All Blacks 2021

[Kiwiwomble]

Rolling over from the highlanders game thread

What’s everyone’s else’s thoughts on nareki for the abs?

If I try and be as unbiased as possible, I’d be worried he’s too much of a one man band, big fish small pond at the highlanders/Otago but would be fit in with an all blacks game plan, I’d like to see him try

[KiwiMurph]

@kiwiwomble Nareki is the form left wing in the country and should be picked.

He has a huge left boot and has underrated power to go with his footwork - what I liked today was his cleanup work - he looked good when things were going the Rebels way.

Leicester will be in the mix too but there could be room for both.

[sparky]

@gt12 Akira Ioane is the first choice 6. Sam Cane, Cullen Grace, Dalton Papali'i and Ardie Savea can all play there too.

Think Ethan Blackadder might get the nod in the forthcoming squad with Sam Cane out.

[sparky]

First Five easy. Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett and Dmac should all be in the AB squad.

Who is the 4th choice 10 is an interesting call. I'd give Mitch Hunt the nod ahead of Otere Black. Like what I've seen so far from young Reuban Love at 10 but clearly another who needs more Rugby under his belt before he should be considered for international honours.

[sparky]

Midfield. Havili, ALB, Reiko Ioane (as a 13 but not a 12), then I'd go with Nankivell or Peter Umaga-Jensen. Hopefully room for both in a big squad.

[sparky]

Back three.

Jona Nareki and Leicester Fainga'anuku to cover left wing

Will Jordan and Sevu Reece to cover right wing

Jordie Barrett the best all round fullback, but BB, DMac and Will Jordan are strong backup.

[Stargazer]

I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).

2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backs

Considering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.

[Machpants]

@stargazer there no reason to pick a bigger squad, but maybe extra apprentices. For training needs, getting an eye on them. But the rest games in NZ, there's a lot of flexibility to be had. Even resting players like mo'unga, who've played too many minutes for their franchise.

Not saying they'll do that, but the opportunity for a change and flexibility is there

[booboo]

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2021:

Rolling over from the highlanders game thread

What’s everyone’s else’s thoughts on nareki for the abs?

If I try and be as unbiased as possible, I’d be worried he’s too much of a one man band, big fish small pond at the highlanders/Otago but would be fit in with an all blacks game plan, I’d like to see him try

Just came on here to post that question.

Am 57 mins in.

Been impressed with him all season.

Composure. Boot. Speed . X factor.

This year's Will Jordan.

[Tim]

@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?

[Tim]

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

@stargazer Maybe 4 midfielders and 4 outside backs this year?

3 halfbacks

Smith
?
?

3 first five-eights

Mo'unga
Barrett
DMac

4 midfielders

ALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anuku

4 outside backs

Reece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi

[Tim]

That leaves 5 props, 3 hookers, 4 locks, and 7 loose forwards.

Loose Forwards

Savea, Papalii, Jacobson, Ioane, Sotutu, Robinson, Crusader

[Tim]

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

Codie Taylor
Dane Coles
Asafo Aumua

Sam Whitelock
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Scott Barrett

Savea
Papalii
Jacobson
Ioane
Sotutu
Robinson
Crusader

Smith
Weber
Bolter

Mo'unga
Barrett
DMac

ALB
Havili
Ioane
Fainga'anuku

Reece
Barrett
Jordan
Rayasi

11 Blues
9 Crusaders
6 Chiefs
5 Hurricanes
1 Highlander
1 to be determined

Unavailable:

Moody, Cane, Perenara, Goodhue, Clarke, Bridge.

nb. Only one player from the 2021 Blues backline has been selected.

[bobily2]

The Maori All Black squad would be a much more logical place for Tamaiti Williams and Ruben Love than an AB training squad. No need to rush them in (particularly Love - who hasn't really shown much of anything at this point).

[Tim]

@bobily2 Love isn't getting near any squad.

[Stargazer]

@tim NZ U20s

[Canes4life]

@stargazer yeah certainly no need to rush Love, he's still far too young. Let him play Under 20s if they end up scheduling games against Australia, or if not let him focus on an NPC campaign with Wellington.

[ACT Crusader]

@tim said in All Blacks 2021:

11 Blues

What planet are we living on.... I see room for one or two tokens

[Canes4life]

@tim I think four Blues loose forwards is a little bit of a stretch. Can't see Robinson getting in especially with the way Blackadder has played. I woud have Grace ahead of Robinson aswell.

I also think they will pick PUJ with his ability to play 12/13. Rayasi to miss out there and Fainga'anuku to be picked as a winger.

[bobily2]

@stargazer said in All Blacks 2021:

I think it's good to first establish how many players are likely to be picked in each position.
Because the first squad to be picked is for the July Internationals, it's probably best to look at the first squad named in 2018 as an example (no RWC, no Covid).

2018 squad:
33 players (and 1 "apprentice")
17 forwards, 16 backs
2 hookers
5 props (2 LH, 2 TH, 1 covering both)
3 locks
7 loosies (1 openside, 1 openside/8, 1 lock/loosie, the rest 6/8 or 8/6)
3 halfbacks
3 first five-eights
5 midfielders
5 outside backs

Considering the financial constraints, it's hard to see them picking a bigger squad.

Quote below says 35 players for the championship and July tests

Foster said the plan was to pick 35 for July, then disassemble and re-select a second squad the same size for the championship and extra Bledisloe.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300313754/rugby-championship-schedule-unveiled-home-comforts-for-all-blacks

I'd think we'd select an extra hooker and a lock with the extra 2 spots. Perhaps a loose forward swapped out for a prop