The Silver Fern

@Bones I would add De Groot, he had 1 bad game but was solid in the final once our first choice frontrow was available. I would be happy to work with him going forward.

Cheslin Kolbe. was a constant menace and punched way above his weight. Reminds me of Habana but even more elusive but slightly less powerful.

@Victor-Meldrew personally I am happy with Ioane, he was strong on the carry and defense. He formed a good partnership with Barrett. He showed some good soft passes like the try for Savea against Ireland. I think the gameplan in the final was poor and he ended up pushing a few passes he shouldn't have and dropped a few pills. But generally I would keep them as a partnership and allow them time to grow. We have been blessed in the 13 jumper with Smith, Umaga and Bunce but we remember them at their peak. I would give Ioane time. I like having a physical threat at 13 who keeps the defense honest and creates more space for the wings because they can't drift outwards lest he scores like he did against France in 22.

@Tim if you good enough then you young enough. Heem was a later developer and probably has a few more good years in him. He still has some toe and made some good line breaks last year. I would be happy with him at 12. Size, pace and some decent distribution skills.

@Bones would love to see it, I don't think he is an international quality 12 but perhaps he could convert himself into a decent 10 especially with the lack of experience we have there now. There are too many decent midfielders and I don't think he is the answer especially with most teams for a tank at 12 like Aki, Tuilagi, De Allende, French guy to name a few.

Looking forward to see who puts up their hands for the following positions:
2, 5, 6, 9, 10 and other wing (Depending on where Telea plays and Jordan)
My hope is that we see Samisoni, Pari Pari, Finau, Roigaard, Who knows? and Narawa make big strides towards filling those positions respectively.

@DaGrubster he has the physical size but he needs to show the grunt and consistency. Lord is a bit of a rake but has the height on his side.

@Catogrande He was terrible in the 3rd/4th play off. He looked disinterested or at worst gunshy. No work rate at all ,one would of thought he would have looked at the likes of Telea, Kolbe and Penaud and saw how much these guys work around the field. They not just speed merchants.

@Gunner Looking forward to seeing the squad next year. Areas I'm most interested in is lock, 6, 10 and 15 most likely it will be Barret/Lord, Finau/Blackadder, McKenzie and the current 14. But you never know super may throw up some surprises you would hope. Maybe A.Ioane will raise his game, maybe new locks like Annandale, Mcwannell or someone else raises their game. Maybe Stevenson makes the 15 jersey his own. Lots to look forward to.

@Catogrande yeah missed that one. Good one.

@frugby we hope so, he looked decent and probably an upgrade on Tele'a

Hope Papalli get first crack at the number 7 jersey. Was watching the highlights from the end of year tour 2022 and he was immense. I wonder if it cost us with Fozzie not picking him and sticking with Cane as captain, red card aside? He was good in the Irish game but pretty average in every other game. Personally I think a backrow of Papalli, Savea and Blackadder would have got us across the line against the Boks, cards aside.

@Bones Savea plays 8 and Blackadder plays 6 for the Crusaders struggling to see where your 3 opensides come from? Just because they can play multiple positions doesn't mean their best position is not where they play for their club week in and week out.