All Blacks XV 2022

[Chris B.]

@Bones TJ is a slightly milder version of me picking Owen Franks. I don't think we're going to be picking our 6th halfback or tighthead over TJ or Owen for RWC so keep them involved.

I like Love, man - he's a little bit extraneous (and my 28th pick), because a specialist wing might be more useful, but WTF!

Could be miles out - hard to know who the selectors have in their sights - but, it's a very important selection to see who they think is the next tier.

[Bones]

@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:

TJ is a slightly milder version of me picking Owen Franks

That's why Weber is there... but he actually looks like he could step up

[cgrant]

Stevenson should be in the AB XV, IMO.

[taniwharugby]

@cgrant rumours he might be off to league...so that'll put a fork in him if he is

[Bones]

@cgrant said in All Blacks XV:

Stevenson should be in the AB XV, IMO.

I'd be his biggest critic over the years, but barring outside circumstances he definitely should be.

[gt12]

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:

@cgrant rumours he might be off to league...so that'll put a fork in him if he is

Is his contract up for renewal? That’s what this smells like to me. It could just be this ‘rumor’ is his representatives saying if he’s not selected in the AB15 they are open to offers?

[Bovidae]

@gt12 Stevenson is contracted until 2023. He deserves to be selected.

[Bones]

@gt12 said in All Blacks XV:

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:

@cgrant rumours he might be off to league...so that'll put a fork in him if he is

Is his contract up for renewal? That’s what this smells like to me. It could just be this ‘rumor’ is his representatives saying if he’s not selected in the AB15 they are open to offers?

It would seem a pretty weak attempt. It's not like he's a marquis player who would have teams banging down the door.

[bayimports]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:

@gt12 Stevenson is contracted until 2023. He deserves to be selected.

If Nogusta says Dolphins then that is generally very good sauce.
On form though he has been a stand out throughout the year and I agree

Probably also depends on what happens to Perofeta/DMac unless they play him on a wing

[Bovidae]

@bayimports The Dolphins aren't having much luck signing players at the moment.

My point is that Stevenson would need to get an early release.

Perofeta should be selected for the AB XV so he can play 2 games at 1st 5, rather than a single test for the ABs (vs Japan). Stevenson could be at fullback.

[Bovidae]

@Chris-B Articles I have read say 35 for the ABs and only 26 for the AB XV.

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae Yeah - I've seen 35 for the ABs as well (and 36).

But, I got to 34 and couldn't see anyone else I needed. Everyone else seems more valuable in the AB XV.

[Grooter]

@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:

So, 36 for the AB squad and 26 for the ABs XV with some crossover seems the intel. But,...
I struggle to see the need for 36 ABs, so I'm going for 34 and 28 - you can promote a couple as you see fit.

Otherwise - I reckon the ABs will be pretty predictable.

de Groot, Bower, Tu'ungafasi
Sami T., Taylor, Coles
Lomax, Laulala, Newell
Retallick, Whitelock, SBarrett, Vaaí
Frizell, AIoane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Christie, Fakatava
Mo'unga, BBarrett,
Havili, RTS, ALB, RIoane
Clarke, Fainga'anuku, Jordan, Reece, JBarrett, Perofeta

So, an additional 28 man squad, that might have to be a bit front row heavy, given there's a few outside backs sure to be available from the ABs. Injuries might preclude a couple.

Ross, Williams, Hodgman
Aumua, McAlister, Thompson
Taávao, Jager, Franks (maybe/maybe not for Owen)
Dickson, Tuipolotou, Strange,
Sowakula, Harmon, Jacobson, Mikaele-Tu'u
Weber, Perenara, Roigard
McKenzie, Gatland
Nankivell, Ennor, Aumua
Telea, Lam, Love, ZSullivan

Replace Strange with Fabian Holland and we'll be off to the Races

[Dan54]

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks XV:

@cgrant rumours he might be off to league...so that'll put a fork in him if he is

Isn't that just Aus paper talk, hell he would get a lot more going to Japan if he was actually going.

[Dan54]

@FakatavaAllBlack said in All Blacks XV:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:

So, 36 for the AB squad and 26 for the ABs XV with some crossover seems the intel. But,...
I struggle to see the need for 36 ABs, so I'm going for 34 and 28 - you can promote a couple as you see fit.

Otherwise - I reckon the ABs will be pretty predictable.

de Groot, Bower, Tu'ungafasi
Sami T., Taylor, Coles
Lomax, Laulala, Newell
Retallick, Whitelock, SBarrett, Vaaí
Frizell, AIoane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Christie, Fakatava
Mo'unga, BBarrett,
Havili, RTS, ALB, RIoane
Clarke, Fainga'anuku, Jordan, Reece, JBarrett, Perofeta

So, an additional 28 man squad, that might have to be a bit front row heavy, given there's a few outside backs sure to be available from the ABs. Injuries might preclude a couple.

Ross, Williams, Hodgman
Aumua, McAlister, Thompson
Taávao, Jager, Franks (maybe/maybe not for Owen)
Dickson, Tuipolotou, Strange,
Sowakula, Harmon, Jacobson, Mikaele-Tu'u
Weber, Perenara, Roigard
McKenzie, Gatland
Nankivell, Ennor, Aumua
Telea, Lam, Love, ZSullivan

Replace Strange with Fabian Holland and we'll be off to the Races

I would have Stevenson definitely, not sure if Holland can play in WC next year (residential?) so might be better to stick with players who can even if I think he is going to be one of the greats in a few years. Wouldn't mind seeing Roigard get a gig at 9 either.

[taniwharugby]

@Dan54 it was initially mentioned by a poster who has some of the best sauce, then a week later was that article, so who knows.

I think he is a shoe in for a spot if he is sticking around.

[Grooter]

@Dan54 said in All Blacks XV:

@FakatavaAllBlack said in All Blacks XV:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:

So, 36 for the AB squad and 26 for the ABs XV with some crossover seems the intel. But,...
I struggle to see the need for 36 ABs, so I'm going for 34 and 28 - you can promote a couple as you see fit.

Otherwise - I reckon the ABs will be pretty predictable.

de Groot, Bower, Tu'ungafasi
Sami T., Taylor, Coles
Lomax, Laulala, Newell
Retallick, Whitelock, SBarrett, Vaaí
Frizell, AIoane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Christie, Fakatava
Mo'unga, BBarrett,
Havili, RTS, ALB, RIoane
Clarke, Fainga'anuku, Jordan, Reece, JBarrett, Perofeta

So, an additional 28 man squad, that might have to be a bit front row heavy, given there's a few outside backs sure to be available from the ABs. Injuries might preclude a couple.

Ross, Williams, Hodgman
Aumua, McAlister, Thompson
Taávao, Jager, Franks (maybe/maybe not for Owen)
Dickson, Tuipolotou, Strange,
Sowakula, Harmon, Jacobson, Mikaele-Tu'u
Weber, Perenara, Roigard
McKenzie, Gatland
Nankivell, Ennor, Aumua
Telea, Lam, Love, ZSullivan

Replace Strange with Fabian Holland and we'll be off to the Races

I would have Stevenson definitely, not sure if Holland can play in WC next year (residential?) so might be better to stick with players who can even if I think he is going to be one of the greats in a few years. Wouldn't mind seeing Roigard get a gig at 9 either.

Some are predicting Fakatava might be sent to play in these two matches, if so I still hope he will play for the main All Blacks side against Japan beforehand

[Chris B.]

@FakatavaAllBlack I thought that earlier, but given the relative squad numbers, I think it will genuinely be the All Blacks and a 2nd XV (26) so to speak - with one way traffic - people being released to play for the 2nd XV.

[kiwi_expat]

How has Ratima been for Waikato? any chance he makes the squad?

[Chris B.]

@FakatavaAllBlack said in All Blacks XV:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:

So, 36 for the AB squad and 26 for the ABs XV with some crossover seems the intel. But,...
I struggle to see the need for 36 ABs, so I'm going for 34 and 28 - you can promote a couple as you see fit.

Otherwise - I reckon the ABs will be pretty predictable.

de Groot, Bower, Tu'ungafasi
Sami T., Taylor, Coles
Lomax, Laulala, Newell
Retallick, Whitelock, SBarrett, Vaaí
Frizell, AIoane, Cane, Papali'i, Savea, Sotutu
Smith, Christie, Fakatava
Mo'unga, BBarrett,
Havili, RTS, ALB, RIoane
Clarke, Fainga'anuku, Jordan, Reece, JBarrett, Perofeta

So, an additional 28 man squad, that might have to be a bit front row heavy, given there's a few outside backs sure to be available from the ABs. Injuries might preclude a couple.

Ross, Williams, Hodgman
Aumua, McAlister, Thompson
Taávao, Jager, Franks (maybe/maybe not for Owen)
Dickson, Tuipolotou, Strange,
Sowakula, Harmon, Jacobson, Mikaele-Tu'u
Weber, Perenara, Roigard
McKenzie, Gatland
Nankivell, Ennor, Aumua
Telea, Lam, Love, ZSullivan

Replace Strange with Fabian Holland and we'll be off to the Races

A 19 year old who is yet to play Super?

Quin's staying in my team!