All Blacks 2023
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2023:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
My thinking is that he's the incumbent 15 - and that's where he will start off. If he's not there, in my mind he won't make the 23 because Mo'unga and DMac have both very clearly been much better at 10 than him this year.
Remember the hookers last year? I won't be in the last bit surprised if Barrett starts and DMac is lucky to make the bench.
And I expect @Victor-Meldrew to goddamn love every second of it if it happens.
I think the Beaudy vs Richie contest got decided decisively last year for Fozzie and if he had any thought of regressing, last weekend would have stomped all over that.
I guess there's a chance of DMac surpassing Richie if he brings something they desperately want in their first five - but, I can't see it happening this close to the RWC.
Codie Taylor has been very good this year and bears watching, though!
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@Kiwiwomble yeah for all the talk of Friz and Finau being similar players, there's a huge difference in impact on both sides of the ball. Easy to say he's holding back, but then evidence says he's doing that at AB level too.
Same for BB. Feel free to hold back in super, but I'd prefer he hadn't been doing it in test matches for the last couple of years.
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
i have to add...we've been here before i feel, they pick some new players for the squad...but in our hearts we know that frizell will start and if he doesn't it will be scooter, BB will be 15, jordan and clark on the wings, these new guys might get a cap here of there just to lock them in but short of injuries they wont get much game time
I'll be extremely surprised if Scooter isn't their starting 6 - unless one of the big locks get injured.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
i have to add...we've been here before i feel, they pick some new players for the squad...but in our hearts we know that frizell will start and if he doesn't it will be scooter, BB will be 15, jordan and clark on the wings, these new guys might get a cap here of there just to lock them in but short of injuries they wont get much game time
I'll be extremely surprised if Scooter isn't their starting 6 - unless one of the big locks get injured.
you're right, i only mean to say that actual change is unlikely
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2023:
I reckon Frizell has looked good this season especially when he played at lock.
I’m hoping they give Finau a crack at starting - don’t mind if it’s the Boks or Argies.
I think Barrett might start at lock for the first couple of tests at least.
I didn't watch much of the Highlanders and when I did Frizell was mainly playing lock and winning his lineout ball as a primary target - so Fozzie would have liked that.
When he's played his best games for the ABs he's basically been hitting the ball up, one off the ruck and recycling - not pretty, but he does it effectively. Gets to the gain line, draws defenders and rarely gets turned over.
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
these new guys might get a cap here of there just to lock them in
I don't believe this for a second.
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@Kiwiwomble Sounds right - I didn't watch much of the Highlanders and only towards the end.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nick Bishop on the money again, but I think the real question is who should be back up? IN that case DMac at 23 and Beaudy Left Right Out Half
You need a free account to read, and watch The Professors excellent video
DMac has shown far better form in SR this year, coupled with a strong showing on tour at the end of last year. BB's play has fallen off a cliff by comparison
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nick Bishop on the money again, but I think the real question is who should be back up? IN that case DMac at 23 and Beaudy Left Right Out Half
You need a free account to read, and watch The Professors excellent video
DMac has shown far better form in SR this year, coupled with a strong showing on tour at the end of last year. BB's play has fallen off a cliff by comparison
dont forget though, he was world player of the year....6 years ago....so there is that
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nick Bishop on the money again, but I think the real question is who should be back up? IN that case DMac at 23 and Beaudy Left Right Out Half
You need a free account to read, and watch The Professors excellent video
DMac has shown far better form in SR this year, coupled with a strong showing on tour at the end of last year. BB's play has fallen off a cliff by comparison
dont forget though, he was world player of the year....6 years ago....so there is that
I'm a big BB fan. But he's never been the same since he moved north just saying....
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:
I'm a big BB fan. But he's never been the same since he moved north just saying....
He was going down hill before he left (since 2017 on. He was brilliant at times in 2015) But never as bad as last WE. Blues (or aging) have been bad for him.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2023:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nick Bishop on the money again, but I think the real question is who should be back up? IN that case DMac at 23 and Beaudy Left Right Out Half
You need a free account to read, and watch The Professors excellent video
DMac has shown far better form in SR this year, coupled with a strong showing on tour at the end of last year. BB's play has fallen off a cliff by comparison
dont forget though, he was world player of the year....6 years ago....so there is that
I'm a big BB fan. But he's never been the same since he moved north just saying....
so am i in general....but i do get more judgy when players seem to get treated like they can do no wrong....like we're not watching them and seeing it isn't true, his form has dropped or at least plateaued and yet the AB's still think he's untouchable
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2023:
Nick Bishop on the money again, but I think the real question is who should be back up? IN that case DMac at 23 and Beaudy Left Right Out Half
You need a free account to read, and watch The Professors excellent video
Nice article - because it agrees with me - but, way more analysis on the minutiae of Richie's play.
About the only think Nick Bishop has missed is analysis of the "thumb grip"! (2003 called and wants its joke back!).