All Blacks 2023
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Interesting they appear to rate Christie ahead of Weber at half-back. Would have thought the Weber-DMac combination was a no-brainer. Also surprised at Goodhue being dropped back to the XV squad. His combination with Ennor has been special. Lastly, why leave Stevenson out? He seems to me a perfect fit for test rugby - an X-factor player who makes few mistakes.
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The more I look at this squad the more average it looks. I think our top 23 will compete with the very best but if we get injuries we are definitely in trouble.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2023:
The more I look at this squad the more average it looks. I think our top 23 will compete with the very best but if we get injuries we are definitely in trouble.
Halfback and second five are issues. Wonder if JB or ALB starts? JB has been poor for me and the combo of him and Reiko makes me nervous.
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@Mattasaurus Been Foster's men.
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What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence. He's defended well all year, 500 times better than Telea.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2023:
Several hilarious selections.
It called "being bold".
Looking at both the AB & AB VX squads feeding into the RWC selection, and taking into account players coming back from injury, it makes more sense.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2023:
Interesting! I see Zarn is the best kicker for the Blues! 100%! (It's quality not quantity as the bishop said to the actress)...
Not always
A 50% kicker who’s played 20 games that season is more valuable to the team than a 100% kicker who played four times
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2023:
What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence.
Jordan isn't a great defender at fullback, so it will be interesting to see if he gets a go in that position.
I expect that BB gets another lifeline in the no.15 jersey so Jordan plays on the right wing.
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@Donsteppa They had the same critisim of James Lowes regarding defence but like Stephenson possesses a massive kicking game but i reckon Stephenson is better in the air and has more gas
International rugby is about defusing high kicks , and a little bit of game management with a big boot added in plus some offloading X factor and pace goes a long way. -
TBF, he said SS has come a long way and wants him near the squad. Pretty clear they rate him highly and want to work with him on the issues they see.
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@Stargazer it says Tyrone Thompson as assigned to Wellington? Is that just a typo or is he coming back here?
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Cool your jets
There’s a LOT of rugby to be played before facing France
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@Canes4life No, it's a mistake. He was stoked with his move to the Magpies after last season. Not just because he was back home, but also because he got lots of game time. No way he'll return to Wellington, sitting on the bench because Aumua gets the starts.
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@MiketheSnow Yeah, I expect a different squad to be named for the RWC. Some who are missing from this ABs squad will get in; several others will drop out.
