All Blacks 2023

[reprobate]

Christie isn' a bad player, I like him but wouldn't pick him as he's just so different in style to Smith that it makes no sense selecting him because the whole game changes in your key decision-making positions. Same was true of Perenara of course.

[canefan]

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2023:

Christie isn' a bad player, I like him but wouldn't pick him as he's just so different in style to Smith that it makes no sense selecting him because the whole game changes in your key decision-making positions. Same was true of Perenara of course.

Not sure it's fair to TJP to compare him to Christie....

[Dan54]

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2023:

Christie isn' a bad player, I like him but wouldn't pick him as he's just so different in style to Smith that it makes no sense selecting him because the whole game changes in your key decision-making positions. Same was true of Perenara of course.

I think perhaps it's why they pick him? If you want to play a different style? I also think Roigard is pretty different style too.

[kiwiinmelb]

@canefan said in All Blacks 2023:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2023:

Christie isn' a bad player, I like him but wouldn't pick him as he's just so different in style to Smith that it makes no sense selecting him because the whole game changes in your key decision-making positions. Same was true of Perenara of course.

Not sure it's fair to TJP to compare him to Christie....

I had concerns over TJp in his early years , seemed a bit loose between the ears

[reprobate]

@Dan54 In theory sure, but I don't see it in this case - we don't use our 2nd half back to change tactics if things aren't going well. In fact we use our bench really poorly and tend to lose continuity.

[Victor Meldrew]

@reprobate

I think he's OK closing out a game and his D is excellent, but he struggles starting at 9.

Not that it's likely, but would be interesting to see Christie starting behind the A pack. He got a lot of stick from Bled 2 but the forwards were pretty much under the pump in the first 20.

[pakman]

I didn't watch carefully on Saturday, but in Pumas game it was noticeable that Christie's was several yards behind the gain line, whilst Nuggie's is often right on it.

[Tim]

Rieko Ioane's 'traditional' midfield work flying under the radar

The speedster's instincts and feel for the game have developed to align with the demands of the position well.

[Tim]

Jordie Barrett details physical transformation for midfield shift

At 1.96 metres tall, Barrett offered plenty of size for the position but his frame had more to give, and so he went about adding some bulk.

[reprobate]

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2023:

@reprobate

I think he's OK closing out a game and his D is excellent, but he struggles starting at 9.

Not that it's likely, but would be interesting to see Christie starting behind the A pack. He got a lot of stick from Bled 2 but the forwards were pretty much under the pump in the first 20.

He's not a bad player, and I agree his defence is very good and he can close out games if we're ahead. But I care about attack and want an option on the bench that either fits in to the rapid style seamlessly, or adds something / gives us a different approach if we're in trouble. At some point we're likely to be behind with 20 to go, and Foster will bring Christie on, and our chances of winning will diminish because a good defensive player isn't always what is required, plus slower service making it harder for others to attack. Not just Christie either, I reckon our use of the bench has become really ordinary.

[sparky]

Confirmation that Beauden Barrett has an ongoing Achilles problem.

[Bones]

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2023:

D is excellent

Not sure I buy that.

He seems to be a very good tackler for a halfback, but that doesn't necessarily make him an excellent defender.

[kiwiinmelb]

@Tim said in All Blacks 2023:

Jordie Barrett details physical transformation for midfield shift

At 1.96 metres tall, Barrett offered plenty of size for the position but his frame had more to give, and so he went about adding some bulk.

A little while back, we were trying to guess his weight,

105 kgs

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones

I re-watched the last 20 mins of the Bokke Test and thought his anticipation and tackling were both very good. Sadly, almost the opposite of his anticipation on attack and his speed of passing...

I'd prefer Weber - or Roigard with a few games under his belt - though

[Machpants]

We really want to speed up the game last twenty, esp versus sides which are all big units. There's is a reason they ask try to slow down every set piece. So we should have our fastest 9, or at least second fastest finish. Pick up the pace, ABs still have a fitness edge imo

[Machpants]

Good on him
https://fb.watch/mlFZUAJzal/

[Bones]

Wasn't aware of that - could well be a driver for ducking out early on the ABs.

[Mr Fish]

2023 may be just a warm-up ahead of Tonga's big Rugby World Cup charge

it’s not impossible to imagine a trio of All Blacks starring for New Zealand in 2023 and then for Tonga in 2027.

[SBW1]

My feeling is that Razor will try to change eligibilty rules and get someone like Richie back for the All Blacks if that is the case he could indeed go on to be a great in the 10 jersey. The island nations will be stronger not only in this World Cup, also in the future.

[mariner4life]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2023:

My feeling is that Razor will try to change eligibilty rules and get someone like Richie back for the All Blacks if that is the case he could indeed go on to be a great in the 10 jersey. The island nations will be stronger not only in this World Cup, also in the future.

I hate everything about this post

No to change the rules.

And no to players just moving to play for other nations just because they've taken the cash elsewhere