All Blacks 2024.. locked

[mariner4life]

I would be pretty happy to see a loose forward trio of Finau, DP and Ardie lining up next year.

It would mean Finau has continued his 2023 form, DP has seized the moment. And Ardie is available.

[canefan]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:

I saw Finau a couple of weeks ago. He's much bigger than you think when up close.

So he just plays small then?

[ACT Crusader]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2024:

@Bovidae What about Levi Aumua, he has been talked about as a big impact player.

Emphasis on the big…

[ACT Crusader]

@Chris-B is that you Blackdragon?

I don’t think we have necessarily suffered as a result of lack of height. We win more LO ball than most and our scrum is a pretty dominant weapons with how our back 5 work in connection with the front row.

Here’s a thought, let’s pick a bunch of shorter forwards so opposition defenders risk getting YC/RC for not getting low enough on tackles!

[Nepia]

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024:

@Chris-B is that you Blackdragon?

I don’t think we have necessarily suffered as a result of lack of height. We win more LO ball than most and our scrum is a pretty dominant weapons with how our back 5 work in connection with the front row.

Here’s a thought, let’s pick a bunch of shorter forwards so opposition defenders risk getting YC/RC for not getting low enough on tackles!

Did you miss this weekends test? Opposition players don’t need to get low.

[frugby]

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2024:

I think Fabian Holland will be worth keeping an eye on. He's got dimensions that few others have.

Not available until EOYT 2025

[frugby]

Enough beating around the bush, here is Razor's first full squad:

Props:
Ethan de Groot
Tamaiti Williams
George Bower
Tyrel Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Tevita Mafileo

Hookers:
Codie Taylor
Samisoni Taukei'aho
George Bell

Locks:
Scott Barrett
Josh Lord
Quinten Strange
Pari Pari Parkinson? (We're bloody short on locks, but have a gut fell Vaa'i won't make the cut)

Loose Forwards:
Dom Gardiner
Samipeni Finau
Dalton Papalii
Sam Cane
Ardie Savea
Cullen Grace
Simon Parker

Halfbacks:
Cam Roigard
Folau Fakatava
Finlay Christie

First Fives:
Damian McKenzie
David Havili
Brett Cameron

Midfielders:
Jordie Barrett
Rieko Ioane
Anton Lienert-Brown
Dallas McLeod
Riley Higgins

Outside Backs:
Macca Springer
Mark Telea
Will Jordan
Emoni Narawa
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

[Chris]

@frugby

You missed Blackadder a certainty.

[Chris B.]

@ACT-Crusader We haven't lacked height - it's a big reason they picked Frizell.

[SBW1]

Shaun Stevenson must be in the picture. Is there any truth to talk of Havili playing 10 at the Saders? If he ices that position, he would be a very versatile player. Have barely scene him this year at test level.

[Bovidae]

Speaking of Frizell, I think it was before the Arg SF when they were lined up for the anthems. Shannon was standing next to Williams and was noticeably shorter. The stats say there is only 1 cm difference.

[chchfanatic]

David Havilli will be starting 10 for the crusaders. No Burke for first part of season

[Chris]

@chchfanatic
Yeah Burke out to at least April.

I like Havilli at first five it means we can play McLeod and Amua in the MF which is a big MF combo.

[Duluth]

@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2024:

David Havilli will be starting 10 for the crusaders. No Burke for first part of season

Better 10 than Burke too IMO. He might keep the spot through the SR season.

Which would then make him a good chance of being one of the 3 AB 10's

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024:

Speaking of Frizell, I think it was before the Arg SF when they were lined up for the anthems. Shannon was standing next to Williams and was noticeably shorter. The stats say there is only 1 cm difference.

[MN5]

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2024:

Shaun Stevenson must be in the picture. Is there any truth to talk of Havili playing 10 at the Saders? If he ices that position, he would be a very versatile player. Have barely scene him this year at test level.

……and the All Blacks made the final of the World Cup.

It could all be a huge coincidence though.

[ACT Crusader]

When you think about the transition from 2003 to 2004 and that first squad that Henry and co selected there were players in that opening series against England and Argies test that weren’t a huge feature throughout that lead up to the 07 RWC.

A combination of first time ABs and guys bought back that weren’t in the 03 RWC squad.

I’m fully expecting a few left field selections but we still have a strong core that unless they fall off a cliff will be there in 2027.

[Duluth]

@ACT-Crusader

There were a few guys picked on 2003 form not 2004 form. The new coach trying to fix the last coaches selections. Definitely true of Rush and possibly Gibbes (can't remember exactly)

Selections didn't come right until 2005

[ACT Crusader]

@Duluth Gibbes got selected at blindside effectively replacing Thorne. Rush got selected at number 8 replacing Collins. Collins played off the bench in those tests.

The backline was largely unchanged from the RWC other than Umaga being back from injury and Mauger being injured (and DC playing 2nd 5)

I remember the more interesting one was when Henry selected Maling after he had been out of the side for some time. Then there was Mertz.

[Duluth]

@ACT-Crusader Rush was in very good form in 2003 and should've made the squad. 2004 he wasn't quite at the same level and his form got worse throughout the year.