All Blacks 2021
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I wrote down this two weeks ago as an AB 36 just after Super Rugby Aotearoa finished.
Props: Karl T, Hodgman, De Groot, Laulala, Ofa. T, Angus Ta'avao
Hooker: Taylor, Aumua, Eklund
Lock: S. Whitelock (c) , B. Retallick, S. Barrett, Vaa'i
Back row: A. Ioane, S. Frizell, C. Grace, A. Savea, D. Papali'i, L Jacobson, H. Sotutu
Half Backs: A. Smith, B. Weber, M. Drummond
First Fives: R. Mo'unga, B. Barrett, D. McKenzie
Midfield: D. Havili, ALB, Nankivell, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Back three: R. Ioane, W. Jordan, S. Reece, Leicester Fainga'anuku, C. Garden-Bachop, J. Barrett
Probably one too many outside back so one of Nankivell, PUJ or Connor Garden-Bachop can drop out. Tom Robinson and Lachlan Bolshier are in cracking form so could get picked in the back row if one. or more of the capped ABs are injured. Blackadder and Harmon are playing the best Rugby of their careers so far.
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@sparky De Groot is definitely one for the future but I think he is behind Ross in the LH prop pecking order.
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
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Barring injuries i'd like to see this team get a crack early on in the season:
- Hodgman
- Taylor
- Tu'ungafasi
- Barrett
- Whitelock (c)
- Jacobson
- Savea
- Sotutu
- Smith
- Mo'unga
- Ioane
- Havili
- Leinert Brown
- Jordan
- J Barrett
- Aumua
- Tu'unukuafe
- Laulaula
- Rettalick
- Papali'i
- Weber
- McKenzie
- Fainga'anuku
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- Karl T
- Taylor
- Laulala
- Retallick
- Whitelock
- A. Ioane
- A. Savea
- H. Sotutu
- A. Smith
- R. Mo'unga
- L. Fainga'anuka
- D. Havaii
- ALB
- W. Jordan
- J. Barrett
- A. Aumua
- E. De Groot
- Ofa T
- S. Barrett
- D. Papali'i
- Weber
- B. Barrett
- R. Ioane
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@bones That's the one. Probably a bit early yet but showing some real promise.
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2021:
@bones That's the one. Probably a bit early yet but showing some real promise.
He's not exactly a newbie! Been around a few years now. I'm surprised he's only 24.
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@sparky De Groot is definitely one for the future but I think he is behind Ross in the LH prop pecking order.
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though. -
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though.@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.
Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though.How often has Coles discipline been an issue at test level? I feel the opposite but probably more from personal experience - the longer in the tooth you get, the more likely you'll be able to pick up opposition cards than your own.
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The back rowers that have impressed me the most this season have been papalii, Jacobson and blackadder. I was surprised how good the latter was at 7. Grace put in a good showing too vs the reds, but he has been otherwise somewhat quiet.
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Love Dane Coles, one of the greatest ever AB Hookers but injuries mean he is in the twilight of his career. Going forward I think Kurt Eklund and Bradley Slater will offer the ABs more.
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@bones said in All Blacks 2021:
Apart from Josh Ioane (I'd go for Otere Black), that AB (10 caps or less team) looks bloody potent.
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@sparky the guy is a walking fridge but can move aswell. Will be bloody tempting having him come off the bench this year.
@canes4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@sparky the guy is a walking fridge but can move aswell. Will be bloody tempting having him come off the bench this year.
South Africa and England think they can mug us up front. I want AB forwards who can break their players.
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@bones said in All Blacks 2021:
Apart from Josh Ioane (I'd go for Otere Black), that AB (10 caps or less team) looks bloody potent.
@victor-meldrew Apart from Reuban Love, none of the younger First Fives in Super Rugby look nearly good enough to play Test footy. That's fine, all three of Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Damian Mckenzie should be around for the next World Cup
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@victor-meldrew Apart from Reuban Love, none of the younger First Fives in Super Rugby look nearly good enough to play Test footy. That's fine, all three of Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Damian Mckenzie should be around for the next World Cup
@sparky
And I'm OK with Otere Black as a emergency backup. May not set the house on fire, but he's turned into a pretty safe pair of hands -
Love Dane Coles, one of the greatest ever AB Hookers but injuries mean he is in the twilight of his career. Going forward I think Kurt Eklund and Bradley Slater will offer the ABs more.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
Love Dane Coles, one of the greatest ever AB Hookers but injuries mean he is in the twilight of his career. Going forward I think Kurt Eklund and Bradley Slater will offer the ABs more.
Eklund is already 29 so hardly a player for the future. Slater has never impressed me but has time to improve. There is a reason that Taukei'aho plays big minutes for the Chiefs.
