All Blacks 2021
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Got my feet up post-jab, having a guess at the team for the first test in the light of recent injuries
- Joe Moody (if he can recover in time)
- Codie Taylor
- Nepo Lualala
- Sam Whitelock
- Brodie Retallick
- Akira Ioane
- Dalton Papali'i
- Hoskins Sotutu
- Aaron Smith
- Damien McKenzie
- Caleb Clarke (Maybe Leicester F)
- David Havili
- Anton Leinert-Brown
- Will Jordan
- Jordie Barrett
- Asafa Aumua
- Alex Hodgman
- Ofa T
- Scott Barrett
- Shannon Frizell (Ardie Savea if fit in time)
- Brad Weber
- Beauden Barrett (could be Richie Mo'unga)
- Reiko Ioane
Think we will be better than everyone apart from the Boks and perhaps the French.
@sparky if Ardie’s fit he’s at 7, plain and simple.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
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@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
My thoughts are that Ross needs to beat Tu'inukuafe or Hodgman for a spot as Bower will be seen as the cover for both sides (who will be competing more against Moli when he's fit).
That said, I would still like to see him selected just to see how he goes.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
My thoughts are that Ross needs to beat Tu'inukuafe or Hodgman for a spot as Bower will be seen as the cover for both sides (who will be competing more against Moli when he's fit).
That said, I would still like to see him selected just to see how he goes.
@bobily2 The (supposed) ability to play LH/TH was only important last year with the travel restrictions. That isn't really a factor this year, and Ofa has been used previously as a LH too. I'd prefer they just selected the best specialists and reward current form.
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@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
I was just listing which props I think will be selected, not the pecking order within the squad. Agree that Hodgman hasn't been as prominent this year. Ofa was poor yesterday as well.
Tu'inukuafe and Laulala would be my starters.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@ploughboy said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Aidan Ross as the 3rd LH prop in the AB squad for me.
who is your three i would have him higher
Based on last year Foster and co will select Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. Then it's between Bower (an injury replacement last year), Ross and maybe Johnstone as Moody's replacement. Johnstone is only just returning from a long concussion-related layoff so likely Ross vs Bower.
for me with moody gone its a between Tu'inukuafe and ross for top spot and hodgman a distant third
@ploughboy I’ve really been impressed with Xavier numia! Not sure his scrummaging is up to it though but his work rate is fantastic
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@ploughboy I’ve really been impressed with Xavier numia! Not sure his scrummaging is up to it though but his work rate is fantastic
@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
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@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
Hit the squat rack?
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@family-man his scrummaging is fine, he’s been solid all season (apart from the most recent game). Just needs more weight behind him.
Hit the squat rack?
@pakman we have to remember that Numia is still only 22 so he’s doing a good job for his age IMO. He’s held his own against numerous AB props who are a lot more mature. Put a little bit of size on him and get bigger locks to help push and he could be a real weapon.
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@bobily2 The (supposed) ability to play LH/TH was only important last year with the travel restrictions. That isn't really a factor this year, and Ofa has been used previously as a LH too. I'd prefer they just selected the best specialists and reward current form.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@bobily2 The (supposed) ability to play LH/TH was only important last year with the travel restrictions. That isn't really a factor this year, and Ofa has been used previously as a LH too. I'd prefer they just selected the best specialists and reward current form.
It's been important in years prior to 2020, too (we only took 5 props to the 2019 RWC) . If I remember, the All Black selectors tried Tu'inukuafe at tighthead once or twice before last year, despite him never playing SR there. I imagine it was them testing whether he could be a long-term option as their dual-sided prop.
I agree that it is increasingly becoming less important (especially as tournament squad allowances increase over time) , but I think there is still some relevance, particular in situations where travel restrictions are one lockdown away from changing.
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@pakman we have to remember that Numia is still only 22 so he’s doing a good job for his age IMO. He’s held his own against numerous AB props who are a lot more mature. Put a little bit of size on him and get bigger locks to help push and he could be a real weapon.
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@canes4life Scrafton is the lock packing behind Numia for the Canes, not the much-criticised Blackwell.
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@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
Nope. I watched the game today. Blackwell is on the TH side and Scrafton on the LH side.
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
Nope. I watched the game today. Blackwell is on the TH side and Scrafton on the LH side.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae nah it's Blackwell isn't it? Blackwell was in the 4 jersey against the Chiefs...
Nope. I watched the game today. Blackwell is on the TH side and Scrafton on the LH side.
It was prity obvious the difference once iwl came on though. Having a smaller backrow doesn't help either
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This team vs italy in the first game?:
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Karl Tu'inukuafe
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Codie Taylor
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Nepo Laulala
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Tupou Vai'i
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Sam Whitelock 'C'
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Shannon Frizzell
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Dalton Papalii
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Hoskins Sotutu
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Aaron Smith
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Richie Moanga
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Caleb Clarke
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Anton Lenert-Brown
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Reiko Ioane
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Sevu Reece
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Jordie Barrett
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Dane Coles
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Ofa Tuungafasi
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Alex Hogman
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Scott Barrett
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Ethan Blackadder
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Brad Webber
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Damian Mackenzie
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Will Jordan
Given that it's our first of the year they will play their best team
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