All Blacks 2024
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@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Winger said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I agree with your point. However, Razor should realise that his public comments will drive media coverage.
It was a stupid comment by Robertson. One that should never have been made.
If he had instead strongly supported the current policy and said something like NZ rugby is fortunate to still have world class players to choose from. Instead of putting the focus on players who have left (and indirectly criticising the players who are here) the opposite would have occurred.
So in other words, 'be a good boy, shut up and tow the party line'.
Or, as an NZR rugby senior employee, don't belittle their product.
I hope the new top dog for SRP has the ability to get this point through loud and clear to people like Robertson who still don't get this. Super rugby should be sold as the best there is. With the emphasis on the outstanding quality of players still involved. Not all the focus on players who have left. Where Robertson's attention seems to be at present (and we can't blame the media for this). It doesn't help that the 2 who he is or was keen to get back are both ex Crusader players. Are we going to have more of this crap come selection time.
If he does want to get his old Crusader mates back do this behind the scenes. Or better still just let it go
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I not quite sure what all the angst is, though I haven't read all articles on what Razor has or has not said.
All I have heard (not read) was Razor saying a few weeks back on Breakdown is "I have just asked for everyone to keep an open mind on selection polocy" . I seem to recall he said he wasn't calling for it, and reiterated he wants NZR etc to keep open mind.
I not saying there haven't been articles saying different or anything, bit I must admit to being a bit susoicious of many articles these days as seems with internet some reporters etc do like a sensational type article. -
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Barrett and Whitelock mark two...
Sweet! That's probably at least our 4th best pairing in the last decade. Hashtag highaspirations
We can only dream of finding a locking combo that will reach peak Rettalick/Whitelock in the next 10-20 years and probably even longer.
I really think Holland and Lord could get close to that level. Fabian Holland is a freak of an athlete. If he was playing for the Blues or Crusaders, the media would be all over it.
How so ?
The way he moves at his size is not something you often see in rugby. Watching Whitelock, Retallick, Lord etc. - most locks, particularly those over 2m and it looks somewhat awkward and lumbery.
Holland however moves and runs like someone a good few inches shorter though, which makes him a very dynamic.
He is already good enough to play for the All Blacks, and I think it is bizarre that often when people say we have no locks, that they don't mention the fact Holland is there, and will pretty much walk straight into the All Blacks matchday 23 once available.
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Barrett and Whitelock mark two...
Sweet! That's probably at least our 4th best pairing in the last decade. Hashtag highaspirations
We can only dream of finding a locking combo that will reach peak Rettalick/Whitelock in the next 10-20 years and probably even longer.
I really think Holland and Lord could get close to that level. Fabian Holland is a freak of an athlete. If he was playing for the Blues or Crusaders, the media would be all over it.
How so ?
The way he moves at his size is not something you often see in rugby. Watching Whitelock, Retallick, Lord etc. - most locks, particularly those over 2m and it looks somewhat awkward and lumbery.
Holland however moves and runs like someone a good few inches shorter though, which makes him a very dynamic.
He is already good enough to play for the All Blacks, and I think it is bizarre that often when people say we have no locks, that they don't mention the fact Holland is there, and will pretty much walk straight into the All Blacks matchday 23 once available.
Agree, I been singing Holland's praise for a couple of years, and have said (and stick by it) that I can see him becoming one of the great locks in the game. There is almost nothing I don't like about his game, and thing I like most is my old bug bear, he has incredible workrate if oyu watch his games properly.
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Considering Lord is made of glass, lock is shaping as a real problem position. Barrett and Tuipulotu to me lacks a real giant as a pairing, and outside of that the options are grim all-round.
Vaa'i has been tried and failed, so they could stick with him, but still doesn't give you a big 2m+ lock... curious to see what they do.
In time, as long as Lord can shake off the injuries, we'll have Holland and Lord which could well be Barrett and Whitelock mark two...
Edit: Obviously meant Retallick and Whitelock...
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
.Vaa'i has been tried and failed, so they could stick with him, but still doesn't give you a big 2m+ lock... curious to see what they do.
I don't go along with this comment mate. I don't think Vaa'i has failed.
He hasn'tkicked open the door as yet, but far from a failure. I will be almightily surprised if he doesn't make ABs this season. -
@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
There will be a much better 10 who emerges before the next world cup.
Mo'unga has a win percentage of 70% as an AB 10.
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
There will be a much better 10 who emerges before the next world cup.
Mo'unga has a win percentage of 70% as an AB 10.
So less than the AB's historical average?
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England won't be scared of aura
Sir, please direct all reports of the sighting of Aura to
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/573/aura-watch/561
We like to know she is alive and safe.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
.Vaa'i has been tried and failed, so they could stick with him, but still doesn't give you a big 2m+ lock... curious to see what they do.
I don't go along with this comment mate. I don't think Vaa'i has failed.
He hasn'tkicked open the door as yet, but far from a failure. I will be almightily surprised if he doesn't make ABs this season.I think he will be in the squad do to the lack of options at lock.
Hopefully he will kick on as he is now a senior lock in the squad. What a terrifying thought
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England won't be scared of aura
I expect a pretty tough series. England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick. For me, the ideal would be for Robertson to get his feet under the table and win both games - even if he has to be really conservative.
Really looking forward to this one.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England won't be scared of aura
I expect a pretty tough series. England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick. For me, the ideal would be for Robertson to get his feet under the table and win both games - even if he has to be really conservative.
Really looking forward to this one.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick.
Not sure I buy that.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick.
Not sure I buy that.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick.
Not sure I buy that.
Very, very different team in the last 3-4 games. Borthwick and co. will be up for the win. Then again, they may pick a development side...
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick.
Not sure I buy that.
Very, very different team in the last 3-4 games. Borthwick and co. will be up for the win. Then again, they may pick a development side...
@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
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@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
Yeah, It'll be a walkover. Anything less than 50+ points margin and Robertson should resign, eh?
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I think the Six Nations sides all dropped their standards this year (which is normal following a World Cup and I'd generally expect the same of the NZ and Oz, except they've both got new coaches). Wales and Italy may be the exceptions but the only way for both was really up, and it's hard to measure their competence given the drop of the other sides.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
Yeah, It'll be a walkover. Anything less than 50+ points margin and Robertson should resign, eh?
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
Yeah, It'll be a walkover. Anything less than 50+ points margin and Robertson should resign, eh?
So you concede you were bullshitting?
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On tonight's performance alone Fakatava rules himself out of the squad.
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@Victor-Meldrew that would be when they scraped past wooden spooners Wales and Italy, got spanked by Scotland and got one good win against Ireland ((by a couple of points)?
They beat Ireland, but lost to SA by a point and just lost to France at home in their last 7 games.
I say they are on the up
Will be a good test for us, especially upfront.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
England seem to have turned the corner under Borthwick.
Not sure I buy that.
Very, very different team in the last 3-4 games. Borthwick and co. will be up for the win. Then again, they may pick a development side...
@Victor-Meldrew England looking a decent outfit in their last few games, but hopefully the ABs will bring an intensity above what they are used to.
It will be a tough series, but the ABs really should win with the talent they have available.
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They beat Ireland, but lost to SA by a point and just lost to France at home in their last 7 games.
I say they are on the up
Will be a good test for us, especially upfront.
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They beat Ireland, but lost to SA by a point and just lost to France at home in their last 7 games.
I say they are on the up
Will be a good test for us, especially upfront.
I'd say they're about where they've been for the last however many years. They're up and down from game to game, extremely hard to track any improvement.
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They beat Ireland, but lost to SA by a point and just lost to France at home in their last 7 games.
I say they are on the up
Will be a good test for us, especially upfront.
I'd say they're about where they've been for the last however many years. They're up and down from game to game, extremely hard to track any improvement.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
They beat Ireland, but lost to SA by a point and just lost to France at home in their last 7 games.
I say they are on the up
Will be a good test for us, especially upfront.
I'd say they're about where they've been for the last however many years. They're up and down from game to game, extremely hard to track any improvement.
It’s only the All Blacks, not their bogey team Scotland which is lucky for them
