All Blacks 2024
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I think the changes are going to be relatively straightforward. I don’t think anyone played themselves out of the 32 but there will be replacements if the injured players are now fit.
Additions to the 32 man squad
- 1 x prop (Numia?)
- 1 x lock (Darry or Lord)
- 1 x loosie (Cane)
- 1 x back (Jordan)
Replacements (if fit)
- Sami for Bell
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@Bovidae I miscounted the number of props already in the squad. Thought there was only 5. 6 is more than enough for this campaign.
An extra lock and loosie is needed.
Jordan is a given to come in. I know Robertson likes him as a fullback and made a few comments last year (from a Crusaders perspective only). But I’m not as confident yet about him playing test footy at 15.
All things being equal right at this point - against the Boks I would go with a back 3 of B. Barrett, Jordan and Clarke with Reece on the bench.
Havili, don’t know.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
@Bovidae I miscounted the number of props already in the squad. Thought there was only 5. 6 is more than enough for this campaign.
An extra lock and loosie is needed.
Jordan is a given to come in. I know Robertson likes him as a fullback and made a few comments last year (from a Crusaders perspective only). But I’m not as confident yet about him playing test footy at 15.
All things being equal right at this point - against the Boks I would go with a back 3 of B. Barrett, Jordan and Clarke with Reece on the bench.
Havili, don’t know.
You feeling ok mate?
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
1 x loosie (Cane)
7 loosies, with four of them being 6.5s (Papali'i, Cane, Jacobson and Blackadder)
Might as well drop Finau and get Choat in there. Make it five
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Yeah Jordan doesn't have "team vision", he plays for himself. Beauds has been similar the last couple of years but can see flashes of it coming back for sure, plus his tinbum qualities are making a comeback. Perofeta has that aspect sorted over both, definitely puts his teammates in a better position.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
Havili, don’t know.
Robertson's comment was that one of the extra backs could play multiple positions. That could refer to Jordan I suppose. 2nd 5 is the position that is least covered in the current squad (only JB and ALB).
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
Havili, don’t know.
Robertson's comment was that one of the extra backs could play multiple positions. That could refer to Jordan I suppose. 2nd 5 is the position that is least covered in the current squad (only JB and ALB and Ardie).
Covered…
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
Havili, don’t know.
Robertson's comment was that one of the extra backs could play multiple positions. That could refer to Jordan I suppose. 2nd 5 is the position that is least covered in the current squad (only JB and ALB).
Congratulations to Dave then.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024:
Yeah Jordan doesn't have "team vision", he plays for himself. Beauds has been similar the last couple of years but can see flashes of it coming back for sure, plus his tinbum qualities are making a comeback. Perofeta has that aspect sorted over both, definitely puts his teammates in a better position.
Why are you talking him down ? We all know he’ll absolutely piss in once he’s fit, ESPECIALLY cos he’s a Crusader
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024:
@MN5 the only possible options are Havili, Jordan and McLeod. I guess Aumua has a sniff.
Oh actually , Springer, McNicholl, Reihana, Fihaki all can play multiple positions too.
Tough choice.
I’m not sure I know anyone in the second paragraph.
Which I guess is your point
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:
I think the changes are going to be relatively straightforward. I don’t think anyone played themselves out of the 32 but there will be replacements if the injured players are now fit.
Additions to the 32 man squad
- 1 x prop (Numia?)
- 1 x lock (Darry or Lord)
- 1 x loosie (Cane)
- 1 x back (Jordan)
Replacements (if fit)
- Sami for Bell
As per the discussion further down, I don't think they'll pick another prop. But otherwise I think you're right.
I think the final guy will be any one of Plummer, Havili or Love - with a slight possibility that they might pick Lakai.
I'm still struggling with working out what the new gameplan is - and I don't see many others making bold statements about it - so I'll hazard a guess.
What seems reasonably obvious is that at least some of the time the backs are taking a more staggered formation (as opposed to the flat backline). That gives our backs a little bit more time and space - and a chance to work the ball wider - but, the downside is that there's more chance of being caught behind the gain line - and when we are, we're further from the forwards - which might be a plus). Definitely seems like they're trying to get wider faster with less loop plays.
Was interesting watching how they used Blackadder - sometimes hitting the ball up in midfield, sometimes one off the ruck and sometimes running a very retro wide line to where the more staggered 13 was the likely tackle target. A couple of times it looked like Ethan was running a line borrowed from the 1970s. Certainly a lot different to how they used Dalton against England's much more aggressive rush defence (where they struggled to get the ball to Rieko - and when they did he got the tackler and ball at the same time). I'd be tempted to bring in Lakai (perhaps as a project), who looks more of a greyhound - compared with Ethan (and Dalton) who look like a 6.5s playing 7.
Be interesting to see what bells and whistles are planned to be added to this more staggered formation. Ethan hitting it up in midfield was one. I think Will Jordan's extra speed from the back could add lots of additional threat (sort of John Gallagher).
Question about who they add might depend a bit on who they think can best play these new roles. Which of Plummer (first five) or Havili (2nd five) can shift the ball and hit the runners I think (?) are coming - and whether Love's speed from the back might also be what they're looking for.
Edit: possibility they'll pick Hoskins as well if they want more muscle in tight. But, I think they'll be valuing mobility.
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Given where we are at the aim should be to retake the number one in the world by looking Test to Test and winning as many of them as possible.
A couple of years out from the World Cup we can assess whether we have three players in every position ready for World Cup knock out Rugby. But we are probably there in most positions already.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2024:
Another genuine 6 or 8 on the other hand would be most welcome.
how many do we have left?
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@nostrildamus Once you exclude Blues players not many. A few Crusaders who were mentioned in dispatches previously, but haven’t kicked on.
