All Blacks 2024

[Frank]

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

Plummer would be someone I wouldn't mind starting to hold down the fort as a stopgap option if everyone else was struck down by injury, but I don't see a massive upside to having him in the squad when now is the prime time to start preparing for the future. Millar has probably performed the best of the young 10s, so I wouldn't be completely blown away if he does get a surprise call-up.

Plummer is only 25, has actually played well, and can develop further given more time in the position.
Millar looks nothing more than an unproven journeyman at this stage.

[canefan]

@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

@cgrant said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

Reece is small but stocky. He is punching far above his weight (and height).

Not his head size though. Biggest melon since Zinzan Brooke. If him and McKenzie take the field at the same time it might affect the moons orbit.

Yeah it always surprises me when I see he's 179cm, which isn't really short. A good proportion of that has gotta be dome.

Makes him harder to legally tackle...

[KiwiMurph]

I was hoping Fakatava's poor decision making was linked to getting limited minutes under Aaron Smith and trying too hard to impress.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be improving even when he has regular starts.

He may be given a lifeline and we haven't seen much of him at test level as perhaps he would up his game in black but hard to argue if he is left out.

[Tim]

The Super Rugby final is on the 22nd of June. The first test against England is two weeks later.

If Lomax isn't available then who replaces him?

If Aumua isn't available then who is third hooker?

If Scott Barrett isn't available then who are the locks?

[gt12]

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

The Super Rugby final is on the 22nd of June. The first test against England is two weeks later.

If Lomax isn't available then who replaces him?

Newell

If Aumua isn't available then who is third hooker?

Bell

If Scott Barrett isn't available then who are the locks?

Has to be Strange, already has at least one card this year for being a deadshit so likely meets the criteria.

[Tim]

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

Bell

Shouldn't be anywhere near the ABs.

[Tim]

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

Newell

Won't he already be in the squad?

[gt12]

@Tim

Then, Franks I suppose

[Tim]

Official 32 man squad:

(squad size conformed)

de Groot
Tu'ungufasi
Lomax
Newell
Numia/Williams
Taylor
Taukei'aho
Aumua
S Barrett
Tuipulotu
Vaai
Papalii
Savea
Finau
Sotutu
Ioane
Jacobson
Perenara
Christie
Ratima
McKenzie
Perofeta
B Barrett
J Barrett
R Ioane
Proctor
Lienert-Brown
Clarke
Telea
Reece
Narawa
Love

Personally, I would not bother with Jacobson, and only have three wings. Pick an extra tighthead and lock.

Availability questions over Lomax, Williams, Aumua, S Barrett, Finau.

Lakai, Darry potential bolters.

[Bones]

@Tim reckon Robertson with a plan to get Perofeta back to his form from a season or two ago? I'd prefer to see him reward this year's form and go with Plummer.

[Tim]

23 for England

1 de Groot
2 Taylor
3 Lomax
4 S Barrett
5 Tuipulotu
6 Finau
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Perenara
10 McKenzie
11 Clarke
12 J Barrett
13 R Ioane
14 Telea
15 Love

16 Aumua
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Newell
19 Vaa'i
20 Sotutu
21 Christie
22 B Barrett
23 Lienert-Brown

Questions over nines, wings, and bench composition. Does Finau have the work-rate?

[Tim]

@Bones Yeah, very interesting question. Maybe he figures Perofeta has a higher ceiling?

[Canes4life]

@Tim the whole Breakdown panel were picking Lakai, aswell as plenty of media sources. I love your optimism about picking both Ioane and Jacobsen but one of them will miss out to Lakai because he can cover all three positions I feel, plus he’s been consistently good the whole comp.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

23 for England

1 de Groot
2 Taylor
3 Lomax
4 S Barrett
5 Tuipulotu
6 Finau
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Perenara
10 McKenzie
11 Clarke
12 J Barrett
13 R Ioane
14 Telea
15 Love

16 Aumua
17 Tu'ungufasi
18 Newell
19 Vaa'i
20 Sotutu
21 Christie
22 B Barrett
23 Lienert-Brown

Questions over nines, wings, and bench composition. Does Finau have the work-rate?

there is enough change in there for me to be excited, i think i was leaning towards Telea 11 and Reece 14 but happy for almost anyone to get a run under a new coach/gameplan and see if they fire

[Bones]

Yeah I'd probably rank the wings
Telea
Reece
Narawa
Clarke

But as long as Clarke's form translates to international level I'd be happy enough with any pair.

Just as long as it's not Jordan...

[Bovidae]

@Canes4life Lakai as a test 6? No chance.

I've heard that Jordan will be fit for England. Ignoring that he hasn't played yet.

[Tim]

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

the whole Breakdown panel

Those are the dumbest people in NZ, and Jeff Wilson is the stupidest person in the entire world.

[Bones]

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:

the whole Breakdown panel

Those are the dumbest people in NZ, and Jeff Wilson is the stupidest person in the entire world.

Fighting fire with fire!

[Tim]

Lakai will be an AB, maybe even in this series.

[Canes4life]

@Tim yeah I agree but I think Lakai will get in. I don't think they'll pick both Jacobsen and Ioane.