Springboks vs All Blacks I
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@Chris-B said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@pakman Size-wise - but, I think they'll pick Blackadder and I agree with that.
I think EB is currently a better player.
EB is busier, but against Boks big bodies are required, so for me EB plays 7 or not at all.
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@pakman said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@Chris-B said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@pakman Size-wise - but, I think they'll pick Blackadder and I agree with that.
I think EB is currently a better player.
EB is busier, but against Boks big bodies are required, so for me EB plays 7 or not at all.
I'm less in the EB plays 7 camp.
I think he's a better 6 and I'd pick Sam and Dalton at 7 ahead of him.
For now, I'd pick him at 6 - but, I'd like to pick a taller 6 - either a grown Finau or Frizell.
I think Ethan is a superb bench loosie - but, his motor also lends itself to playing 80 minutes at 6 although he's a bit small.
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@Chris-B said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@pakman said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@Chris-B said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
@pakman Size-wise - but, I think they'll pick Blackadder and I agree with that.
I think EB is currently a better player.
EB is busier, but against Boks big bodies are required, so for me EB plays 7 or not at all.
I'm less in the EB plays 7 camp.
I think Ethan is a superb bench loosie - but, his motor also lends itself to playing 80 minutes at 6 although he's a bit small.
I see him as an excellent bench prospect. But his engine is his greatest strength and, as you note, lends itself to entire 80.
With RD playing 80 that doesn’t really work.
If Hoskins was playing 60, EB playing 80 would open up scope for a big impact loosie on bench.
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@DaGrubster said in Springboks vs All Blacks I:
It wouldn’t surprise me if they went with Finau on a horses for courses basis
That was clearly Plan A - vs England.
It didn't work that well, so I'd be surprised if they go back to it for SA 1 - but, I think it's eventually the way of the future - though, maybe Frizell comes back first.
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The first two years of Razor's tenure will be hard. Fortunately, young guns are lurking : Holland, Haig, Stodart, Delany, Lakai. I see them as potential All Blacks as they are playing in positions where the cupboard is currently rather bare. I have great expectations for Johnny Lee for the 7 jersey but not before 2026, IMO.
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It’s surprising how quickly they discarded plan A, unless Blackadder was the original plan A but was injured during England series.
Plan B didn’t go very well in Wellington.
I suspect you could be right about Frizzell though.
Finau hasn’t had support in the ABs so far - played well on debut then dropped for the RWC squad - which want unexpected tbh
2 tests against a strong England side, played ok in a tough series. Not seen since.
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@DaGrubster nah all good, guys with a handful of caps should be able to get up to speed immediately. If you don't match your SR form after 2 games, you're out.