All Blacks 2022
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That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
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That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
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@Canes4life I have not been impressed with de Groot at all. His work rate around the field has been underwhelming. Karl T to start, Hodgman off the bench to finish.
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@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
Sometimes there aren't that many scrums so I think we should be focusing on what the props do around the field, particularly ball-carrying and their tackling.
I don't rate Bower either, but de Groot hasn't had that many opportunities, and none against top level teams yet. The only non-capped LH prop who could force his way in is Aidan Ross. He was brought into the AB squad last year so must be in the mix.
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae soften them up at scrum time. Teams come out firing at the start of the game, finish with pace and fitness off the bench. De Groot and Bower have been exposed.
Sometimes there aren't that many scrums so I think we should be focusing on what the props do around the field, particularly ball-carrying and their tackling.
I don't rate Bower either, but de Groot hasn't had that many opportunities, and none against top level teams yet. The only non-capped LH prop who could force his way in is Aidan Ross. He was brought into the AB squad last year so must be in the mix.
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@Bovidae I prefer Ross over de Groot
, so a propping trio of Karl, Hodgman and Ross will work. -
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
What a bummer. Wish Joe speedy recovery.
Yeah he'll leave a big gap in the squad even though his form around the field has been questionable
33 years old, turning 34 later this year.
It's going to be difficult to get up to speed again in RWC year
Remember when he came into RWC 2015? His passing and running skills are a long way down from that.
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2022:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
What a bummer. Wish Joe speedy recovery.
Yeah he'll leave a big gap in the squad even though his form around the field has been questionable
33 years old, turning 34 later this year.
It's going to be difficult to get up to speed again in RWC year
Remember when he came into RWC 2015? His passing and running skills are a long way down from that.
2015 Joe amazed me with reverse pass offload in French quarter! Just what we need now...
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bovidae I prefer Ross over de Groot
, so a propping trio of Karl, Hodgman and Ross will work.And a move to the blues for Ross eh
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones I wouldn't be surprised if the contract is in the post.
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise.
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Bones I wouldn't be surprised if the contract is in the post.
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise.
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Not sure if this update has been posted for ALB as well
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@taniwharugby Yes, here, but I'm sure some will have missed the little arrow if they don't know how instagram works.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@taniwharugby Yes, here, but I'm sure some will have missed the little arrow if they don't know how instagram works.
Insta what?
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That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
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Hardly news but I think AB backs are in good shape other than at 12. Havili and Tuapea are OK, but neither a unit. RTS has real promise but early days. Poihipi has also looked good there for Chiefs. Only TUJ seems to have the thrust to really bend the line running straight, but is raw.
I’d like to see ABs select three 12s for squad. One unit, one classic 2nd five, and one other. -
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2022:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2022:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
That's a pretty big loss but the silverlining is that someone like big Ethan De Groot should get plenty of minutes to show what he's got.
I like Hodgman too, but I'm not sure Karl T or Bower are good enough for key RWC games.
I think there needs to be at least one top grade scrummaging LH, and with Joe out for me that is Karl. Can carry one LH who’s Super level in scrum but great in maul and round park. That is where Hodgman has strong credentials. And one middle of the road, which would be out of Bower, De Groot, Ross, and possibly Norris.
I don't agree that Karl T is a 'top grade scrummaging LH". Not consistently anyway.
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I feel this thread should have a counterpart: What players from other franchises are joining the Blues for your AB 23.
