I still think Akira is the long term AB six. His power in countering the opposition's mauls must not be overlooked, while he was the only forward to make offensive tackles. I can remember one occasion when Malherbe lost about six or seven meters against him.

I know most of the Ferners prefer Mo'unga to BB but the latter launched his backline perfectly against the Argies last Sunday. It was smooth and direct. I can't remember Mo'unga doing the same with the black jersey. Of course, Mo'unga is a far better goalkicker but with Jordie taking the goalkicking duties, this could not be a problem anymore. Moreover, defensively, BB is superior to RM, IMO.

So the ABs finished the game with the following forwards :

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Liam Coltman
Ofa T
Scott Barrett
Jackson Hemopo
Shannon Frizell
Matt Todd
Luke Whitelock

Who could have guessed that at the beginning of the season ?

People in this forum are great fans of Richie Mounga. He's had a mare : missed an easy tackle on Daly who is not the quickest fullback nor the strongest one (this led to England's first try), then could not handle the English rush defence. Let's hope he'll learn from this very disappointing performance.
The Bounga experiment was clearly a failure with BB's kicking from hand being an issue. Would DMac have done better ?

I’d live to see a backrow with Ioane, Jacobson and Papali’i, with Savea off the bench.

For me, Olo Brown is another certainty. He was the best tighthead prop in the world in the late nineties while Charlie Faumuina never was.

A few random thoughts :

This is the third shit game from the ABs in 13 months (vs England, 1st and 4th Bled).
No depth at all at tighthead prop since Lomax and Laulala seemed to struggle (4th Bled for Lomax, 2nd Bled for Laulala).
Akira was on fire till he was pulled out. I'd like to see a starting combo of Ioane - Cane - Sotutu with Savea on the bench. This could be devastating.
SB was good till his brainfart. His YC card certainly cost NZ the game.
Vaa'i was good when he came in. Far better than his SRA outings were suggesting.
Weber added pace to the backline when he came in. He should be given more gametime against the Argies.

Tough watches :
Weber battling against three Springbok forwards with Moody and Retallick watching the scene only five meters away and doing nothing.
Aumua's LO throw straight into Kitshoff's hands.
Ref wrongly penalizing Beauden Barrett inside the Boks 22 when the ABs were leading 20 to 11. This was a key moment IMO.
ABs scrum.
ABs lineout.
ABs last two minutes.
ABs bench (with the notable exception of Blackadder who was adequate).
Silly penalties conceded again and again.

Is it the weakest AB squad since 2004 ?
There is a lot of fringe players who do not seem to be of international calibre. Perry is struggling at SR level, Frizell is the third choice blindside flanker for the Highlanders, TTT, Mo'unga are largely untested, DMac has yet to have a good game at 1st Five, this season, Fifita has been very anonymous, Scott Barrett is lacking the necessary physique for an international lock while JTA has never propped at TH at the upper level. Moreover, L. Whitelock is just here to fill a gap in Read's absence, NMS does not have the pace of an international wing and Harris is a journeyman as is Ofa T. If the RWC was to be played toimorrow, I doubt this team could make the final.

SA by 20. They are too strong, too fresh. I can't see them lose to Japan in a WC match. Oh wait ...

Terrible news. Condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Why are both teams lining up so many inexperienced players at the same time ? Is there an agreement between them ?

@frye said in All Blacks EOYT 2021:

Ardie at 12.
Let's go

Why not Dane Coles then ?

I think Lord isn't yet ready for international rugby (lack of experience, lack of muscle and physicality). I guess he will earn his first caps against USA and Italy as Whitelock and BBBR will need a rest before the Irish and French tests.

A few days ago, Antoine Dupont was named best player of the Top 14. Do you know who came second ? Will Skelton. He's been outstanding for La Rochelle. He and Rory Arnold were the best locks in the Top 14 in 2020. Both are much better than Philipp, Swain and Rodda.

@mikey07 said in Hurricanes 2022:

@canes4life Need another 9 (with Roigaard injured) plus O’Reilly signing as the number 3 Hooker
Need another 6/lock to replace Fifita, need another centre/wing to replace Aso/Laumape and someone to slot into the wing spot Visignia had.

TK Howden ? Tyler Laubscheer ?

Can he scrum ? He should get a SR contract, the sooner the better.

Rieko Ioane should be somewhere in.
Hooker : Montoya for me.

Though it was only Argentina, I think the best midfield display of the year so far was game Nr.2 vs the Argies, with MacKenzie, Tupaea and Ioane running and passing smoothly. I don't think DMac could be the answer at 1st Five but a midfield combo of Tupaea + Ioane would be a menace for even the best defenses.