All Blacks 2024
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
nah, he's just slow
It's not like he's playing on the wing bro.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
nah, he's just slow
It's not like he's playing on the wing bro.
Look, there's a lot to like with him, but he's very limited. And before he got picked my mate was talking about his lack of speed. For a loosie, he's slow - and that goes to a bunch of thigns including carrying. For a loose trio, Savea's got some wheels, but otherwise you're scratching around. It's unbalanced and kind of weird as a trio.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
nah, he's just slow
It's not like he's playing on the wing bro.
Look, there's a lot to like with him, but he's very limited. And before he got picked my mate was talking about his lack of speed. For a loosie, he's slow - and that goes to a bunch of thigns including carrying. For a loose trio, Savea's got some wheels, but otherwise you're scratching around. It's unbalanced and kind of weird as a trio.
Agree totally on the trio and lack of balance.
SC and LJ look slow for loosies to me too - and I have heard EB's bronco times are very good for a forward. But all players are limited in some respect - even McCaw was not the best ball runner, didn't have the best hands, wasn't the greatest lineout target. I just find it weird that EB's effectiveness and now pace are gone on and on about when the alternative (and guy who was given the first chance) in SF just totally went missing.
Does anyone genuinely think that Finau (or Jacobson) replacing Blackadder is going to fix the ABs? -
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@antipodean that looks more like the problem with using chatGPT to interpret stats to me.
I know what I'm seeing - and that's a guy with a big work-rate making a heap of tackles and carries. That's backed up by the stats.
What you are seeing is an alleged 'ineffective' which can't really be backed up with any data publicly available, and anecdote of certain game situations where he's looked slow which frankly is worthless.I get it, my (and others') observations are worthless. Yours are awesome.
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
He hadn't.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@antipodean that looks more like the problem with using chatGPT to interpret stats to me.
I know what I'm seeing - and that's a guy with a big work-rate making a heap of tackles and carries. That's backed up by the stats.
What you are seeing is an alleged 'ineffective' which can't really be backed up with any data publicly available, and anecdote of certain game situations where he's looked slow which frankly is worthless.I get it, my (and others') observations are worthless. Yours are awesome.
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
He hadn't.
Yeah, mine are just mine, and yours are just yours. You don't really need to be snarky about it.
The coaches do pick him of course - so that's at least a couple of (and others').Do you genuinely think that Finau (or Jacobson) replacing Blackadder is going to fix the ABs?
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Do you genuinely think that Finau (or Jacobson) replacing Blackadder is going to fix the ABs?
I've previously explained my solution for the backrow and it's not confined to replacing Blackadder.
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I have a theory that Blackadder exhausts himself trying to be everywhere like McCaw was, and as a result is not effective when he does make a tackle or hit a ruck, as he's gassed. Also means when there's a breakout he can't keep up.
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If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
Ah Kuoi is definitely more of a 6 for me, problem is, is that Finau is also there for the Chiefs.
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Yep, and at Super level, Finau is the better player. However, if Ah Kuoi got his chance and went well, Finau could easily be switched out.
Personally, I think Finau has the tools, but just needs time and coaching. I'm hoping that they are developing him for the future as a squaddie now... we'll find out I guess when we get our next squad.
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Ah Kuoi is back to playing lock though, even for BOP. The AB XV selections will give an indicator of their thoughts, and Haig might be the player Robertson and co turn to.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:
Ah Kuoi is back to playing lock though, even for BOP. The AB XV selections will give an indicator of their thoughts, and Haig might be the player Robertson and co turn to.
You do realise thats because MSR is injured and its the best for the team for him to play there (more depth other areas). Guarantee if MSR and Sangster both available he would be 6 again
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@bayimports Yes. MSR was sitting in front of me at a game and had his arm in a sling. My point was mainly related to the Chiefs, where Ah Kuoi usually replaced a lock not the 6. Everyone, myself included, expected him to play more at blindside. Again, that could have been due to squad injuries as well.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
I kinda agree that he'd be better at 7, but my assumption is that they think they have quality at 7 in Cane and Dalton, Ardie is locked in, and nobody else putting their hand up at 6. Blackadder should really be the 'cover all positions' bench guy.
I'd like to see them give Wallace (or Hoskins) a go at 8: Ardie may well not make it to the next WC as a starter, he may get injured, and it doesn't make sense for nobody at all to ever get a run there. Meanwhile we've tried three different 7s and three different 6s I think?
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@antipodean that looks more like the problem with using chatGPT to interpret stats to me.
I know what I'm seeing - and that's a guy with a big work-rate making a heap of tackles and carries. That's backed up by the stats.
What you are seeing is an alleged 'ineffective' which can't really be backed up with any data publicly available, and anecdote of certain game situations where he's looked slow which frankly is worthless.
Firstly, maybe he was slow because he had just made 3 tackles and the other player hadn't?
> Secondly, I'm quicker than Jerry Collins, but I wouldn't have been a great selection ahead of him on the flank.
Some of rugby is a short sprint game, but loose forward play is more like a bronco test. EB won't do great at the former, but will do well at the latter.I doubt you could tackle like him though
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
So basically Ethan is wasting reps that could be used to find the actual 6 we will need in 2027
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Blackadder should really be the 'cover all positions' bench guy.
Why don't they try that then? Bench loosie is a real problem. Perhaps Ethan could be the answer.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Blackadder should really be the 'cover all positions' bench guy.
Why don't they try that then? Bench loosie is a real problem. Perhaps Ethan could be the answer.
Because Ethan starting gives Razor a massive horn
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@KiwiMurph because Finau has disappointed and a trio of Cane, Savea, Jacobson would be worse.
He's dug his own hole of course with his selections. -
I don't know what purpose having Jacobson serves. He's been anonymous in black to date. This coaching group love their middling loose forwards
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2024:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
So basically Ethan is wasting reps that could be used to find the actual 6 we will need in 2027
Could say the same about Ardie who is older and certainly Cane who is leaving.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2024:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
So basically Ethan is wasting reps that could be used to find the actual 6 we will need in 2027
Could say the same about Ardie who is older and certainly Cane who is leaving.
Sure. He's living off reputation, but at least he has a reputation
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2024:
I don't know what purpose having Jacobson serves. He's been anonymous in black to date. This coaching group love their middling loose forwards
Jacobson is a good player, but selecting him as well as SC, DP, EB is silly. It's kinda like selecting 4 short power locks who all jump at 2.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2024:
I don't know what purpose having Jacobson serves. He's been anonymous in black to date. This coaching group love their middling loose forwards
Jacobson is a good player, but selecting him as well as SC, DP, EB is silly. It's kinda like selecting 4 short power locks who all jump at 2.
And meanwhile a little boy waits
He may not ultimately be the answer. But he is a point of difference and should have been picked. Selection could end up biting this coaching group
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You’ll see in the Chiefs threads that Jacobson is basically now our best Cane replacement and goes better at 7, so he’s just one more 7.5 in the squad. I have no idea why we have 4 of them (and that’s not counting Ardie or Sititi) in the squad.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
I kinda agree that he'd be better at 7, but my assumption is that they think they have quality at 7 in Cane and Dalton, Ardie is locked in, and nobody else putting their hand up at 6. Blackadder should really be the 'cover all positions' bench guy.
I'd like to see them give Wallace (or Hoskins) a go at 8: Ardie may well not make it to the next WC as a starter, he may get injured, and it doesn't make sense for nobody at all to ever get a run there. Meanwhile we've tried three different 7s and three different 6s I think?
we're back in the same scenario we had with Read after 2011 - was never as good as his early days - but there was either no one coming through or no one getting a decent crack so he was there for years after.
Can't make size - just keep working with Finau. If it's alright for Rieko to learn how to centre on the job do the same for the guy that's got the physical attributes.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
You’ll see in the Chiefs threads that Jacobson is basically now our best Cane replacement and goes better at 7, so he’s just one more 7.5 in the squad. I have no idea why we have 4 of them (and that’s not counting Ardie or Sititi) in the squad.
I think it's a fair argument that Sititi and Savea are both best suited to 7 too, though they do at least play different styles.
Finau is the only one with any size.
Other than (ugh) Scott Barrett I guess, who I personally wouldnt count as an option, and certainly not when you have to replace your two best locks. -
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2024:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024:
If the selectors are in love with Blackadder, IMO they'd be better to put him at 7 and let him do his stuff there. We could then carry Ardie at 8 and look for more size and power at 6.
Personally, I think Blackadder < Papalii, and Lakai only looks a year away.
And looking towards 2027, EB will be 32 going on 33 and will likely have still only played another 20 odd more Super rugby games. I just don't quite see how his selection is really needed when we have older quality still available (they are still keeping Cane for this year), quality there in their prime (Papalii), and quality coming (Lakai).
So, in 2027, who will be our 6 and can we get 30-40 tests in them by then? Finau probably needs time - even our very best in Kaino took four years to nail down the jersey, and if they could make a decision about using Blackadder at 7. it would be one way of giving some tests to Finau to see if he can find his feet at this level.
Another player who may go well at the next level is Ah Kuoi - he certainly has the size but I wonder about his mindset. Then, there are others coming but none look ready.
My issue with the selections now is that they don't appear to be ideal for balance now and are clearly not building for the future. I don't get it at all.
So basically Ethan is wasting reps that could be used to find the actual 6 we will need in 2027
Could say the same about Ardie who is older and certainly Cane who is leaving.
No, because they have both been excellent All Blacks.
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I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i at 6 with the form he's been in with a Darry/Barrett or a returning Tuipulotu locking combo to balance our loose trio
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@Trig said in All Blacks 2024:
I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i at 6 with the form he's been in with a Darry/Barrett or a returning Tuipulotu locking combo to balance our loose trio
He could be the answer, but on the other hand, he seems to have just got things going at lock and is probably our best Scott Barrett replacement. However, it could be worth a shot if they want to get Lord / Darry out there with Barrett.
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@gt12 When does Holland become eligible?
A lock roster of Barrett, Va'ai, Darry, Lord (assuming he can get over his injury niggles) and Holland is reasonably healthy.
Which frees up trying Va'ai (or Barrett) at 6. Agree that Va'ai has just started to come into his own in the team at lock, but a lock/6 is invaluable in a RWC squad.
Of course, the other option to get height into the AB backrow is to pick a no 8 with height. Know any players like that?
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@stodders said in All Blacks 2024:
When does Holland become eligible
9 October 2025 I think, 5 years after 18th b'day
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Neither Vaai or Barrett is explosive enough.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Neither Vaai or Barrett is explosive enough.
Both are more explosive than Blackadder. So that's clearly not a selection criteria at the moment.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2024:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Neither Vaai or Barrett is explosive enough.
Both are more explosive than Blackadder. So that's clearly not a selection criteria at the moment.
Even if your explosiveness opinion (which I disagree with) was true, all you could legitimately conclude is that it is not the only selection criteria. It's not like Jacobson is explosive either.
We are also talking about options for when e.g. Holland is an AB lock, October 2025. I sincerely hope that by that time we are not looking at Barrett or Vaai as our 6. Neither is a hard tackling 6 in the Collins/Kaino mode, neither is much of a ball runner. I guess they are arguably our two best ruck turnover players, maybe we should look at them at 7?
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I'm willing to bet Vaai is faster than Blackadder too. With the depth in locks we are building, seems like a good choice to me. Better lineout, stronger tackler, bigger body.
Makes too much sense, and he plays for the wrong province.
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@Kirwan
Bet away - I wouldn't know. I do know Blackadder was the quickest Crusader forward in the bronco a few years back.
Early days to be claiming we have depth at lock. Barrett remains very good if not great, Vaai has stepped up really well, and Darry has looked the part - but really he's pretty green. Big Pat has never consistently performed at the highest level - I hope he will, but it's hardly a given. Lord is green as and coming back from injury. Sounds similar to me to the claims of 'look at the depth of our loosies' earlier this season.I assume rather than province ( Ta$man) you mean franchise. Either way it's fucking tiresome, the underperformers have not been Crusaders, and Vaai has been selected in the squad so his 'province' clearly hasn't been held against him, has it?
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:
Big Pat has never consistently performed at the highest level - I hope he will, but it's hardly a given
surely the coaching group can get the best out of him? I mean, they back themselves to play people back into form, to coach fundamentals in the AB environment (Bell, looking at you), so I'd carry that expectation
Edit: I think Pat's sabbatical didn't help, and I've always been surprised at how he hasn't taken Super form to Tests. But there ya go.
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@reprobate your white knighting of Blackadder against all odds is quite staggering.
Well done son
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