All Blacks XV 2023

[SBW1]

@Stargazer Probably could have included a few more Crusaders.

[Stargazer]

@SBW1 Too many injured.

[ACT Crusader]

No Josh Dickson. Is he off overseas?

[Stargazer]

@ACT-Crusader I think he's going to Japan, but it's not officially confirmed, yet.

[ACT Crusader]

@FakatavaABXV lovin the name change 😉

By September will you be FakatavaHB….

[akan004]

Surprised that Dom Gardiner hasn't made the AB XV. Wasn't a fan of his initially but he impressed against Ireland A last year and was looking in good form in SR before he got injured.

[SBW1]

Even Tom Christie. I never really read too much into some of these squad announcements, especially with a final to play and even when a few more games are played, the equation soon changes. Players can play themselves into form or out of form. Some debutant players in either this squad or the All Black side may not workout, who knows?

[Tim]

I assume that for many of last year's AB XV players they had seen what they needed to, and this year are looking at some additional players. Others are there to get game time, or to keep them motivated.

[SBW1]

No Billy Harmon.

[Winger]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:

No Billy Harmon.

?

[Stargazer]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:

No Billy Harmon.

Literally the first loosie on the list:

Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon (28, Highlanders, Canterbury)

[Mr Fish]

@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:

Interesting that means Leon doesn't have much to do with the abs until half way through RC

Suspect he won't have much to do with the All Blacks until next year...

[gt12]

How the fuck does Sowakula make that team? He’s going going gone but must be closer than Sotutu to going to the WC.

When Sotutu signs overseas, this will be why.

What a massive fuck you this non-selection is.

[nostrildamus]

@gt12 said in All Blacks XV:

How the fuck does Sowakula make that team? He’s going going gone but must be closer than Sotutu to going to the WC.

When Sotutu signs overseas, this will be why.

What a massive fuck you this non-selection is.

I prefer Sotutu. I can see why they might not rate him for the ABs this year but he just has so many skills (like distribution) I still think he'd blossom under the right coaching.

[Bones]

@gt12 Throughout most of the campaign he'd really shown he can tighten up his game and be effective too. Another puzzling selection when you can see he'd offer at least as much as Frizzel.

I'd actually have gone Frizzel or Robinson over Strange.

[nostrildamus]

@Bones said in All Blacks XV:

I'd actually have gone Frizzel or Robinson over Strange.

Tom Robinson is a very entertaining player to watch and I love his energy, but maybe being a 6/lock with injury issues didn't help him nail down a clear USP for either.

[Jailbreak7]

@nostrildamus He was very good in the QF not so effective (much like the entire team) in the semi.

[Steve]

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks XV:

@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:

Interesting that means Leon doesn't have much to do with the abs until half way through RC

Suspect he won't have much to do with the All Blacks until next year...

I don't think he should be involved at all going forward.........not for me.

His teams look headless.

[Jailbreak7]

On the Aumuas....
Asafo has been a tornado for the Canes, and it irks me and must be annoying for him that he has to bide his time until Coles stands down/retires. But surely if he maintains his form he would take that third hooker spot.
Fo Levi, once he gets to the Crusaders and nails down a starting berth, hopefully he will come into the reckoning for Razor in 24. Ok, it doesn't help him this year, but he just needs to maintain focus.

[Bones]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks XV:

@Bones said in All Blacks XV:

I'd actually have gone Frizzel or Robinson over Strange.

Tom Robinson is a very entertaining player to watch and I love his energy, but maybe being a 6/lock with injury issues didn't help him nail down a clear USP for either.

Both tend to play better at lock, oddly.