All Blacks XV - New second tier team

[Bovidae]

I'm predicting that Robertson gets the coaching gig to throw him a bone.

I hope "international opposition" means the respective 2nd teams from the 6N teams not club teams. Georgia would be a good choice.

[Duluth]

@mariner4life said in All Blacks XV - New second tier team:

i hate how everything is "All Blacks something" now.

All Blacks XV? Come on.

One thousand times better than Junior All Blacks

AB XV is pretty much what you'd call a midweek tour side. This side is the equivalent of that

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV - New second tier team:

I'm predicting that Robertson gets the coaching gig to throw him a bone.

I hope "international opposition" means the respective 2nd teams from the 6N teams not club teams. Georgia would be a good choice.

.

If the reports in the media are correct, one of the games will be against Fiji.

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/408811

[Bovidae]

OK. I just assumed this team would be playing European opposition but more likely USA and Canada with the LFL connection if Fiji is to be one of those games.

A game against England A would be meaningful and informative about the players than playing the same level of teams the Maori usually play.

[Unite]

Assume this will be the offical 2nd team and tie players to NZ?

[Tim]

Who's in the frame for selection?

If the Ofa T, Laulala, Moody, and Karl T + 1 are in the ABs, then who are the props?

[mariner4life]

@Tim said in All Blacks XV - New second tier team:

Who's in the frame for selection?

If the Ofa T, Laulala, Moody, and Karl T + 1 are in the ABs, then who are the props?

spuds

but they won't be worse than the locks that are left

[Machpants]

Keep Calm
Piri's (put the weight) on

[Crucial]

Yes. A good tight five may be a struggle to find this year.
Then again it may be what is needed to develop one.

[Tim]

Eligible tightheads:

Moli
Taavao
Lomax
Mafileo
Tokolahi

Any others?

Looseheads:

Moli
Ross
Hodgman
Johnstone
Numia
Thwaites

[Tim]

Out of that lot I'm going to assume that Moli is in the ABs.

Taavao
Lomax

Ross
Hodgman

+1

[Nogusta]

This team will capture international status so I hope guys with dual eligibility think long and hard before they sign on!

[Tim]

Locks

Whitelock, Tuipulotu, Barrett + 1 in the ABs.

Contenders:

Allardice
Cowley-Tuioti
IWL
Dunshea
Strange
Dickson

Maybe Strange to the ABs, leaving IWL, GCT, and Dunshea for the B team. Dickson for fourth lock?

[Tim]

I'll skip loose forwards for now. Probably the toughest decisions there.

Halfbacks:

Assume that the three from the WC will stay in the ABs.

TTT and Hall obvious choices.

Nock
Drummond
Booth
Fakatava
Enari

I'd like to see more of Taumateine.

[Tim]

1st 5:

Big question over third AB ten.

Ioane, Black, and Smith are probably the most prominent this year. Perhaps two of those (Black and Smith) plus a player who covers 10 from another position like Havili, Stevenson, or Perofeta.

[Tim]

Roll on the midfield. Goodhue, ALB, and Laumape in the main squad. Perhaps Ennor too. Not a lot of 12s around.

Contenders:

TJ Faiane
Havili at 12?
Vince Aso
Tupaea

Some players like Nankivel, Walden, Thompson, Tele'a, and Manu haven't shown much or haven't had a chance yet.

[Tim]

Hooker

Only player guaranteed of a place is Taylor. Coles doesn't look like the same player, and it may be time to move on. He may also peak at the right time for the ABs. Unknown as of yet. Anyway, Taylor, Coles, and Taukei'aho for my AB picks.

Coltman and Aumua for two spots in the B team. Maybe Makalio for the third spot, but they may want someone younger.

[Tim]

Back three is hard to pick with so much talent about.

MacKenzie and Havili for AB fullbacks, with Ioane and Reece on the wing? Throw in a last chance for George Bridge, though I really hope not. I could also see them taking Jordie Barrett, though I really don't want to see him on the wing.

Contenders:

Telea
Stevenson
Wainui
Alaimalo
Goosen
Leicester Fainga'anuku
Will Jordan
Perofeta

There's also some players with the Sevens squad. Tough to pick.

[Tim]

Any takers to pick a 23?

[Kirwan]

Kind of would like to see the ABs play the AB XV