All Blacks 2021
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@chris-b said in All Blacks 2021:
@frye Yeah - that's my team too.
It doesn't quite have a Nonu/Julian Savea type of player, but Rieko and Jordie are big enough to hit the ball up effectively if that is what is required - and Havili can do that job OK in a Sam Tuitupou sort of way.
Covers most bases.
I'd be happy to see Clarke* come back in. But the backs are all looking sharp right now. Good mix of speed, skill and size.
At the expense of Bridge or Ennor obviously. :thumbs_up:
@frye said in All Blacks 2021:
@chris-b said in All Blacks 2021:
@frye Yeah - that's my team too.
It doesn't quite have a Nonu/Julian Savea type of player, but Rieko and Jordie are big enough to hit the ball up effectively if that is what is required - and Havili can do that job OK in a Sam Tuitupou sort of way.
Covers most bases.
I'd be happy to see Clarke* come back in. But the backs are all looking sharp right now. Good mix of speed, skill and size.
At the expense of Bridge or Ennor obviously. :thumbs_up:
Clarke is a good in because he provides something a bit different. Needs to be up to speed though.
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I wonder if Clarke trimmed down for the sevens as that is what has occurred in the past when some of the ABs have tried to make that transition. Maybe 2 weeks in MIQ has reversed that!
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2021:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2021:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2021:
@nepia said in All Blacks 2021:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:
@sparky wasn't Ben Blair the backup (and very accurate) kicker? Not something I recall Cullen being famous for?
Carlos Spencer and Leon Macdonald were the main goal kickers in the 2003 squad. A backup, young Second Five in that squad called Dan Carter turned out to be useful with the boot. Not really convinced by the need for a fourth goal kicker...
Cullen got left out because Mitchell and Deans thought he was an arrogant fluffybunny and wouldn't play a big part in the competition after his injuries.
Post -2003 Cullen reinvented himself as a defensive Fullback for Munster for a few seasons but had a lot of time out with a dodgy shoulder.
Yeah, Cullen being left our had nothing to do with rugby, Mitchell selected two midfielders (Mils, Atiga) and two players from the same team (Rangi and Blair) over Cullen.
Cullen was one of the best performing 15s of the 2003 Super 12, even if he wasn't at his peak level, Rangi is a fair enough selection over him but they were lucky Mils turned into a class 15 that year.
Also handy to remember Mitchell didn't rate Jeff Wilson as well.
Mitch liked players that reminded him of himself. Journeymen
what, were you 3 in 2003?
Mcdonald, Atiga, and Ben Blair are not 3 names I think of when I consider who the best FBs ever were. Cullen still had something in the tank, had a great Super season if my memory serves, and IMHO he should have gone before either of the last 2 guys on that list
Mils, Dougie, Joe, Carlos, Ma'a Nonu. Pretty sure Mitch gave them all a start, most of them in 2003
Carlos Spencer (AB 951) was first picked for the ABs by Laurie Mains for the tour of Italy and France at the end of the 1995.
Doug Howlett (AB 992) was first capped by Wayne Smith in 2000.
Mils, Joe Rok, Ma'a Nonu, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Andrew Hore, Kevin Mealamu and Ali Williams were all first picked Cueball. But so were Paul Steinmetz, Ben Atiga and Keith Lowen. As a Selector, Mitchell was hit and miss.
34 players made their debut during the Mitchell era. Mitchell’s first game, just a few weeks after he was appointed was a mid-week tour match against Ireland A, so he debuted a few newbies in that one.
Ben Blair, Dave Hewett, David Hill, Simon Maling, Nathan Mauger, Paul Miller, Roger Randle, Dion Waller, Tom Willis, Aaron Mauger, Richie McCaw, Joe McDonnell, Sam Harding, Sam Broomhall, Steve Devine, Andrea Hore, Keith Lowen, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Danny Lee, Brad Mika, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid, Rodney So’oialo, Regan King, Paul Steinmetz, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Corey Flynn, Ben Atiga
Bold are those that went on to play 50+ tests.
@act-crusader said in All Blacks 2021:
34 players made their debut during the Mitchell era. Mitchell’s first game, just a few weeks after he was appointed was a mid-week tour match against Ireland A, so he debuted a few newbies in that one.
Ben Blair, Dave Hewett, David Hill, Simon Maling, Nathan Mauger, Paul Miller, Roger Randle, Dion Waller, Tom Willis, Aaron Mauger, Richie McCaw, Joe McDonnell, Sam Harding, Sam Broomhall, Steve Devine, Andrea Hore, Keith Lowen, Keith Robinson, Ali Williams, Danny Lee, Brad Mika, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Braid, Rodney So’oialo, Regan King, Paul Steinmetz, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Mils Muliaina, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Corey Flynn, Ben Atiga
Bold are those that went on to play 50+ tests.
Smith and his panel picked that 2001 EOYT squad though so McCaw and Mauger go to him in many ways.
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Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
Does that mean that they will also miss the next two tests against the Argies as they will probably have to quarantine in Qld for two weeks upon arrival?
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
Does that mean that they will also miss the next two tests against the Argies as they will probably have to quarantine in Qld for two weeks upon arrival?
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Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
I already thought he had Mo'unga wrong. This sounds right:
https://twitter.com/AlexChapmanNZ/status/1430025218228068353
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
I already thought he had Mo'unga wrong. This sounds right:
https://twitter.com/AlexChapmanNZ/status/1430025218228068353
@stargazer said in All Blacks 2021:
@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
I already thought he had Mo'unga wrong. This sounds right:
https://twitter.com/AlexChapmanNZ/status/1430025218228068353
Only our best player and Captain, Wallabies really have no excuse
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
I already thought he had Mo'unga wrong. This sounds right:
https://twitter.com/AlexChapmanNZ/status/1430025218228068353
@stargazer Thanks. No shock Reason got it wrong!
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
Mark Reason is claiming that Whitelock and Mo'unga will miss the next game against Australia, due to impending births.
I already thought he had Mo'unga wrong. This sounds right:
https://twitter.com/AlexChapmanNZ/status/1430025218228068353
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
https://twitter.com/liamnapiernz/status/1430042233865052166?s=20
Who does that make captain?? Retallick??
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@tim said in All Blacks 2021:
https://twitter.com/liamnapiernz/status/1430042233865052166?s=20
Who does that make captain?? Retallick??
@hooroo Codie Taylor or Dane Coles...BB if he starts, or throw caution to the wind.and give it to Akira!
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Foster also confirmed other players – the Herald understands Crusaders lock Scott Barrett is expecting his first child – may return home early from the All Blacks' near four-month tour.
The All Blacks will reveal their initial travelling squad on Wednesday. Foster had already flagged his intent to leave injured players, including front-rowers Dane Coles, Joe Moody, Ofa Tuungafasi and midfielder Braydon Ennor, behind but with New Zealand in full lockdown for at least another week in some cases that may have changed too.
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Maybe Mo'unga isn't wrong
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2021:
Maybe Mo'unga isn't wrong
Ha, yeah maybe. I may have incorrectly assumed the number of players unavailable for this reason (2) was correct. I had heard about Whitelock's wife and I'd seen photos of Smith's. If there are more than 2 players on parental leave, obviously that could include Mo'unga as well (I have no idea).
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I know he's going to come in for some grief, but I'm prepared to cut Foster & Co. a little slack if the length of this tour means some of our best players elect to go home early.
