All Blacks 2021
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@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.@crucial said in All Blacks 2021:
@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.He has played some big minutes and this has been great for him. Looked uncomfortable at Fullback always but perfect for 2nd. Redemption and he can build from that.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@nostrildamus He hasn't looked very good at 12.
Honestly, when was his last truly good game?
It would have to be when he was at 13, so it’s probably (literally) years ago.
I like him and think he is world class, but he’s been well fucked around.
I wonder though if they are trying to turn him into a 12 because he is missing that yard of pace which makes a good center into a great one.
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@nostrildamus He hasn't looked very good at 12.
Honestly, when was his last truly good game?
It would have to be when he was at 13, so it’s probably (literally) years ago.
I like him and think he is world class, but he’s been well fucked around.
I wonder though if they are trying to turn him into a 12 because he is missing that yard of pace which makes a good center into a great one.
Conrad Smith and Joe Stanley would have same said. But top speed is his weakness. Honestly he is much better at Centre because he reads the game on defence and attack better than the others, and is a good distributor. Apart from ALB, the others are lacking.
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
NZ Herald squad prediction:
Possible All Blacks squad
Props: Nepo Laulala, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, George Bower, Angus Ta'avao, Alex Hodgman/Aidan Ross/Ethan de Groot.
Hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i.
Loose forwards: Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Luke Jacobson, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Ethan Blackadder/Cullen Grace.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Mitchell Drummond/Finlay Christie.
First five-eighths: Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett.
Midfield: Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Anton Lienert-Brown/Peter Umaga-Jensen.
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Damian McKenzie, George Bridge/Leicester Fainga'anuku.Lomax? Christie? Ennor? Bridge?
Some workmanlike players there.
@sparky I though Retallick was off the pace when he left. Injuries a part of it - but not seeing him play, you wonder whether the game has moved on? Interested to see what they do with him - how he is worked back. Will he make next World Cup? Great players find a way, if the body is up to it.
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@tim Who will Foster name in the squad?
Probably me, you, and half of the Mahu team.
I'm not confident.
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I wonder if Tom Robinson publicly admitting he’s going on a week long bender will impact his selection chances ?
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim Grace is the incumbent...
@mn5 yes, definitely, maybe someone reported him to spca too?
Depends if he gets like Mitchell Pearce on the piss
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
@nostrildamus He hasn't looked very good at 12.
Honestly, when was his last truly good game?
It would have to be when he was at 13, so it’s probably (literally) years ago.
I like him and think he is world class, but he’s been well fucked around.
I wonder though if they are trying to turn him into a 12 because he is missing that yard of pace which makes a good center into a great one.
Conrad Smith and Joe Stanley would have same said. But top speed is his weakness. Honestly he is much better at Centre because he reads the game on defence and attack better than the others, and is a good distributor. Apart from ALB, the others are lacking.
@kev said in All Blacks 2021:
Conrad Smith and Joe Stanley would have same said. But top speed is his weakness. Honestly he is much better at Centre because he reads the game on defence and attack better than the others, and is a good distributor. Apart from ALB, the others are lacking.
Have any two quality midfielders been mucked about by the selectors as much as as ALB &JG? Ma'a only become the player he was when he treated with some consistency.
Think the 12/13 stocks are getting better though. Reiko's played much better at 13 this year and Havilli is def. worth a run out at 12 with ALB.
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Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
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Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
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@sparky PPP won't be in the AB squad as he has already been named in the Maori squad. Same for Nankivell.
I expect that ALB will be included and another player (probabaly PUJ) will be added as cover.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:
@sparky PPP won't be in the AB squad as he has already been named in the Maori squad. Same for Nankivell.
I expect that ALB will be included and another player (probabaly PUJ) will be added as cover.
Nothing stopping the coaches moving PPP and Nankivell from the Maori squad to the AB squad and naming replacements for the Maori, especially in Nankivell's case with ALB out. I thought PPP was excellent for the Highlanders on Saturday.
My squad is what I would name not what I think Foz and Co will name on Monday.
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I am not convinced by PPP, yet. I have my doubts about his fitness, and dare I say it his heart. He was struggling to move around last night before he got that knock. He was doing a lot of walking and taking his time getting off the ground.
His lineout work on his own throw and his ability to win the contact is pretty bloody good so I haven't written him off yet. Aren't I nice.
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Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
PPP over Vaa'i?
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I am not convinced by PPP, yet. I have my doubts about his fitness, and dare I say it his heart. He was struggling to move around last night before he got that knock. He was doing a lot of walking and taking his time getting off the ground.
His lineout work on his own throw and his ability to win the contact is pretty bloody good so I haven't written him off yet. Aren't I nice.
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks 2021:
I am not convinced by PPP, yet. I have my doubts about his fitness, and dare I say it his heart. He was struggling to move around last night before he got that knock. He was doing a lot of walking and taking his time getting off the ground.
His lineout work on his own throw and his ability to win the contact is pretty bloody good so I haven't written him off yet. Aren't I nice.
Yeah me too - he has a severe case of concrete feet. When he makes it to the contact, he's brilliant and bloody strong, but man he's a worry on defence if there's even a hint of direction change.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
PPP over Vaa'i?
@booboo yea they gave Vaai his debut last year and he was so shit they are gonna drop him for a guy who hasn't done a great deal.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
Okay, Sparky's squad.
Ethan De Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson and Zarn Sulivan just miss out.
Hookers: Taylor, Coles, Aumua
Props: Laulala, Karl T, Hodgman, Angus T, Newell, Ross
Locks: S. Whitelock, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Retallick, PPP
Loosies: Papali'i, Sotutu, Savea, A. Ioane, Blackadder, Grace, Jacobson
Half Back: Weber, Drummond, Smith (won't play)
First Fives: Mo'unga, B. Barrett
Midfield: Havili, R. Ioane, PUJ, Nankivell
Back 3: DMac, J. Barrett, Jordan, Reece, Fainga'anuku, Nareki
PPP over Vaa'i?
@booboo Yes, but we have lots of good locks.
The way I see our lock situation is three 2m + guys: Whitelock, Retallick, PPP
Four 1.98 guys: Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Tom Robinson.
I'd always pick the three big guys for the AB squad because that extra height and physicality are a huge advantage at Test Level.
All four of the other guys are very good players (Robinson can also cover 6), but their leadership skills and smarts give Tuipulotu and Scott Barrett the edge.
