All Blacks 2024
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
deserving Crusaders players won't get a fair shake
Feel free to put some specific names here.
I'd give Ethan Blackadder one more chance to stay injury free.
He was all over the Blues last timethey played. -
With only 32 players being named they will use the two Māori games as an opportunity to give some fringe AB players a chance to play at a higher level and be ready if needed. Obviously not all players are eligible but in some positions like halfback, midfield, outside backs and loose forward there are plenty that will be in the next tier of players. The same will apply for the AB XV later in the year.
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The Crusaders will have a fair representation in the forwards. Taylor and Barrett obviously, but their props are excellent as well. Blackadder is a definitely maybe, but in my mind his resume and ceiling isn't enough to overlook the fact he is older and made of glass.
Outside of Reece, who in their backline is even close to good enough? 12 months ago maybe, but now? -
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Blackadder is a definitely maybe
His nickname should be Oasis
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Lam has made every post a winner for the Blues this year at 12 but he has played a very direct and straight style at 12 ( as per game plan). I have yet to see if he can play a passing game or a draw and pass game at a consistently good level. It depends on the way the ABs plan to play but I expect then to want more than what Lam has shown this year.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
My personal pick is David Havili over Billy Proctor
TBF i will join them at the pitchfork and torch shed for that one
Havili is a non-entity and his utility value is a myth.
My uncle’s mate said he saw Havili in Wellington carrying a large keg that was marked special powder circa 2020
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Lam has made every post a winner for the Blues this year at 12 but he has played a very direct and straight style at 12 ( as per game plan). I have yet to see if he can play a passing game or a draw and pass game at a consistently good level. It depends on the way the ABs plan to play but I expect then to want more than what Lam has shown this year.
Agree. For me Lam is an excellent winger that can play a direct running type of game closer in. And because the Blues have two AB wingers, his value means he’s too good for the Blues not to pick.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
The Crusaders will have a fair representation in the forwards. Taylor and Barrett obviously, but their props are excellent as well. Blackadder is a definitely maybe, but in my mind his resume and ceiling isn't enough to overlook the fact he is older and made of glass.
Outside of Reece, who in their backline is even close to good enough? 12 months ago maybe, but now?Other than McLeod being in a bucket of about 4 players that would be in consideration of a utility spot, given that he’s been in the squad recently - None.
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@Chris-B pitchforks have already sold out across the greater Wellington region, we are ready to go come Monday night!
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Everyone here is picking "the best 32 players" or really, in most cases "the obvious ones plus my favourites"
I hope we are miles wrong and the coaches have a very specific way they want to play, and pick the players who will play best in that system. And then come out and fucking say it.
Would be a refreshing change -
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Everyone here is picking "the best 32 players" or really, in most cases "the obvious ones plus my favourites"
It makes for some pretty good and funny entertainment though
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris-B pitchforks have already sold out across the greater Wellington region, we are ready to go come Monday night!
Maybe there'll be some cheap ones on Trademe come Monday!
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
AJ Lams level right now is AB XV. Struggling to see the argument for him even making the test squad to totally be honest. Absolute log jam of midfielders and wingers ahead of him as well.
He's not being suggested as a specialist winger or a specialist midfielder
Maybe the coaches want an Ennor style of player, maybe they don't. They can be very useful on the bench. If they do want that sort of player there's Lam, Rona, Sullivan, McLeod etc
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sort of adding to my point above, if the AB game style is dependent on a big munter to run straight from 12, who is the 2nd best player in NZ to do that? If it is AJ Lam, then pick him. Is he a better player than, say, ALB? no, but is he the best fit for the game style the coaches want? if the answer is yes, then that's how you select.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
sort of adding to my point above, if the AB game style is dependent on a big munter to run straight from 12, who is the 2nd best player in NZ to do that? If it is AJ Lam, then pick him. Is he a better player than, say, ALB? no, but is he the best fit for the game style the coaches want? if the answer is yes, then that's how you select.
^this
crazy to think the idea of aligning types of players to game plan has to be spelt out
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Lol how is Billy Proctor all of a sudden unfavoured. He was clearly the form centre throughout the majority of Super rugby and has been kicking the door down for a couple years now with his consistency. I'll be very surprised if he wasn't selected, especially because Holland is selecting the centres and he pushed for his case when he was coaching the Canes as welll.
Proctor is also a VG 2nd 5. And has a good (enough) kicking game. And he's much faster than the like of Conrad Smith. I think he could cover wing if required.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
sort of adding to my point above, if the AB game style is dependent on a big munter to run straight from 12, who is the 2nd best player in NZ to do that? If it is AJ Lam, then pick him. Is he a better player than, say, ALB? no, but is he the best fit for the game style the coaches want? if the answer is yes, then that's how you select.
McDonald specifically talked about picking players for the way they want to play on the Rugby Pod, so I hope so.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
sort of adding to my point above, if the AB game style is dependent on a big munter to run straight from 12, who is the 2nd best player in NZ to do that? If it is AJ Lam, then pick him. Is he a better player than, say, ALB? no, but is he the best fit for the game style the coaches want? if the answer is yes, then that's how you select.
This is true - but, the other side of the equation is that your game plan has to be tailored a bit to the players you have available. E.g. it would be pretty dumb to come up with a gameplan that doesn't suit DMac (or maybe Beaden).
Does make you wonder about halfback selections, because there's quite a lot of different strengths and weaknesses available.
