All Blacks 2023

[Dolamite]

Jeff Wilson saying Ardie should come off the bench because he wants a number 8 that is physical lol

[Tordah]

So with the short turnaround between the Arg and the Bok game, does this increase Shaun Stevenson's chances of getting capped?

[KiwiMurph]

@Dolamite said in All Blacks 2023:

Jeff Wilson saying Ardie should come off the bench because he wants a number 8 that is physical lol

It's a good point.

[Old Samurai Jack]

@Tordah said in All Blacks 2023:

So with the short turnaround between the Arg and the Bok game, does this increase Shaun Stevenson's chances of getting capped?

I really hope so! Would love to see both Jordan and SS in the back three together.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Tordah said in All Blacks 2023:

So with the short turnaround between the Arg and the Bok game, does this increase Shaun Stevenson's chances of getting capped?

From what's been said, the door isn't just open for SS, but Foster is holding it open for him. Provided he doesn't do anything dumb in camp, I'd be surprised if he isn't capped and in the RWC Squad.

[SBW1]

Telea will be out for a few games by the sound of it. Stevenson was really good under highball last night and his exits were quite impressive, he is quite a big boy as well. Felt like he had the better of Will Jordan, wouldn't surprise me if the stats confirm that as well.

[frugby]

Goodhue will surely be called in as cover. Ioane, Ennor and if you really want to add him in, Fainga'anuku are all out and out centres. Goodhue has played plenty of 12, so he is needed. Interestingly, the NZ XV have also picked three centres + Goodhue, so I wonder whether Sam Gilbert is being viewed as a genuine 12 option there. If the ABs are looking for a goal kicker, he can do the trick!

[nostrildamus]

Speaking of rummaging in the spare closet for sometimes 12s, when is Sevu Reece back?

[Stargazer]

@nostrildamus From the Crusaders' injury update:

Sevu injured his knee and has had scans which have confirmed an ACL rupture and now he will undergo surgery to repair this. Unfortunately this rules Sevu out of rugby for the rest of 2023.

[nostrildamus]

@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2023:

@nostrildamus From the Crusaders' injury update:

Sevu injured his knee and has had scans which have confirmed an ACL rupture and now he will undergo surgery to repair this. Unfortunately this rules Sevu out of rugby for the rest of 2023.

Sorry to hear that. But Emoni Narawa looks almost like a like-for-like replacement, similar great workrate, slightly bigger, faster(?), with better kicking.

[pakman]

@frugby said in All Blacks 2023:

Goodhue will surely be called in as cover. Ioane, Ennor and if you really want to add him in, Fainga'anuku are all out and out centres. Goodhue has played plenty of 12, so he is needed. Interestingly, the NZ XV have also picked three centres + Goodhue, so I wonder whether Sam Gilbert is being viewed as a genuine 12 option there. If the ABs are looking for a goal kicker, he can do the trick!

Aumua into XV as cover?

[frugby]

I mean maybe, but again he isn't a 12. Would be more likely to be TUJ or even a young guy like Higgins I'd have thought.

[Bovidae]

@frugby said in All Blacks 2023:

Interestingly, the NZ XV have also picked three centres + Goodhue

Nankivell has played at 2nd 5 plenty of times.

If Goodhue goes to the ABs I think that Heem gets a callup.

[frugby]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2023:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2023:

Interestingly, the NZ XV have also picked three centres + Goodhue

Nankivell has played at 2nd 5 plenty of times.

If Goodhue goes to the ABs I think that Heem gets a callup.

Good call r.e Nankivell... Heem would be an odd pick I think, because realistically this player won't play, so I think they'd be better off picking someone like Higgins.

[Stargazer]

@frugby Higgins has hardly played SR, this season. That would be an undeserved call-up.

The ABx XV isn't a development team; they're the back-up team. Heem would be a good pick.

[SBW1]

[ACT Crusader]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2023:

@mariner4life in an ideal world I would love to see us go with a lineup without BB:

9 Smith
10 Mo’unga
12 Jordie
13 Ioane
11 Fainga’anuku
14 Jordan
15 DMac

21 Roigard
22 ALB
23 Stevenson / Narawa

So after the weekend and now that ALB will likely be on the sidelines, I think they will go with

9 Smith
10 Mo’unga
12 Jordie
13 Ioane
11 Fainga’anuku
14 Jordan
15 DMac

21 Roigard
22 Beaudie
23 Narawa

2nd 5 injury cover will be Ioane or Beaudie. Beaudie had filled in there when we’ve had issues, but shifting in Ioane and moving Fainga’anuku to centre makes more sense (Narawa to wing).

[Crazy Horse]

@ACT-Crusader jeez those midfield options don't exactly have the reputation of putting people into space. It's been a problem for a few years now and my biggest concern with the backs leading into the world cup.

[Bovidae]

I'd be surprised if RM, BB and DMac all travel to Arg, much less be in the 23. You don't need both BB and DMac.

BB to be either 10 or 15 vs Arg.

[frugby]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2023:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2023:

@mariner4life in an ideal world I would love to see us go with a lineup without BB:

9 Smith
10 Mo’unga
12 Jordie
13 Ioane
11 Fainga’anuku
14 Jordan
15 DMac

21 Roigard
22 ALB
23 Stevenson / Narawa

So after the weekend and now that ALB will likely be on the sidelines, I think they will go with

9 Smith
10 Mo’unga
12 Jordie
13 Ioane
11 Fainga’anuku
14 Jordan
15 DMac

21 Roigard
22 Beaudie
23 Narawa

2nd 5 injury cover will be Ioane or Beaudie. Beaudie had filled in there when we’ve had issues, but shifting in Ioane and moving Fainga’anuku to centre makes more sense (Narawa to wing).

I think this is close. My feeling would be Beauden at 15, and Goodhue in 22 because they'll want specialist 2nd Five cover.