All Blacks 2024.. locked
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2024:
Is Tavatavanawai eligible ?
Probably from 2024.
He first came to NZ to play club rugby in 2017, but probably didn't spent enough time in NZ to make that year count towards his residency period (he still participated in tournaments in Fiji, in rugby and athletics) and played outside NZ for Fiji U20s twice (Oceania U20s and WR U20 Trophy). Possibly the same is the case for 2018.
He first played NPC for Ta$man in 2021, but assuming he spent enough time in NZ from 2019 (he played club rugby), those years probably do count towards his residency period. So counting from 2019, that's 5 years (at the end of this year).
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2024:
I can't wait to see what he does with Christie passing to DMac at five-eighth
If Christie is in Robertson's sights and gets picked, the Fern will go into meltdown. I might just invest in popcorn futures.
Hopefully David Havilli is first choice at second five too, they definitely need a change after Jordies physical presence, directness and all round skill set.
On a serious note, hoping Robertson does some equally serious work around the midfield.
Jordie's currently a serviceable, solid 12 who's starting to work well with Reiko but there's a lot of room for improvement/development. Sure, Foster was hit by injuries, but we need to get some options at 12/13 other than Havilli/ALB - luckily there's time and space to do that.
Riley Higgins for me is that guy. I’ve already said on a few occasions that he will be our 2nd five long term and will surpass Jordie if he gets enough opportunity. He’s shown the ability to get over the advantage line with his size but he’s also got a high rugby IQ and knows how to put other guys into space. Just needs more of a chance to show his quality at the next level. If he gets more chance at 12 or 13 look for him to have a season like Roigard did this year, even at such a raw age.
Jordie on the other hand has all the qualities to be a superb 12 for us but he’s renowned for making poor decisions when the pressure really ramps up, definitely not a natural 12.
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It's been a while since I have seen Higgins play, but I think I recall thinking he lacked a little pace. So assuming he doesn't have two left feet maybe 12 might be a better fit long term.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024:
It's been a while since I have seen Higgins play, but I think I recall thinking he lacked a little pace. So assuming he doesn't have two left feet maybe 12 might be a better fit long term.
Well I only saw him used on the wing for Welly this year and was surprised to see him there, especially after how talked up he gets, that he couldn't even get selected in the midfield.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2024:
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2024:
@Crazy-Horse not all of us, personally i find the obsession with experience over form frustrating
What if there is experience with form?
sure, ideally both, just not sure we've seen that much recently
@booboo said in All Blacks 2024:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2024:
I really hope that players are picked on form
I'd argue they should be picked on ability.
they have to be able to deliver on that though, what they can do on the training pitch means very little if they dont bring it game day
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024:
Way too early to see how Robertson's tenure will pan out, but keeping BB and other experienced players on board while developing other players is a logical approach as long as it's done right.
For me, the key thing is developing a deeper player pool than we have now for whatever game-plans the ABs have. If that means an uncomfortable loss or two in the first year or so, then so be it.
sure, that would be great, as long it is doesnt mean BB playing 65-70 min and then whom ever we're trying to build up getting 10-15 and then being discarded if they dont play like DC against the Lions
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2024:
The guy worth watching Meihana Grindlay like to see him get game time at 12 with Reiko outside him reminds me of a young Nonu
A young Nonu wasn't a 12's arsehole.
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@Bones that's because they went with the incumbent duo of PUJ and Proctor. Like Morgan, PUJ kept getting selected despite clearly not playing aswell as Higgins. (Same with Morgan/Clarke and Hauiti-Parapara/Preston)
I've talked to a few people in Petone and they've mentioned on more than one occasion that the Lions and Hurricanes don't want to rush Higgins at such a young age. My opinion on that is if he's good enough, he's old enough.
Two performances that stick out for me is when he ripped Auckland apart last year in the semi, and when he had that classy game against Canterbury earlier this year, running through both McLeod and Crotty, while setting up a couple tries.
His decision-making shits all over PUJ, and I was once a Umaga-Jensen fanboy.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2024:
The guy worth watching Meihana Grindlay like to see him get game time at 12 with Reiko outside him reminds me of a young Nonu
I think Grindlay is better suited to 2nd 5 as he isn't a great distributor, and hasn't been from 1st XV level. His strength is running hard and straight.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024:
@george33 said in All Blacks 2024:
The guy worth watching Meihana Grindlay like to see him get game time at 12 with Reiko outside him reminds me of a young Nonu
A young Nonu wasn't a 12's arsehole.
Harsh but true.
Makes his transformation even more incredible.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:
@george33 said in All Blacks 2024:
The guy worth watching Meihana Grindlay like to see him get game time at 12 with Reiko outside him reminds me of a young Nonu
I think Grindlay is better suited to 2nd 5 as he isn't a great distributor, and hasn't been from 1st XV level. His strength is running hard and straight.
if im honest i dont hate those qualities if we have someone like Jordie outside him, might get some front foot ball
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