All Blacks 2024
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Some random Sunday morning thoughts from the last few games I watched.
Reuben Love looks the goods at 15. I'd expect in to be in the squad and in the 23.
Matt Proctor has been playing well and Reiko Ioane has been quiet this year. Not expecting the former to supplant the latter, but good to see some competition for the 13 jersey.
Caleb Clarke has been a revelation this season. Seems way more confident and composed - the way he set up the winning try by looking for support while not slowing down being a good example.
Pat T has been a powerhouse for the Blues. Hasn't transferred his talents to Test level in the past but may be moving above Vaa'i in the pecking order
DMac is playing as mature as I'm seen him. His passing out of hand has moved to another level.
Halfback position looks better than a few weeks ago with TJP, Fakatava and Funaki stepping up after Roigards's injury. And Funaki may have ended the Christie debate.
Harry Plummer continues to look solid at 10. Strong mentally too and I like the way he got over his kicking yips against the Reds. Good choice for the utility back position.
Finau is starting to get criticism of his tackling technique. Good. Much rather have it at this level where he can learn to deal with it at Test level
Scooter looks composed wearing the armband and could well be Robertson's choice as Captain
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@Canes4life Yes, I'll judge players very harshly indeed before I declare them All Balcks standard.
A cameo off the bench is role that Peter Lakai will have to perform first for the ABs. He had a chance to turn that game in favour of the Hurricanes yesterday and he didn't take it.
I still rate him as one to watch, but he still has a lot to learn and the All Balcks XV looks the right level for him this year.
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@Victor-Meldrew Billy Proctor, Matt's his brother.
I agree with the rest. Scooter or Ardie for Captain.
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@sparky tell me then, what other player in Super can cover both 7 and 8 from the bench atm at a high level? Ardie's the only one that has done it to an international standard. Maybe Luke Jacobsen but then again I think a certain someone with the last name Lakai outplayed him the other week. So yeah, I wouldn't be judging someone's season solely on a cameo off the bench when the rest of the team weren't humming.
You might be right in the fact it might be a year early for Lakai but I've got no doubt he'll be an AB, it's just a case of when. In saying that I still think he's good enough to be an AB this year and would be a fine replacement for Ardie if he goes down.
I think there are four players in the Canes atm that are becoming almost impossible to ignore, Aumua is one but injury could prevent him from being selected, Numia, Love and Proctor are the other three. They've been the best players in NZ in their respective positions so far this year and will be very hard for Robertson to pass up. Iose and Lakai are maybes, but there are so many good loosies running around so who knows what Robertson does there, just aslong as he doesn't pick Grace.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@sparky tell me then, what other player in Super can cover both 7 and 8 from the bench atm at a high level? Ardie's the only one that has done it to an international standard. Maybe Luke Jacobsen but then again I think a certain someone with the last name Lakai outplayed him the other week. So yeah, I wouldn't be judging someone's season solely on a cameo off the bench when the rest of the team weren't humming.
You might be right in the fact it might be a year early for Lakai but I've got no doubt he'll be an AB, it's just a case of when. In saying that I still think he's good enough to be an AB this year and would be a fine replacement for Ardie if he goes down.
I think there are four players in the Canes atm that are becoming almost impossible to ignore, Aumua is one but injury could prevent him from being selected, Numia, Love and Proctor are the other three. They've been the best players in NZ in their respective positions so far this year and will be very hard for Robertson to pass up. Iose and Lakai are maybes, but there are so many good loosies running around so who knows what Robertson does there, just aslong as he doesn't pick Grace.
Ethan Blackadder. 6 too in between bouts of curing cancer and walking on water
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Sotutu 8, Savea 7 is an option
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Sotutu 8, Savea 7 is an option
& Finau six is my preferred
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Sotutu 8, Savea 7 is an option
I'm a big fan of picking your best players in their best position. Ardie is arguably the best 8 in the world right now and he hasn't played 7 for yonks. Covering 7 in an emergency or when replacements come on is fine, but leave his prime position at 8 where he's best.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Sotutu 8, Savea 7 is an option
I'm a big fan of picking your best players in their best position. Ardie is arguably the best 8 in the world right now and he hasn't played 7 for yonks. Covering 7 in an emergency or when replacements come on is fine, but leave his prime position at 8 where he's best.
He started out as a 7 and I always thought 8 wasn't his best position. There's been a paucity of backup reserve talent at 8 for years in the ABs. It makes sense to have a taller lineout too. Why not give it a trial for 2 or 3 matches at least as a sub.
Previous management were loyal to a fault and didn't utilize up n coming talent enough. Not using Roigard or DMac more at the WC was just wrong.
It's going to be a good year. -
@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
At this stage Finau, Papalii, Savea is maybe our best combination. Not convinced by Finau yet. Love his hits though.
With Frizzell gone, we seem to have deja vu all over again at 6. Be good to see Robertson give Finau the space and time to develop - could pay serious dividends.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Yeah I don't see why Ardie's game can't work at 8.
8 or 7? Do you mean Sotutu off the bench or at 6?
Haha fuck, thanks. 7.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones While we're at it, Sotutu could enhance his defence. Maybe a role for AB coaches ...
Maybe someone who knows what it's like to be a young dynamic loose forward trying to crack it in the All Blacks.
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Paps, Finau and Savea also has a good ring to it. We are literally making hay atm.
