.
I think most likely, de Groot, Ross, Williams, Lomax, Ofa, Nepo - but, they might pick someone else instead of the latter two - and they might decide Williams is playing tighthead for the ABs.
On the loose forwards, I'm mainly wondering if they like Blackadder enough to take him without match play.
Won't surprise me if there are a couple of extras picked to "train with" or "injury cover" - Whitelock and Blackadder open that door for a start.
Blackadder will be there or there abouts all year. He has Allblack written all over him.
Has a super attitude and that's what the selectors love. The boy is perpetual motion and gives everything every game.
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If Fainga'anuku doesn't make it, and someone like Clarke does, who is a total liability, then I have no hope.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Mr-Fish Not bad.
I don't think Lio-Willie will make it and I'll be a little bit surprised (but not amazed) if Jacobson does.
I reckon they might do something like name Lord as injury cover for Whitelock, which would allow an extra loose forward - Akira, Blackadder and Sotutu.
Goodhue for Heem.
I seen Goodhue chasing a kick ahead in the semi final and it was like watching a bloke run in porridge.
The Goodhue/ALB combo from 2019 still gives me nightmares. So vanilla.
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2023:
If Fainga'anuku doesn't make it, and someone like Clarke does, who is a total liability, then I have no hope.
If big Leicester doesn't make it he can join the list of top super rugby try scorers over looked in the same season. Ben Lam and Ngani Laumape come to mind.
Surely his omission would be for either political or "character" reasons.
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@Steve said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring, so they'll give someone else a go who might bring more.
Regardless, I think Big Tamaiti will get picked - he's been outstanding and they're short on looseheads.
I think most likely, de Groot, Ross, Williams, Lomax, Ofa, Nepo - but, they might pick someone else instead of the latter two - and they might decide Williams is playing tighthead for the ABs.
On the loose forwards, I'm mainly wondering if they like Blackadder enough to take him without match play.
Won't surprise me if there are a couple of extras picked to "train with" or "injury cover" - Whitelock and Blackadder open that door for a start.
Blackadder will be there or there abouts all year. He has Allblack written all over him.
Has a super attitude and that's what the selectors love. The boy is perpetual motion and gives everything every game.
Yeah - my only question-mark is whether they want him to get some matchplay given how many loose forward options they have.
If it wasn't a RWC year, I reckon Samipeni Finau might have been in the frame, as well. Not impossible that he is.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Steve said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring, so they'll give someone else a go who might bring more.
Regardless, I think Big Tamaiti will get picked - he's been outstanding and they're short on looseheads.
I think most likely, de Groot, Ross, Williams, Lomax, Ofa, Nepo - but, they might pick someone else instead of the latter two - and they might decide Williams is playing tighthead for the ABs.
On the loose forwards, I'm mainly wondering if they like Blackadder enough to take him without match play.
Won't surprise me if there are a couple of extras picked to "train with" or "injury cover" - Whitelock and Blackadder open that door for a start.
Blackadder will be there or there abouts all year. He has Allblack written all over him.
Has a super attitude and that's what the selectors love. The boy is perpetual motion and gives everything every game.
Yeah - my only question-mark is whether they want him to get some matchplay given how many loose forward options they have.
If it wasn't a RWC year, I reckon Samipeni Finau might have been in the frame, as well. Not impossible that he is.
Finau gives me serious Kaino and Collins optics when I watch him.....and I aint talking about skin tone.
The boy has a shoulder and he aint afraid to throw it about.
No scrag tackles in his repertoire. You're getting emptied.
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After Lio-Willie was so good on Friday, it might just have tipped things in his favour.
The way I see it, they'll pick seven loose forwards, three of whom are Ardie, Cane and Dalton. They could be absolutely anyone, and I wouldn't be surprised if anyone does/doesn't make it because it is that open - largely because the incumbents have either been injury-ravaged are just a bit shit for both the All Blacks and in Super Rugby this season.
Think the rest of the forwards more or less pick themselves with the only potential new cap Tamaiti Williams.
Third halfback will be Russian Roulette, I give each of Christie, Roigard and Fakatava a 33.33% chance of being selected.
Then I think they'll pick 10 across the back contingent. Battling for two places in my mind are Fainga'anuku, Narawa, Ennor & Procter... can't see them picking L Aumua, but he was there in their thinking last year.
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@Steve said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Mr-Fish Not bad.
I don't think Lio-Willie will make it and I'll be a little bit surprised (but not amazed) if Jacobson does.
I reckon they might do something like name Lord as injury cover for Whitelock, which would allow an extra loose forward - Akira, Blackadder and Sotutu.
Goodhue for Heem.
I seen Goodhue chasing a kick ahead in the semi final and it was like watching a bloke run in porridge.
The Goodhue/ALB combo from 2019 still gives me nightmares. So vanilla.
Be nice if he had a bit more pace - but, he's got a midfielder's brain.
ESPN tackles stats from Friday.
Jack made 25 missed 2.
Bryce made 7 missed 4.
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Heem and Riccitelli surely saw their slim All Black hopes shredded on Friday.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Steve said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Mr-Fish Not bad.
I don't think Lio-Willie will make it and I'll be a little bit surprised (but not amazed) if Jacobson does.
I reckon they might do something like name Lord as injury cover for Whitelock, which would allow an extra loose forward - Akira, Blackadder and Sotutu.
Goodhue for Heem.
I seen Goodhue chasing a kick ahead in the semi final and it was like watching a bloke run in porridge.
The Goodhue/ALB combo from 2019 still gives me nightmares. So vanilla.
Be nice if he had a bit more pace - but, he's got a midfielder's brain.
ESPN tackles stats from Friday.
Jack made 25 missed 2.
Bryce made 7 missed 4.
Fair point.
I feel like with him and ALB they won't lose us the World Cup, but they won't win it for us either......
And this one will take some winning.
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@friedrugby said in All Blacks 2023:
After Lio-Willie was so good on Friday, it might just have tipped things in his favour.
The way I see it, they'll pick seven loose forwards, three of whom are Ardie, Cane and Dalton. They could be absolutely anyone, and I wouldn't be surprised if anyone does/doesn't make it because it is that open - largely because the incumbents have either been injury-ravaged are just a bit shit for both the All Blacks and in Super Rugby this season.
Think the rest of the forwards more or less pick themselves with the only potential new cap Tamaiti Williams.
Third halfback will be Russian Roulette, I give each of Christie, Roigard and Fakatava a 33.33% chance of being selected.
Then I think they'll pick 10 across the back contingent. Battling for two places in my mind are Fainga'anuku, Narawa, Ennor & Procter... can't see them picking L Aumua, but he was there in their thinking last year.
Think I've washed my hands of Finlay Christie as an AB at this stage.
Not for me.
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I don't get the talk about Lio-Willie getting the nod. Surely it's too early for him and more importantly, surely he is too small.
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@Crazy-Horse Usual super rugby hype. This place especially is bizarre when it comes to selections.
Imagine if we had a selection panel on here? We'd have about 20 changes every test.
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@Steve I'm not too worried about a bit of a lack of flair in Jack or ALB - we've got no shortage of guys who can bust a game open around them. I like having a rock in the midfield - an ace defender with nice hands and plenty of brains will be helpful.
Pretty sure Jordie and Rieko will be the starting midfielders, Havili to come back - and we'll only take four to the Cup.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Steve I'm not too worried about a bit of a lack of flair in Jack or ALB - we've got no shortage of guys who can bust a game open around them. I like having a rock in the midfield - an ace defender with nice hands and plenty of brains will be helpful.
Pretty sure Jordie and Rieko will be the starting midfielders, Havili to come back - and we'll only take four to the Cup.
Agree. To borrow a basketball term we need a role player. Someone whois happy to do his core role and allow others around him to shine. ALB and Goodhue do this.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Steve I'm not too worried about a bit of a lack of flair in Jack or ALB - we've got no shortage of guys who can bust a game open around them. I like having a rock in the midfield - an ace defender with nice hands and plenty of brains will be helpful.
Pretty sure Jordie and Rieko will be the starting midfielders, Havili to come back - and we'll only take four to the Cup.
Agree. To borrow a basketball term we need a role player. Someone whois happy to do his core role and allow others around him to shine. ALB and Goodhue do this.
Finally, Reuben Thorne makes sense.
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@pakman good post
Feel I'm nitpicking but I think Weber makes it in front of Christie and Roigard, and then its a matter of incumbent or in form rookie...
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Steve I'm not too worried about a bit of a lack of flair in Jack or ALB - we've got no shortage of guys who can bust a game open around them. I like having a rock in the midfield - an ace defender with nice hands and plenty of brains will be helpful.
Pretty sure Jordie and Rieko will be the starting midfielders, Havili to come back - and we'll only take four to the Cup.
Agree. To borrow a basketball term we need a role player. Someone whois happy to do his core role and allow others around him to shine. ALB and Goodhue do this.
Or in music terms a Phil/Cliff/Malcolm type who does their job so Angus and Bon ( later on Brian ) can shine.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2023:
@booboo Christie in
Might head to paddy power and put money on Christie not making it.
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Is it Thursday yet? When is the team named?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2023:
@george33 said in All Blacks 2023:
@booboo Christie in
Might head to paddy power and put money on Christie not making it.
If I made a bet like that both Christie's would probably make it.
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@ACT-Crusader 7:30 pm NZT.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring
Laulala is the prop that if selected shows they are still too conservative. If he makes the test 23 it will be at Newell's expense.
I put Frizell in the same category for loose forwards. Time to move on.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Bovidae On the props - they could go two ways - either they decide Moody and Newell are both likely to be ready by RWC, so no need to develop more - or decide that they know what one or two of their experienced guys bring
Laulala is the prop that if selected shows they are still too conservative. If he makes the test 23 it will be at Newell's expense.
I put Frizell in the same category for loose forwards. Time to move on.
There's a few of the old guard might be watching nervously. Nepo would be just about number one on that list.
Fozzie surprised me last year with a few new names in his first team, so I'm wondering if he will again. I'm pretty much thinking Marc Hinton is on the money - except he's only picked 35 names. Add a loose forward - and he may have another wrong.
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I think that they should look to split the squad to maximise the opportunities for players to either perform, or be cut. Where possible, send one squad to Arg and then have another preparing for SA in Auckland. There can't be any crossover with the AB XV due to the dates of their games in Japan.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2023:
@pakman good post
Feel I'm nitpicking but I think Weber makes it in front of Christie and Roigard, and then its a matter of incumbent or in form rookie...
Roigard kicking game is outstanding. Far and away better than Smith. His running and passing is VG. He should be in the AB squad. In my view as the number 2 based on SR form. I'd like to see him start in one of the pre RWC games to see how he handles it
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Goodhue and LF are both leaving. Will they be included ?
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Has the squad leaked yet?
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