All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship
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So, the outcome of all this is... dropping Peter Gus for Frizzell.
I'm not 100% sure that's sufficient to fix the problems I've been seeing for the last couple of years.
@reprobate It's just bitter provincialism by Foster.

The same way Hansen scuppered the Mako in 2018, by releasing Joe Moody to play for Canterbury in the semi-final, when their scrum was kak.
Now he's calling up Frizell and Lomax to weaken us. He would've selected Levi Aumua if he thought he could get away with it!
"Of nothing else good comes, at least I'll have helped Waikato win the NPC! "
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
hahahah, they cut the question about the drunktard Marshall. Brilliant.
@Kirwan said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
hahahah, they cut the question about the drunktard Marshall. Brilliant.
Foster's talk. Yeah blah nah.
Good lord "I'm really excited..delighted" yeah sure that is the look of excitement?
Was Foster a teacher in the past? The sort of school assembly speech that kills enthusiasm dead.
Correction Mr Foster. Not smashed cheekbone. "Impact absorbed" cheekbone! -
Another aspect of the forward play which was dumb : commitment in the rucks or rather lack of commitment in the rucks. Do you remember the European Cup final between La Rochelle and Leinster (12 men of the starting XV of the Irish team of Saturday)? Leinster could not develop their usual play because the La Rochelle forwards made a nuisance of themselves in the rucks : counter rucking and slowing their opponents possession were systematic. What did we see during the 2nd and 3rd tests between the All Blacks and Ireland ? The All Blacks did not commit more than one or two players in the rucks (when they were in defense) which gave the Irish quick and easy possession, without having to commit their forwards to secure it. This was also the recipe used by the Bulls forwards in their semi final vs Leinster. Both games ended with Irish defeats.
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Who was advising Foster on this presser? “I’m resilient.. I’m strategic” WTH?
He sounds like someone who is under immense pressure and doesn’t have a plan. How do we know? Because he said as much..he’d let us know when he figures it out.
The selections are at least consistent and most I agree with. As far as I know we don’t have any superstars that are hiding out and haven’t been selected other than Mackenzie.
Frizell is a waste of a loosie spot they could’ve given to Grace, Jacobson or even retained PGS. Frizell looks good at Super rugby and ordinary at test level.
Laulala should’ve been dropped after his 3rd test performance.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
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@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed. -
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I think its smart by NZRU as next year post WC two assistants could argue they want to be on the team of a new head coach.
So then - regardless of result - Razor becomes the ‘continuity’ candidate as Fozzie has to bring in all new people.
If we win they chalk it to the assistants.
If we lose, they hang it on Fozzie.
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.Don’t forget he has a clear plan..but can’t tell us yet what changes will need to be made. We also know that he has a new clear plan because he’s selected almost exactly the same squad. Except for Frizell and Ennor that is.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.Don’t forget he has a clear plan..but can’t tell us yet what changes will need to be made. We also know that he has a new clear plan because he’s selected almost exactly the same squad. Except for Frizell and Ennor that is.
@TheMojoman it sounds like Shannon is a must select whenever possible for Foster.
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@reprobate It's just bitter provincialism by Foster.

The same way Hansen scuppered the Mako in 2018, by releasing Joe Moody to play for Canterbury in the semi-final, when their scrum was kak.
Now he's calling up Frizell and Lomax to weaken us. He would've selected Levi Aumua if he thought he could get away with it!
"Of nothing else good comes, at least I'll have helped Waikato win the NPC! "
@Chris-B said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@reprobate It's just bitter provincialism by Foster.

The same way Hansen scuppered the Mako in 2018, by releasing Joe Moody to play for Canterbury in the semi-final, when their scrum was kak.
Now he's calling up Frizell and Lomax to weaken us. He would've selected Levi Aumua if he thought he could get away with it!
"Of nothing else good comes, at least I'll have helped Waikato win the NPC! "
Chris you always provide me with a good laugh & with such logic Foster probably thinks PGS plays for Waikato & not the Naki

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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.Don’t forget he has a clear plan..but can’t tell us yet what changes will need to be made. We also know that he has a new clear plan because he’s selected almost exactly the same squad. Except for Frizell and Ennor that is.
@TheMojoman he is ultra conservative isn't he, yet the results are usually chaotic!
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@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Kirwan said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
If Jason Ryan is in what is Plumtree doing?
Perhaps initially Ryan will just be given the scrum remit - or Ryan will take over a lot of what Plumtree is doing.
Incidentally I imagine Schmidt will take over a lot of the defence from McLeod
Didn’t they already bring in Cron ?
Cron came in in an emergency situation before Test 1 only due to covid (Ryan was with Fiji for the Pacific Nations Cup)
Cron is helping coach the Black Ferns.
@KiwiMurph Wayne Smith is also with the Black Ferns wonder if he gets a roles if things get worse.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
If Jason Ryan is in what is Plumtree doing?
@Kirwan said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
If Jason Ryan is in what is Plumtree doing?
My thoughts exactly. This makes such little sense that, under the current regime, it's almost certainly true.
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@TheMojoman it sounds like Shannon is a must select whenever possible for Foster.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman it sounds like Shannon is a must select whenever possible for Foster.
Well, he is family after all
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.Don’t forget he has a clear plan..but can’t tell us yet what changes will need to be made. We also know that he has a new clear plan because he’s selected almost exactly the same squad. Except for Frizell and Ennor that is.
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@akan004 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@Tim said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
@KiwiMurph making stuff up?
Sounds pretty specific to me
Happy if this is true but how does McLeod keep on retaining his position? Easily the worst defence coach in World Rugby.
It’s hard to see Mooar/Macleod retaining their jobs after the Irish series. But who would you bring in knowing that if things don’t go well Foster will be sacked and Razor will roll in his own team?
If rumours are true (I’d note the rumour mill got it wrong about Cane being dropped as Capt) and MacDonald and Ryan are being canvassed as replacements. Doesn’t this foreshadow Foster getting axed anyway?
I don't understand. Foster is strategic and he understands people are upset.
So he brought back Shannon and Ennor.
Fixed.Don’t forget he has a clear plan..but can’t tell us yet what changes will need to be made. We also know that he has a new clear plan because he’s selected almost exactly the same squad. Except for Frizell and Ennor that is.
Whisper it quietly, but maybe the plan is simple. To actually select players in their natural positions (no hybrid players in the backrow) and to select provincial combinations in the team to help with cohesiveness and in-game understanding.
Not exactly revolutionary, but it would be a plan at least

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Another aspect of the forward play which was dumb : commitment in the rucks or rather lack of commitment in the rucks. Do you remember the European Cup final between La Rochelle and Leinster (12 men of the starting XV of the Irish team of Saturday)? Leinster could not develop their usual play because the La Rochelle forwards made a nuisance of themselves in the rucks : counter rucking and slowing their opponents possession were systematic. What did we see during the 2nd and 3rd tests between the All Blacks and Ireland ? The All Blacks did not commit more than one or two players in the rucks (when they were in defense) which gave the Irish quick and easy possession, without having to commit their forwards to secure it. This was also the recipe used by the Bulls forwards in their semi final vs Leinster. Both games ended with Irish defeats.
@cgrant said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:
Another aspect of the forward play which was dumb : commitment in the rucks or rather lack of commitment in the rucks. Do you remember the European Cup final between La Rochelle and Leinster (12 men of the starting XV of the Irish team of Saturday)? Leinster could not develop their usual play because the La Rochelle forwards made a nuisance of themselves in the rucks : counter rucking and slowing their opponents possession were systematic. What did we see during the 2nd and 3rd tests between the All Blacks and Ireland ? The All Blacks did not commit more than one or two players in the rucks (when they were in defense) which gave the Irish quick and easy possession, without having to commit their forwards to secure it. This was also the recipe used by the Bulls forwards in their semi final vs Leinster. Both games ended with Irish defeats.
I think I even posted on this prior to "Steinlager" squad selection.
Not exactly rocket science.
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