All Blacks vs Fiji

taniwharugby

@nzzp I think you could go back further than the past few years...we used to have a good scrum with the best ball running and skillful props 10+ years back.

Winger

My view of who put their hand up to start

Aumua. Offers a lot more than Taylor. He just needs to be consistent with his lineout throwing game after game,
Proctor. My MOTM. I thought he was outstanding. And a real centre. I would start Proctor with Jordie in the midfield and move Reiko back to the wing.
Clarke. Back to his best. Almost a must start if fit
Ratima. Unlike many I also thought Hotham has a good game too. But would start Ratima with either Perenara or maybe Hotham as the backup
BB. To start until Jordan returns. My preference would be Love statting until Jordan returns but ...

Not good enough or a maybe
Tosi in the scrum. Shame as otherwise he was superb
Williams. As a replacement maybe
Siti Looked the goods for sure
Darry. Didn't look out of place
ALB. Another option at 2nd 5 but would definitely keep Barrett here

BerniesCorner

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@nzzp I think you could go back further than the past few years...we used to have a good scrum with the best ball running and skillful props 10+ years back.

Steve McDowell

BerniesCorner

The outside break by Caleb was awesome and a forgotten skill by many. Deserved a try.

frugby

@Winger said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@frugby

Its a pity Tosi wasn't better in the scum. He was VG during super rugby but struiggled in his first test. Because he offers everything that Newell lacks around the field. And more than most TH props

I would work on Tosi's scrumaging. As Newell is unlikely to offer much else even with work. Great in the scrum but limited elsewhere

Work on his scrummaging and you are onto a winner. Hopefully he keeps improving... I'd argue that history shows that it easier to work on a prop's all-round game than scrummaging, so writing Newell off feels pretty harsh.

There have been very few guys go from being poor scrummagers to good scrummagers... Lomax is one in recent times, but feels rare.

frugby

@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@frugby said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

Meh. A prop being able to run with the ball won't win you games

A tight 5 who can hold and pass is critical. Part of that is running. We have gone backwards in that regard in the last few years.

The All Blacks tried to pick a mobile front row in 2019 and it backfired fairly spectacularly. Set piece is crucial, particularly with the way scrums are referred in the modern game.

I agree that the baseline should be being able to catch the ball, so Newell definitely needs to work on that, but I also think it is less of a concern when he clearly isn't viewed as a starter. He has started just 1/16 tests, and when Lomax was injured they went with Laulala and left him on the bench.

Frank

Can either Reiko or Clarke play 14, or can both only play 11?
With Clarke and Reiko you've got two big, very quick wingers.
With Proctor at 13, you've you got his provincial partnership with Jordie and a center who really looks to feed his wingers. Tempting, but probably won't happen.

KiwiMurph

@Frank Both Rieko and Clarke have played 14 before - moreso early in their respective careers.

Canes4life

@Winger said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

My view of who put their hand up to start

Aumua. Offers a lot more than Taylor. He just needs to be consistent with his lineout throwing game after game,
Proctor. My MOTM. I thought he was outstanding. And a real centre. I would start Proctor with Jordie in the midfield and move Reiko back to the wing.
Clarke. Back to his best. Almost a must start if fit
Ratima. Unlike many I also thought Hotham has a good game too. But would start Ratima with either Perenara or maybe Hotham as the backup
BB. To start until Jordan returns. My preference would be Love statting until Jordan returns but ...

Not good enough or a maybe
Tosi in the scrum. Shame as otherwise he was superb
Williams. As a replacement maybe
Siti Looked the goods for sure
Darry. Didn't look out of place
ALB. Another option at 2nd 5 but would definitely keep Barrett here

Aumua has been consistent with his line out throwing. He’s been good for most of this year, a real improvement compared to 2023.

Canes4life

My team for the first Argie game in Welly would be:

De Groot
Aumua
Lomax
S Barrett
Tuipulotu
Jacobsen
Papali’i
Savea
Ratima (if fit)
McKenzie
Clarke
J Barrett
Proctor
Ioane
Jordan (if fit) or B Barrett (not sold at all on Perofeta)
Taylor
Williams
Newell
Darry
Blackadder
Perenara (if fit)
ALB
Barrett or Reece

KiwiMurph

@Canes4life no love for Ratima?

canefan

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@Canes4life no love for Ratima?

He had a very good game. Just a shame we lost him early

Canes4life

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@Canes4life no love for Ratima?

I’d start him but thought he was badly concussed. How far away is the next game?

canefan

@Canes4life said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@Canes4life no love for Ratima?

I’d start him but thought he was badly concussed. How far away is the next game?

21 days

Canes4life

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Fiji:

@Canes4life no love for Ratima?

I’d start him but thought he was badly concussed. How far away is the next game?

21 days