All Blacks 2022
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@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
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all this chat of depth is so overrated. How many more players do we need?
Right now we have two guys who can play fullback to a decent level.
3 really good wings.
1 nailed on centre, one guy who has played well there previously
3 guys who would do a good job at 12
2 guys at 10
2 guys at 9
8 is skinny, but Sotutu appears to have the tools
2 guys at 7
2 guys at 6 and a lock who can go there too
3 locks
Props appear to have the rotation sorted
Hooker has a genuine star to start and two guys with experience behindThat's a world cup squad nailed on. They also seem to know who the best 23 is. And the squad has guys who can slot in.
Generally what people mean is "we are running out of tests for my favourite players to get a run and prove to everyone that i knew best"
If he was rotating players every week people would be on here lamenting that "we are running out of tests to build combinations!! pick and stick!"
The team is what the team is going to be. If we lose a bunch of players at the same time we'll probably be fucked. But that is the same for every other side in world rugby.
(aside: the deepest World Cup squad ever assembled also got bundled out in the quarters in that country's worst ever result. depth is overrated)
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2022:
(aside: the deepest World Cup squad ever assembled also got bundled out in the quarters in that country's worst ever result. depth is overrated)
But Beaver!!
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@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
TJP brings something different. He is like a fourth loose forward. His passing is not top notch (you will say "poor"), but his physicality and experience could be effective under peculiar circomstances (heavy rain, for instance). However, I would have kept Weber and send Christie to the AB XV.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
TJP brings something different. He is like a fourth loose forward. His passing is not top notch (you will say "poor"), but his physicality and experience could be effective under peculiar circomstances (heavy rain, for instance). However, I would have kept Weber and send Christie to the AB XV.
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
TJP brings something different. He is like a fourth loose forward. His passing is not top notch (you will say "poor"), but his physicality and experience could be effective under peculiar circomstances (heavy rain, for instance). However, I would have kept Weber and send Christie to the AB XV.
Agree 100%.
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Okay after this morning I reeeaaallly want to know what out defensive pattern out wide is
On those early exchanges when Wales tried to play wide their first attack RI took one guy, used his pace to get another, and that STILL left Clarke defending 2
I would write it off as a bad read saved except the exact same thing happened to ALB later in the game.
There's a risk/reward thing there and I would love to know the thinking.
@mariner4life tbf this seems to be something alot of coaches do in nz, watch the majority of npc games and the defence is always set narrow like that.
So what I'm saying is McLeod is an npc level defence coach.
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@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
He offers something different to Brad Weber IMO, defensively he’s the best halfback in NZ. Yes his pass isn’t rapid but the leadership and other areas of his game that he brings are top notch and he's been exceptional over the last month or so.
Leon McDonald sung his praises after the All Blacks XV game on Saturday aswell.
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This all smacks of giving TJ and Weber a clear message that they aren’t out of contention and should keep going hard.
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph Not happy about that. I didn't want TJP anywhere near the ABs anymore. LF should have been given a chance against Scotland.
He offers something different to Brad Weber IMO, defensively he’s the best halfback in NZ. Yes his pass isn’t rapid but the leadership and other areas of his game that he brings are top notch and he's been exceptional over the last month or so.
Leon McDonald sung his praises after the All Blacks XV game on Saturday aswell.
@Canes4life when TJ can keep his emotions in check, he still has alot to offer, and agree, his form has been excellent in recent months, and despite some of the criticism of him in the match thread, I thought he went well in the game on the weekend, and we know he is a bloody smart player who is switched on to the rules and playing the ref, as evidenced on the weekend with the ref allowing the 9's arm to be played once he lifts the ball
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@Canes4life when TJ can keep his emotions in check, he still has alot to offer, and agree, his form has been excellent in recent months, and despite some of the criticism of him in the match thread, I thought he went well in the game on the weekend, and we know he is a bloody smart player who is switched on to the rules and playing the ref, as evidenced on the weekend with the ref allowing the 9's arm to be played once he lifts the ball
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life when TJ can keep his emotions in check, he still has alot to offer, and agree, his form has been excellent in recent months, and despite some of the criticism of him in the match thread, I thought he went well in the game on the weekend, and we know he is a bloody smart player who is switched on to the rules and playing the ref, as evidenced on the weekend with the ref allowing the 9's arm to be played once he lifts the ball
100% agree, having watched TJ over the years he always plays best when he can channel his energy in an effective way.
He's definitely been less erratic over the last couple of months so hopefully he can continue that for the All Blacks if he does end up getting on the field. -
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
Both of these guys have all of that experience anyway.
I'm not so convinced that they are wedded to Fakatava being at the RWC to be honest. What indicators (apart from initial selection) have they shown so far?
My theory on this may well be way off though as they do seem to treat the 'backup' squad memebers strangely with regard to even giving them a taste of game prep. If you want a free ride of training to never play it seems a good bet to be a low ranked member of this squad.
Perofeta, LF, RTS Fakatava etc. Hell there have even been guys they bring in then throw away without even trying them despite giving them pass marks at training. Quite baffling at times.
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
Both of these guys have all of that experience anyway.
I'm not so convinced that they are wedded to Fakatava being at the RWC to be honest. What indicators (apart from initial selection) have they shown so far?
My theory on this may well be way off though as they do seem to treat the 'backup' squad memebers strangely with regard to even giving them a taste of game prep. If you want a free ride of training to never play it seems a good bet to be a low ranked member of this squad.
Perofeta, LF, RTS Fakatava etc. Hell there have even been guys they bring in then throw away without even trying them despite giving them pass marks at training. Quite baffling at times.
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
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@Crucial add Aidan Ross to that list. Maybe Telea and Dickson. But I hope Telea gets a chance v Scotland.
@ARHS said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial add Aidan Ross to that list. Maybe Telea and Dickson. But I hope Telea gets a chance v Scotland.
Ross was one I was specifically thinking of.
Gets selected, gets talked up for what he is doing at training, doesn’t play. Gets deselected.
I don’t have too many qualms about where they ended up front row wise but Ross was never given his chance. Bower isn’t much more than adequate and it would have been good to see someone pushing him. -
Weather forecast for Scotland looking not too bad.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2650225
Might be worth picking a side to run with ball.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
Both of these guys have all of that experience anyway.
I'm not so convinced that they are wedded to Fakatava being at the RWC to be honest. What indicators (apart from initial selection) have they shown so far?
My theory on this may well be way off though as they do seem to treat the 'backup' squad memebers strangely with regard to even giving them a taste of game prep. If you want a free ride of training to never play it seems a good bet to be a low ranked member of this squad.
Perofeta, LF, RTS Fakatava etc. Hell there have even been guys they bring in then throw away without even trying them despite giving them pass marks at training. Quite baffling at times.
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
Half the starting AB XV backline will be different with the AB comings and goings. Weber starts in place of TJP, an entirely new midfield, and LF in for Lam. And they've added two late replacements in the forwards...
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
Both of these guys have all of that experience anyway.
I'm not so convinced that they are wedded to Fakatava being at the RWC to be honest. What indicators (apart from initial selection) have they shown so far?
My theory on this may well be way off though as they do seem to treat the 'backup' squad memebers strangely with regard to even giving them a taste of game prep. If you want a free ride of training to never play it seems a good bet to be a low ranked member of this squad.
Perofeta, LF, RTS Fakatava etc. Hell there have even been guys they bring in then throw away without even trying them despite giving them pass marks at training. Quite baffling at times.
There will also be heaps of AB XV players that may not get a chance as well, especially with the ABs throwing them discards
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
Weber and TJP will be injury reserves I suspect. Foster said on the radio clip I heard this morning that 'this was always the plan once Folau got injured' - in reference to swapping the two halfbacks in the squad. It makes sense; keeps options open, gets people used to squad routines and rhythms, gets a bit of experience.
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
They obviously aren’t fixed on the other two halfback spots yet so want to keep options open.
I think they are - but this is for the first injury cap off the rank. Christie has played enough to have a good track record in Black, recent game aside. Fakatava is clearly one for the future, and while his form this year hasn't been as good, you can see why they want him there.
You haven't watched most Highlanders game, have you? He came back from a terrible ACL injury that kept him out of the game for 9-10 months, so the first SRP games obviously he lacked match fitness. But he got better every game he played and was really pushing Smith (to Smith's own admission) near the end of the SRP season. He was excellent! He struggled a bit in his two short outings in black with his decision-making, but it's not fair to judge him on those performances as he was thrown into the deep end in that 2nd Irish test when the ABs were already trailing and playing terrible as a squad. Not sure how a 22-year old rookie was supposed to "fix" that. The ABs weren't any better in the 3rd test, as we all know.
I've found Christie only just adequate in his outings.
