All Blacks 2024
-
The best thing about each AB season for me is seeing how the newbies impact the team and whether we unearth any future stars. The two players I was most looking forward to seeing this year were Finau and Roigard......
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
The best thing about each AB season for me is seeing how the newbies impact the team and whether we unearth any future stars. The two players I was most looking forward to seeing this year were Finau and Roigard......
Absolutely!
For me it’s Christie and Vaa’i
-
I think a lack of physicality at 12 is a much bigger issue on defence than attack - but I don't think there have been any noticeable defensive flaws in Havili's game at international at level, it's mainly when he's been ineffective on the crash ball that he's copped criticism.
If Havili can hold his ground on defence at 12 then I can definitely see some upsides to his selection there if Robertson gets a bit creative (which I hope he does).
That's not to suggest that Havili is a better option at 12 than Barrett or even necessarily up to international standard, but I won't be writing him off just yet because of how he was used under Foster.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I won't be writing him off just yet because of how he was used under Foster.
You are George Bridge and I claim my free bag of chips.
-
What has been said officially about the All Blacks XV in 2024? Can't see anything on AllBlacks.com, but what's new?!
-
What has been said officially about the All Blacks XV in 2024? Can't see anything on AllBlacks.com, but what's new?!
-
Wonder if the ABs XV will be picked by the same selection committee thats doing ABs? Haven't really checked as yet.
@Dan54 Was it 2022 when virtually evey Canterbury/fringe Crusaders player got picked? Guys like Dom Gardiner, Finlay Brewis, Zach Gallagher etc? Fuck me lol.
Hopefully we don't go down that track again whoever the selectors are.
-
The All Blacks outstide backs don't really matter. They could pick any collection of players, and they'll be fine because we have tons of great ones.
I'd argue the starting back threes for each of the Super Rugby sides in NZ, would be good enough to start for plenty of other countries (look at Ireland for instance and some of the rejects they have on the wings).
If Jordan is back fit, he is a lock, as is Telea. Need another fullback which is clearly Love.
Probably take two more wingers, and for mine hard to look past Clarke and Narawa. I don't disagree with the assessment that Reece has been the best winger in Super Rugby this year, but he is supposed to be heading offshore... and also, his chaos-mode was never really that successful for the ABs in the past.
-
I think it's worth remembering that Havili has been one of the best performers at Super level over the last few years (he's largely been injured this year) and it's only when he's been asked to be a battering ram for the All Blacks that he's been ineffective. With a different strategy, it's possible that Havili can be a very good 12 for the All Blacks.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think it's worth remembering that Havili has been one of the best performers at Super level over the last few years (he's largely been injured this year) and it's only when he's been asked to be a battering ram for the All Blacks that he's been ineffective. With a different strategy, it's possible that Havili can be a very good 12 for the All Blacks.
This is flat out wrong
The Chiefs ruthlessly exploited his shortcomings last year, and you can make the argument that the reason for the Crusaders winning thr final was Havili not being available
-
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think it's worth remembering that Havili has been one of the best performers at Super level over the last few years (he's largely been injured this year) and it's only when he's been asked to be a battering ram for the All Blacks that he's been ineffective. With a different strategy, it's possible that Havili can be a very good 12 for the All Blacks.
This is flat out wrong
The Chiefs ruthlessly exploited his shortcomings last year, and you can make the argument that the reason for the Crusaders winning thr final was Havili not being available
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think it's worth remembering that Havili has been one of the best performers at Super level over the last few years (he's largely been injured this year) and it's only when he's been asked to be a battering ram for the All Blacks that he's been ineffective. With a different strategy, it's possible that Havili can be a very good 12 for the All Blacks.
This is flat out wrong
The Chiefs ruthlessly exploited his shortcomings last year, and you can make the argument that the reason for the Crusaders winning thr final was Havili not being available
Haven’t you heard the latest? He had a game at 10 and they ALMOST beat the Reds ! In Christchurch !
Havilli is the answer
-
@family-man said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Anyone think Daniel Rona has a chance of making all black squad?
Every time I see him play he impresses me,always makes good decisionsI've been calling for McMillan to start Daniel Rona at 11 over Nanai-Seturo since last year, he's much stronger in contact and is a superior defender than ENS, it also means you can have both Poihipi and Tupaea in the 23 (assuming ALB starts at centre).
@ruggabee said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I've been calling for McMillan to start Daniel Rona at 11 over Nanai-Seturo since last year
ENS is an important player for the Chiefs and his left boot is used often for exit plays. We hadn't seen Rona used as a winger until this season so how he would go was an unknown.
-
Sounds like there is some hope Finau's injury may not be as bad as feared
From Clayton McMillian
“It sounds like it’s going to be OK but probably we will err on the side of caution and rule him out for this week. “He took a pretty hard bang there and it looked pretty nasty. But [we think] it’s just a good old fashioned bang, not a dislocation, so I’m hoping that’s the case and it’s nothing long-term.” -
The most concerning thing for me about Robertson wanting Havili at 10 is that he still seems to think Havili is a test quality player. He isn't, he never has been, and he has been ruthlessly exploited by the top teams time and again. There may be a steep learning curve for Robertson as he finds out his Super stars actually can't cut it a level up.
-
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
I can't see Razor picking two rookie 9s in his first test squad
Christie or Fakatava will be in the squad.
-
The most concerning thing for me about Robertson wanting Havili at 10 is that he still seems to think Havili is a test quality player. He isn't, he never has been, and he has been ruthlessly exploited by the top teams time and again. There may be a steep learning curve for Robertson as he finds out his Super stars actually can't cut it a level up.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
He isn't, he never has been
Havili is, until he met the more physical sides. He was slick, but lacked the physicality.
For comparison, see Akira - MOTM in a few games, but struggled with SA
-
Fakatava is really an international rookie too. Less than 40 mins of test rugby so far. TJP, Christie and another I think.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Fakatava is really an international rookie too. Less than 40 mins of test rugby so far. TJP, Christie and another I think.
Toss up between Funaki and Ratima for me. Fakatava not back to his best yet.
-
The most concerning thing for me about Robertson wanting Havili at 10 is that he still seems to think Havili is a test quality player. He isn't, he never has been, and he has been ruthlessly exploited by the top teams time and again. There may be a steep learning curve for Robertson as he finds out his Super stars actually can't cut it a level up.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
There may be a steep learning curve for Robertson as he finds out his Super stars actually can't cut it a level up.
Which is why I think he'll be very conservative in his first few Tests. Good to see the AB coaching set-up and SR coaches working together though.
-
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
I can't see Razor picking two rookie 9s in his first test squad
Christie or Fakatava will be in the squad.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
I can't see Razor picking two rookie 9s in his first test squad
Christie or Fakatava will be in the squad.
I'm taking odds on Drummond.
-
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
I can't see Razor picking two rookie 9s in his first test squad
Christie or Fakatava will be in the squad.
I'm taking odds on Drummond.
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I think Funaki's excellent play might mean he gets the 3rd AB halfback spot along with Perenara and Ratima.
I can't see Razor picking two rookie 9s in his first test squad
Christie or Fakatava will be in the squad.
I'm taking odds on Drummond.
