All Blacks Squad for France
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Just watched the Breakdown on Sky. Jeff Wilson had a very interesting interview with Steve Hansen after the squad announcement, which included the way he watched players during the SR season and, basically, the criteria that he ticked off and that played a big role in the selection process.
It was not only about the specific qualities of a player, but how well the player used them in a game, and whether he could repeat that over and over again; and whether he could use them in a high pressure game. And are those qualities something that add something to the team that it is lacking or could use more of etc.
A lot more was discussed during that interview. I'd recommend watching a replay of the Breakdown if you haven't seen it.
Yeah i watched that too. Some interesting points.
There is clearly something in Akira's game they don't rate which doesn't show up in the stats that often get pointed to here. I guess thats pretty obvious.
I was a bit surprised at how little the panel rated Akira and if anything were saying he was lucky to be training with the squad. I must have been watching a different player. -
@booboo said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Half?
Of the people in suits I can name 4 (that is Akira in the suit 3rd row third from right?)
Apart from the coaches and manager, the doctor (next to DMac) and physio (above A Smith) are well known. Gilbert Enoka is top left. No idea of the other guys although the big guy next to Taylor is always on the sideline. I don't see the media person in the photo either.
Yes, for Akira.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Just watched the Breakdown on Sky. Jeff Wilson had a very interesting interview with Steve Hansen after the squad announcement
Was this just a repeat of what was shown on Sunday, when Hansen, Foster and Fox were all interviewed, or another interview?
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Just watched the Breakdown on Sky. Jeff Wilson had a very interesting interview with Steve Hansen after the squad announcement
Was this just a repeat of what was shown on Sunday, when Hansen, Foster and Fox were all interviewed, or another interview?
Think it was a new one. With only Hansen.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@pakman I'm afraid so. In previous years, Sky and/or NZR uploaded a lot more videos to YouTube or the ABs website, but I haven't seen that many this year, yet.
looking at their youtube channel they seem to have stopped adding stuff in March.
They don't even have this interview on the skysport site from what I can see. Would have been an interesting watch.
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Scott McLeod is top right
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@rapido said in All Blacks Squad for France:
The poaching thing used to annoy me as we were trolled when we weren't actually doing any poaching, instead Polynesian-New Zealanders were country swapping.
Now we are actually doing it, so I'm chilled. Nothing to actually be annoyed about now. I expect plenty more, been a trend of about 1 every 2 years for the last decade.
Everyone is doing it - most more than us. So no need for us to try to be holier than thou.
Stephen Jones may still try to fire barbs but we have a Shields-wall to take cover behind.
It's a bit like rotation - remember the scandal when Mitch started doing it. Now it would be perceived as idiocy if Hansen ran out his best team every week. In fact, he's not just rotating his own team - he's requiring the Super teams to do it on his behalf.
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@kiwimurph Geezus, why not Crockett?
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@kiwimurph said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@ChiefsRugby and @HarbourRugby prop Karl Tu’inukuafe is to join the All Blacks squad as an injury replacement for Tim Perry.Talk about taking your chances!
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph Geezus, why not Crockett?
Because they want to use the opportunity to look to the future?
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@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph Geezus, why not Crockett?
Maybe Crockett actually meant it when he said he is retiring.
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@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm annoyed about it, especially with guys who come here as adults. At least Naholo, Tamanivalu etc came for schooling. Tamanivalu's international career is over, yet if not selected for the ABs he could be starting for Fiji while earning the big coin in France.
More likely still three years away from his international debut while earning big coin in Ireland or Scotland.
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@rotated said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@nepia said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I'm annoyed about it, especially with guys who come here as adults. At least Naholo, Tamanivalu etc came for schooling. Tamanivalu's international career is over, yet if not selected for the ABs he could be starting for Fiji while earning the big coin in France.
More likely still three years away from his international debut while earning big coin in Ireland or Scotland.
Well, as long as it's others doing the poaching and not us I'm happy.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
Tu’inukuafe has a reputation of being a very good scrummager, which was one of the main reasons that the Chiefs brought him in. I'm sure the Chiefs will want to keep him and add another to the list of one that got away from the Blues.
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@stargazer said in All Blacks Squad for France:
@kiwimurph I wonder what he adds, except an extra 30 kgs, what DLB doesn't. Same age; more SR experience.
You've got a good part of your answer right there.
Size matters in rugby and in some positions more than others. We've seen Hansen asking people like Coles to add several kilos to their frames.
DLB's internet stats have him being only the size of a big hooker and, not only that, when you see him on the field he looks like a small prop.
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