All Blacks 2022

African Monkey

People keep wanting to get rid of Laulala, but he's the only decent scrummager at TH in this country so unless someone can do it better, then he stays there with Tu'ungafasi off the bench.

Tu'inukuafe makes the squad too with Moody injured, but he either starts or doesn't play at all imo as he is a slug around the field. Hodgman is good off the bench, so he can fill that role.

Bovidae

@African-Monkey So do we follow the Boks lead and play each front row 40 mins?

I think we have to move on from Big Karl. Whether it's age or something else, but both Laulala and Tu’inukuafe contributed so much more around the field when at the Chiefs. I know Tu’inukuafe has had his health issues but he doesn't currently look like he can even play a full half.

gt12

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

@African-Monkey So do we follow the Boks lead and play each front row 40 mins?

I think we have to move on from Big Karl. Whether it's age or something else, but both Laulala and Tu’inukuafe contributed so much more around the field when at the Chiefs. I know Tu’inukuafe has had his health issues but he doesn't currently look like he can even play a full half.

I think that if we have a problem where Laulala is the only (fit) player who can scrum at that level, we have to take the pain this year of finding/developing players who can.

We might then have a chance of putting out players next year who can carry out set piece and contribute.

The ABs are and are not a representative team - whether we agree or not, there is a development need that can't be ignored. I hope their time developing Lomax is going to pay off...

Dan54

Ok well found it intereting hearing Foster talk last night on Breakdown and say they be naming 36 player for Steinlager series, And he said maybe a couple less, but probably not more. I got impression they wanting to be playing bulk of WC squad from here on in, and more or less they almost a year behind where they want to be for WC, they were kind of forced to take extra players etc last year because of covid etc. I thinking you would look at 2 staring teams of 15 players, plus extra front row halfback and a 10/15 player if you looking at a 36 man squad?
Also mentioned they may have to look at changing defence and using a second man in tackle as that's where a lot of cards are happening with players coming over top of first tackler , and attacking players coming down a bit. If it happens can see game opening up a lot.

Chris B.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

@African-Monkey So do we follow the Boks lead and play each front row 40 mins?

I think we have to move on from Big Karl. Whether it's age or something else, but both Laulala and Tu’inukuafe contributed so much more around the field when at the Chiefs. I know Tu’inukuafe has had his health issues but he doesn't currently look like he can even play a full half.

Worrying times if guys can't contribute around the field because they're 29 and 30!

The other thing Fozzie said of interest is that positions causing most difficulty are midfield, loose forwards and front row (he listed them in that order and seemed like it was in order of his priority - front row came not quite as an after-thought, but somewhat tacked on).

Which in some ways is more revealing that he's more settled at lock, inside and outside backs.

Tim

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

So do we follow the Boks lead and play each front row 40 mins?

I'd say it's worth a try if we can't find the more rounded players we'd like to have.

Tim

Possible squad of 36, with a few alternatives.

Prop 6
Hodgman
Moody
de Groot
Tu'ungafasi
Laulala
Lomax (Newell)

Hooker 3
Taukei'aho
Taylor
Aumua/Coles

Lock 5
Whitelock
Retallick
S Barrett
Tuipulotu (Vaa'i)
Lord

Loose Forward 7
Cane
Papalii
Savea
Sotutu
A Ioane
Blackadder
Robinson (Frizell)

Half Back 3
Smith
Christie
Weber (Perenara)

First Five 3
B Barrett
Mo'unga
McKenzie (Perofeta)

Midfield 5
Goodhue
Ioane
Tupaea
Havilli (RTS, TUJ)
Fainga'anuku (PUJ)

Outside Back 4
J Barrett
Jordan
Reece
Clarke

Dan54

@Tim tend to think there will one or two less loose forwards and maybe 5 locks with one a couple to cover 6 ie Vai'i and Barrett. But don't think I would argue a lot with players you named there. Would be pretty happy with most of them if not all, certainly noone I can think of should or should not be there.

Bovidae

@Tim
Tuipulotu is another whose time has passed.

Bones

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2022:

People keep wanting to get rid of Laulala, but he's the only decent scrummager at TH in this country so unless someone can do it better, then he stays there with Tu'ungafasi off the bench.

The old Owen Franks argument, that never really has anything behind it other than gut feel, right? What is it that proves he's the only decent scummager?

Chris B.

@Tim That won't be too far away.

I don't think Tuipolotu makes it, because they have three experienced locks and two up-and-comers, so no point squeezing him in when he's given them an excuse not to and is a known (and not superb) quantity.

They'll probably only name two first fives, but if they name a third, it might be Bryn Gatland - I'd have him ahead of Perofeta, but not McKenzie.

Boltiest of bolters for the midfield, whom I haven't watched much but has impressed me every time I have - is Bailyn Sullivan. I'm only writing him down, to look like a guru if he gets picked!

Bones

@Chris-B what puts Gatland ahead of Perofeta?

Chris B.

@Bones He's playing there for a start.

And I think he's going well.

KiwiMurph

@Tim nice work. To me of those midfielders you've listed Tupaea is the one most on the bubble. Havili will make it at the very least due to his versatility. We desperately need more size in midfield. I'd pick TUJ (instead of Tupaea) and Leicester can take Ennor's spot.

Bones

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:

@Bones He's playing there for a start.

And I think he's going well.

Yeah I think he's stepped up in the last game or two, but I remember before that there were chiefs fans lamenting the sight of him and rating Hunt above him!

Helps to be on the park... sometimes...

george33

@Bones well storm looking at mounga wasn't there coach in crowd last nite

Tim

Gatland's distribution and decision making would probably be rather slow at test level. Good boot though.

Bovidae

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:

Boltiest of bolters for the midfield, whom I haven't watched much but has impressed me every time I have - is Bailyn Sullivan. I'm only writing him down, to look like a guru if he gets picked!

I thought you'd be all in on Nankivell.

Previously he only looked good at 2nd 5, but having that extra space at centre seems to have made him go up a level. He's done OK on the wing too, so a much better squad option than Ennor.

Bones

@Bovidae it seems that's my bag!

ACT Crusader

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

@African-Monkey So do we follow the Boks lead and play each front row 40 mins?

I think we have to move on from Big Karl. Whether it's age or something else, but both Laulala and Tu’inukuafe contributed so much more around the field when at the Chiefs. I know Tu’inukuafe has had his health issues but he doesn't currently look like he can even play a full half.

Worrying times if guys can't contribute around the field because they're 29 and 30!

The other thing Fozzie said of interest is that positions causing most difficulty are midfield, loose forwards and front row (he listed them in that order and seemed like it was in order of his priority - front row came not quite as an after-thought, but somewhat tacked on).

Which in some ways is more revealing that he's more settled at lock, inside and outside backs.

It’s still not clear if he sees Ioane as a bolted on certainty for centre.

They obviously like Goodhue, but he’s played so little footy.

Havili was hit and miss.

ALB again someone that will be there if fit, but who’s the best player to go along side him?

Add in Tups, trying to fit Jordie and Jordan on the field - I can see why it’s a headache area.

The Silver Fern

All Blacks 2022