All Blacks 2023
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A liitle shocked SS did’nt make the intial team as opposed to injury cover
Not surprised both Akira and Sotutu did’nt make the cut
Surprised at both Finau and Mcleod making the cut but based on form fair enough
Only issue i have is Finlay Christie ,hardly an influence at super level and he has’nt set the world on fire in a black jersey and not to mention his service from the base with is mediocre
Can understand the annoyance around Nepo but he can scrum but he will need to be way better in other facets
Only good thing is , this is not the Rugby World Cup Squad -
The 30-strong All Blacks XV squad was selected by the All Blacks coaching team of Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan for the 2023 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup against Japan XV and Brave Blossoms.
The squad includes nine players with Test experience including Aidan Ross, Asafo Aumua, Akira Ioane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Brett Cameron and Jack Goodhue.Following their inaugural Northern tour last year, Leon MacDonald has again been named as All Blacks XV Head Coach alongside Assistant Coaches Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.
The 30-strong All Blacks XV squad is as follows (age, Super Rugby club, province):
Forwards:
Props
Jermaine Ainsley (28, Highlanders, Otago)
Oli Jager (27, Crusaders, Canterbury)
Tevita Mafileo (25, Hurricanes, Bay of Plenty)
Xavier Numia (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Aidan Ross (27, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)Hookers
Asafo Aumua (26, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Ricky Riccitelli (28, Blues, Taranaki)
Tyrone Thompson (23, Chiefs, Wellington)Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (23, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Quinten Strange (26, Crusaders, Ta$man)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (26, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon (28, Highlanders, Canterbury)
Akira Ioane (28, Blues, Auckland)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (26, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Christian Lio-Willie (24, Crusaders, Otago)
Pita Gus Sowakula (28, Chiefs, Taranaki)
Cameron Suafoa (27, Blues, North Harbour)Backs:
Halfbacks
Folau Fakatava (23, Highlanders, Hawke’s Bay)
Brad Weber (32, Chiefs, Hawke’s Bay)First-five-eighths
Brett Cameron (26, Hurricanes, Manawatū)
Stephen Perofeta (26, Blues, Taranaki)Midfielders
Jack Goodhue (27, Crusaders, Northland)
Alex Nankivell (26, Chiefs, Ta$man)
Billy Proctor (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Bailyn Sullivan (24, Hurricanes, Waikato)Outside Backs
Sam Gilbert (24, Highlanders, Otago)
AJ Lam (24, Blues, Auckland)
Ruben Love (22, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (23, Chiefs, Counties Manukau)
Jona Nareki (25, Highlanders, Otago)The All Blacks XV assemble on 29 June, travelling to Tokyo where they compete for the 2023 Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup kicking off Saturday 8 July, at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo before a second match on Saturday, July 15 at Egao Kenko Stadium in Kumamoto.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:
@kev IIRC he shifted to the midfield in several games after subs in the 2nd half.
He is a good player and on form a good option for squad. But it’s a big challenge defending in the midfield so more time would be better. Still have some concerns about Reiko ( who is an athletic freak, and good tackler, see Friday performance ) with all the time he has had there in the last 2 years.
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I suspect the injury to Telea might have allowed the selectors to have the best of both worlds.
Unsurprisingly, Stevenson needs to continue with the improvements that he has made in defence.
... Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has been a vocal advocate of higher honours for Stevenson. Instead, the 27-year-old will provide injury cover for Mark Telea, who picked up a knock in the Blues' exit from Super Rugby.
Asked what more Stevenson needed to do to be named as a fulltime squad member, though, coach Foster outlined the exact area he wants to see the Chiefs fullback improve in, with time running out for uncapped players to earn selection.
"He'll find that out when he comes in," Foster told Sky Sport. "We've got pretty specific job requirements on both sides of the ball.
"On the attack side, he's proven to be outstanding. He should be very proud of his year.
"We've seen a massive improvement in the defensive structural stuff, the tackle and the contact work. But we still want to see a bit more in that space.
"The fact he's going to come in, and be with us maybe for those first two tests, is a great opportunity to get a good read of that."
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Interesting they appear to rate Christie ahead of Weber at half-back. Would have thought the Weber-DMac combination was a no-brainer. Also surprised at Goodhue being dropped back to the XV squad. His combination with Ennor has been special. Lastly, why leave Stevenson out? He seems to me a perfect fit for test rugby - an X-factor player who makes few mistakes.
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The more I look at this squad the more average it looks. I think our top 23 will compete with the very best but if we get injuries we are definitely in trouble.
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The more I look at this squad the more average it looks. I think our top 23 will compete with the very best but if we get injuries we are definitely in trouble.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2023:
The more I look at this squad the more average it looks. I think our top 23 will compete with the very best but if we get injuries we are definitely in trouble.
Halfback and second five are issues. Wonder if JB or ALB starts? JB has been poor for me and the combo of him and Reiko makes me nervous.
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Frizell ,Christie and CC .... I just don't see what they have done to get picked.
@Mattasaurus Been Foster's men.
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What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence. He's defended well all year, 500 times better than Telea.
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2023:
Several hilarious selections.
It called "being bold".
Looking at both the AB & AB VX squads feeding into the RWC selection, and taking into account players coming back from injury, it makes more sense.
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Interesting! I see Zarn is the best kicker for the Blues! 100%! (It's quality not quantity as the bishop said to the actress)...
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2023:
Interesting! I see Zarn is the best kicker for the Blues! 100%! (It's quality not quantity as the bishop said to the actress)...
Not always
A 50% kicker who’s played 20 games that season is more valuable to the team than a 100% kicker who played four times
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What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence. He's defended well all year, 500 times better than Telea.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2023:
What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence.
Jordan isn't a great defender at fullback, so it will be interesting to see if he gets a go in that position.
I expect that BB gets another lifeline in the no.15 jersey so Jordan plays on the right wing.
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I suspect the injury to Telea might have allowed the selectors to have the best of both worlds.
Unsurprisingly, Stevenson needs to continue with the improvements that he has made in defence.
... Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has been a vocal advocate of higher honours for Stevenson. Instead, the 27-year-old will provide injury cover for Mark Telea, who picked up a knock in the Blues' exit from Super Rugby.
Asked what more Stevenson needed to do to be named as a fulltime squad member, though, coach Foster outlined the exact area he wants to see the Chiefs fullback improve in, with time running out for uncapped players to earn selection.
"He'll find that out when he comes in," Foster told Sky Sport. "We've got pretty specific job requirements on both sides of the ball.
"On the attack side, he's proven to be outstanding. He should be very proud of his year.
"We've seen a massive improvement in the defensive structural stuff, the tackle and the contact work. But we still want to see a bit more in that space.
"The fact he's going to come in, and be with us maybe for those first two tests, is a great opportunity to get a good read of that."
@Donsteppa They had the same critisim of James Lowes regarding defence but like Stephenson possesses a massive kicking game but i reckon Stephenson is better in the air and has more gas
International rugby is about defusing high kicks , and a little bit of game management with a big boot added in plus some offloading X factor and pace goes a long way. -
What a cop out from Foster about Stevenson not making it because of his defence. He's defended well all year, 500 times better than Telea.
TBF, he said SS has come a long way and wants him near the squad. Pretty clear they rate him highly and want to work with him on the issues they see.
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@Stargazer it says Tyrone Thompson as assigned to Wellington? Is that just a typo or is he coming back here?
