All Blacks XV 2022
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So a top XV of:
Ross
Aumua
Ta'avao
Tuipulotu
Dickson
MMT
Harmon
Jacobson
Weber/TJP
Gatland
Lam
Nankivell
Sullivan/Aumua
Telea
DMacI’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench. Can’t Bailyn play fullback too? Heem to start in the midfield (or RTS)
Forward pack looks right.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So a top XV of:
Ross
Aumua
Ta'avao
Tuipulotu
Dickson
MMT
Harmon
Jacobson
Weber/TJP
Gatland
Lam
Nankivell
Sullivan/Aumua
Telea
DMacI’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench. Can’t Bailyn play fullback too? Heem to start in the midfield (or RTS)
Forward pack looks right.
I personally think DMac will get play as a dual play maker, with Perofeta getting some time on the field.. they may switch during a match), but I suspect this is what will happen.
They always did say some ABs would play
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
Sowakula's agent should be looking for a NH contract now. The fact he has been capped should increase his value. He is contracted for 2023 though.
Same with Peter Umaga-Jensen. Mind you, he looks to be carrying a shoulder injury so maybe he wasn’t considered. I guess we’ll find out if he's picked for Wellington this week or not.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks XV:
Same with Peter Umaga-Jensen. Mind you, he looks to be carrying a shoulder injury
Bugger me, there's a surprise. Poor bloke's becoming the new Richard Kahui
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All Blacks XV squad: Forwards: Asafo Aumua (Wellington), George Bell (Canterbury), Brodie McAlister (Canty), Finlay Brewis (Canty), Oli Jager (Canty), Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty), Angus Ta’avao (Auckland), Tamaiti Williams (Canty), Josh Dickson (Otago), Zach Gallagher (Canty), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland – captain), Dominic Gardiner (Canty), Billy Harmon (Canty), Luke Jacobson (Waikato), Christian Lio-Willie (Otago), Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (Hawkes Bay).
Backs: TJ Perenara (Wellington), Brad Weber (Hawke’s Bay), Cam Roigard (Counties Manukau), Bryn Gatland (North Harbour), Damian McKenzie (Waikato), Levi Aumua ( Ta$man), Bryce Heem (Auckland), Alex Nankivell ( Ta$man), Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato), AJ Lam (Auckland), Ruben Love (Wellington), Mark Telea (North Harbour).
Congrats to all these fellas. Some have a big opportunity to stake a claim.
Looks like @BartMan had the good oil on Brodie McAlister. I thought it was possible but had a couple of doubts. Bell is a FAB for sure and this will be a project opportunity.
Brewis? Aye??? Jager has improved out of sight. Good to see Ta’avao in there.
Gallagher is definitely one for the future. Just turned 21 and has the foundation of a good lock. I’d be starting Dickson and Patty T.
Only surprise in the loosies is Lio-Willie over PGS. I wonder if they will play Harmon or Jacobsen at 7? Good to see MMT in the mix.
Very surprised to see both of the older halfbacks. Congrats to Hoigard.
DMac not surprised, but am a little surprised by Gatland making it. Where’s Cameron aye Grant Fox
I don’t mind Heem. He’s a pretty good player that has versatility. Nankivell not sold on him. AJ could’ve been a smokey for the ABs if we weren’t so close to the RWC. His time will come. Aumua is a little up and down, as is Love. Telea and Sullivan would’ve been no brainers for this squad.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
I don’t mind Heem. He’s a pretty good player that has versatility.
I think they should have selected one more specialist winger (or outside back) and one less midfield back. Heem is a wasted pick for me.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So a top XV of:
Ross
Aumua
Ta'avao
Tuipulotu
Dickson
MMT
Harmon
Jacobson
Weber/TJP
Gatland
Lam
Nankivell
Sullivan/Aumua
Telea
DMacI’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench. Can’t Bailyn play fullback too? Heem to start in the midfield (or RTS)
Forward pack looks right.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
I’d have DMac at 1st 5 and Gatland on the bench.
I picked DMac at fullback as I wouldn't be starting Love there.
Can’t Bailyn play fullback too?
No, midfield or wing. He may end up playing a game on the wing.
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Having not watched much NPC a couple of genuine questions and vague rambling comments:
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Gatland. Deserved? Been kinda average for a few years. He come right?
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Got the impression Burgus Ferk is one for the future. Am I wrong given he misses out to BG?
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Heem is an interesting pick. Selectors obviously think he is close because he's not "the future". Selectors think he is next cab off the rank?
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PGS. An obvious error early in the year.
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Surprised at the captain . Would have picked Jacobsen.
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Hookers. How close was Thompson?
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Know nothing of midfield Aumua. He ok?
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Halves. Obviously picked with RWC in mind.
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Overall again like the AB squad a fairly predictable squad which is a good thing. Lots of test caps which bodes well for the younger guys.
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PGS has been a shadow of himself since he was dropped and has paid the price. What a shame. I really hope he bounces back in 2023
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Why they didn’t pick Stevenson is a mystery. Dude has been the form fullback of the NOC and tore it up for the Māori this year
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Naitoa Ah Khoui has been playing well with his versatility. Unlucky.
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Christian Lio-Willie? What exactly has he done? Suafoa given his versatility would’ve been a better pick or even Braydon Iose
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Would’ve likes to have seen Fabian Holland tour given the likely departures of Whitelock and potentially Retallick after RWC
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I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
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I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
Has he been named as a wing? I would've thought he's probably being looked at as a midfielder who can cover back 3.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks XV:
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
He must be the 2nd winger though given Telea is the only specialist winger? Sullivan has played a bit of wing but clearly 13 is his best position.
I reckon Stevenson would’ve been a better pick given the nature of this team.
AJ Lam plays wing for the Blues.
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@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:
@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
He can't be called up into ABs, but this is a non capture team so no problem.
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I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role".
So why not pick Savea? He's even a year younger.
They've missed a trick by not selecting Thompson. It would be nice to have a hooker in the mix with some size, like Marx. Bell isn't any bigger than Eklund.
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:
@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
He can't be called up into ABs, but this is a non capture team so no problem.
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks XV:
@Tim Levi Aumua named, that means he is locked in to represent the Abs at some stage, thought he wouldn't be considered due to playing for MP. Glad he has been chosen, he is a big power centre.
He can't be called up into ABs, but this is a non capture team so no problem.
MP isn't a capture team either, so playing for either team is no problem.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role".
So why not pick Savea? He's even a year younger.
They've missed a trick by not selecting Thompson. It would be nice to have a hooker in the mix with some size, like Marx. Bell isn't any bigger than Eklund.
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I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
I guess Heem is someone who could really "fill a role". Only going off super, but he was a pretty safe pick in whatever position he was selected and does cover from 12 out potentially. Perhaps if they're looking at a Jordie 12 type player, he could be fairly like-for-like?
Here's my guess. They really want a midfielder/wing on the bench and they are unsure about the options in the full squad.
Ennor is a decent wing, who isn't in his best form, and hasn't played well in midfield for the ABs
LF does a couple of things well but there some gaps in his skills
RTS is raw
AJ is another option in this squad but he would need time in midfield at SR level
If none of those guys kick on, Heem might become the specialist reserve in the 23. He does that specific role better than the others right now. The others have more potential but time is running out
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So why not pick Savea?
Because Heem is better and actually good in all the positions he covers?
@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So why not pick Savea?
Because Heem is better and actually good in all the positions he covers?
Nothing against Heem, as he will do a job, but I don't see his selection as being one for the future.
And Savea has actually played much better than I thought he could this season. My comment would be the same if he was selected.
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@Bones said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
So why not pick Savea?
Because Heem is better and actually good in all the positions he covers?
Nothing against Heem, as he will do a job, but I don't see his selection as being one for the future.
And Savea has actually played much better than I thought he could this season. My comment would be the same if he was selected.
@Bovidae are a number of selections in this and the main squad, with no eye on the future.
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@Bovidae are a number of selections in this and the main squad, with no eye on the future.
@taniwharugby or the ‘future’ only extends to the next 6-9 months
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On the midfielders - if you go back to the business end of Super rugby, it seems like most of the guys who were mainly starting have either made the squads or are injured or are not that good. From memory:
Blues - RTS, Heem, Rieko
Chiefs - Nankivell, Tupaea, ALB
Canes - Jordie, Sullivan (+ Proctor, Savea and PUJ)
Crusaders - Havili, Goodhue, Ennor
Highlanders - (+TUJ, Gregory, Paea)
MP - AumuaI'm probably forgetting a couple, but the only guy from this list who's a bit surprising to miss is Thomas U-J and I'm somewhat guessing he's injured. People are talking about his brother, but for whatever reasons Peter was stuck behind Billy Proctor for most of the season and if you can't push Billy out the way then it's not surprising you're not making the higher teams.
