All Blacks 2024
-
I was not a big fan of Tupou Vaa'i last year and have been a bit disappointed how he's come on since his debut back in 2020 but I think he's actually been very impressive for the Chiefs this year. His link play, in particular, has been very strong and I think he'd operate very well under the systems Scott Robertson employed at the Crusaders. His lineout work has always been a strength but question marks probably still remain around his physicality and his ability to clean rucks, especially at Test level - but that's the case for Patrick Tuipulotu (and frankly every lock left in the country that isn't Scott Barrett) too.
I don't yet think Vaa'i will be the next Brodie Retallick/Sam Whitelock, but I'm more optimistic about his prospects now than I was this time last year.
-
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Barrett and Whitelock mark two...
Sweet! That's probably at least our 4th best pairing in the last decade. Hashtag highaspirations
We can only dream of finding a locking combo that will reach peak Rettalick/Whitelock in the next 10-20 years and probably even longer.
I really think Holland and Lord could get close to that level. Fabian Holland is a freak of an athlete. If he was playing for the Blues or Crusaders, the media would be all over it.
How so ?
The way he moves at his size is not something you often see in rugby. Watching Whitelock, Retallick, Lord etc. - most locks, particularly those over 2m and it looks somewhat awkward and lumbery.
Holland however moves and runs like someone a good few inches shorter though, which makes him a very dynamic.
He is already good enough to play for the All Blacks, and I think it is bizarre that often when people say we have no locks, that they don't mention the fact Holland is there, and will pretty much walk straight into the All Blacks matchday 23 once available.
Ok, keen to see more of him then.
I always found it frustrating other freak athletic locks like Flavell and Boric didn’t kick on as much as they should have.
The ABs got some good milage out of Ali Williams though.
-
Did you weigh him recently?
-
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think he'd operate very well under the systems Scott Robertson employed at the Crusaders
I guess he's a tiny level up on Strange. Still think his best position would be as a wide ranging blindside.
-
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
There was a try he (Holland) scored against Manawatu as a 19 or 20 year old; where he took a low pass, threw one out to Haig, backed up, carried the ball in two hands, fed a supporting player, then took the off-load to score. Add that skillset to what he does in his core responsibilities, he is a freak of a lock. Razor was pretty clear from the Breakdown preview show that he is keen. Wilson nominated him as the Highlander to watch and Robertson jumped in there saying he isn't eligible until next year. Unless hebis injured, he is in that post Super Rugby 2025 AB squad
Just had a look at his Highlanders profile, seems to have put on weight, Christ 124kg is rare for someone who's only 21, that's heavier than all the NZ franchise locks except for Tuipulotu and Parkinson, and those guys are fully developed...
-
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Darry has the frame and is playing well. Depends on if he can maintain his standards through the rest of SR.
Still only 23 years old
Got the frame, but still too light at 110 kg.
We had this conversation a couple of months ago. The number is out of date. Someone said he’s 117kg.. even that seems a little low when you look at him compared to other players
-
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Did you weigh him recently?
Did you?
Just going off the Blues website. -
@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
-
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
I think more 'honesty doesn't have it's place with media'. Media suck. They grab any snippet they can for a headline.
Same way as a coach you don't critique your team to the media, you have to choose what you say and to whom. It sucks, but that is life. He knew (or should ahve known) it would cause a kerfuffle ... so the choice is that it was deliberate, or he is not as smart as we thought he was.
-
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
I think more 'honesty doesn't have it's place with media'. Media suck. They grab any snippet they can for a headline.
Same way as a coach you don't critique your team to the media, you have to choose what you say and to whom. It sucks, but that is life. He knew (or should ahve known) it would cause a kerfuffle ... so the choice is that it was deliberate, or he is not as smart as we thought he was.
Don't disagree at all and it is bloody sad. But calling for people to say certain things in the media is exactly the sort of thing that gives voice to those wanting to shout others down. Something that I thought @winger was against.
-
England won't be scared of aura
How England can take advantage of transitional All Blacks
England are a team on the up and the All Blacks are in a significant transition.
-
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
Or, as an NZR rugby senior employee, don't belittle their product.
I hope the new top dog for SRP has the ability to get this point through loud and clear to people like Robertson who still don't get this. Super rugby should be sold as the best there is. With the emphasis on the outstanding quality of players still involved. Not all the focus on players who have left. Where Robertson's attention seems to be at present (and we can't blame the media for this). It doesn't help that the 2 who he is or was keen to get back are both ex Crusader players. Are we going to have more of this crap come selection time.
If he does want to get his old Crusader mates back do this behind the scenes. Or better still just let it go
-
I not quite sure what all the angst is, though I haven't read all articles on what Razor has or has not said.
All I have heard (not read) was Razor saying a few weeks back on Breakdown is "I have just asked for everyone to keep an open mind on selection polocy" . I seem to recall he said he wasn't calling for it, and reiterated he wants NZR etc to keep open mind.
I not saying there haven't been articles saying different or anything, bit I must admit to being a bit susoicious of many articles these days as seems with internet some reporters etc do like a sensational type article. -
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Barrett and Whitelock mark two...
Sweet! That's probably at least our 4th best pairing in the last decade. Hashtag highaspirations
We can only dream of finding a locking combo that will reach peak Rettalick/Whitelock in the next 10-20 years and probably even longer.
I really think Holland and Lord could get close to that level. Fabian Holland is a freak of an athlete. If he was playing for the Blues or Crusaders, the media would be all over it.
How so ?
The way he moves at his size is not something you often see in rugby. Watching Whitelock, Retallick, Lord etc. - most locks, particularly those over 2m and it looks somewhat awkward and lumbery.
Holland however moves and runs like someone a good few inches shorter though, which makes him a very dynamic.
He is already good enough to play for the All Blacks, and I think it is bizarre that often when people say we have no locks, that they don't mention the fact Holland is there, and will pretty much walk straight into the All Blacks matchday 23 once available.
Agree, I been singing Holland's praise for a couple of years, and have said (and stick by it) that I can see him becoming one of the great locks in the game. There is almost nothing I don't like about his game, and thing I like most is my old bug bear, he has incredible workrate if oyu watch his games properly.
-
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
.Vaa'i has been tried and failed, so they could stick with him, but still doesn't give you a big 2m+ lock... curious to see what they do.
I don't go along with this comment mate. I don't think Vaa'i has failed.
He hasn'tkicked open the door as yet, but far from a failure. I will be almightily surprised if he doesn't make ABs this season. -
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
There will be a much better 10 who emerges before the next world cup.
Mo'unga has a win percentage of 70% as an AB 10.
So less than the AB's historical average?
