All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship

[sparky]

I wish I could get excited about this thread. Without a change in the coaching box, this is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

[Grooter]

@Chris-B said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

If DMac came in it would have to be for Perofeta, which wouldn't be very reasonable assuming Steven hasn't been a disaster at training. Can't see it happening.

When is Ta'avao allowed back? We've surely got to dump at least one prop on either side. A serious weakness.

Big Karl - for de Groot or Hodgman.

At tighthead, frankly, on playing form, Ofa - for one of the Crusaders players, and possibly Jager rather than Newell. Fletcher looks a great scrummaging prospect, but there were a few times this season where his greenness showed - a couple of lineouts. Razor started Jager in the big games, which tells me something. Lower ceiling, but more test ready?

I don't see the hookers under great threat. I'd much rather Taylor than Aumua - his status as No. 1 should end though.

I think Quin Strange will be among the locking contenders to replace BBR.

Grace for PGS - the question mark on him was error rate and he didn't answer that question.

A recall for Weber won't be far off the cards - probably for Fakatava, even though he's the way of the future.

you have so much belief in Quin Strange! It's very admirable you keep pushing his case

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial Laulala and Ofa will survive with Ta'avao unavailable for the next 2 tests. Otherwise, you need 2 replacement THs.

If that's the case, yes they will. You can't take two rookies to SA. They're both pretty lucky though.

I'd add 3 to Mojoman's list of serious question marks.

[TheMojoman]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial Laulala and Ofa will survive with Ta'avao unavailable for the next 2 tests. Otherwise, you need 2 replacement THs.

Lomax for Laulala. Laulala’s stupid attempt at an offload and early missed tackle that gave Irish momentum plus his general ineffectiveness over two tests can’t be rewarded IMO.

His only saving grace is his supposed scrummaging given we’ve got two games against the Boks.

[taniwharugby]

@TheMojoman given we seem to have maybe 2 or more lineouts to each scrum, we should be focussing on having a solid scrum, but a strong lineout, we seem intent on having strong scrummagers, when in the current game, the scrum does not feature as much compared to lineouts.

Then look at how poor some of our props are away form the scrum, you therefore need a solid scrummager who is good at other aspects, Ofa blows hot and cold at scrum time, Hodgman and Groot need to be bought back and one of the Crusaders youngsters too.

[Chris B.]

@Nepia said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

A recall for Weber won't be far off the cards - probably for Fakatava, even though he's the way of the future.

Was the ginga injured? If not then the coaches favoured Fakatava over him for this test series so I'm not sure they'd easily dump him, would they lay that much blame on him for the team's performance.

Would work out best from a Magpies POV though.

I don't think Christie was injured. I didn't think there was too much between him and FF in Test 1 and Test 2 - both were decent enough. I didn't think FF was good in Test 3, so I'm basing my decision on that - so I could easily be wrong, which would be good for the Mako.

I was pretty surprised they picked the two rookies in the first place - so maybe they'll persist with them, but Foster needs to win, so he won't be worrying about future development.

[nostrildamus]

@sparky said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

I wish I could get excited about this thread. Without a change in the coaching box, this is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

If only we had the physicality of the Titanic..

[nostrildamus]

@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

36 in the squad, same as this series just gone. These are the changes we need to make through injury.

BBBR
Lord

These are the other possibles

Tu’inukuafe
Laulala
PGS
Fainga’anuku
Perofeta
Clarke (is he going to come right?)

So I see plenty of room for DMac to return. PT plus one other lock. One LH, one TH.

Maybe keep PGS and add Grace at the expense of a back.

DMac can play wing and provide second FB duties. I know there is fear of him being kicked to but he's no worse under the high ball than our taller guys and would be a huge improvement on LF. This would also free JB up to hit the line from deep knowing DMac and Jordan are behind him.

We need more physicality in the forwards and organisation in the backs so bring in DMac?
Fine off the bench I guess but I don't see him rejuvenating the backline (but is he playing overseas at 10, and well? That could be useful. We don't have enough test 10s for the RWC).
Apart from midfield and an aimless 10, I don't think the backline is the problem..

[Marty]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@sparky said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

I wish I could get excited about this thread. Without a change in the coaching box, this is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

If only we had the physicality of the Titanic..

Was outmatched by a chunk of frozen water

[Dan54]

@Bovidae said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial Laulala and Ofa will survive with Ta'avao unavailable for the next 2 tests. Otherwise, you need 2 replacement THs.

Isn't Ta'avao only got one more game? If he did the traning thing it was reduced to 2 games, and pretty sure he may of been able to lose that in a Club game or something dodgy like that.

[nostrildamus]

@Marty said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@sparky said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

I wish I could get excited about this thread. Without a change in the coaching box, this is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

If only we had the physicality of the Titanic..

Was outmatched by a chunk of frozen water

Yes but the All Blacks sank quicker.

(Oh crap, I nearly typed All Blanks).

add: Plus the Titanic had fire in the engine room (ok coal bunker). Oh to have that in the national team...
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/coal-fire-may-have-helped-sink-titanic-180961699/

[Crucial]

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

36 in the squad, same as this series just gone. These are the changes we need to make through injury.

BBBR
Lord

These are the other possibles

Tu’inukuafe
Laulala
PGS
Fainga’anuku
Perofeta
Clarke (is he going to come right?)

So I see plenty of room for DMac to return. PT plus one other lock. One LH, one TH.

Maybe keep PGS and add Grace at the expense of a back.

DMac can play wing and provide second FB duties. I know there is fear of him being kicked to but he's no worse under the high ball than our taller guys and would be a huge improvement on LF. This would also free JB up to hit the line from deep knowing DMac and Jordan are behind him.

We need more physicality in the forwards and organisation in the backs so bring in DMac?
Fine off the bench I guess but I don't see him rejuvenating the backline (but is he playing overseas at 10, and well? That could be useful. We don't have enough test 10s for the RWC).
Apart from midfield and an aimless 10, I don't think the backline is the problem..

When did I say he would be the answer? I said he may be a better option to have than LF or may take Clarke's place is he isn't going to overcome his injury problems.
BTW DMac is actually a good organiser in the backs. Constantly points out positional needs to his fellow back three players.
I think that IF we can get cleaner ball and distribute it well a back three sometime during a game of JB, Jordan and DMac could be a good weapon to have.

[Crucial]

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

DMac won't come in as he doesn't actually start his NZR contract until he plays NPC rugby I think, where as Pat T was on sabbatical and always under contract.

Not quite right. PT was in the same spot as DMac eligibility wise.

"At the All Blacks request, the New Zealand Rugby board has used its discretion to sign off Patrick Tuipulotu immediately joining the All Blacks squad as a replacement player after his return from a six month stint in Japan."

PT had played club rugby, as has DMac.

[Marty]

@nostrildamus I think your Titanic metaphor has a lot of legs in it

[Bovidae]

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial Laulala and Ofa will survive with Ta'avao unavailable for the next 2 tests. Otherwise, you need 2 replacement THs.

Isn't Ta'avao only got one more game? If he did the traning thing it was reduced to 2 games, and pretty sure he may of been able to lose that in a Club game or something dodgy like that.

Yes, I think it can be reduced to 2 games, but it would be pointless to take him to SA if he is unavailable for the 1st test at least.

[Dan54]

@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

DMac won't come in as he doesn't actually start his NZR contract until he plays NPC rugby I think, where as Pat T was on sabbatical and always under contract.

Not quite right. PT was in the same spot as DMac eligibility wise.

"At the All Blacks request, the New Zealand Rugby board has used its discretion to sign off Patrick Tuipulotu immediately joining the All Blacks squad as a replacement player after his return from a six month stint in Japan."

PT had played club rugby, as has DMac.

Ok mate, I was under the impression that PT actually took a sabbatical as part of contract, and was still signed to Blues etc, where as DMac just let his contract lapse, why some thought maybe he would stay there and PT was always coming back. I know they still had to play when they got back,. No worries mate my mistake.

[Chris B.]

@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

DMac won't come in as he doesn't actually start his NZR contract until he plays NPC rugby I think, where as Pat T was on sabbatical and always under contract.

Not quite right. PT was in the same spot as DMac eligibility wise.

"At the All Blacks request, the New Zealand Rugby board has used its discretion to sign off Patrick Tuipulotu immediately joining the All Blacks squad as a replacement player after his return from a six month stint in Japan."

PT had played club rugby, as has DMac.

Pretty doubtful DMac would get an exemption.

Patty did because we had three locks out and extremely short notice.

DMac's would be only because we think he's a better player and we're in the shit.

If I were a board member I wouldn't approve it.

[Stargazer]

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Crucial said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks squad - The Rugby Championship:

DMac won't come in as he doesn't actually start his NZR contract until he plays NPC rugby I think, where as Pat T was on sabbatical and always under contract.

Not quite right. PT was in the same spot as DMac eligibility wise.

"At the All Blacks request, the New Zealand Rugby board has used its discretion to sign off Patrick Tuipulotu immediately joining the All Blacks squad as a replacement player after his return from a six month stint in Japan."

PT had played club rugby, as has DMac.

Ok mate, I was under the impression that PT actually took a sabbatical as part of contract, and was still signed to Blues etc, where as DMac just let his contract lapse, why some thought maybe he would stay there and PT was always coming back. I know they still had to play when they got back,. No worries mate my mistake.

This is entirely correct.

[KiwiMurph]

@Chris-B Not sure DMac is the first person i'd call if ABs are looking to move away from frantic play!

[Chris B.]

@KiwiMurph I reckon we might see Jack Goodhue in the midfield - and perhaps Rieko back to the wing.