All Blacks 2021

[antipodean]

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2021:

Really? I'd have thought the AB coaches should be aware of what the Super coaches are doing and if the player is being used differently to how they will be playing.
If you are playing well, you are playing well, and that is the sign of a good coach, seeing a good player but getting them to fit your gameplan.

If you're looking for a bruising defender who makes positive carries in tight, then players who do that week in, week out are going to be graded higher than the guy stationed wide. Even if he'd still be better than the rest of them.

[Tim]

The tight five selections for the next squad seem pretty locked in now (Moody is out), except for 3rd tight head prop.

Props

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Aidan Ross
Alex Hodgman
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
?

Hookers

Codie Taylor
Dane Coles
Asafo Aumua

Locks

Sam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Barrett

Train with the team:

Tamaiti Williams
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Tupou Vaa'i

[Stargazer]

@tim I wonder whether Foster will have the guts to deny Lomax that last TH spot.

[Crazy Horse]

@tim I read on another thread PT is off to Japan, I assume they meant big Patrick. If true, maybe his spot should go to Vaa'i? Patrick hasn't exactly demanded the jersey and Vaa'i looks like he could be a good one long term.

[Tim]

@crazy-horse There is a rumour of a sabatical next year for the Super Rugby season. He's signed on with NZ Rugby through the next World Cup.

[Crazy Horse]

@tim that explains why I couldn't remember hearing about PT leaving. Cheers.

[Tim]

Who are the halfbacks going to be this year? You have Smith and then ... ?

[taniwharugby]

@tim daylight is a distant 2nd.

IMO Nock has the closest game to Smith but he is a fairway off the ABs, inconsistent and can't start for the Blues (although as I've mentioned all year this is part of the issue at the blues for 9)

Had Fakatava not been injured i think he'd have been a shoe in for the squad, but we have TJP or Webber to back up...

I wouldn't be keen on Christie, TTT, Hall or Steve Smiths twin...so the cupboard is bare.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.

[Machpants]

Play DMac there as an emergency measure, then keep him in the pocket as an RWC back up!

[Canes4life]

@tim Roigard looks bloody decent but he’s far too young.

[Canes4life]

@tim surely Lomax, he’s been decent this year.

[Tim]

@canes4life Yeah, guys like him and Roe are too young yet. Maybe worth giving them some time training with the squad though.

[Canes4life]

@tim yeah I wouldn’t mind seeing Roigard and Love get a shot at training with the A.Bs. That’s just me being a selfish Canes fan wanting them to get experience though as I think they will be the halves pairing for the Canes going forward.

[Duluth]

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

Not at all keen on Weber or Christie

I think Christie probably will get picked though. Apparently he was going to get called up last year but got sick

With the lack of depth they might want to cap him before Scotland do

I can't remember the last time the halfback depth was this shitty?

[ACT Crusader]

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.

With TJP unavailable, Weber will make it. Not a fan, but that’s the situation with many inexperienced halfbacks and the couple of experienced ones being overlooked.

[Nepia]

@machpants said in All Blacks 2021:

Play DMac there as an emergency measure, then keep him in the pocket as an RWC back up!

TBH playing at halfback seems a silly way to utilise DMacs skills. He is best as first or second receiver on multiple phases. He basically carried the Chiefs this year doing that.

I don’t think just because he’s small that should automatically make him a halfback. If that was the thinking let’s give Mo a go there too.

[Nepia]

@act-crusader said in All Blacks 2021:

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.

With TJP unavailable, Weber will make it. Not a fan, but that’s the situation with many inexperienced halfbacks and the couple of experienced ones being overlooked.

Wah, my two Crusaders are being overlooked. (Just thought I’d translate that for any newcomers).

[sparky]

@tim Personally I've not been particularly blown away by either Patrick T or Dane Coles this year. Senior players, with lots of experience and some great past performances but I'm not fully convinced about them as ABs going forward. Think Vaii and Eklund might be better players.

I'd give the Third Prop slot to Tamaiti Williams. Think he's an outstanding prospect.

[sparky]

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

@taniwharugby Not at all keen on Weber or Christie. Other than Fakatava, Roe and Nock are the only others with the skills.

Half Back is the position where selection is problematic.

Of the older guys it's Aaron Smith then daylight, then some more daylight. Weber and Drummond are adequate at international at best. Hall might do a job for the ABs especially in tandem with Mo'unga. TJP has been repeatedly tried and found wanting. Not convinced by TTT, Nock or Christie.

Of the young guys I rate Fakatava (but he's injured and might not be NZ available) and Roe (but the Chiefs haven't given him huge game time).