All Blacks 2022
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
He has recovered. Did you see that Chiefs game? What did you think of his performance against the Chiefs loosies?
It was very good.
Much better than he played against the Drua in his last outingEven in your Blues fans MOTM points for the season he has 1 point and sits last on the table.
He’s another Blackadder. Can turn out a good one then look ineffective.
Good player but not what the ABs need.@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
It was very good.
Much better than he played against the Drua in his last outing
Even in your Blues fans MOTM points for the season he has 1 point and sits last on the table.Yes. He had a tricky injury early in the year.
He was in and out of the side, bracketed in some games and was a late scratching in another. I thought during that time the Blues should've been playing Plumtree.
They game him a couple of games off to recover. Since then he dominated against the Chiefs, had a strong game against Crusaders and a quiet game against the Drua.
I doubt he'll make the AB squad. However he certainly hasn't been a 'waste of space' and he wasn't 'low quality' vs the Chiefs or Crusaders
-
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
It was very good.
Much better than he played against the Drua in his last outing
Even in your Blues fans MOTM points for the season he has 1 point and sits last on the table.Yes. He had a tricky injury early in the year.
He was in and out of the side, bracketed in some games and was a late scratching in another. I thought during that time the Blues should've been playing Plumtree.
They game him a couple of games off to recover. Since then he dominated against the Chiefs, had a strong game against Crusaders and a quiet game against the Drua.
I doubt he'll make the AB squad. However he certainly hasn't been a 'waste of space' and he wasn't 'low quality' vs the Chiefs or Crusaders
-
@Duluth I think that both Robinson and Sowakula have not been consistent enough lately - but are the ones most capable of sticking their hands up for a squad berth. Just no space with 8 incumbents playing well enough in loosies.
@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
I think that both Robinson and Sowakula have not been consistent enough lately - but are the ones most capable of sticking their hands up for a squad berth. Just no space with 8 incumbents playing well enough in loosies.
I think Sowakula and Frizell are better chances than Robinson. They may want someone who can play a similar role as Akira as a backup in the squad
Robinson is a different sort of player. For him to make it, he needs some quality matches at lock and blindside IMO. He's unlikely to get time at lock now
-
@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
I think that both Robinson and Sowakula have not been consistent enough lately - but are the ones most capable of sticking their hands up for a squad berth. Just no space with 8 incumbents playing well enough in loosies.
I think Sowakula and Frizell are better chances than Robinson. They may want someone who can play a similar role as Akira as a backup in the squad
Robinson is a different sort of player. For him to make it, he needs some quality matches at lock and blindside IMO. He's unlikely to get time at lock now
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
-
@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
I think that both Robinson and Sowakula have not been consistent enough lately - but are the ones most capable of sticking their hands up for a squad berth. Just no space with 8 incumbents playing well enough in loosies.
I think Sowakula and Frizell are better chances than Robinson. They may want someone who can play a similar role as Akira as a backup in the squad
Robinson is a different sort of player. For him to make it, he needs some quality matches at lock and blindside IMO. He's unlikely to get time at lock now
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Robinson is a different sort of player. For him to make it, he needs some quality matches at lock and blindside IMO. He's unlikely to get time at lock now
Will Robinson even start now that Akira is back?
-
Question - has Fakatava's eligibility for the ABs this year been sorted out?
Last year, when he got injured it seemed like new rules were going to exclude him until 2023.
Google doesn't immediately throw up something saying he's clear to be selected.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:
Question - has Fakatava's eligibility for the ABs this year been sorted out?
Last year, when he got injured it seemed like new rules were going to exclude him until 2023.
Google doesn't immediately throw up something saying he's clear to be selected.
If they haven't sorted it out, he will be eligible in December, this year. So too late for the Northern Tour. They could still include him as an apprentice, and if they organise games for the All Blacks XV (which hasn't been nominated as NZ's 2nd XV), he can play in those games.
-
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
-
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
One thing I like about Vaa’i is that he paces himself well. Lord ran himself into the ground the other night but was little more effective than Vaa’i, then as he went off TV stepped up another gear for a burst. You often see him go big as the opposition reserves come on.
-
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game? -
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
One thing I like about Vaa’i is that he paces himself well. Lord ran himself into the ground the other night but was little more effective than Vaa’i, then as he went off TV stepped up another gear for a burst. You often see him go big as the opposition reserves come on.
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
One thing I like about Vaa’i is that he paces himself well. Lord ran himself into the ground the other night but was little more effective than Vaa’i, then as he went off TV stepped up another gear for a burst. You often see him go big as the opposition reserves come on.
The hit on Paisami on Saturday would do any 6 proud.
-
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
One thing I like about Vaa’i is that he paces himself well. Lord ran himself into the ground the other night but was little more effective than Vaa’i, then as he went off TV stepped up another gear for a burst. You often see him go big as the opposition reserves come on.
The hit on Paisami on Saturday would do any 6 proud.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth he's certainly been quiet compared to previous seasons, still gets through some work though, just not at the level he had been, but is getting back to it now.
Yeah I dont think he will make it this year either, and the way selections go, it is pretty tough breaking into the ABs, especially in a congested loosie spot.
If TWM are looking for a 5.5 then IMO Vaa’i is the man.
One thing I like about Vaa’i is that he paces himself well. Lord ran himself into the ground the other night but was little more effective than Vaa’i, then as he went off TV stepped up another gear for a burst. You often see him go big as the opposition reserves come on.
The hit on Paisami on Saturday would do any 6 proud.
Only a second or so after another tackle as well. Bang, bang!
Kaino like. (ducks for cover)
-
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
-
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
-
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
Yeah, that's patently untrue. He's played well there.
-
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
Yeah, that's patently untrue. He's played well there.
@Kirwan yeah, he is only 1cm shorter than Luke Romano (IIRC, played a few tests) so I dont think it'd be an issue putting him at lock if needed.
-
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
Yeah, that's patently untrue. He's played well there.
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
Yeah he’s unlikely to start at lock or 6 unless there’s injuries
I would like to see the Blues try a Dalton/Akira/Robinson combo. Maybe against the Brumbies
You’d want Sotutu’s current work rate against the Brumbies, surely?
Maybe your combo as a reshuffle into the game?Having Robinson and Akira together would help the lineout, basically three locks and Akira is used alot in the lineout.
Robinson is only a lock by Hurricanes standards.
Yeah, that's patently untrue. He's played well there.
In big games against decent locks? Even the Canes maligned locks have the odd good game but never when up against internationals
-
Can't comment on Robinson's form, but if he's been decent enough, I'd like to see him there, because he brings genuine lineout height. I'd like to see someone in the squad who can stand down the back of the lineout next to Big Pieter-Steph and not get the Benny Hill treatment (the slaps on the head).
I'd also like to see a really big munter in the squad who can charge off the back of the scrum and make metres. Ardie does it with leg drive and determination, but I'm thinking in the mold of Billy Vunipola. Sowakula might be the closest we have, but he seems a bit error prone.
What we had last year seemed a bit analogous to cricket allrounders. A bunch of guys who were either big 7s or small 6/8s. Ideally suited to the bench (though I like big 7s).
It's going to be harsh on some, but I don't think we need half a dozen of these in-between guys.
-
Can't comment on Robinson's form, but if he's been decent enough, I'd like to see him there, because he brings genuine lineout height. I'd like to see someone in the squad who can stand down the back of the lineout next to Big Pieter-Steph and not get the Benny Hill treatment (the slaps on the head).
I'd also like to see a really big munter in the squad who can charge off the back of the scrum and make metres. Ardie does it with leg drive and determination, but I'm thinking in the mold of Billy Vunipola. Sowakula might be the closest we have, but he seems a bit error prone.
What we had last year seemed a bit analogous to cricket allrounders. A bunch of guys who were either big 7s or small 6/8s. Ideally suited to the bench (though I like big 7s).
It's going to be harsh on some, but I don't think we need half a dozen of these in-between guys.
