All Blacks 2021
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I am not sold on Bower. He did struggle at scrum time vs the Rebels, which does not augur well. He is not a bad prop but is not of international calibre IMO.
Tonga and Fiji do not represent big threats for the ABs so it could be a good opportunity to test young and promising props such as Aidan Ross and/or Ethan de Groot, who both have the physique to compete at the highest level. -
@cgrant Bower should be nowhere near an AB team. Average super rugby player. Rubbish at test level.
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AB team then for First test. I'd rest Aaron Smith.
- Karl T
- Taylor
- Laulala
- Whitelock (c)
- Retallick
- A. Ioane
- A. Savea
- H. Sotutu
- B. Weber
- R. Mo'unga
- Leicester Fainga'anuku
- Havili
- R. Ioane
- W. Jordan
- J. Barrett
- Aumua
- Hodgman
- ????? Newell, maybe Angus T
- S. Barrett
- Papalii
- Drummond
- B. Barrett
- P Umaga-Jensen
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@cgrant Bower should be nowhere near an AB team. Average super rugby player. Rubbish at test level.
Bower will be in the squad Monday night.
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@cgrant Bower should be nowhere near an AB team. Average super rugby player. Rubbish at test level.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@cgrant Bower should be nowhere near an AB team. Average super rugby player. Rubbish at test level.
Which test match are you basing that off?
@machpants He doesn't stand out at all at NPC or Super Rugby. Obviously going to be a non-entity at test level, if he gets on the field.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris Fair enough, but I can't see anything he does well enough to be there.
Unconvinced myself but I they will pick him.
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@chris Best of luck to him then. Does he cover tighthead particularly well or something? Hodgman was good tonight.
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris Best of luck to him then. Does he cover tighthead particularly well or something? Hodgman was good tonight.
Better TH than LH I think.
Bower and Williams will have to cover TH for the Crusaders to back up Jager and Newell if needed next season,if the rumours are true about not picking a 7th prop to replace Michael A as they had this season. -
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris Best of luck to him then. Does he cover tighthead particularly well or something? Hodgman was good tonight.
Better TH than LH I think.
Bower and Williams will have to cover TH for the Crusaders to back up Jager and Newell if needed next season,if the rumours are true about not picking a 7th prop to replace Michael A as they had this season. -
@chris said in All Blacks 2021:
Better TH than LH I think.
Thanks, Chris. The Ofa T out, there is certainly a gap there to be filled.
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris said in All Blacks 2021:
Better TH than LH I think.
Thanks, Chris. The Ofa T out, there is certainly a gap there to be filled.
That helps Bower and Lonax
congrats on the win tonight enjoy. -
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris said in All Blacks 2021:
Better TH than LH I think.
Thanks, Chris. The Ofa T out, there is certainly a gap there to be filled.
That helps Bower and Lonax
congrats on the win tonight enjoy. -
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris :beer_mug:
Crusaders the only other unbeaten team in SR-TT?
Haha well true but it is what is,looking forward to playing you boys next year.it has to be good for SR we need to keep the comp alive.
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In the first 20 minutes last night I was wondering how Gregory would go as a trial in black but as the game wore on he got very sluggish and was jogging into place with heavy feet.
Maybe he just needs a rest? First heavy workload season.@crucial been a few games he has looked gassed in the latter part of games, he is quite physical and gets involved in alot of breakdowns so is doing a good amount of work.
Think there was an article stating he had bulked up a few kegs too, but he has played 80 mins each week since that game v the saders I think?
Possible he needs a break, which he will between now and NPC.
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@tim Yeah can't disagree there. Nothing against Bower, but he's nowhere near test standard.
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@crucial been a few games he has looked gassed in the latter part of games, he is quite physical and gets involved in alot of breakdowns so is doing a good amount of work.
Think there was an article stating he had bulked up a few kegs too, but he has played 80 mins each week since that game v the saders I think?
Possible he needs a break, which he will between now and NPC.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2021:
@crucial been a few games he has looked gassed in the latter part of games, he is quite physical and gets involved in alot of breakdowns so is doing a good amount of work.
Think there was an article stating he had bulked up a few kegs too, but he has played 80 mins each week since that game v the saders I think?
Possible he needs a break, which he will between now and NPC.
Agree and that's why I'm not judging him too much on that. First full season at this level with big minutes. Has certainly put on some bulk which he needs to adjust to as well.
I was impressed with his defence and positioning intent though and think he looked very good until the tank started to get low.
