All Blacks 2023

[Victor Meldrew]

@Steve said in All Blacks 2023:

Surely his omission would be for either political or "character" reasons.

If rumours are correct on how he managed the step-up last year, they will be wary of a repeat, I guess.

[Dan54]

No good me guessing at this stage, I do think there will be thought if it better to see a couple of players in ABvx rather than only having bit parts in test teams?

[Mattasaurus]

Concerned about loosies... Savea and Cane and then who? so many have had multiple opportunities and not really taken them. Frizzel, Akira, Sotutu, should all be sweating bullets ( unfair to include Blackadder with those 3 but he has had so little rugby it may actually count for him) -- Paps and Jacobson I think have done enough - really don't think we lose anything by taking a , Finau, or Lio-willi and see how they go.

[Tim]

Is the AB XV announced at the same time?

[Bovidae]

@Tim said in All Blacks 2023:

Is the AB XV announced at the same time?

I believe so. That's a lot of names to read out.

[sparky]

I miss the days when reporters used to stalk out airports ahead of AB squad announcements.

[Bones]

@Mattasaurus Sotutu has never disappointed at AB level, people have short memories eh! Hence the weird recent love for Lio-Willie. People would be calling for Havili-Talitui if Razor had selected him instead.

I don't see what Lio-Willie brings that Cane, Savea, Papalii, Blackadder don't. 4 opensides that can play elsewhere is enough.

[Victor Meldrew]

@sparky

Used to be live under the stands at Athletic Park. Players heard their fate at the same time as everyone else. Some things have improved.

[Tim]

Liam Napier's Sunday predictions:

Shaun Stevenson: Will he make the squad - Highly likely
Cameron Roigard: Will he make the squad - Likely
Tamaiti Williams: Will he make the squad - Highly likely
Levi Aumua: Will he make the squad - Unlikely
Samipeni Finau: Will he make the squad - Unlikely
Emoni Narawa: Will he make the squad - Possible

Possible All Blacks squad
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tuungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala

Hookers: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles

Locks: Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu, Luke Jacobson

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Cam Roigard

First-five: Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie

Midfield: Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Braydon Ennor

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Shaun Stevenson, Leicester Fainga’anuku

[sparky]

@Tim Looks about right. Foster might well go with Christie and Jack Goodhue though.

[Stargazer]

@sparky Josh?

[sparky]

@Stargazer Sorry Jack.

[Crazy Horse]

@Bones said in All Blacks 2023:

@Mattasaurus Sotutu has never disappointed at AB level, people have short memories eh! Hence the weird recent love for Lio-Willie. People would be calling for Havili-Talitui if Razor had selected him instead.

I don't see what Lio-Willie brings that Cane, Savea, Papalii, Blackadder don't. 4 opensides that can play elsewhere is enough.

Yeah it wasn't long ago a few posters were saying the Highlanders ended up with the better loosies after Lio-Willie switched to the Saders. He is doing the job asked of him at the Saders. Doesn't mean he should be an AB.

[Tim]

Not long to go now. The squad will be named on The Breakdown. Hopefully around 7.35pm. So you've got a few minutes to do the dishes.

[Toddy]

Akira dropped?

[Toddy]

Can't stand that they've picked Shannon

[Stargazer]

Can't stand that they've picked Christie over Weber.

[Tim]

Shaun Stevenson has been added as injury cover for Mark Telea for the start of the Rugby Championship.

[Victor Meldrew]

Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Ennor - some people wont be happy...
Leicester, Tamitu Williams - Some will

[sparky]

Who's in? Who's out?