All Blacks 2022
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@Canes4life I have not been impressed with de Groot at all. His work rate around the field has been underwhelming. Karl T to start, Hodgman off the bench to finish.
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@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
Sometimes there aren't that many scrums so I think we should be focusing on what the props do around the field, particularly ball-carrying and their tackling.
I don't rate Bower either, but de Groot hasn't had that many opportunities, and none against top level teams yet. The only non-capped LH prop who could force his way in is Aidan Ross. He was brought into the AB squad last year so must be in the mix.
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
Sometimes there aren't that many scrums so I think we should be focusing on what the props do around the field, particularly ball-carrying and their tackling.
I don't rate Bower either, but de Groot hasn't had that many opportunities, and none against top level teams yet. The only non-capped LH prop who could force his way in is Aidan Ross. He was brought into the AB squad last year so must be in the mix.
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@Bovidae I prefer Ross over de Groot
, so a propping trio of Karl, Hodgman and Ross will work. -
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
What a bummer. Wish Joe speedy recovery.
Yeah he'll leave a big gap in the squad even though his form around the field has been questionable
33 years old, turning 34 later this year.
It's going to be difficult to get up to speed again in RWC year
Remember when he came into RWC 2015? His passing and running skills are a long way down from that.
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
What a bummer. Wish Joe speedy recovery.
Yeah he'll leave a big gap in the squad even though his form around the field has been questionable
33 years old, turning 34 later this year.
It's going to be difficult to get up to speed again in RWC year
Remember when he came into RWC 2015? His passing and running skills are a long way down from that.
2015 Joe amazed me with reverse pass offload in French quarter! Just what we need now...
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae I prefer Ross over de Groot
, so a propping trio of Karl, Hodgman and Ross will work.And a move to the blues for Ross eh
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones I wouldn't be surprised if the contract is in the post.
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise.
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones I wouldn't be surprised if the contract is in the post.
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise.
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Not sure if this update has been posted for ALB as well
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@taniwharugby Yes, here, but I'm sure some will have missed the little arrow if they don't know how instagram works.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby Yes, here, but I'm sure some will have missed the little arrow if they don't know how instagram works.
Insta what?
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That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
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Hardly news but I think AB backs are in good shape other than at 12. Havili and Tuapea are OK, but neither a unit. RTS has real promise but early days. Poihipi has also looked good there for Chiefs. Only TUJ seems to have the thrust to really bend the line running straight, but is raw.
I’d like to see ABs select three 12s for squad. One unit, one classic 2nd five, and one other. -
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
I don't agree that Karl T is a 'top grade scrummaging LH". Not consistently anyway.
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I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
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I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
How many in your ABs 23 won't be Blues?
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
How many in your ABs 23 won't be Blues?
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2022:
I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
How many in your ABs 23 won't be Blues?
Probably about 10. A (starting) hooker, two locks, (starting) halfback, (starting) fullback and (starting) right wing. Four others on the bench, depending on starting second row.
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Current status :
Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.
LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.
THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.
Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?
Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.
Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.
Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.
Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.
1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.
2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.
Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.
Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?
Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?
