All Blacks 2021

[Old Samurai Jack]

@bones That's the one. Probably a bit early yet but showing some real promise.

[sparky]

I wrote down this two weeks ago as an AB 36 just after Super Rugby Aotearoa finished.

Props: Karl T, Hodgman, De Groot, Laulala, Ofa. T, Angus Ta'avao

Hooker: Taylor, Aumua, Eklund

Lock: S. Whitelock (c) , B. Retallick, S. Barrett, Vaa'i

Back row: A. Ioane, S. Frizell, C. Grace, A. Savea, D. Papali'i, L Jacobson, H. Sotutu

Half Backs: A. Smith, B. Weber, M. Drummond

First Fives: R. Mo'unga, B. Barrett, D. McKenzie

Midfield: D. Havili, ALB, Nankivell, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Back three: R. Ioane, W. Jordan, S. Reece, Leicester Fainga'anuku, C. Garden-Bachop, J. Barrett

Probably one too many outside back so one of Nankivell, PUJ or Connor Garden-Bachop can drop out. Tom Robinson and Lachlan Bolshier are in cracking form so could get picked in the back row if one. or more of the capped ABs are injured. Blackadder and Harmon are playing the best Rugby of their careers so far.

[Victor Meldrew]

@frye said in All Blacks 2021:

An absolute plethora of backrow talent available right now. Even with Cane and Savea injured.

I'd love to see Jacobson, Papali'i and Blackadder in the same backrow.

Incredible that the likes of Frizzell, Ioane, Grace or Sotutu could miss out on a 23

Have to agree. Speaks volumes for the current 6/7/8 pool that the likes of Devan Flanders doesn't get a mention.

[nostrildamus]

@sparky good list. #9 looks shallow.
I'm a bit happier about DM at 10 now.
Would suspect Rieko has an edge along with Leicester for potential midfield support.
Is Angus Ta'avao playing that well?
And doesn't SB have some lock/6 competition?

[Mackerzzzz]

What about world cup team?

It is only two years away...

This is my pick at the moment:

1. A Hogman

2. C Taylor

3. N Laulala

4. S Whitelock

5. S Barrett

6. E Blackadder / or T Robinson

7. S Cane(c)

8. H Sotutu or A Savea

9. A Smith

10. R Moanga

11. C Clarke

12. D Havili

13. A Lenert-Brown

14. W Jordan

15. DMac or J Barrett

16. E De Groot

17. A Aumua

18. O Tuangafassi

19. T Vaii

20. A Ioane or A Savea (depending on who starts)

21. F Fakatava

22. B Barrett

23. R Ioane

No RTS cos I'm not sure how they will play him. Although if they play him in 15 he will likely be a shoe in.

[Mackerzzzz]

@sparky said in All Blacks 2021:

I wrote down this two weeks ago as an AB 36 just after Super Rugby Aotearoa finished.

Props: Karl T, Hodgman, De Groot, Laulala, Ofa. T, Angus Ta'avao

Hooker: Taylor, Aumua, Eklund

Lock: S. Whitelock (c) , B. Retallick, S. Barrett, Vaa'i

Back row: A. Ioane, S. Frizell, C. Grace, A. Savea, D. Papali'i, L Jacobson, H. Sotutu

Half Backs: A. Smith, B. Weber, M. Drummond

First Fives: R. Mo'unga, B. Barrett, D. McKenzie

Midfield: D. Havili, ALB, Nankivell, Peter Umaga-Jensen

Back three: R. Ioane, W. Jordan, S. Reece, Leicester Fainga'anuku, C. Garden-Bachop, J. Barrett

Probably one too many outside back so one of Nankivell, PUJ or Connor Garden-Bachop can drop out. Tom Robinson and Lachlan Bolshier are in cracking form so could get picked in the back row if one. or more of the capped ABs are injured. Blackadder and Harmon are playing the best Rugby of their careers so far.

CGB is gone for the season and PUJ hasn't played or shown much

[Victor Meldrew]

@mackerzzzz

I'd go for Akira at 6. Think he showed last year he's turned the corner and his work rate in the Trans Ta$man has been exceptional.

Would like both Robinson and Blackaddder to get some game time to see how they go. And I'd want to give Jacobson a start at 8 as well as Sotutu.

[sparky]

@mackerzzzz Didn't know CGB was out for the season. Scrub him from my list and that makes 35.

I'd stick with PUJ even though his form hasn't been great. Think he's a handful off the bench for the opposition at International level. Rate his skills and potential more than Ennor's.

[sparky]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:

@sparky good list. #9 looks shallow.
I'm a bit happier about DM at 10 now.
Would suspect Rieko has an edge along with Leicester for potential midfield support.
Is Angus Ta'avao playing that well?
And doesn't SB have some lock/6 competition?

Agree about 9. I've been impressed by both the Chiefs and the Highlanders scrums this year. I was worried a couple of weeks ago about Tom. Robinson's defensive work rate, but that has been improved in the last two games.

[Bovidae]

@sparky De Groot is definitely one for the future but I think he is behind Ross in the LH prop pecking order.

Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.

[Frank]

Remember when we didn't have enough competition for the 6 spot?

Kind of the opposite now.

[sparky]

@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:

@sparky De Groot is definitely one for the future but I think he is behind Ross in the LH prop pecking order.

Ross in fantastic form this year. Think De Groot might be the better long-term propsect.

[Canes4life]

Barring injuries i'd like to see this team get a crack early on in the season:

1. Hodgman
2. Taylor
3. Tu'ungafasi
4. Barrett
5. Whitelock (c)
6. Jacobson
7. Savea
8. Sotutu
9. Smith
10. Mo'unga
11. Ioane
12. Havili
13. Leinert Brown
14. Jordan
15. J Barrett
16. Aumua
17. Tu'unukuafe
18. Laulaula
19. Rettalick
20. Papali'i
21. Weber
22. McKenzie
23. Fainga'anuku

[sparky]

1. Karl T
2. Taylor
3. Laulala
4. Retallick
5. Whitelock
6. A. Ioane
7. A. Savea
8. H. Sotutu
9. A. Smith
10. R. Mo'unga
11. L. Fainga'anuka
12. D. Havaii
13. ALB
14. W. Jordan
15. J. Barrett
16. A. Aumua
17. E. De Groot
18. Ofa T
19. S. Barrett
20. D. Papali'i
21. Weber
22. B. Barrett
23. R. Ioane

[Bones]

@sparky that's more like it! @Mackerzzzz are you picking a side to get knocked out in the pool stage?

[Bones]

@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2021:

@bones That's the one. Probably a bit early yet but showing some real promise.

He's not exactly a newbie! Been around a few years now. I'm surprised he's only 24.

[Bones]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/an-inexperienced-all-blacks-xv-shows-the-unprecedented-depth-of-new-zealand-rugby-in-2021/

[nostrildamus]

@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:

Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.

Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though.

[Bones]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2021:

@bovidae said in All Blacks 2021:

Coles will still be there as you can't beat experience.

Trouble is Cole's experience includes a long record in beating the opposition, literally, and far too often, in front of the ref.
Add: I fear as he ages and slows, he'll have less patience and more temptation to see red. Has been a great player for the All Blacks though.

How often has Coles discipline been an issue at test level? I feel the opposite but probably more from personal experience - the longer in the tooth you get, the more likely you'll be able to pick up opposition cards than your own.

[sparky]

Love Dane Coles, one of the greatest ever AB Hookers but injuries mean he is in the twilight of his career. Going forward I think Kurt Eklund and Bradley Slater will offer the ABs more.