All Blacks XV 2022

[Victor Meldrew]

@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

[Bovidae]

@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.

[Bovidae]

@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.

[booboo]

Having not watched much NPC a couple of genuine questions and vague rambling comments:

1. Gatland. Deserved? Been kinda average for a few years. He come right?

2. Got the impression Burgus Ferk is one for the future. Am I wrong given he misses out to BG?

3. 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?

4. PGS. An obvious error early in the year.

5. Surprised at the captain . Would have picked Jacobsen.

6. Hookers. How close was Thompson?

7. Know nothing of midfield Aumua. He ok?

8. Halves. Obviously picked with RWC in mind.

[TheMojoman]

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.

• 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

• 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

• Naitoa Ah Khoui has been playing well with his versatility. Unlucky.

• Christian Lio-Willie? What exactly has he done? Suafoa given his versatility would’ve been a better pick or even Braydon Iose

• Would’ve likes to have seen Fabian Holland tour given the likely departures of Whitelock and potentially Retallick after RWC

[Bones]

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?

[TheMojoman]

@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.

[Bones]

@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.

[Frye]

@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.

[Machpants]

@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.

[Bovidae]

@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.

[Dan54]

@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.

[Bones]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:

So why not pick Savea?

Because Heem is better and actually good in all the positions he covers?

[Duluth]

@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

[cgrant]

As far as locks are concerned, I rate Dickson and Gallagher a lot but I think Lachlan McWhannell has a higher ceiling. He is technically very sound, runs fast and is powerful in the tight. He has been hampered by injuries but is very talented IMO.

[Bovidae]

@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.

[taniwharugby]

@Bovidae are a number of selections in this and the main squad, with no eye on the future.

[ACT Crusader]

@taniwharugby or the ‘future’ only extends to the next 6-9 months

[Chris B.]

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 - Aumua

I'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.

[taniwharugby]

@ACT-Crusader well 12 months I expect, but I guess thats the point.

Seems plenty of straws being grasped after an interesting last 36 months or so of rugby.