All Blacks 2022
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@number9 agree about Karl T, his form has been patchy and heās heading overseas
ā
ļø.
On Angus Taāavao, I donāt believe heās an international class tighthead prop , thought he was average when he first made the Blues, improved when he went to the Warratahs, but in my opinion is no better than super level ..would get eaten by most international loose head props ..De Groot and Fletcher Newall would have been in my team ..
Callum Grace who has been the best lineout forward on his own ball is bloody unlucky , been superb at number 8.@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2022:
@number9 agree about Karl T, his form has been patchy and heās heading overseas
āļø.
On Angus Taāavao, I donāt believe heās an international class tighthead prop , thought he was average when he first made the Blues, improved when he went to the Warratahs, but in my opinion is no better than super level ..would get eaten by most international loose head props ..Other than Australians I guess?
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Is this going to be more of the same the backs taken out of the game by us not getting over the gain line up front.
PGS there for that I suppose but won't start ahead of Ardie,RTS,LF will not get much game time it looks a lot like last year to me.The 23 looks like it will not change from last season.PGS will be the backup six to Akira, IMO. If they start ST instead of Taylor, and with Ofa's improved ball running/fitness (probably from the bench) you have two great ball running options just from the front row.
Akira/Ardie/Cane with Dalton on the bench gives good options there too. Really the locks that have to up that area of the game, so a lot resting on Scott Barrett IMO.
Maybe, I just don't have much faith in Fosters and co's selections when it comes to the 23.I can see better options in the squad than what they might actually pick.
It will be interesting to see that first 23 for the first test v Ireland.
I think Barret is probably the no.1 lock ATM.That he might be, but not much use to the team when he is sitting down for ten or twenty minutes thanks to the inevitable carding.
@Higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2022:
With those prop selections we don't seem to be addressing the lack of ball running ability problem from last season.
Is this going to be more of the same the backs taken out of the game by us not getting over the gain line up front.
PGS there for that I suppose but won't start ahead of Ardie,RTS,LF will not get much game time it looks a lot like last year to me.The 23 looks like it will not change from last season.PGS will be the backup six to Akira, IMO. If they start ST instead of Taylor, and with Ofa's improved ball running/fitness (probably from the bench) you have two great ball running options just from the front row.
Akira/Ardie/Cane with Dalton on the bench gives good options there too. Really the locks that have to up that area of the game, so a lot resting on Scott Barrett IMO.
Maybe, I just don't have much faith in Fosters and co's selections when it comes to the 23.I can see better options in the squad than what they might actually pick.
It will be interesting to see that first 23 for the first test v Ireland.
I think Barret is probably the no.1 lock ATM.That he might be, but not much use to the team when he is sitting down for ten or twenty minutes thanks to the inevitable carding.
he seems to have adjusted the tackling technique for one, I noticed last week all his 20 plus tackles were below the hips.
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@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2022:
@number9 agree about Karl T, his form has been patchy and heās heading overseas
āļø.
On Angus Taāavao, I donāt believe heās an international class tighthead prop , thought he was average when he first made the Blues, improved when he went to the Warratahs, but in my opinion is no better than super level ..would get eaten by most international loose head props ..Other than Australians I guess?
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@Crucial I would be nervous as hell going into RWC ,QF,Semi or Final with Angus on the bench no matter whom we were up against ..
@Steven-Harris You could say the same about Ofa as he regularly gets penalised in the scrum.
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Karl T, ST, Laulala
Whitelock, SB
AI, Sotutu, Paps
Smith
BB, RTS, RI
Jordan, JB, ReeceOT, Ta'avao, Coles, BBBR, Savea, Tupaea, Fakatava, Mounga
Unlikely to be anywhere close to the 23 but given the squad that is the team I would put out there.
Hardest part was cover for RI should he go down early, who goes to 13? That made the reserves a bit tricky as Goodhue is the obvious cover but lacks pace and not sure the impact so went with Tupaea.
Also should probably have Cane in there but not sure he is back to full fitness mentally and in body.
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Karl T, ST, Laulala
Whitelock, SB
AI, Sotutu, Paps
Smith
BB, RTS, RI
Jordan, JB, ReeceOT, Ta'avao, Coles, BBBR, Savea, Tupaea, Fakatava, Mounga
Unlikely to be anywhere close to the 23 but given the squad that is the team I would put out there.
Hardest part was cover for RI should he go down early, who goes to 13? That made the reserves a bit tricky as Goodhue is the obvious cover but lacks pace and not sure the impact so went with Tupaea.
Also should probably have Cane in there but not sure he is back to full fitness mentally and in body.
@chimoaus said in All Blacks 2022:
Karl T, ST, Laulala
Whitelock, SB
AI, Sotutu, Paps
Smith
BB, RTS, RI
Jordan, JB, ReeceOT, Ta'avao, Coles, BBBR, Savea, Tupaea, Fakatava, Mounga
Unlikely to be anywhere close to the 23 but given the squad that is the team I would put out there.
Hardest part was cover for RI should he go down early, who goes to 13? That made the reserves a bit tricky as Goodhue is the obvious cover but lacks pace and not sure the impact so went with Tupaea.
Also should probably have Cane in there but not sure he is back to full fitness mentally and in body.
Why mentally? Seems an odd comment.
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@chimoaus said in All Blacks 2022:
Karl T, ST, Laulala
Whitelock, SB
AI, Sotutu, Paps
Smith
BB, RTS, RI
Jordan, JB, ReeceOT, Ta'avao, Coles, BBBR, Savea, Tupaea, Fakatava, Mounga
Unlikely to be anywhere close to the 23 but given the squad that is the team I would put out there.
Hardest part was cover for RI should he go down early, who goes to 13? That made the reserves a bit tricky as Goodhue is the obvious cover but lacks pace and not sure the impact so went with Tupaea.
Also should probably have Cane in there but not sure he is back to full fitness mentally and in body.
Why mentally? Seems an odd comment.
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks 2022:
Karl T, ST, Laulala
Whitelock, SB
AI, Sotutu, Paps
Smith
BB, RTS, RI
Jordan, JB, ReeceOT, Ta'avao, Coles, BBBR, Savea, Tupaea, Fakatava, Mounga
Unlikely to be anywhere close to the 23 but given the squad that is the team I would put out there.
Hardest part was cover for RI should he go down early, who goes to 13? That made the reserves a bit tricky as Goodhue is the obvious cover but lacks pace and not sure the impact so went with Tupaea.
Also should probably have Cane in there but not sure he is back to full fitness mentally and in body.
Why mentally? Seems an odd comment.
Dunno, just seems since his injury last year I just don't feel he has reached peak Cane and not sure if he believes it either. No evidence, just an armchair observation. I also found it very odd he was on the bench in a semi-final.
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I'd like to see the coaches show some balls and open with:
A Smith
Beauden
Clarke
RTS
Rieko
Jordan
JordieReece, Mo'unga and Fakatava on the bench to carve up against their tiring defense.
We've got to move on from "safe" players (E.G. Havili) or we won't have a point of difference against the other top sides. Then all we need the forwards to do is actually gain some fucking parity and watch that backline tear them to pieces.
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I'm not a Bower fan, but anyone who thinks he can't run, should have a look at the highlights of the Crusaders v Chiefs SF. That's just one example and there have been more, but he can run with the ball. Unfortunately, he also suffers from the occasional flair-up of BradShieditis (translation: soap on his hands).
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@Stargazer Bower's got a decent turn of speed. I think he's a good selection.
@Chris-B I guess if they can up the workrate of that crop of props, it isnt an issue.
Do we know the average number of scrums set in games these days given the importance it looks like they have put on that aspect of the game.
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@Steven-Harris You could say the same about Ofa as he regularly gets penalised in the scrum.
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@Bovidae you will get no argument from me on that one Ofa T, Kart T and Angus T ..all very lucky , all have 2nd names that start with ,T just a coincidence
@Steven-Harris Strange to say that Ofa Tu'ungufasi is lucky to make the ABs. He's been one of the best and most involved players in the competition. He had one bad night at the scrum with two light weight locks behind him. Otherwise he's been excellent.
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@Chris-B I guess if they can up the workrate of that crop of props, it isnt an issue.
Do we know the average number of scrums set in games these days given the importance it looks like they have put on that aspect of the game.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
Do we know the average number of scrums set in games these days given the importance it looks like they have put on that aspect of the game.
It's only not an issue until it is. If you're conceding scrum penalties, teams can keep resetting until you get carded. I don't think yo uhve to be dominant, but I do think you have to be able to hold your own.
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QUESTIONS!
Who do you think will be in the 23 for the first test if everyone is available?
Who would you pick from this squad for the 23 for the first test if everyone is available?
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
QUESTIONS!
Who do you think will be in the 23 for the first test if everyone is available?
Who would you pick from this squad for the 23 for the first test if everyone is available?
Me: Bower, Sam T, Ofa, SBarrett, Retallick, Ioane, Savea, Sotutu, Smith, BBarrett*, Reece, Goodhue, Ioane, Jordan, Jordie
Taylor, Ross, Laulala, Whitelock, Cane, Christie, Mo'unga*, Clarke- This might change on Saturday night!
Fozzie: Bower, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, Whitelock, Ioane, Cane, Savea, Smith, Barrett, Reece, (12. Any of four?), Ioane, Jordan Jordie
Sam T., Big Karl, Ofa, Barrett, PapaliĆ if fit, Christie, Mo'unga, (Any of three remaining midfielders). -
@Steven-Harris Strange to say that Ofa Tu'ungufasi is lucky to make the ABs. He's been one of the best and most involved players in the competition. He had one bad night at the scrum with two light weight locks behind him. Otherwise he's been excellent.
@Tim , just hasānt developed into the international prop i thought he he could be ,rocks and diamonds , more rocks in recent years stand to be corrected on Ofa but boy there are times in find myself being more frustated with him most of the time and then he comes up with a big hit or an awesome carry , just need to see more consistancy
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@Tim , just hasānt developed into the international prop i thought he he could be ,rocks and diamonds , more rocks in recent years stand to be corrected on Ofa but boy there are times in find myself being more frustated with him most of the time and then he comes up with a big hit or an awesome carry , just need to see more consistancy
@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim , just hasānt developed into the international prop i thought he he could be ,rocks and diamonds , more rocks in recent years stand to be corrected on Ofa but boy there are times in find myself being more frustated with him most of the time and then he comes up with a big hit or an awesome carry , just need to see more consistancy
Which is exactly what's happened in 2022. He's been phenonemal for the Blues
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
Do we know the average number of scrums set in games these days given the importance it looks like they have put on that aspect of the game.
It's only not an issue until it is. If you're conceding scrum penalties, teams can keep resetting until you get carded. I don't think yo uhve to be dominant, but I do think you have to be able to hold your own.
@nzzp I was going to also say, I reckon there must be well over double or triple the number of resets than actual scrums
Ref plays a part in resets too, I mean the stat that Pickerill has more restarts than other refs, what is he dong wrong to cause/allow that? Or is he more accurate there and other refs giving leeway....
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@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim , just hasānt developed into the international prop i thought he he could be ,rocks and diamonds , more rocks in recent years stand to be corrected on Ofa but boy there are times in find myself being more frustated with him most of the time and then he comes up with a big hit or an awesome carry , just need to see more consistancy
Which is exactly what's happened in 2022. He's been phenonemal for the Blues
@Kirwan , i think phenomenal is bit of stretch , i think Papalii pre injury was phenomenal , maybe even Perofeta ..i would still put Ofa T in the reasonably good category .
Is he a starting AB prop ā¦?, not in my book. -
Good to see the back of TJP Bridge and Frizzel
Good to see the inclusion of RTS
Loose mix is stupid. 2 opensides, 3 #8s and one blindside.
Havili is a wasted selection as the entire pattern relies on RI staying fit. There is no like for like replacement.
I have a funny feeling LF has been promoted above his ceiling.Pretty ordinary set of props, but that's what we got. Need to Craig Bellamy that shit and give them very specific tasks.
Predictable locks but if they play like last year we're fucked.
Squad was entirely predictable really, the real fun will be when the first test team is selected.
