All Blacks EOYT 2021

DaGrubster

Yup, I think because of the limitations on travel then this is the squad till the end of the year.

Of course we can have some additions. There is no requirement for quarantine or self isolation for travelling from NZ to UK.

We may see some additions like Smith, Whitelock and Cane. Not sure if Cane should come back in and be captain and start straight away after being out for the year.

We may also see some of the squad leaving early if already agreed or if they are showing signs of not reacting well to being away for so long.

At least in the Uk they will have no restrictions in place so it should come as a bit of relief for them

sparky

Strongest squad possible. Tests away against Wales, Ireland and France at the end of a busy, covid-affected year all have banana skins written all over them.

The second stringers can play against the US and Italy.

Crucial

Isn't Cane with them anyway? Non-playing leadership?

I also thought that Smith may have declared that he won't be re-joining. Don't need Coles at the moment either. Current squad is about right except at lock (Whitelock).

Bovidae

I read that Cane, Whitelock and Frizell (yes, him) will be joining the team in DC. I'm not sure about Coles. Smith definitely isn't going.

Stargazer

@family-man The squad that was name on 26 August (for the RC) is basically the squad for both the RC and the EOYT, minus players joining them later.

As @Machpants says, nobody of the current squad will be sent home due to MIQ availability. Only a few players will be joining the squad.

Mo'unga already coming out MIQ in Oz on Tuesday.
Smith unlikely to be available due to late expected arrival of baby; will only travel if baby comes early.
Other players joining them will be Whitelock; and Cane and Coles depending on injury status. I think Frizell's name has been named by Foster in the media, too, but hopefully they keep him at home. He's not needed anyway.

taniwharugby

@stargazer aside from being a thug, also been found wanting in black too often and been pretty average in the last 2 rounds of npc...where he should be dominating

Kirwan

@taniwharugby said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@stargazer aside from being a thug, also been found wanting in black too often and been pretty average in the last 2 rounds of npc...where he should be dominating

Blackadder surely has replaced him now? Better squad member too, covering more positions.

Akira, Luke, Dalton can all cover six as well.

canefan

@kirwan said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@taniwharugby said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@stargazer aside from being a thug, also been found wanting in black too often and been pretty average in the last 2 rounds of npc...where he should be dominating

Blackadder surely has replaced him now? Better squad member too, covering more positions.

Akira, Luke, Dalton can all cover six as well.

Yup. I would have expected Frizell to be gone, no reason to keep him IMHO

TheMojoman

Whitelock and Mo'unga, maybe Coles or Smith depending on injury and fatherhood.

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are. AB's lack the traditional big 6 ala Kaino and Squire but TBH haven't needed it thus far. Their high-tempo game is more suited to Akira and Blackadder.

cgrant

@themojoman

Akira is as big as Squire or Kaino.

Chris

@machpants said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

As to your points
Whitlock, Smith, Coles a given.

You've got to remember, no one can be sent back cos of MIQ, everyone is there to the end.

So we don't need another loosie, frizzle can stay home.
We've got enough props so no more of them
Clarke hasn't played any high level rugby, let alone 15s since last year, so nope
PUJ is not even starting for Wellington, so nope

I can only see the first three joining, plus cane if fit

Yes agree only Whitelock,Smith,Coles and maybe Cane to be added to the current squad.

Bones

@cgrant said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@themojoman

Akira is as big as Squire or Kaino.

Pretty sure he's bigger!

nostrildamus

@bones said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@cgrant said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@themojoman

Akira is as big as Squire or Kaino.

Pretty sure he's bigger!

heavier not quite as tall (2cm) depending on where you read it...I find it hard to believe Kaino was only 110 kg though..

Victor Meldrew

@themojoman said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are

I'm actually struggling to think of a time when we were so strong at 6/7/8. And the current crop are still pretty raw experience-wise and will only get better.

canefan

@victor-meldrew said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@themojoman said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are

I'm actually struggling to think of a time when we were so strong at 6/7/8. And the current crop are still pretty raw experience-wise and will only get better.

Apart from Kaino/McCaw/Read Cane, Messam, Vito right?

Bones

@canefan Poor Marty.

Victor Meldrew

@canefan said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@victor-meldrew said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@themojoman said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are

I'm actually struggling to think of a time when we were so strong at 6/7/8. And the current crop are still pretty raw experience-wise and will only get better.

Apart from Kaino/McCaw/Read Cane, Messam, Vito right?

We can probably take Cane out of the equation as he'll be in both squads, but I think the current squad is as strong overall and will only get better. Vito & poss. Messam would struggle to get into the current squad, IMHO.

Foster's big problem is getting the combinations right but that's a nce problem to have.

ACT Crusader

@victor-meldrew said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@canefan said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@victor-meldrew said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

@themojoman said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are

I'm actually struggling to think of a time when we were so strong at 6/7/8. And the current crop are still pretty raw experience-wise and will only get better.

Apart from Kaino/McCaw/Read Cane, Messam, Vito right?

We can probably take Cane out of the equation as he'll be in both squads, but I think the current squad is as strong overall and will only get better. Vito & poss. Messam would struggle to get into the current squad, IMHO.

Foster's big problem is getting the combinations right but that's a nce problem to have.

The year after Kaino left, Messam was pretty impressive for the ABs.

Loosies that played in 2015
Kaino
McCaw
Read
Cane
Vito
Messam
Todd

Loosies that have played in 2021
Ioane
Cane
Savea
Papali’i
Jacobsen
Blackadder
Sotutu
Frizell

In 2015 we basically played Whitelock and Retallick for 80 minutes in most tests so often had two loosies on the bench too.

DaGrubster

@crucial

I am not sure if Cole’s gets back into the AB squad given the strength of our hookers at the moment.

ST has been a revelation this year.

Duluth

@themojoman said in What should the eoyt squad look like?:

Would surprise me if Frizell got the nod given how competitive the current crop of loosies are.

He's basically already been picked though. He was named in the squad and the only reason he didn't travel was pending legal issues.

Personally I wouldn't pick him and I think he should be in jail.

Even if they did unselect him I struggle to think of a large blindside they could take a chance on? All the other serious options are injured

The Silver Fern

All Blacks EOYT 2021