All Blacks 2022
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The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
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The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
Karl was at LH here when they won the penalty in the 72nd minute (sorry, screen shot won't load).
BTW, I think we should drop Laulala but Idon't think they will. If they did that, We'd have Ofa starting, then Lomax and Newell or Williams (who can play both sides).
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
Karl was at LH here when they won the penalty in the 72nd minute (sorry, screen shot won't load).
BTW, I think we should drop Laulala but Idon't think they will. If they did that, We'd have Ofa starting, then Lomax and Newell or Williams (who can play both sides).
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@gt12 I was looking at the mid-week Blues-MP game - Karl definitely came on at tighthead for the last 3 minutes or so (after Laulala's red card had elapsed).
@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 I was looking at the mid-week Blues-MP game - Karl definitely came on at tighthead for the last 3 minutes or so (after Laulala's red card had elapsed).
I was checking that too. Yep, he was at TH that day in 18 but that was with Fusitua.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
Karl was at LH here when they won the penalty in the 72nd minute (sorry, screen shot won't load).
BTW, I think we should drop Laulala but Idon't think they will. If they did that, We'd have Ofa starting, then Lomax and Newell or Williams (who can play both sides).
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The options at LH are greater than those at TH. If we cull both Laulala and Ta'avao then is Lomax really the answer? He didn't do himself any favours with his scrummaging yesterday. So then it becomes Ofa and who else? I guess this is a long answer to saying that the need to find one or two new THs is more important.
BTW, for anyone that has the Blues-MP game recorded can they check who packed on what side of the scrum when Ofa and Karl were playing together. A mate of mine said that Karl was on the TH side and Ofa remained on the LH. I wasn't looking close enough to notice. Interesting if true.
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@gt12 Newell looks a far better option than Williams in my opinion. I think agility is needed at the highest level, and have not seen it from Williams this year. But, Newell shows all the right attributes.
@arhs said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 Newell looks a far better option than Williams in my opinion. I think agility is needed at the highest level, and have not seen it from Williams this year. But, Newell shows all the right attributes.
Yeah, I liked the idea of Newell (TH) and Williams (LH) for the future, but now that Williams has moved back to the TH, I think we’ll see both of them capped. I liked Newell’s work with the ball against the Landers - so far he’s just been focusing on set piece but it appears he can contribute around the field (beyond cleaning), which will be needed in our next props.
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@arhs said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 Newell looks a far better option than Williams in my opinion. I think agility is needed at the highest level, and have not seen it from Williams this year. But, Newell shows all the right attributes.
Yeah, I liked the idea of Newell (TH) and Williams (LH) for the future, but now that Williams has moved back to the TH, I think we’ll see both of them capped. I liked Newell’s work with the ball against the Landers - so far he’s just been focusing on set piece but it appears he can contribute around the field (beyond cleaning), which will be needed in our next props.
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2022:
@arhs said in All Blacks 2022:
@gt12 Newell looks a far better option than Williams in my opinion. I think agility is needed at the highest level, and have not seen it from Williams this year. But, Newell shows all the right attributes.
Yeah, I liked the idea of Newell (TH) and Williams (LH) for the future, but now that Williams has moved back to the TH, I think we’ll see both of them capped. I liked Newell’s work with the ball against the Landers - so far he’s just been focusing on set piece but it appears he can contribute around the field (beyond cleaning), which will be needed in our next props.
At u/20 Level Newell showed out with his ability to off load well and create space.I haven't seen that in SR as yet but as he gets more confident, as he has only had 3 starts it may come out in his game .
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@bovidae Not an expert but weren't the problems on the loosehead side with the Canes yesterday? Hames was saying Ta'avao was giving the Canes loosehead a torrid time.
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
@bovidae Not an expert but weren't the problems on the loosehead side with the Canes yesterday? Hames was saying Ta'avao was giving the Canes loosehead a torrid time.
Yeah, I heard that comment too. I thought that collectively the Chiefs front row had an advantage over their Hurricanes opponents. That continued with the reserves, who also got a scrum penalty.
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@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
@bovidae Not an expert but weren't the problems on the loosehead side with the Canes yesterday? Hames was saying Ta'avao was giving the Canes loosehead a torrid time.
Yeah, I heard that comment too. I thought that collectively the Chiefs front row had an advantage over their Hurricanes opponents. That continued with the reserves, who also got a scrum penalty.
@bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
@bovidae Not an expert but weren't the problems on the loosehead side with the Canes yesterday? Hames was saying Ta'avao was giving the Canes loosehead a torrid time.
I thought that collectively the Chiefs front row had an advantage over their Hurricanes opponents. That continued with the reserves, who also got a scrum penalty.
Fun fact, this Chiefs pack is heavier than both teams that played in 2019 RWC final.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
@bovidae Not an expert but weren't the problems on the loosehead side with the Canes yesterday? Hames was saying Ta'avao was giving the Canes loosehead a torrid time.
I thought that collectively the Chiefs front row had an advantage over their Hurricanes opponents. That continued with the reserves, who also got a scrum penalty.
Fun fact, this Chiefs pack is heavier than both teams that played in 2019 RWC final.
@kiwi_expat said in All Blacks 2022:
Fun fact, this Chiefs pack is heavier than both teams that played in 2019 RWC final.
That surprises me. Mafileo, BBBR and Vaa'i are all heavier than their replacements from yesterday.
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So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
@kiwiwomble given that back 3, they are just numbers, they all roam anyway...plus, this is what i was thinking Fozzie would do right now.
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@kiwiwomble given that back 3, they are just numbers, they all roam anyway...plus, this is what i was thinking Fozzie would do right now.
i prefer more structure than three guys roaming...but you're probably right
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
You’re counting is very poor, I must say. I just have no idea why cane is in 8, Havilli at 11?
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@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
You’re counting is very poor, I must say. I just have no idea why cane is in 8, Havilli at 11?
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
You’re counting is very poor, I must say. I just have no idea why cane is in 8, Havilli at 11?
*your
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So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieJesus that team looks pretty average.
Jordie at wing?
You're taking the piss aren't you?
Even Foster must see that was a waste of time. -
@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
So what would a startimg 15 look like right now, with our injuries.
Any surprises?
Moody, Samsoni, Hodgman
BBBR, Vaai
Blackadder, Ardie, Cane
Smith, Mounga
Havili, ALB
Reece, Jordan, JordieBuggar all changes really with a few injuries and pending holidays...obviously a 'what should the 15 be' would have a few changes I expect.
no one is going to question Jordie on the wing...we giving that another go?
You’re counting is very poor, I must say. I just have no idea why cane is in 8, Havilli at 11?
@machpants assuming you are serious, think of it i you set a scrum and thier positioning then....
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McLean also points to the midfield as a reason for the semifinal defeat.
"The other thing is that ever since Ma'a Nonu went we haven't had a really physically dominant person in the midfield.
"Since Ma'a's gone we've had guys who are really good rugby players. But our problem is that most of our midfield players who have been the form players in Super Rugby have been very similar types. You need someone who's the ball carrier, and one who's an organiser. Our great teams have always had centre pairings who are like ying and yang. Walter Little and Frank Bunce, Joe Stanley and Warwick Taylor, Ma'a and Conrad [Smith].
"Ma'a was also a good passer. When I coached him at the Hurricanes I kept wondering, 'Why doesn't he pass more? He'e a really good passer.' But I knew that every person who had coached him knew his great strength was carrying the ball not into contact, but right through it.
"He never got asked to change, because coaches decided we'll use your strength. And in his early days especially, a lot of his self esteem came from rugby, and in rugby his self esteem came from his ball carrying. And God, he was good at it. You'd have tackling practice, and no-one wanted to tackle Ma'a. He certainly used his full range of skills at the back end of his career.
"Now we're seven years on from 2015 and we still haven't been able to establish a centre pairing."
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For the record, I'd have Thomas Umaga-Jensen as the ball carrier at 12 and ALB as the organizer at 13.
There aren't many centres as huge (110kg+) as Thomas in NZ & the man is a beast at just 23 years.
