All Blacks 2022
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@broughie said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stargazer He can take longer to return if he likes. He has been underwhelming for a couple of years now. Has no go forward and we need that in our props.
Might come back refreshed and rejuvenated! Can get some inspiration from Laulala.
@Bones one can only hope because with the ABs sometimes these characters hang around based on reputation and not performance. Yes good for Nepo in the scrum last night but I think you would agree that we need props that can scrum and take up the ball and the rest. Not one dimensional. Plus yea he stayed out of the bin.
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Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
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@Stargazer He can take longer to return if he likes. He has been underwhelming for a couple of years now. Has no go forward and we need that in our props.
@broughie said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stargazer He can take longer to return if he likes. He has been underwhelming for a couple of years now. Has no go forward and we need that in our props.
IMO he's still the best LH we have.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
Who does Robinson get in there for? He played very well tonight no doubt about it.
He's a lock/loose utility at Test level. Probably late squad pick, but can't see him in the 23 unless weird things happen.
Playing well doesn't necesarily get you into the ABs - as you say, there has to be a space that you are better than someone else to get in.
I think Perofeta gets there as the third 10 and utility back. Competing iwth DMac when he comes back though
@nzzp As much as I think Robinson would be vwry good in the test environment, who does he replace?
In a way I think he is competing directly with Vai who is a lock that can play 6 while Robinson is a 6 that can play lock, and Vai has shown enough to continue the investment in him.
And this is where the NZ Maori is an issue for guys like Robinson, Eklund, Seger, Holland, MMT, Morgan, Roe etc, even Frizzel if he isn't in the main squad*
Guys that would likely thrive if given a chance against Ireland if it was NZ A, not NZ Maori playing them.
*Assuming none have any Maori ancestors.
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Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
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@nzzp As much as I think Robinson would be vwry good in the test environment, who does he replace?
In a way I think he is competing directly with Vai who is a lock that can play 6 while Robinson is a 6 that can play lock, and Vai has shown enough to continue the investment in him.
And this is where the NZ Maori is an issue for guys like Robinson, Eklund, Seger, Holland, MMT, Morgan, Roe etc, even Frizzel if he isn't in the main squad*
Guys that would likely thrive if given a chance against Ireland if it was NZ A, not NZ Maori playing them.
*Assuming none have any Maori ancestors.
@taniwharugby Eklund is alread MABs capped (see my article). I expect him to be the no. 1 hooker in the MABs squad. Easy to exclude Segner and Holland. MMT is Samoan. Frizell is Tongan. The rest, who knows? I was surprised by the call-ups of Josh Dickson, the Norris brothers, Nankivell and Trask, but their Māori ancester may just be further up the family tree.
I assume that if the rumours are true about the All Blacks XV playing a few games, later this year, some of these guys may be in that squad.
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@taniwharugby Eklund is alread MABs capped (see my article). I expect him to be the no. 1 hooker in the MABs squad. Easy to exclude Segner and Holland. MMT is Samoan. Frizell is Tongan. The rest, who knows? I was surprised by the call-ups of Josh Dickson, the Norris brothers, Nankivell and Trask, but their Māori ancester may just be further up the family tree.
I assume that if the rumours are true about the All Blacks XV playing a few games, later this year, some of these guys may be in that squad.
@Stargazer but that's the point, some are probably better than some that make the Maori side, but are excluded due to not being Maori.
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@Stargazer but that's the point, some are probably better than some that make the Maori side, but are excluded due to not being Maori.
@taniwharugby Just added another sentence.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
Agree. Three only thing I'm not sure about is new props (cos I know nothing), and I think havili will still be in. Not saying should but will be
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
Agree. Three only thing I'm not sure about is new props (cos I know nothing), and I think havili will still be in. Not saying should but will be
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
That won’t be far off at all.
Agree. Three only thing I'm not sure about is new props (cos I know nothing), and I think havili will still be in. Not saying should but will be
I'm thinking maybe one less lock. Havili in as midfielder and Lester F named as an outside back.
Perofeta is the DMac of the squad. Could be named as 10 or outside back, doesn't matter which. -
Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
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@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
I think Hodgeman should be in the team, I can't remember who posted it but he by far and away had some of the best stats of any NZ prop in Super Rugby for rucks hit, tackles etc etc. I thought AT was very strong on Friday vs the Crusaders, the scrum was very solid, he carts it up like a trooper and made plenty of tackles.
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@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
Angus has also played well all season. Has been a big part of one of the best front rows of the comp and has fronted up against whatever the Blues, Saders and Brumbies could bring. He isn't my first pick starter but using your own logic should be there.
Newell was owned by Ross who is, by most accounts, a fringe selection. -
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
Angus has also played well all season. Has been a big part of one of the best front rows of the comp and has fronted up against whatever the Blues, Saders and Brumbies could bring. He isn't my first pick starter but using your own logic should be there.
Newell was owned by Ross who is, by most accounts, a fringe selection.@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
Angus has also played well all season. Has been a big part of one of the best front rows of the comp and has fronted up against whatever the Blues, Saders and Brumbies could bring. He isn't my first pick starter but using your own logic should be there.
Newell was owned by Ross who is, by most accounts, a fringe selection.Newell didn't really prop against Ross Jager did and when Norris came on he got owned by Newell in the last 20 minutes.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
Angus has also played well all season. Has been a big part of one of the best front rows of the comp and has fronted up against whatever the Blues, Saders and Brumbies could bring. He isn't my first pick starter but using your own logic should be there.
Newell was owned by Ross who is, by most accounts, a fringe selection.Newell didn't really prop against Ross Jager did and when Norris came on he got owned by Newell in the last 20 minutes.
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
Newell didn't really prop against Ross Jager did and when Norris came on he got owned by Newell in the last 20 minutes.
That was only one scrum. When a fresh Dyer replaced Ta'avao the scrums were even. Ta'avao has been playing ~70 mins in recent weeks so there is going to be some fatigue late in the game. Bower and Jager were owned in the 1st half.
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@Bovidae don't agree with Bower and Taavao in the squad. Angus has not done a lot to warrant selection, Bower replacing Moody is not a good enough reason to be selected either. Both have had mediocre seasons. I would replace them with Newell and Hodgman both have consistently played well throughout the season.
@number9 I am not a Bower fan either, but I expect he'll be in the squad. Dominating a no-name Qld front row means little when we get to test rugby. Bower really struggled against the better international scrums last year.
Cully mentions that there have been concerns about de Groot's fitness, something many of us have noted. He could be the LH prop to miss out. You would want your best props starting, but I am not sure which LH that is myself. I like Hodgman but he might be better as the reserve LH.
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Paul Cully with his possible AB squad (including 5 new caps):
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Three ticks
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Who cares….
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Can’t really fault any of these. Whitelock’s health the only issue.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
For me Jacobson and Frizell are a bit ho-hum. Would rather they take a punt with MMT given Cane, Savea, Ioane, Sotutu/Papali’i will be getting most of the playing time.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
With TJP possibly in the Maori, I guess it’s a call between Weber and Christie.
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
All good
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Not sure if both RTS and LF will make it, but I wouldn’t mind it. I think LF is still more a wing that can play centre.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Can see a strong argument for Perofeta, but could we just go in with BB and Mo’unga and have Jordie on emergency (ala Rangi all those years ago). That would open the door for a bolter like Lam or another midfielder.
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Hookers: Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs), Dane Coles (Hurricanes)
Three ticks
Props: Nepo Laulala (Blues), Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Ethan de Groot (Highlanders), George Bower (Crusaders), Aidan Ross (Chiefs)
Who cares….
Locks: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Josh Lord (Chiefs), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
Can’t really fault any of these. Whitelock’s health the only issue.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (Chiefs, captain), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Luke Jacobson (Chiefs), Hoskins Sotutu (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders)
For me Jacobson and Frizell are a bit ho-hum. Would rather they take a punt with MMT given Cane, Savea, Ioane, Sotutu/Papali’i will be getting most of the playing time.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), Brad Weber (Chiefs), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders)
With TJP possibly in the Maori, I guess it’s a call between Weber and Christie.
No 10s: Beauden Barrett (Blues), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders)
All good
Midfielders: Rieko Ioane (Blues), Jack Goodhue (Crusaders), Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders)
Not sure if both RTS and LF will make it, but I wouldn’t mind it. I think LF is still more a wing that can play centre.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Blues), Sevu Reece (Crusaders), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Will Jordan (Crusaders), Stephen Perofeta (Blues)
Can see a strong argument for Perofeta, but could we just go in with BB and Mo’unga and have Jordie on emergency (ala Rangi all those years ago). That would open the door for a bolter like Lam or another midfielder.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2022:
For me Jacobson and Frizell are a bit ho-hum. Would rather they take a punt with MMT given Cane, Savea, Ioane, Sotutu/Papali’i will be getting most of the playing time.
I'm with you on this. MMT should replace with Frizell.
I wonder if Robinson vs Lord for that 5th lock will be looked at. Gut says they'll go Lord.
Of course even after the ABs are named there could be some changes with potential injuries/suspensions in the final.
