All Blacks 2023
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Geez this hype about Blackadder is OTT. He's played 9 tests 2 years ago which included the likes of Fiji, Tonga C, the USA etc. played about 35 Super Rugby games in 7 seasons yet somehow has this rep of being one of the first names on the teamsheet every time an ABs squad is about to be named. I think he had 1 good test against SA in Townsville, and was solid, without being spectacular in the rest of his outings in Black.
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I'm probably the biggest Finau cheerleader on this site, bit i can see why he didn't get picked
He's super inexperienced, as recently as this season he was still a bench player for the Chiefs. And because he hasn't racked up big minutes, i don't think he's fit enough for lots of test rugby yet. If he goes now, and has to play 3 play off games in a row (in a perfect world) i don't know how he is going to go.
He's a good raw talent with the right physical and metal attributes, but i think the World Cup was a year early for him.
That being said, we are desperately short of guys like him in NZ rugby. Most are too small (hybrid 7s like every loose forward we selected), or too slow (small locks). Or we've never been able to unlock their potential when they do have the physical gifts.
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@mariner4life All of that is true, but the most important part is 'desperately short'. We need that type of player if we are going to pick Cane (or Dalton) and Savea. So whether Finau is ready or not, I think we know Jacobsen and Dalton - as good as they are - will never be ready to be that player. The other option is to change other players to fix the balance, but I think we know Foster is not going to do that. At the very least Finau should have played against the boks, and should have been training with the squad ahead of a winger - but that's been done to death.
Akira and Luatua are two big missed opportunities, for whatever reason. could even include Fifita and Sowakula in that too I guess. -
Luatua wasn't wanted for some ungodly reason
I know why they wanted Fifita, incredibly gifted, but they couldn't get the balance right. Akira very similar. PGS should never have been picked.
I am very interested in what the side looks like next year.
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See here.
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Everyone: The All Blacks and the Wallabies are shit now and have shit players
Crusaders Fans: The Crusaders are fucking awesome because they beat NZ and Aus teams.
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@mariner4life
You can only beat who they put in front of you,Short memory they also beat SA teams and the Argentine side who had a great number of test players in it. lol. -
How many games did the Crusaders lose this year?
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Everyone: The All Blacks and the Wallabies are shit now and have shit players
Except that not everyone is saying that. I think the majority of people would disagree with the bolded bit.
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not if you read an AB game thread you wouldn't
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
How many games did the Crusaders lose this year?
And how many injuries did they have?
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dunno, how many?
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@mariner4life Haha.
Awful analysis, incorrect conclusions, zero insight
Wrong about pretty much everything
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@mariner4life
I think they won the title, play off is all that counts remember,It does not matter if the ABs lose to France all about the 3 games at the end according to some Ferners
All about the trophy History remembers who won .
Crusaders success really does twist up some people I love it. -
which trophies did the ABs not win?
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2023:
Crusaders success really does twist up some people I love it.
and no it doesn't. I don't care, they are fucking good when it matters, all power to them.
the overwhelming smug of supporters who have absolutely zilch to do with that success however does make me laugh
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2023:
Luatua wasn't wanted for some ungodly reason
I know why they wanted Fifita, incredibly gifted, but they couldn't get the balance right. Akira very similar. PGS should never have been picked.
I am very interested in what the side looks like next year.
Him coming out and saying he didn’t like playing as a tight forward was probably a career limiting move
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Yeah you are up set by their success,Standing out like dogs balls.
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If the All Blacks do call up Blackadder you have to question what role Luke Jacobson has
This seems to be the selectors current preferences by position
6 - Shannon, Barrett, Papali'i, Jacobson
7 - Cane, Papali'i, Jacobson
8 - Savea, JacobsonIf Blackadder does get added doesn't he slot in ahead of Jacobson in every position?
