All Blacks 2024
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You would think that the team would be loaded with Blues, Canes and Chiefs, with a sprinkling of players from the South Island. Too many Crusaders selections, especially if they aren't incumbents, will put Razor under immediate pressure. The manner of the Blues and Canes play all season, based on direct forward play and strong set piece, sets the expectation for how I would like the ABs to play
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Hoskins Sotutu – 8.5
Hoskins Sotutu was the best player in Super Rugby Pacific this season. It all started with five tries in just two games to open the campaign, and about five months later, it ended with a slice of history by taking out the title.Especially early on in the final, Sotutu was busy. With the Chiefs’ Wallace Sititi lining up opposite him, Sotutu took the challenge head-on by running around desperate to get his hands on the ball.
Sotutu ended up carrying the ball 15 times for 36 metres, passing it on 13 occasions and finishing with 100 per cent tackle completion as well. With the All Blacks squad set to be announced this coming week , it would be a surprise not to see ‘Hoskins Sotutu’ among the backrowers selected.
I would 100% select Sotutu
I would love to see Lakai take the ball to the line with his little offload to Sotutu on his shoulder. I know Laki is not ready but his offloads right at the line is something special, just ask Numia -
For the record. I am absolutely willing to eat crow about my statement a day or 2 ago about AJ Lam being All Blacks XV level at best. Serves me right for making a statement when I haven’t watched a player close enough.
Was watching him closely last night and I’ll be the first to admit I was wrong. The guy has serious potential. Started the season as a back up winger, thrown into both midfield positions and excelling and to play as well as he did last night on the biggest stage, up against Poihipi and ALB shows he’s right there or there abouts.
Definitely one for the future. A bolter for this England series - yes, but definitely a lock for the AB’s XV. Would like to see him on the end of year tour. The fellas gonna be an absolute problem for teams in the NPC.
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They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
If he can develop a kicking game, similar to what Nonu developed into the later years in his career, the blues have their long term answer at 12 for sure. As a Landers fan, I’m fucking jealous.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
If he can develop a kicking game, similar to what Nonu developed into the later years in his career, the blues have their long term answer at 12 for sure. As a Landers fan, I’m fucking jealous.
Didn't he make the first open play kick of the game? A really well directed hoof with great distance, down the middle?
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@Landers92 Tony Brown tried really hard to get him in 2021/2022 as well, and seemed gutted that he didn't land him.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
If he can develop a kicking game, similar to what Nonu developed into the later years in his career, the blues have their long term answer at 12 for sure. As a Landers fan, I’m fucking jealous.
Didn't he make the first open play kick of the game? A really well directed hoof with great distance, down the middle?
Haha come on maaaate. I’ve just praised the guy, no need to knit pick my comment😂 I’m talking a more tactical kicking, short range kicking etc. Not just hoof upfield.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
If he can develop a kicking game, similar to what Nonu developed into the later years in his career, the blues have their long term answer at 12 for sure. As a Landers fan, I’m fucking jealous.
Didn't he make the first open play kick of the game? A really well directed hoof with great distance, down the middle?
Haha come on maaaate. I’ve just praised the guy, no need to knit pick my comment😂 I’m talking a more tactical kicking, short range kicking etc. Not just hoof upfield.
The fuck? Where was I nitpicking?
I agree wholeheartedly it would be good to see if he's got a kicking game - but that was a bloody good sign it might be there (and just not required for the blues).
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They use him well too - he’s a gainline specialist at 12 and helps with the carry clean game plan really effectively.
His defense has been really impressive to me - that shit isn’t easy.
If he can develop a kicking game, similar to what Nonu developed into the later years in his career, the blues have their long term answer at 12 for sure. As a Landers fan, I’m fucking jealous.
Didn't he make the first open play kick of the game? A really well directed hoof with great distance, down the middle?
Haha come on maaaate. I’ve just praised the guy, no need to knit pick my comment😂 I’m talking a more tactical kicking, short range kicking etc. Not just hoof upfield.
The fuck? Where was I nitpicking?
I agree wholeheartedly it would be good to see if he's got a kicking game - but that was a bloody good sign it might be there (and just not required for the blues).
Ah all good. Taken the comment the wrong way. Yeah agree, I was more meaning that tactical and short range stuff similar to your Nonus of the world.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
He's going to pick his best side. Based on his glittering SR record he was a consensus pick on here. Now that shit is becoming real I hope we agree with most of his selections and I hope he is successful
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Picking a non white as opposed to picking the right person for the job , regardless of colour etc
Diversity picks can be good or bad
Bad is what we often or sometimes have today. Where a person is appointed in preference to someone who is much better based on ability just because they tick the right boxes.
Good is when someone is appointed who is equal to another based on ability but they are chosen because they add to the mix and is appropriate. As Savea as captain would be
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So, last year the ABs had a rather bad run with cards. Red against SA, two Yellows against France, then Red again against SA. What's the plan to fix this?
(Of course, Kolisi hit Savea head to head, and maybe in the air from a lineout take - Barnes is an absolute fuckwit.)
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
He's going to pick his best side. Based on his glittering SR record he was a consensus pick on here. Now that shit is becoming real I hope we agree with most of his selections and I hope he is successful
Well at least there is some rationale about why he is the AB coach now.
Not some bollocks from NZR which has been the status quo for far too long. -
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@Daffy-Jaffy I thought that was weaker than Part 1.
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
He's going to pick his best side. Based on his glittering SR record he was a consensus pick on here. Now that shit is becoming real I hope we agree with most of his selections and I hope he is successful
Well at least there is some rationale about why he is the AB coach now.
Not some bollocks from NZR which has been the status quo for far too long.If winning 2 RWC's out of 4 and losing one by only 1 point with 14 men is "status quo bollocks", it's been pretty damn successful status quo bollocks.
NZR's rationale now is to try something completely new - a bloke who's been successful with one Canterbury-based side and with zero Test experience. It's a bold move for sure, one we hope will pay off.
