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.

Current status :

Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.

LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.

THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.

Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?

Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.

Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.

Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.

Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.

1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.

2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.

Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.

Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?

Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?

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.

I think that Akira Ioane must start against Ireland as the Irish love to make relentless drives with their forwards. He is able to set them on the backfoot with his offensive tackles. Blackadder has a huge workrate but is not as efficient as Akira Ioane in this respect.

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.

Those who are citing Ngatai or Laumape as potential Jesuses have not watched them in the Top 14 this year. They have been meh at best.

Players who would probably figure in the future squad :

Bell
Bartlett
Calder
Holland
Palmer
Cahill
Sititi
Brial
Hotham
Kemara
Godfrey
Faleafaga
Nordstrom
Hurley
Springer

I guess they are going to be selected by Donelly but I might be wrong.

@Bovidae
Palmer (Chiefs) is a big munter. Not very tall (around 1.95) but bigger than most NZ locks.

@Crucial said in Drua vs Chiefs:

@cgrant said in Drua vs Chiefs:

I'd like a loose forward combo with 6.Finau - 7. L. Jacobson - 8. Sowakula.

That could go very well against the Drua. Probably not a combo for other games but I like it.

The other consideration is that BBBR is unlikely to play big minutes (or maybe even start) and with Lord not available (I think) we will be relying on Vaa'i to play 80 unless Finau can shift later in the game. Maybe K.Bosh on the bench allows a back three reshuffle late and some fresh legs for turnovers.

Don't forget Ah Kuoi who should be in the mix if he is fit.

With Moody out, I guess the LH spot will be given to Bower. Does he have the necessary strength and technique to neutralize Tagh Furlong ? I have many doubts about it. Hodgman would be destroyed by the big Irishman at scrum time, so would Norris. So what are the options left ? Karl T ? He can scrummage but against the Oirish, you may expect to make a lot of tackles, so he is clearly not the best at this. De Groot ? I have yet to see him against a first class opposition. Despite his impressive size, I think he punches well under his weight. Due to a lack of mongrel ? Ross ? He did more than holding his own against Tupou but he won't get the same leniency from the ref at scrum time. So who's left ? I could see a starting combo of Ofa T (though he is better THP) and Laulala, with Hodgman (or Bower) and Newell on the bench.

I'd like a loose forward combo with 6.Finau - 7. L. Jacobson - 8. Sowakula.

I'd like to see Tosi start a game for once. He's exclusively seen as an impact player. But he was good in each of his short outings so far so why not try him in the starting XV to see how he can scrummage, lift or move bodies in the rucks. He could add some muscle in a lightweight frontfive.

@Stargazer said in Hurricanes Under 20s vs Blues Under 20s:

For anyone who's wondering: Tino Savea is not related to Ardie and Julian.

IIRC, Tino Savea is New Caledonian.

So he is French.

@kiwi_expat
I have never seen him make an offensive tackle. He's not a bad player but he does not have the calibre of an international loose forward.

Is Seb Davies injured ?

@Chris
Brewis is very promising. He is still a youngster but next year, he could leapfrog Bower in the pecking order at LHP.