All Blacks 2024
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What makes you think Pari Pari will be able to become an AB starter?
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I’m expecting Josh Lord to become the incumbent at 5. Fabian Holland to come in when available.
I’m expecting Vaai to come under pressure to remain in the squad.
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@DaGrubster he has the physical size but he needs to show the grunt and consistency. Lord is a bit of a rake but has the height on his side.
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@Blunders said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@DaGrubster he has the physical size but he needs to show the grunt and consistency. Lord is a bit of a rake but has the height on his side.
Lord has a lot more than that on his side. I doubt there's a huge difference in the size of these two. There is a stark difference between their skills and athleticism though.
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I will be surprised if Vai'i isn't still in AB squad, and doesn't start a few tests. I a huge fan of Holland, and think he will come through in 2025 when he becomes eligible, and Lord will be there next year as well. I also see Bell coming in at some stage at hooker ,probably a bench role , behind Taylor, Sami and maybe Aumua. I would also imagine Finau etc.Other loosies guess Blckadder, and Grace (though I not convinced he's got anything more than ball winning in lineouts as yet). 9 Roigard who is already in anyway, perhaps as I have said before if he goes as good at super as I think ,Hotham will be the newbie to join Christie and Fakatava? Rest of backs only a 10 will really be a newbie, and have no idea who as yet.
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@DaGrubster yeah unless you are picking guys solely on thier physical attributes, I've not seen anything from Parkinson that screams I am AB quality.
For me, if he can stay injury free, I think Lord will play a big role next year in black, he has the size and ability.
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Vaa'i will either flourish under Razor or exit the scene totally, I do wonder if shifting to 6 might suit his physique better than lock?
He's just one of those frustrating players with plenty of athleticism but it just doesn't quite translate to application on the field.
In regards to lock I'm hoping Lord kicks on and someone else puts their hand up during super rugby (including Vaa'i).
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
So 15 test matches looks likely next year with 8 of them against the other 4 teams in the top 5 - 6 away.
For a new coaching team and relatively new(ish) squad, I’m not sure if it is brave or stupid to have them such a schedule
I suspect Razor will have to select up to 45 ABs across 2024, picking the most debutants in a season for quite some time!
I'm not sure the squad will be all that radical and suspect/hope any changes to the current A team will be limited. Key for me is Robertson and co. getting their feet under the table, tweaking their game plans and starting to develop the wider squad.
The schedule looks a good mix to allow that to happen. A loss or two at this stage is fine.
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@Windows97 doesn't have the explosiveness I'd like to see in any AB 6.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@Windows97 doesn't have the explosiveness I'd like to see in any AB 6.
Agree 100%.
He’s like a brown Rueben Thorne from what I’ve seen.
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What are peoples thoughts on midfield? Any bolters? QT?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
What are peoples thoughts on midfield? Any bolters? QT?
If you’ve played for the ABs you’re not a bolter.
That young Riley Higgins from the canes looks ok
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@Windows97 doesn't have the explosiveness I'd like to see in any AB 6.
Agree 100%.
He’s like a brown Rueben Thorne from what I’ve seen.
He's defiantly not RT - was carrying the ball into traffic quite effectively for the Chiefs but that seemed to fall away once he was in the AB's. Maybe that's the gap between SR and internationals or he was asked to play a different role in the team - who knows.
I'm not a fan of his - he seems to be another one of these "athletic" players that never kicks on and as an AB's fan that's a pity.
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@Windows97 doesn't have the explosiveness I'd like to see in any AB 6.
Agree 100%.
He’s like a brown Rueben Thorne from what I’ve seen.
He's defiantly not RT - was carrying the ball into traffic quite effectively for the Chiefs but that seemed to fall away once he was in the AB's. Maybe that's the gap between SR and internationals or he was asked to play a different role in the team - who knows.
I'm not a fan of his - he seems to be another one of these "athletic" players that never kicks on and as an AB's fan that's a pity.
I must have missed all his athleticism.
Granted I last watched a Chiefs game about five years ago but I’ve seen pretty much all his AB efforts.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@DaGrubster yeah unless you are picking guys solely on thier physical attributes, I've not seen anything from Parkinson that screams I am AB quality.
For me, if he can stay injury free, I think Lord will play a big role next year in black, he has the size and ability.
i definitely thought early on he had the goods, his first game for the Highlanders he manhandling attackers at will and making good yards with ball in hand...hasnt kicked on but sometimes I wonder if some better coaching would sort that out
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Well we will generally pick a bigger squad for the RC etc than the RWC squad. We have about 10 players retired or moving on from AB contention.
The basis of the squad is there but as ever injuries etc will play a big part as well as Razor bringing in some players that were ignored previously and new players putting their hands up.
15 tests is a tough schedule which will inevitably require a pretty large base of players in the different squads we choose.
Exciting though, it’s a real baptism of fire for Razor and expect he will embrace the challenge
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I'm most excited about Telea. He was outstanding in France. Really hope he kicks on. The Jordie-Reiko combo also has huge potential even if Reiko is a better winger 😉
