2018 AB Depth Chart
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@chester-draws Well, not if there's a huge difference between players - but when it's close, then I think it's pretty sensible.
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@paekakboyz said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@chester-draws I've worked it out!! Akira will only get picked if the other 7 guys in the akld or blues pack are selected... oh plus the 9 as well!!
Worked for Sam Broomhall!
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@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@chester-draws Well, not if there's a huge difference between players - but when it's close, then I think it's pretty sensible.
Probably worked pretty well for an early Nonu/Smith...
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@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@paekakboyz said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@chester-draws I've worked it out!! Akira will only get picked if the other 7 guys in the akld or blues pack are selected... oh plus the 9 as well!!
Worked for Sam Broomhall!
That's not funny. Some poor bastard might have missed out as a result.
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@cgrant said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
Has the situation really evolved since June 2017 when this thread was started ?
There is now an incredible depth as far as props are concerned, even with the likes of Hames, Moli, Fidow and Ross out of contention. There are four new All Blacks : Perry, Tu'inukuafe, Ta'avao and Lomax.
For the half-backs, the pecking order is now firmly established behind AS and TJP : TTT and Drummond.
But depth at hooker and Nr.8 are still a concern despite Coles' return from injury. There is no established midfield though the depth is not a problem here. There is still not a world class replacement for Jerome Kaino and no one seems to be lurking around. Squire is an adequate replacement but does not set the world on fire, while Frizell and Fifita haven't been convincing. Maybe Hemopo could be the best answer at Nr.6.
The depth on the right wing is a concern too.Off the top of my head I'd have said the depth in back three is fine. Can't Rieko play both sides? At 13 JG has got the chance to be locked in for the next five years, and ALB a useful back up, but not much at AB level after, at least at this stage. Happy at 10, and while Weber starts for Chiefs, and has been very good, I suspect TTT is being viewed as the longer term replacement for Nuggy with his clearance. After being royally spoiled with Nonu, to my mind we're struggling a bit at 12. I agree with selectors' preference for chunky unit, and SBW when on is a weapon, but less often nowadays. Think one of his knees is crocked. Naani showed some nice touches on Saturday and is a beast against lower tier teams, but needs to mature a la Nonu. For me that's the biggest hole in backs.
Forwards to follow...
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In forwards, quite a few gaps.
Read out on his own in the role he plays at 8 for ABs. Luatua for me next best and can only hope he returns post RWC. Aukira excellent in a different style, but seems to fall between the 6 and 8 stools of what wise men are looking for. To me maybe Fifita could be converted to an 8, having come up short so far at 6. Fair production line at 7. At 6 only Squire produces the dominant defence the selectors are looking for, but is a step down from JK (who wouldn't be). Frizzell showing promise, as is Papali'i, who has plenty of time to grow into the role. Big hole behind Sam W and BBBR at lock. Need a 2m + youngster to step up from NPC.
LH depth incredible -- 3 who are good international quality or better. At hooker top two excellent, then a gap, but some youngsters coming through. Only two genuine international level scrummaging THs, Owen and Laulala. Ofa good utility and all rounder. Ta'avao and JTA tidy but not top notch. Lomax has had quite a few difficult days for Clan, and scrum better when Tokolahi there. So quite exposed when Owen hangs up his boots. Remember a ferner earlier this year claiming Kudos for calling Karl T last year, and him mentioning an 'unknown' scrummaging TH who was in NPC I think, and thought he had the goods, but I can't recall the name!What seems clear is in the next couple of years we need several young bucks to pop up at NPC level, because it seems clear that the ABs are completely aware of the talent in the Super pool.
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@bones said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@pakman I think we're fine at tighthead - Tu'ungafasi is very good and certainly isn't a worry at scrumtime as far as I can see. Moli looked very promising and maybe the unknown one you're thinking of is Kautai?
I thought Ta'avao did well in his cameo and the KarlT, Harris, Ta'avao combo in Super Rugby was probably only second to the Saders first string AB combo.
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@crucial said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
I'm thinking Ardie could have a role at 8 when Read retires. It would be a re-jigged pattern but as long as we implemented a better system than Australia did with Pocockwomble we'd be good. Share a bit of gametime with Akira and it could work.
That is certainly an option. Ardie has really been playing well in last few months, both at 7 and 8.
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@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
In forwards, quite a few gaps.
Read out on his own in the role he plays at 8 for ABs. Luatua for me next best and can only hope he returns post RWC. Aukira excellent in a different style, but seems to fall between the 6 and 8 stools of what wise men are looking for. To me maybe Fifita could be converted to an 8, having come up short so far at 6. Fair production line at 7. At 6 only Squire produces the dominant defence the selectors are looking for, but is a step down from JK (who wouldn't be). Frizzell showing promise, as is Papali'i, who has plenty of time to grow into the role. Big hole behind Sam W and BBBR at lock. Need a 2m + youngster to step up from NPC.
LH depth incredible -- 3 who are good international quality or better. At hooker top two excellent, then a gap, but some youngsters coming through. Only two genuine international level scrummaging THs, Owen and Laulala. Ofa good utility and all rounder. Ta'avao and JTA tidy but not top notch. Lomax has had quite a few difficult days for Clan, and scrum better when Tokolahi there. So quite exposed when Owen hangs up his boots. Remember a ferner earlier this year claiming Kudos for calling Karl T last year, and him mentioning an 'unknown' scrummaging TH who was in NPC I think, and thought he had the goods, but I can't recall the name!What seems clear is in the next couple of years we need several young bucks to pop up at NPC level, because it seems clear that the ABs are completely aware of the talent in the Super pool.
Yes, Lomax struggled a bit in SR but it was in the early rounds only. He was pretty solid during the last stages. He is still very young so has plenty of time to improve.
@Bones : I guess the unknown tighthead prop is Alex Fidow ?
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@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.
He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.
One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!
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@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.
He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.
One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!
Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.
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@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.
He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.
One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!
Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.
Laulala gave Moody a good tickle up as well. Maybe this injury is a blessing in disguise?
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@crucial said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:
@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.
He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.
One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!
Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.
Laulala gave Moody a good tickle up as well. Maybe this injury is a blessing in disguise?
Yeah, I saw that - though I suspect Moody wasn't helped by his Canterbury front row counterparts.
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All Black player stocks
Number 15
- Ben Smith
- Beauden Barrett
- Damien McKenzie
- George Bridge
- Jordie Barrett
- Solomona Alaimalo
- David Havili
- Will Jordan
- Shaun Stevenson
- Matt Duffie
Number 14
- Ben Smith
- Waisake Naholo
- Rieko Ioane
- George Bridge
- Ben Lam
- Solomona Alaimalo
- Will Jordan
- Melani Nanai
- Damien McKenzie
- Nehe Milner Skudder
Number 13
- Jack Goodhue
- Anton Lienert-Brown
- Ryan Crotty
- Vince Aso
- Matt Proctor
- Tumua Manu
- Rob Thompson
- Braydon Ennor
- Matt Faddes
- Quinn Tupaea
Number 12
- Anton Lienert Brown
- Sonny Bill Williams
- Ryan Crotty
- Ngani Laumape
- Teihorangi Walden
- Jack Goodhue
- Tumua Manu
- Matt Proctor
- Rob Thompson
- Matt Faddes
Number 11
- Rieko Ioane
- Waisake Naholo
- George Bridge
- Ben Lam
- Vince Aso
- Damien McKenzie
- Will Jordan
- Solomona Alaimalo
- Tevita Li
- Nehe Milner Skudder
Number 10
- Beauden Barrett
- Richie Mo’unga
- Damien Mckenzie
- Otere Black
- Mitch Hunt
- Marty Banks
- Ihaia West
- Fletcher Smith
- Stephen Perofeta
- Bryn Gatland
Number 9
- Aaron Smith
- Tj Perenara
- Mitchell Drummond
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
- Bryan Hall
- Brad Webber
- Augustine Pulu
- Jonathan Ruru
- Finlay Christie
- Richard Judd
Number 8
- Kieran Read
- Akira Ioane
- Luke Whitelock
- Liam Squire
- Ardie Savea
- Sam Cane
- Gareth Evans
- Shannon Frizell
- Jordan Taufua
- Taleni Seu
Number 7
- Sam Cane
- Ardie Savea
- Matt Todd
- Dalton Papali’i
- Dillon Hunt
- Gareth Evans
- James Lentjies
- Lachlan Boshier
- Blake Gibson
- Reed Prinsep
Number 6
- Liam Squire
- Akira Ioane
- Scott Barrett
- Vaea Fifita
- Dalton Papali’i
- Shannon Frizell
- Jordan Taufua
- Jackson Hemopo
- Gareth Evans
- Luke Jacobson
Number 4 & 5
- Brodie Retallick
- Sam Whitelock
- Scott Barrett
- Patrick Tuipulotu
- Jackson Hemopo
- Tom Franklin
- PariPari Parkinson
- Vaea Fifita
- Isaiah Walker-Leawere
- Michael Fatialofa
Number 3
- Owen Franks
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Nepo Laulala
- Angus Ta’avao
- Atu Moli
- Michael Alaalatoa
- Jeff Toomaga Allen
- Tyrel Lomax
- Alex Fidow
- Pauliasi Manu
Number 2
- Dane Coles
- Codie Taylor
- Nathan Harris
- Liam Coltman
- Asafo Aumua
- Ricky Riccitelli
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- James Parsons
- Ash Dixon
- Liam Polwart
Number 1
- Joe Moody
- Karl Tu’inukuafe
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Tim Perry
- Kane Hames
- Atu Moli
- Reuben O’Neill
- Dan Lienert Brown
- Alex Hodgman
- Mitchell Graham
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My opinion******** gonna be some very funny replies
