All Blacks 2024
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
And whilst this is simply a wild conspiricy theory on my part I do wonder with Robertson (supposedly) wanting to get experienced Crusaders players back (SW & RM) is due to him wanting to win the sheds over quickly?
Maybe he's worried that he hasn't got the room given how the RWC and the bunker mentality that was built there and by having supporters and the respected voices such as SW and RM in the room it'll help "smooth the path"?
Well if players are not on board they will not last long under Razor.
He will set a way forward and jump on the train or you will be pushed off no matter who you are.
He has a history of making hard call at the Crusaders.
And it could be he just does not think the players left in NZ are good enough in some positions.
And yep your theory is a wildly off the mark one.@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
And it could be he just does not think the players left in NZ are good enough in some positions.
Robertson knew the policy on overseas players when he took on the job. If he didn't have a good idea of the quality of players left in NZ and available to him, that's no different from any new AB coach.
He's got 4 years and should just get on with what he's paid to do.
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@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I'd like Ardie to go back to 7, would balance out the loose forward trio. Finau, Ardie, Sotutu gives us plenty of speed and go-forward.
In saying that Finau, Paps and Ardie certainly isn't bad either.
@Windows97 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Ardie seems to play the same style of game no matter where he is in the loose forward trio.
I think the balence is right with Finau, Ardie 7 and Sotutu 8.
Mind you I also think the balence is right with Finau, Papps at 7 and Aride 8 (loses a bit on the "up the guts" carry, but better mobility).
I'd like to see Flanders and Lakai in the mix somewhere, the Hurricanes are dominating the standings aren't they? Aside from Jacobson, Finau to obviously make 2024 squad, I reckon the likes of Simon Parker, Wallace-Sititi, Kaylum Boshier, from the Chiefs squad have potential to become All Blacks down the track, Chiefs have good loosies coming out of their ears at the moment.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
And it could be he just does not think the players left in NZ are good enough in some positions.
Robertson knew the policy on overseas players when he took on the job. If he didn't have a good idea of the quality of players left in NZ and available to him, that's no different from any new AB coach.
He's got 4 years and should just get on with what he's paid to do.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
And it could be he just does not think the players left in NZ are good enough in some positions.
Robertson knew the policy on overseas players when he took on the job. If he didn't have a good idea of the quality of players left in NZ and available to him, that's no different from any new AB coach.
He's got 4 years and should just get on with what he's paid to do.
Whitelock might be keen to come home on his own which he has every right too. we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
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@ruggabee Haven’t watched him specifically, but given speed of Chiefs’s ruck ball Kaylum Boshier must be doing something very right.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
It’s astonishing really that we have only have 1 test class lock in NZ currently.
Lord is test class he just needs to stay fit. He was excellent vs Argies in B.A. last year.
The second half of the Bok friendly is my reference point.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
It’s astonishing really that we have only have 1 test class lock in NZ currently.
Lord is test class he just needs to stay fit. He was excellent vs Argies in B.A. last year.
The second half of the Bok friendly is my reference point.
Can't see how that's a reference point for anything other than how to make easy money and not destroy your players.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
And it could be he just does not think the players left in NZ are good enough in some positions.
Robertson knew the policy on overseas players when he took on the job. If he didn't have a good idea of the quality of players left in NZ and available to him, that's no different from any new AB coach.
He's got 4 years and should just get on with what he's paid to do.
Whitelock might be keen to come home on his own which he has every right too. we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
Which, to be fair, you were justifying. I don't know if Robertson is chasing or considering 35 year old retired locks for his team, but I certainly hope not. It's hardly forward-thinking, nor does it inspire confidence in squad development
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
Which, to be fair, you were justifying. I don't know if Robertson is chasing or considering 35 year old retired locks for his team, but I certainly hope not. It's hardly forward-thinking, nor does it inspire confidence in squad development
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
Which, to be fair, you were justifying. I don't know if Robertson is chasing or considering 35 year old retired locks for his team, but I certainly hope not. It's hardly forward-thinking, nor does it inspire confidence in squad development
Maybe wants a vet to educate a couple of foreign (non-Chch) youngsters?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
Which, to be fair, you were justifying. I don't know if Robertson is chasing or considering 35 year old retired locks for his team, but I certainly hope not. It's hardly forward-thinking, nor does it inspire confidence in squad development
Maybe wants a vet to educate a couple of foreign (non-Chch) youngsters?
I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
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I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
Article I saw indicated TWM saw Sam as the lineout guru.
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Let's not forget that Sam Cane is the incumbent captain and No 7...
And in terms of lock/loosie combos, Samipeni Finau and Cullen Grace can both fit that role, alongside Scott Barrett.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Cullen Grace can both fit that role
Cullen needs to focus on playing well in one position.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Cullen Grace can both fit that role
Cullen needs to focus on playing well in one position.
I think this is probably true of every player in the All Blacks right now. Moving a player between two different positions should really be an emergency option if injuries arise, it shouldn't be part of 'plan A'.
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Let's not forget that Sam Cane is the incumbent captain and No 7...
And in terms of lock/loosie combos, Samipeni Finau and Cullen Grace can both fit that role, alongside Scott Barrett.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Mr-Fish Cullen Grace is fucking shithouse and is the worst defender in NZ.
If they move him to 6 and get him to focus on shifting bodies, he still has a future, but he’s shit right now.
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I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
Hall on the rugby pod suggesting that it is a Razor strategy for getting a voice in the room who he trusts that can provide back room advice and mentoring.
Hall has essentially said that at the end of the day it’s about his relationship with Razor.
In some ways, I think that it’s great that Razor values his experience so much, but it’s also worrying that he doesn’t seem to be confident of developing that culture without a player who has left.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
Hall on the rugby pod suggesting that it is a Razor strategy for getting a voice in the room who he trusts that can provide back room advice and mentoring.
Hall has essentially said that at the end of the day it’s about his relationship with Razor.
In some ways, I think that it’s great that Razor values his experience so much, but it’s also worrying that he doesn’t seem to be confident of developing that culture without a player who has left.
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
I would have thought that was the role of the forwards coaching setup. SW as a mentor, good idea.
Hall on the rugby pod suggesting that it is a Razor strategy for getting a voice in the room who he trusts that can provide back room advice and mentoring.
If it's true, and he needs to be a player in the squad, what does that say to senior AB's who have committed to the team and forgone the lure of the Euro or Yen?
In some ways, I think that it’s great that Razor values his experience so much, but it’s also worrying that he doesn’t seem to be confident of developing that culture without a player who has left.
If he doesn't know his senior players - Ardie, Cane, Reiko etc - well enough to be confident in them, then he has a bit of a problem I'd suggest.
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
It’s astonishing really that we have only have 1 test class lock in NZ currently.
Lord is test class he just needs to stay fit. He was excellent vs Argies in B.A. last year.
He is my preferred lock to partner Barratt. But let’s face it he has only had 2 test matches.
Looked very good in BA though

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@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
we only have media speculation that Razor is chasing him.
Which, to be fair, you were justifying. I don't know if Robertson is chasing or considering 35 year old retired locks for his team, but I certainly hope not. It's hardly forward-thinking, nor does it inspire confidence in squad development
@Victor-Meldrew but if he comes back and is still one of the top 2 locks we have, why wouldn't you play him...if you are good enough you are old/young enough...
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@Victor-Meldrew but if he comes back and is still one of the top 2 locks we have, why wouldn't you play him...if you are good enough you are old/young enough...
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Victor-Meldrew but if he comes back and is still one of the top 2 locks we have, why wouldn't you play him...if you are good enough you are old/young enough...
If he comes back in 2025 after his 2 year Pau contract, then yeah, that's a possibility. But he'll be pushing 37 by then and I'd like to think we have a Head Coach who want to look to the future and is capable of developing his players and team.