All Blacks 2024
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Sotutu 8, Savea 7 is an option
I'm a big fan of picking your best players in their best position. Ardie is arguably the best 8 in the world right now and he hasn't played 7 for yonks. Covering 7 in an emergency or when replacements come on is fine, but leave his prime position at 8 where he's best.
In Japan he has been playing most of his games at 7.
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I agree with a lot of those selections and thoughts on most of the players.
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In addition to the above, the 7 loosies that I think will be selected for the All Blacks XV are:
- Brayden Iose (Hurricanes)
- Billy Harmon (Highlanders)
- Devan Flanders (Hurricanes)
- Brad Shields (Hurricanes)
- Luke Jacobsen (Chiefs)
- Cullen Grace (Crusaders)
- Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
This shows we have great depth in NZ atm.
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just so i am clear, it is your contention that, of the 13 best loose forwards in the country (plus one overseas), 5 of them are currently at the Hurricanes, 2 of them are at the Blues, 2 of them are at the Chiefs, 3 of them are at the Crusaders, and 1 is at the Highlanders?
And you are convinced that the coaches will also see what you see?
Just so i am clear
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@mariner4life yes, that's how I see it right now based on the form of players atm. I saw it quite differently at the start of the season and I will probably see it differently towards the end of the season as players get put under pressure come playoff time. If you see my initial post there are now 15 players, I've included Renton and Sititi aswell.
Just to be clear on the above, it's essentially a list of players I think Razor should go for, not necessarily what he will actually pick. For example someone like Grace who I don't think warrants selection might actually have a very high chance based on what Razor's said about him previously.
What this does show is that there is plenty of depth in our loose forward stocks atm, definitely not an area we should be worried about.
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My main concern is our lack of depth at 10. Getting BB back now appears to be a masterstroke by razor as the vast, echoing expanse from DMac to the next best cab off the ranks is now reaching grand canyon proportions.
No-one has really put their hand up this year which is dissapointing.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Worked for Frizzell and Mo'unga and the loyalty paid off at RWC.
No it fucking didn't. The flake returned to his flake ways and we all lost money.
Yeah, one OKish game in his entire AB career and then fucked off overseas. That coupled with his assault charges makes him one of the worst investments any AB coach has made in a player.
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@No-Quarter I dunno - TTT has repaid years of selection in AB camps and coaching under arguably our best ever halfback by bursting his way into the Chiefs development team.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I'd wager Tom Christie is a better chance to make the ABs than some of those Hurricanes loose forwards.
If we name Blackadder (6), Christie (7) and Grace (8) I’m going to open a bottle of wine and enjoy the shit fight here.
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
My main concern is our lack of depth at 10.
I was concerned to read last week that using Havili as the backup 1st 5 for the Crusaders was after conversations with the AB coaches.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I was concerned to read last week that using Havili as the backup 1st 5 for the Crusaders was after conversations with the AB coaches.
If the AB's are serious about him covering ten he needs to start there for the Crusaders in a few games. That would make more sense to happen before Burke gets back
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
My main concern is our lack of depth at 10.
I was concerned to read last week that using Havili as the backup 1st 5 for the Crusaders was after conversations with the AB coaches.
That's truely horrifying, nothing against Havili - he's only doing what he's been asked to do but my goodness. Is the cupboard really that bare??
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Is the cupboard really that bare??
Probably?
McKenzie & Barrett will be in the squad
3rd spot is likely between Perofeta and Cameron. Neither is demanding selection. After that you're into the utilities Havili & Plummer
Also you have to think about what happens if there's a couple of injuries. We're two injuries away from having to take big risks at 10
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Not really, we have five players available who have been capped and play first five, including three of the top four from recent AB squads.
One of those should be nowhere near an AB team, but the others are all reasonable choices. Dmac should be easily the first choice. We are fine.
Add in Plummer, Love, and even Burke (if available for this year) and we aren’t in bad shape.
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In reality, we have only lost Mo’unga and (soon) Burke.
Ioane is the player who I suggested should be nowhere near the frame, however he is still here and is available.
But not counting him we still have arguably the player who should have been at 10 last year anyway, and at least one acceptable backup.
We are in the year(s) early to bring through new options so I think we want an extra space to trial players.
I’m not 100% against Havili there but I think we have at least three who are reasonable other choices.
I’m not concerned about 10, anyway. I’m much more worried about lock, 9, backup midfield.
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Just to follow up, doesn’t it seem strange that Burke is leaving now? He has a clear run at the jersey that has provided the AB10 for most of the last 20 years, with a coach that knows him.
My speculation is that he knew that Razor would be pushing to get overseas players selected and saw himself getting squeezed out. Either that or he got the quiet word?
In other news, I also saw chat this week on social media that Sullivan could be a target for the Saders for next year. Apparently off contract.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
My speculation is that he knew that Razor would be pushing to get overseas players selected and saw himself getting squeezed out. Either that or he got the quiet word?
It's not that shocking of a situation
With Barrett and DMac still around Burke is at best pushing for the 3rd string AB 10 spot.
There's also the real possibility Mo'unga returns during the World Cup cycle.
Given all of the above plus Burke having a significant injury so is barely playing Super Rugby this year it's hardly surprising he has taken big money overseas plus still has the ability to play international rugby with either England or Scotland.
