All Blacks XV 2023

[george33]

Very True just putting it out there and yes this is rumour at this stage ok but it's there

[Bovidae]

Back to a potential replacement, it will depend on whether they want a LH or TH. Mafileo would have been covering both with only 5 props. Rakete-Stones would be one option as he did make the squad last year, but hasn't played much.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Rakete-Stones can play both LH and TH.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer That's why I mentioned him.

[Stargazer]

https://twitter.com/AllBlacksXV/status/1678282088758546432

[Bones]

@Stargazer whatever it was they've deleted it...

[Tim]

@Bones Three players returning home for personal reasons.

[Bones]

@Tim said in All Blacks XV 2023:

@Bones Three players returning home for personal reasons.

Sounds ripe for speculation.

[Stargazer]

@Tim said in All Blacks XV 2023:

@Bones Three players returning home for personal reasons.

Oliver Jager, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Asafo Aumua were the players named in that tweet.

[family man]

George bell,George dyer and Aidan Ross called up apparently but I thought Aidan Ross was already there

[Bovidae]

Ross was named in the original squad but then withdrew himself for personal reasons (replaced by Ollie Norris).

[Stargazer]

And now the same tweet has been posted again:

https://twitter.com/AllBlacksXV/status/1678515568956129286

[Bovidae]

With those departures there will be minimal changes to the tight five to play Japan. Ross could start at LH prop, but not too many other options at lock. Suafoa to stay on the bench.

[frugby]

Wouldn't be shocked to see Bell get a run. I think had he not spent most of the year injured, he would have been the in the squad.

[Stargazer]

@frugby Yep. I just hope that doesn't mean Thompson gets dropped.

[Wurzel]

Sounds sketchy

[frugby]

@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV 2023:

@frugby Yep. I just hope that doesn't mean Thompson gets dropped.

Riccitelli should go for me. Played well in SR no doubt, but he is too small/not dynamic enough to be a test match hooker.

[matty_kcrams]

Does the All Blacks XV count as our 2nd team for eligibility criteria? Either something dodgy happened over there or Jager has declared for Ireland and Walker-Leawere for Fiji. Don't know about Aumua; but he may be eligible for Samoa from next year?

[frugby]

@matty_kcrams It is an option, but with all signed on with NZR seems unlikely.

[matty_kcrams]

Jager and Walker-Leawere have only signed for next year haven't they? Will be interesting to see what's going on.