All Blacks 2022

Chris B.

Until this year he's never seemed like a strong enough scrummager to me.

Given that he's an Irishman originally, I've been somewhat biased against him and his seemingly slow development. Wondered why the Crusaders persisted with him, when for several years he was pretty much just a squaddie and occupying a spot that could have been taken by an NZ-qualified prop.

However, he has come good this year and might be able to step up to the ABs if required.

Stargazer

@Chris-B I think his slow development may have something to do with the fact that he started as a loosie. I think it was Jason Ryan who decided to turn him into a prop.

gt12

@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:

@Chris-B I think his slow development may have something to do with the fact that he started as a loosie. I think it was Jason Ryan who decided to turn him into a prop.

Not sure about that? I think he was already playing prop when he arrived.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/oliver-jager-from-the-sct-to-rubbing-shoulders-with-kieran-read-1.2554579

He had played with Leinster and Ireland Schools, but there was no academy place in the pipeline, so undaunted, and showing remarkable maturity, he headed for Christchurch and a course called the international high performance unit at the Canterbury Crusaders.

Jager takes up the story. "You train with the Canterbury Academy. You do their specialist programme. You are basically part of the programme except you have to pay for it. I did that for a month, to see what professional rugby was like in New Zealand and just play a bit of rugby somewhere other than Ireland.

“After a month, I thought I’d done alright, but they asked me to come back and play a whole season.” He’d travelled to New Zealand with an impressive rugby pedigree. He started playing in Naas RFC and after a year at Newbridge College moved to Blackrock, winning JCT and SCT medals, the first as a flanker and the second as a **tighthead prop** – his preferred position and the one he plays today..

Stargazer

@gt12 Yeah, that's why I said "I think". I only vaguely remember reading somethig about it. Didn't really want to look it up haha.

Stargazer

@gt12 Found it. This article from 2016 is where I probably read it.

Although his goal was to play for Canterbury, Jager only thought his time at Rugby Park would essentially be a learning experience.

He arrived as a No 8 but after discussions with academy coach - and now Canterbury assistant - Jason Ryan he decided to focus on the front row.

"There's always a shortage of tighthead props so we worked out a plan. He hooked into some club footy and he's never looked back," said Ryan.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/83544474/pipe-dream-fulfilled-in-canterbury-for-fitting-irish-prop-oliver-jager

ACT Crusader

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:

@Chris-B similarly, Ofa...he can be very good one scrum/week, and be destroyed the next scrum/week! Shame as he is one the better ball runners and defenders (with the obvious card issues)

As for RB on Franks, would likely have been Hoeft that told him, isnt he is Brother - in - law?

Yep, pretty sure he was. That new poster @BartMan might confirm as part of the Thames / Te Aroha clan.

Ofa’s play has gone off the boil in my opinion. Him, Taylor and Laulala have been horribly out of form

MN5

Good to see someone giving up his Irish dream and playing for one of the lesser teams instead.

Daffy Jaffy

Ofa with an update on his injury -
"Tough call not to travel away with the team. Nothing major, just a couple of weeks to let the Cervical nerves settle down".

Frye

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2022:

Ofa with an update on his injury -
"Tough call not to travel away with the team. Nothing major, just a couple of weeks to let the Cervical nerves settle down".

Incredible photo to use!

canefan

@Frye said in All Blacks 2022:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2022:

Ofa with an update on his injury -
"Tough call not to travel away with the team. Nothing major, just a couple of weeks to let the Cervical nerves settle down".

Incredible photo to use!

"Sorry that I head butted you maaaaaate"

Machpants

@Frye said in All Blacks 2022:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2022:

Ofa with an update on his injury -
"Tough call not to travel away with the team. Nothing major, just a couple of weeks to let the Cervical nerves settle down".

Incredible photo to use!

Look where bundee O'Aki 's hand is, damaging his neck, the bastard!

pakman

So Ofa out for Boks tour after 'clean' by Aki, and BBBR out after absorbing tackle by Porter.

It's lucky there was no foul play involved or they might have died.

MN5

@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

@Frye said in All Blacks 2022:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2022:

Ofa with an update on his injury -
"Tough call not to travel away with the team. Nothing major, just a couple of weeks to let the Cervical nerves settle down".

Incredible photo to use!

Look where bundee O'Aki 's hand is, damaging his neck, the bastard!

Either that or looking for some chicken to steal

mariner4life

You know what occurred to me this morning as I watched us get fingered like drunk school girls?

We keep being told about building towards a world cup

For 20 years world cups have been won by territory, set piece, defence, and kicking goals.

What would you say our strength is in these areas? What improvements have you seen in these areas?

Are we picking teams to win these areas?

Bovidae

https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-to-play-japan-in-tokyo-on-2022-northern-tour/

2022 All Blacks Northern Tour schedule (all times NZT)

v Japan, Saturday, 29 October, kick-off TBC, National Stadium, Tokyo
v Wales, Sunday 6 Nov, kick-off 4.15am, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
v Scotland, Monday 14 Nov, kick-off 3.15am, Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland
v England, Saturday 19 Nov, kick-off TBC, Twickenham London

Crucial

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-to-play-japan-in-tokyo-on-2022-northern-tour/

2022 All Blacks Northern Tour schedule (all times NZT)

v Japan, Saturday, 29 October, kick-off TBC, National Stadium, Tokyo
v Wales, Sunday 6 Nov, kick-off 4.15am, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
v Scotland, Monday 14 Nov, kick-off 3.15am, Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland
v England, Saturday 19 Nov, kick-off TBC, Twickenham London

Looking for a game they might be able to win?

Bovidae

@Crucial I was waiting for that sort of comment. An easier first-up game if there is a new coach for the EOYT.

Machpants

@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-to-play-japan-in-tokyo-on-2022-northern-tour/

2022 All Blacks Northern Tour schedule (all times NZT)

v Japan, Saturday, 29 October, kick-off TBC, National Stadium, Tokyo
v Wales, Sunday 6 Nov, kick-off 4.15am, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
v Scotland, Monday 14 Nov, kick-off 3.15am, Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland
v England, Saturday 19 Nov, kick-off TBC, Twickenham London

Looking for a game they might be able to win?

Your arrogance is showing

Kirwan

This speaks to the pressure the players, Cane in particular, are under.

alt text

With the struggles players like Hooper and Akira have been pretty open about, its a good reminder we can be critical without being cruel.

Kirwan

More photos here;

https://www.facebook.com/AllBlacks/photos/pcb.10158900905911915/10158900905851915

The Silver Fern

All Blacks 2022