Skip to content
  • Categories
Collapse

The Silver Fern

  • Tipping
  • Team Sheets
  • Highlights
  • Results
    • All Blacks

      Search every All Blacks Test. Filter results by year, opposition, location, venue, city and RWC stage

    • Super Rugby

      Search every Super Rugby since match 1996

    • NPC

      Search NPC results. Only first division matches from 1976-2005. All results from the 14 team competition (2006-present) are included

All Blacks EOYT

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Sports Talk
allblacks
1.0k Posts 83 Posters 70.1k Views 4 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • Victor MeldrewV Victor Meldrew

    @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

    @MiketheSnow said in All Blacks EOYT:

    Hotham over Christie

    I think the one issue is that Roigard has played no minutes so far, so you could be going into a game against Ireland with either an unproven newbie (Hotham) or a barely fit, relative newbie (Roigard) as your back-up halfback.

    Neither situation is ideal. But if Roigard is able to get three or four games under his belt before the tour (which would depend on Counties getting a couple of games deep into the NPC knock-outs) and is in similar form to the beginning of the year then bringing Hotham in for Christie would make sense.

    Roigard has to start in Japan and ideally Hotham get some time too. Ironically, 9 is an area which is looking good, but we need to give the tyros experience quickly. If experience colours Robertson's selections, TJP over Christie...

    M Offline
    M Offline
    Mr Fish
    wrote on last edited by
    #20

    @Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks EOYT:

    @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

    @MiketheSnow said in All Blacks EOYT:

    Hotham over Christie

    I think the one issue is that Roigard has played no minutes so far, so you could be going into a game against Ireland with either an unproven newbie (Hotham) or a barely fit, relative newbie (Roigard) as your back-up halfback.

    Neither situation is ideal. But if Roigard is able to get three or four games under his belt before the tour (which would depend on Counties getting a couple of games deep into the NPC knock-outs) and is in similar form to the beginning of the year then bringing Hotham in for Christie would make sense.

    Roigard has to start in Japan and ideally Hotham get some time too. Ironically, 9 is an area which is looking good, but we need to give the tyros experience quickly. If experience colours Robertson's selections, TJP over Christie...

    So Ratima might not play any top level rugby between now and starting against England?

    There's a chance he gets a game for Waikato in the NPC finals but no guarantees.

    Victor MeldrewV 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • M Mr Fish

      @Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks EOYT:

      @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

      @MiketheSnow said in All Blacks EOYT:

      Hotham over Christie

      I think the one issue is that Roigard has played no minutes so far, so you could be going into a game against Ireland with either an unproven newbie (Hotham) or a barely fit, relative newbie (Roigard) as your back-up halfback.

      Neither situation is ideal. But if Roigard is able to get three or four games under his belt before the tour (which would depend on Counties getting a couple of games deep into the NPC knock-outs) and is in similar form to the beginning of the year then bringing Hotham in for Christie would make sense.

      Roigard has to start in Japan and ideally Hotham get some time too. Ironically, 9 is an area which is looking good, but we need to give the tyros experience quickly. If experience colours Robertson's selections, TJP over Christie...

      So Ratima might not play any top level rugby between now and starting against England?

      There's a chance he gets a game for Waikato in the NPC finals but no guarantees.

      Victor MeldrewV Away
      Victor MeldrewV Away
      Victor Meldrew
      wrote on last edited by
      #21

      @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

      @Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks EOYT:

      @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

      @MiketheSnow said in All Blacks EOYT:

      Hotham over Christie

      I think the one issue is that Roigard has played no minutes so far, so you could be going into a game against Ireland with either an unproven newbie (Hotham) or a barely fit, relative newbie (Roigard) as your back-up halfback.

      Neither situation is ideal. But if Roigard is able to get three or four games under his belt before the tour (which would depend on Counties getting a couple of games deep into the NPC knock-outs) and is in similar form to the beginning of the year then bringing Hotham in for Christie would make sense.

      Roigard has to start in Japan and ideally Hotham get some time too. Ironically, 9 is an area which is looking good, but we need to give the tyros experience quickly. If experience colours Robertson's selections, TJP over Christie...

      So Ratima might not play any top level rugby between now and starting against England?

      There's a chance he gets a game for Waikato in the NPC finals but no guarantees.

      Aye, it's a real balancing act but Ratima has had more Test minutes recently. Or maybe use him as 1st choice and ease Roigard in from the bench?

      1 Reply Last reply
      2
      • BerniesCornerB Offline
        BerniesCornerB Offline
        BerniesCorner
        wrote on last edited by
        #22

        Darry deserves a start against Japan . He was playing as well as Vaai

        1 Reply Last reply
        3
        • BerniesCornerB Offline
          BerniesCornerB Offline
          BerniesCorner
          wrote on last edited by
          #23

          If Proctor doesn't start against Japan I'll eat my hat

          BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
          1
          • BerniesCornerB BerniesCorner

            If Proctor doesn't start against Japan I'll eat my hat

            BonesB Offline
            BonesB Offline
            Bones
            wrote on last edited by
            #24

            @BerniesCorner said in All Blacks EOYT:

            If Proctor doesn't start against Japan I'll eat my hat

            If he does I reckon not to be seen again until something like Tonga next year.

            But get some hat seasoning.

            1 Reply Last reply
            2
            • B Offline
              B Offline
              BorderJB
              wrote on last edited by
              #25

              Questions:
              Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

              BonesB M 2 Replies Last reply
              0
              • B BorderJB

                Questions:
                Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

                BonesB Offline
                BonesB Offline
                Bones
                wrote on last edited by
                #26

                @BorderJB said in All Blacks EOYT:

                Questions:
                Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

                I like the sound of developing a fullback at fullback.

                B 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • BonesB Bones

                  @BorderJB said in All Blacks EOYT:

                  Questions:
                  Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

                  I like the sound of developing a fullback at fullback.

                  B Offline
                  B Offline
                  BorderJB
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #27

                  @Bones yep and that was a better game from Jordan, BB let him have the back spot, not that the Wallabies kicked much, but he joined the line well.

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • J Jet

                    @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                    @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                    Squad needs freshening up.

                    Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                    Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                    Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                    Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                    P Offline
                    P Offline
                    pakman
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #28

                    @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                    @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                    @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                    Squad needs freshening up.

                    Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                    Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                    Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                    Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                    Is Hotham not already in?

                    J 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • P Online
                      P Online
                      ploughboy
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #29

                      going by the selections in the loose farwards over the RC if they wanted to bring Lakai in i would think it would be for Finau or Paps

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • BerniesCornerB Offline
                        BerniesCornerB Offline
                        BerniesCorner
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #30

                        What isn't Paps getting more game time

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • M Mr Fish

                          Assuming the All Blacks follow a similar approach to 2022, I'm expecting something along the lines of the below...

                          All Blacks (37)
                          Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell
                          Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
                          Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu
                          Loose forwards (7): Wallace Sititi, Dalton Papali'i, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson
                          Halfbacks (3): Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
                          First fives (3): Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer
                          Midifeld (5): Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor
                          Wings (4): Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Mark Tele'a, Sevu Reece
                          Fullbacks (2): Will Jordan, Stephen Perofeta

                          All Blacks XV (28)
                          Hookers (2): Ricky Riccitelli, Kurt Eklund
                          Props (5): Xavier Numia, George Bower, Aidan Ross, Marcel Renata, Saula Ma'u
                          Locks (3): Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks
                          Loose forwards (6): Cullen Grace, Cameron Suafoa, Malachi Wrampling, Peter Lakai, Hugh Renton, Hoskins Sotutu
                          Halfbacks (2): Noah Hotham, Folau Fakatava
                          First fives (1): Josh Jacomb
                          Midfield (3): Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Dallas McLeod, AJ Lam
                          Wings (4): Gideon Wrampling, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Kini Naholo
                          Fullbacks (2): Ruben Love, Zarn Sullivan

                          Unavailable: Samisoni Taukei'aho

                          After the All Blacks XV finish their tour, I'd expect Xavier Numia, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, Noah Hotham and Ruben Love to join the All Blacks for their final two matches against France and Italy, and likely all getting an appearance off the bench in that final game. There's not much point those guys travelling with the full squad from the get-go when they're unlikely to get minutes, and there are already guys in the full squad who are more or less just holding tackle bags each week. It's possible that some of the XV guys travel to Japan too.

                          Is there a massive advantage to taking Finlay Christie over Noah Hotham? Not really, but Hotham is better off getting two starts for the XV against Munster and Georgia rather than just training with the All Blacks, especially when he's already been in camp with them so he's familiar with the environment already. It's a similar story for Love and Lord.

                          I suspect that Razor will take Sam Cane, just because he'll be gunning for at least four wins on the tour - which means beating two out of England, Ireland and France. Cane is tailor-made for those games.

                          Japan will be used as a chance to give guys minutes who either a) need some game time in key positions to get up to speed ahead of the three consecutive games against England, Ireland and France (e.g. Damian McKenzie, Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard), or b) have been with the squad but haven't had the chance for many minutes (e.g. Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry, Billy Proctor).

                          Basically the same 23 will then be rolled out each week against England, Ireland and France - it pretty much picks itself at this stage. Italy will then be used to once again get minutes for the squad members who haven't had many opportunities yet this year, and the additional guys who come in from the All Blacks XV.

                          Plenty of picks in the All Blacks XV are very contestable, particularly in the loose forward and midfield (there aren't any outside centres really staking claims during the NPC that I've noticed as yet).

                          boobooB Offline
                          boobooB Offline
                          booboo
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #31

                          @Mr-Fish Fihaki in the mix somewhere

                          M 1 Reply Last reply
                          2
                          • F Offline
                            F Offline
                            family man
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #32

                            Do we know what size the eoyt squad will be? I’m guessing a little more than rugby championship squad

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • P pakman

                              @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              Squad needs freshening up.

                              Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                              Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                              Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                              Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                              Is Hotham not already in?

                              J Offline
                              J Offline
                              Jet
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #33

                              @pakman said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                              Squad needs freshening up.

                              Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                              Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                              Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                              Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                              Is Hotham not already in?

                              As in retains his place instead of TJP with a view to being used. With Roigard easing back into test rugby against Italy.

                              canefanC 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • J Jet

                                @pakman said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                Squad needs freshening up.

                                Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                                Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                                Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                                Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                                Is Hotham not already in?

                                As in retains his place instead of TJP with a view to being used. With Roigard easing back into test rugby against Italy.

                                canefanC Offline
                                canefanC Offline
                                canefan
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #34

                                @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @pakman said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @DaGrubster said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                @Jet said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                Squad needs freshening up.

                                Id be looking at Lakai, Sotutu, Hotham, an outside back, and maybe another bolter or two.

                                Agreed, get rid of Cane, TJP, rest Savea

                                Lakai for Cane, Sotutu for one of Jacobsen, Finau, Paps or Blackadder. Hotham for TJ, with Roigard getting 3rd spot.

                                Then maybe a Narawa or Kneepkens or Zarn for a bit of zest.

                                Is Hotham not already in?

                                As in retains his place instead of TJP with a view to being used. With Roigard easing back into test rugby against Italy.

                                The performances of Ratima and Hotham give us the luxury of not rushing Cam back. If they take TJP at Hotham's expense I could see that though

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • boobooB booboo

                                  @Mr-Fish Fihaki in the mix somewhere

                                  M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  Mr Fish
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #35

                                  @booboo said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                  @Mr-Fish Fihaki in the mix somewhere

                                  Very true, probably in place of Wrampling.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • B BorderJB

                                    Questions:
                                    Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Mr Fish
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #36

                                    @BorderJB said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                    Questions:
                                    Did BB play well??? he had a large influence on the game and seemed in the pocket more with Jordan at FB, we didn't start as well but finished better with Dmac coming on. Could we develop that on the tour?

                                    I don't think he played particularly well.

                                    We can't sacrifice our good starts for good finishes. If McKenzie is our best 10 (which I think he pretty clearly is) then he should be starting. If Barrett's not good enough to come on make an impact (at 10 or 15) then we need to find someone who is.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    6
                                    • F Offline
                                      F Offline
                                      Frank
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #37

                                      When's the squad named?

                                      ChrisC 1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • F Frank

                                        When's the squad named?

                                        ChrisC Offline
                                        ChrisC Offline
                                        Chris
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #38

                                        @Frank said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                        When's the squad named?

                                        Oct 7th

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        2
                                        • M Mr Fish

                                          Assuming the All Blacks follow a similar approach to 2022, I'm expecting something along the lines of the below...

                                          All Blacks (37)
                                          Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell
                                          Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
                                          Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu
                                          Loose forwards (7): Wallace Sititi, Dalton Papali'i, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson
                                          Halfbacks (3): Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
                                          First fives (3): Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer
                                          Midifeld (5): Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor
                                          Wings (4): Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Mark Tele'a, Sevu Reece
                                          Fullbacks (2): Will Jordan, Stephen Perofeta

                                          All Blacks XV (28)
                                          Hookers (2): Ricky Riccitelli, Kurt Eklund
                                          Props (5): Xavier Numia, George Bower, Aidan Ross, Marcel Renata, Saula Ma'u
                                          Locks (3): Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks
                                          Loose forwards (6): Cullen Grace, Cameron Suafoa, Malachi Wrampling, Peter Lakai, Hugh Renton, Hoskins Sotutu
                                          Halfbacks (2): Noah Hotham, Folau Fakatava
                                          First fives (1): Josh Jacomb
                                          Midfield (3): Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Dallas McLeod, AJ Lam
                                          Wings (4): Gideon Wrampling, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Kini Naholo
                                          Fullbacks (2): Ruben Love, Zarn Sullivan

                                          Unavailable: Samisoni Taukei'aho

                                          After the All Blacks XV finish their tour, I'd expect Xavier Numia, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, Noah Hotham and Ruben Love to join the All Blacks for their final two matches against France and Italy, and likely all getting an appearance off the bench in that final game. There's not much point those guys travelling with the full squad from the get-go when they're unlikely to get minutes, and there are already guys in the full squad who are more or less just holding tackle bags each week. It's possible that some of the XV guys travel to Japan too.

                                          Is there a massive advantage to taking Finlay Christie over Noah Hotham? Not really, but Hotham is better off getting two starts for the XV against Munster and Georgia rather than just training with the All Blacks, especially when he's already been in camp with them so he's familiar with the environment already. It's a similar story for Love and Lord.

                                          I suspect that Razor will take Sam Cane, just because he'll be gunning for at least four wins on the tour - which means beating two out of England, Ireland and France. Cane is tailor-made for those games.

                                          Japan will be used as a chance to give guys minutes who either a) need some game time in key positions to get up to speed ahead of the three consecutive games against England, Ireland and France (e.g. Damian McKenzie, Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard), or b) have been with the squad but haven't had the chance for many minutes (e.g. Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry, Billy Proctor).

                                          Basically the same 23 will then be rolled out each week against England, Ireland and France - it pretty much picks itself at this stage. Italy will then be used to once again get minutes for the squad members who haven't had many opportunities yet this year, and the additional guys who come in from the All Blacks XV.

                                          Plenty of picks in the All Blacks XV are very contestable, particularly in the loose forward and midfield (there aren't any outside centres really staking claims during the NPC that I've noticed as yet).

                                          T Offline
                                          T Offline
                                          tubbyj
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #39

                                          @Mr-Fish said in All Blacks EOYT:

                                          Assuming the All Blacks follow a similar approach to 2022, I'm expecting something along the lines of the below...

                                          All Blacks (37)
                                          Hookers (3): Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell
                                          Props (6): Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
                                          Locks (4): Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu
                                          Loose forwards (7): Wallace Sititi, Dalton Papali'i, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson
                                          Halfbacks (3): Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Finlay Christie
                                          First fives (3): Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, Harry Plummer
                                          Midifeld (5): Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Billy Proctor
                                          Wings (4): Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Mark Tele'a, Sevu Reece
                                          Fullbacks (2): Will Jordan, Stephen Perofeta

                                          All Blacks XV (28)
                                          Hookers (2): Ricky Riccitelli, Kurt Eklund
                                          Props (5): Xavier Numia, George Bower, Aidan Ross, Marcel Renata, Saula Ma'u
                                          Locks (3): Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks
                                          Loose forwards (6): Cullen Grace, Cameron Suafoa, Malachi Wrampling, Peter Lakai, Hugh Renton, Hoskins Sotutu
                                          Halfbacks (2): Noah Hotham, Folau Fakatava
                                          First fives (1): Josh Jacomb
                                          Midfield (3): Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Dallas McLeod, AJ Lam
                                          Wings (4): Gideon Wrampling, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Kini Naholo
                                          Fullbacks (2): Ruben Love, Zarn Sullivan

                                          Unavailable: Samisoni Taukei'aho

                                          After the All Blacks XV finish their tour, I'd expect Xavier Numia, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, Noah Hotham and Ruben Love to join the All Blacks for their final two matches against France and Italy, and likely all getting an appearance off the bench in that final game. There's not much point those guys travelling with the full squad from the get-go when they're unlikely to get minutes, and there are already guys in the full squad who are more or less just holding tackle bags each week. It's possible that some of the XV guys travel to Japan too.

                                          Is there a massive advantage to taking Finlay Christie over Noah Hotham? Not really, but Hotham is better off getting two starts for the XV against Munster and Georgia rather than just training with the All Blacks, especially when he's already been in camp with them so he's familiar with the environment already. It's a similar story for Love and Lord.

                                          I suspect that Razor will take Sam Cane, just because he'll be gunning for at least four wins on the tour - which means beating two out of England, Ireland and France. Cane is tailor-made for those games.

                                          Japan will be used as a chance to give guys minutes who either a) need some game time in key positions to get up to speed ahead of the three consecutive games against England, Ireland and France (e.g. Damian McKenzie, Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard), or b) have been with the squad but haven't had the chance for many minutes (e.g. Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry, Billy Proctor).

                                          Basically the same 23 will then be rolled out each week against England, Ireland and France - it pretty much picks itself at this stage. Italy will then be used to once again get minutes for the squad members who haven't had many opportunities yet this year, and the additional guys who come in from the All Blacks XV.

                                          Plenty of picks in the All Blacks XV are very contestable, particularly in the loose forward and midfield (there aren't any outside centres really staking claims during the NPC that I've noticed as yet).

                                          Looks pretty close but I bet they drop Billy Proctor for Brayden Ennor and one of the outsides for Chay Fihaki.

                                          Canes4lifeC 1 Reply Last reply
                                          1
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Search
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Search