All Blacks EOYT

[Jet]

Reece and Telea are like tugboats these days.
Cane is a legend but needs to be wheeled into position like a siege canon before he can put a shoulder on.
Beaudy is the saddest demise of a player I have ever witnessed.
TJP is a non entity.

[Jet]

Dont forget Jordie will be hanging around to play for Leinster (when he is supposed to be resting) until into the new year, so he is going to be fucking shagged come next season.

[Jet]

@reprobate said in All Blacks EOYT:

Fuck's sake Razor, grow a pair.

Razor is everything I thought he wasnt going to be.

Im baffled.

New broom, same as the old broom.

I really think he is starting to look like a spoofer.

[Bovidae]

Robertson mentioned that Hotham is better off playing for the AB XV than just being a squaddie, and that applies to Lakai too.

But if TJP continues to make the test 23 we know we're fucked.

[No Quarter]

Razor is just a poor mans Fozzie at this stage

[KiwiMurph]

In hindsight it should have been more obvious how conservative Razor is as a selector.

He played big name Crusaders into the ground during his tenure.

Of course no one minds when you are winning.

When you aren't however......

[Jet]

At least he had the bollocks to drop Fihaki

[Jet]

[sparky]

@Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

At least he had the bollocks to drop Fihaki

Yeah the squad is boring and speaks of a contentment with mediocrity, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

[frugby]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks EOYT:

Robertson mentioned that Hotham is better off playing for the AB XV than just being a squaddie, and that applies to Lakai too.

But if TJP continues to make the test 23 we know we're fucked.

Differs player to player I suppose. Probably a fair call with Hotham on the basis that Roigard probably plays the Japan test, and then probably plays the next 3 all going well. He has already spent time with the ABs, so actually playing would be good for him

Lakai has had a big year... is he going to get much out of playing Munster or Georgia? Would be better served with the ABs even if only holding tackle bags.

The way I'd have picked the squad, is a top 31(ish) who are effectively the squad for the middle three tests, and then five development players.

Fourth lock, seventh loose forward, fourth and fifth midfielder, and sixth outside back almost certainly won't play.

Question should be who do we see playing in these positions next year, and who may benefit.

To me at least, I think Holland is way more likely to be involved than Darry, so personally would have him with the ABs.

In the loose forwards, who do they see playing openside? If they think Lakai is likely to be involved, then have him there instead of Blackadder or Jacobson.

Havili is there in case of injuries only, we've already seen that. Get Higgins or someone touring with the ABs - he'd get more out of it.

Outside backs, one of, if not two of those six won't play unless there is an injury. One of Reece or Tele'a should be out for the next hotshot wing IMO.

[Jet]

So nobody after 3 losses in RC played their way out of the Allblacks, and nobody in the NPC played their way in.

Great messaging there for all concerned both within the squad and NPC.

Roigard the only new name in after playing 20 minutes of rugby and being something of an incumbent anyway.

Stale.

[sparky]

@Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

Stale.

That one words sums up perfectly the state of NZ rugby in 2024.

[gt12]

@Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

So nobody after 3 losses in RC played their way out of the Allblacks, and nobody in the NPC played their way in.

Great messaging there for all concerned both within the squad and NPC.

Roigard the only new name in after playing 20 minutes of rugby and being something of an incumbent.

Stale.

Roigard's selection is not new - players hold their place when injured; he's now not injured.

So innovative.

[Jet]

@gt12 said in All Blacks EOYT:

@Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

So nobody after 3 losses in RC played their way out of the Allblacks, and nobody in the NPC played their way in.

Great messaging there for all concerned both within the squad and NPC.

Roigard the only new name in after playing 20 minutes of rugby and being something of an incumbent.

Stale.

Roigard's selection is not new - players hold their place when injured; he's now not injured.

So innovative.

Oh im a Roigard fan boy. Dupont is going have his posters on his wall.

But im just highlighting what a non event this squad is.

[Jet]

Like for example he has retained Finau, Proctor, Love, Papalii and recalled Perofeta.

Why didnt you use them more the first time you selected them you twat?

[Crazy Horse]

I am probably clutching at straws in an effort to rationalise things, but is it all possible that some players have an AB squad clause in their contracts as an incentive to not bugger off overseas?

[Kiwiwomble]

@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks EOYT:

I am probably clutching at straws in an effort to rationalise things, but is it all possible that some players have an AB squad clause in their contracts as an incentive to not bugger off overseas?

ive been wondering the same this year, also if players like RI or Savea have clauses about positions they will start

I think i might be more or less done with rugby for the year

[Kirwan]

Have to be impressed with these selectors making us miss Foster. Unless you are from a certain province of course.

Some truely terrible calls in that squad.

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks EOYT:

Very predictable. More interest in the AB XV squad.

Yeah - I'm more looking forward to that one.

Will be interesting to see who they actually think are their next cabs off the rank.

Squad of 29 - so a full team of 23, plus two extra props, an extra hooker and an extra halfback - plus two more? An extra lock/loose forward and an extra utility back?

[kiwiinmelb]

Cant remember feeling less excited reading the naming of an Allblacks squad