All Black props
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@BartMan said in All Black props:
World cup knock out stages next year, starting front row De Groot, Samasoni and Newell.
Newell has got the prop gig sorted in spades, doesn't try to be anything but a prop, does his core duties, starting at scrum time, and then the other duties of a tighty, and lastly ball running. For Crusaders he is more than handy with ball in hand, and I'm sure at test level it will come too. Made for test rugby.
Angus out to pasture, never been a good enough scrummager in my book. Was selected originally thanks to about a million injuries, never because he was the best option. OK around the field, but first jobs first please!
Laulala can only scrum, offers nothing around the field anymore. And while a good TH, not a world beater, so he can bugger off too. Started going downhill after he left the Chiefs - less gametime at the Blues maybe?
Ofa the enigma. He threatened for years to be the next 'great' TH. But then he will forget how to scrum, or tackle, or ball handle at various stages through a season. Offers more than the above 2 though. So keep him.
Lomax, I'm still suffering from the hiding he took against the Waratahs! But he went OK against the Boers, I thought he'd get his head driven out through his own bung hole, but he did surprisingly well. He now needs to scrum at this level consistently, and he could rack up a few tests.
LH prop, I'm on the de Groot bandwagon. This guy to me is a natural born meataxe. Big, strong, and wants to dominate in all aspects of play, which is the attitude you need as a prop at the top level. I think he and Newell will be our next Franks/Woodcock duo. We've not had a genuine world class pair of props since those world cup winners.
Moody can be world class, and won't have a lot of milage on the clock by RWC, so if he can stay injury free, and get time at the coalface, he could push de Groot to the bench. It would be my preferred pair.
Aiden Ross is another prop who is there for his core duties first and foremost, so is my 3rd choice. I expect the more time he gets at test level the better he'll be too, not afraid to do the hard yards in the dark of rucks and mauls.
Bower, if he keeps improving as he has this season, he could force himself into the mix too. If Moody doesn't come good, Bower may get the nod come match day.
Big Karl was a stupid choice in this season for the All Blacks. He was buggering off to France, was never the incumbent, so can't see he had a lot to pass on to the new props. If it had been a Woody, with 100 tests than yes. But it wasn't, you may as well have stuck a Norris in to get a bit of experience at AB level. Big Karl, like Laulala, went downhill as a prop after joining the Blues. Less game time etc, and he system turning into a bouncer again!
Hookers, Samasoni, Taylor and Brodie McAlister.
Dane Coles, sorry me old mate, your time is up. Unless, unless you get a full season with the Hurricanes, injury free, and play bloody well. So no, you're gone.
Asafo Aumua fourth option. If Coles is injured all season, he'll get a chance to Push for AB selection. But he needs to get his throwing to international standard. Everything else is there already!
Taylor looks like he's distracted at the moment. Perhaps off field problems? I back him to hit the field next season refreshed and aiming for RWC glory. He'll form a 1-2 punch with McAlister that will be the envy of other Super sides.
McAlister, he looks another Crusaders front rower bred to play test rugby. Physically looks the part, a block of a man. I think he'd excell.
Kurt Eklund, I don't think he'd let the side down, but I think he'll only get in if there are a run of injuries. A bit like Angus at TH!
So there you go, youngsters for the RWC for me!
Backs win rugby games….
Good post old man.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Black props:
Backs win rugby games
Forward win rugby games, backs decide by how much. - Bob Scottt.
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Surely the throwing can be taught and practiced ? His other freakish talents can’t and surely he’s next cab off the rank if one or both of Coles/Taylor gets put out to pasture.
Yes it can and he can also be maniacal in practicing to make perfect.
If he doesn’t become a regular AB/starter it is an absolute waste of potentially the best hooker of his generation.
Hopefully it clicks for him soon as I can see him playing most of his career in France
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@pakman I'll take test performance over SR and Bower has been very good this year. A blip in SA1 but a shed load more good than bad in every other performance.
Yeah, Ofa doesn’t seem to play anywhere near his potential or ceiling.
Looks too passive on the field when I see him.
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@sparky
Tamaiti Williams will be an All Black, that's for sure. He showed impressive power for the Maoris vs Ireland when he scrummed on the LH side. I am not convinced by his scrummaging when he is playing TH. He is still a bit lazy in the rucks but his carryings are always good in terms of meters won. -
@sparky
Tamaiti Williams will be an All Black, that's for sure. He showed impressive power for the Maoris vs Ireland when he scrummed on the LH side. I am not convinced by his scrummaging when he is playing TH. He is still a bit lazy in the rucks but his carryings are always good in terms of meters won.@cgrant said in All Black props:
@sparky
Tamaiti Williams will be an All Black, that's for sure. He showed impressive power for the Maoris vs Ireland when he scrummed on the LH side. I am not convinced by his scrummaging when he is playing TH. He is still a bit lazy in the rucks but his carryings are always good in terms of meters won.fitness is the concern
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This is a great thread for someone like me who knows SFA about front row stuff - some serious knowledge and intelligence being shown here.
Thanks.
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Rugby Pass:
Ian Foster has somewhat of a conundrum on his hands.
While elder heads Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Angus Ta’avao were all selected in the front row for the All Blacks‘ July series with Ireland, injuries and a change in tack saw the former three absent from the more recent trip to South Africa.
30-year-old George Bower – in his second year as an All Black – started the season as the side’s first-choice loosehead prop in the absence of the sidelined Joe Moody while Laulala and Tuungafasi shared starting duties on the tighthead side of the scrum throughout July.
Video SpacerBower was again employed in the No 1 jersey in the first leg of the South African tour with the experienced Ta’avao partnering him in the front-row but after a middling performance in Mbombela, coach Foster decided to change things up by handing spots in the match-day 23 to Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell – three players who weren’t even included in the squad for July.
All in all, nine props have been handed opportunities throughout the All Blacks’ opening five Tests of the season – and nine props certainly won’t be required for the remainder of The Rugby Championship, which will see NZ take on Argentina and Australia over the coming four matches.
Injuries to Laulala and Tuungafasi paved the way for the inexperienced duo of Lomax and the uncapped Newell to feature against the Springboks but the former two will make their returns to the field for their respective provincial sides this weekend and, as such, should be available to take on Los Pumas in Christchurch on August 27. As such, Foster will need to make the call whether to stick with the new breed of props or revert to the more experienced options.
Had Foster fallen on his sword and been replaced, a new coach may have been able to put loyalty aside and opt for the younger models but that’s probably less likely with the status quo being maintained. Perhaps the biggest fault Foster has shown throughout his tenure in charge of the All Blacks is his commitment to sticking with incumbents (both players and coaches) when there’s been an obvious need for change.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was used off the bench in the opening two matches of the season when it was clear to all and sundry that he should have been Foster’s first-choice hooker and it came as a surprise to no one when the 25-year-old was one of the best players throughout the two Springboks clashes. His elevation into the No 2 jersey came far too late and the same could be said for the promotions of Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell, who Foster was almost forced to play after injuries prevented him from sticking with the tried and tested.
The likes of De Groot and Newell are young and still not yet entirely proven but they’re also clearly long-term options in the All Blacks scrum. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not ready to be regularly playing big Test matches, however.
“For [De Groot and Lomax] to start in that test match, without a doubt the biggest Test that they’ve had in their careers, to perform the way they did was awesome,” said All Blacks captain Sam Cane following the 35-22 win in Johannesburg.
“I’m really stoked for those guys, it makes for some really healthy competition going forward.”
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Yes it can and he can also be maniacal in practicing to make perfect.
If he doesn’t become a regular AB/starter it is an absolute waste of potentially the best hooker of his generation.
Hopefully it clicks for him soon as I can see him playing most of his career in France
@DaGrubster said in All Black props:
Yes it can and he can also be maniacal in practicing to make perfect.
If he doesn’t become a regular AB/starter it is an absolute waste of potentially the best hooker of his generation.
Hopefully it clicks for him soon as I can see him playing most of his career in France
Seeing his first year NPC play the world was at his feet,.and still could be. We can but hope.
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@Nepia said in All Black props:
@Chris-B said in All Black props:
@BartMan Good stuff!
Very interesting your pick of McAlister. I haven't seen much of him, but when he finally got back from injury for the Crusaders he was very impressive with limited opportunities. Ryan will know all about him.
Wellington actually had a couple of promising looking hookers trapped behind Coles and Aumua - Thompson was one, the other's name escapes me right now.
He's wisely come home.
Looks handy but needs games at super level.
@BartMan said in All Black props:
@Nepia said in All Black props:
@Chris-B said in All Black props:
@BartMan Good stuff!
Very interesting your pick of McAlister. I haven't seen much of him, but when he finally got back from injury for the Crusaders he was very impressive with limited opportunities. Ryan will know all about him.
Wellington actually had a couple of promising looking hookers trapped behind Coles and Aumua - Thompson was one, the other's name escapes me right now.
He's wisely come home.
Looks handy but needs games at super level.
Yeah, although he's kind of stuck behind the number 1 AB hooker now though at Super level. Wisely came home to the Bay but probably unwise to go to Chiefs.
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IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
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@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
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@pakman said in All Black props:
For @BartMan and @NTA: https://mobile.twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1559636427037622276
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
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@pakman said in All Black props:
For @BartMan and @NTA: https://mobile.twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1559636427037622276
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
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@pakman said in All Black props:
For @BartMan and @NTA: https://mobile.twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1559636427037622276
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
@Rapido said in All Black props:
@pakman said in All Black props:
For @BartMan and @NTA: https://mobile.twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1559636427037622276
This guy keeps coming up on my youtube suggestions, but haven't watched any yet. As depsite having 'Analysis' in the channel name - the video titles all just looked like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah channel, and I didn't want to give clicks.
So, that is first I have actually watched. And ..... looks like a South African Refereeing waaaaaaah video thinly disguised as a scrum style/technique video.
I looked at the YT channel but there is stuff all there and what is, is very short and doesn't achieve what it sets out to do.
At least someone is having a crack I guess.
I found that clip above an interesting observation. -
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
@pakman said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
Bower was better on the weekend than i anticipated - worth further evaluation.
Newell: haven't seen enough.
Of those not playing:
Laulala known quantity: good at scrum, great at brain snap penalties.
Ofa: you're missing him I think.
Again it comes down to second row doing their job and combinations in the front row and tight five
Probably needs another thread, but many if not most locks seem to favour one side or other.
BBBR: Excellent on TH
Romero: Also always (good) TH
Big Sam: Was originally very much LH, but since LR left Chch seems to have developed into a good TH as well.
Scooter: Solid LH only.
Vaa'i: Seemed good at LH for Chiefs with BBBR at TH.
Patty T: Useless both sides. Common to see AB scrum turn to custard when he comes on. Total unit, so must be technique.
Haven't seen enough to comment on Dickson/Lord.
Usually put your big munter at TH, as your TH prop is working overtime on hooker and LH prop. Needs more power. I played a festival/charity match yesrs ago at TH. Had Brent Anderson at lock. He said just keep your back straight son and I'll do the rest. Felt like a D8 bulldozer when the power came on!
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@nostrildamus said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
And where do you think Ethan De Groot was born? Forged in fire in the bellows of Mordor?
Gold Coast. So Queensland, which is close enough
@NTA said in All Black props:
@nostrildamus said in All Black props:
@NTA said in All Black props:
IamGroot looks handy. Persist.
Lomax: not convinced. And he's an Aussie FFS!
And where do you think Ethan De Groot was born? Forged in fire in the bellows of Mordor?
Gold Coast. So Queensland, which is close enough
Gold Coast is either East South Africa or North West New Zealand.
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Everyone fluffing Laulala as our best TH scrummager needs to watch him getting screwed by Waikato tonight
