All Blacks 2024
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Is a 32 man squad too small?
Not for a 2 test home series.
The RC squad wil be bigger - and I suspect the EOYT squad will be large, with a few travelling apprentices.
all this is based on my extensive knowledge of top level international coaching from my (virtual) armchair
Thanks virtual Fozzie
Fair point about squad size. It’s a short turn around before 1st test. It has to be focussed on the test series and not as an intro to Razors vision to an overbloated squad with 9 days to prepare for a test match after the squad naming.
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@Canes4life
There does seem to be a real squeeze on now for squad places. Albeit, if only amongst fan chat.It appears that we may not have many new caps in the ABs even though we have lost 8 players overseas after the RWC.
Is a 32 man squad too small?
The Boks named a lot of new faces (different circumstances I know) but I would be dissapointed if we don’t
@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
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Thanks virtual Fozzie
Fair point about squad size. It’s a short turn around before 1st test. It has to be focussed on the test series and not as an intro to Razors vision to an overbloated squad with 9 days to prepare for a test match after the squad naming.
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Is a 32 man squad too small?
Not for a 2 test home series.
The RC squad wil be bigger - and I suspect the EOYT squad will be large, with a few travelling apprentices.
all this is based on my extensive knowledge of top level international coaching from my (virtual) armchair
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@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
A former Hurricanes player campaigning for a current Hurricanes player, well I never….
Proctor has been excellent this season. The only question I think they’ll be asking is in a small squad of 32 and with Ioane, Jordie and ALB certainties, does the other back we pick need to more of a midfield/wing specialist option? And before anyone says it, Ioane is not that guy any more IMO.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
A former Hurricanes player campaigning for a current Hurricanes player, well I never….
Proctor has been excellent this season. The only question I think they’ll be asking is in a small squad of 32 and with Ioane, Jordie and ALB certainties, does the other back we pick need to more of a midfield/wing specialist option? And before anyone says it, Ioane is not that guy any more IMO.
@ACT-Crusader AJ Lam 12,13,14 problem solved
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@ACT-Crusader AJ Lam 12,13,14 problem solved
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Not for a 2 test home series.
technically true, but san diego?
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
A former Hurricanes player campaigning for a current Hurricanes player, well I never….
Proctor has been excellent this season. The only question I think they’ll be asking is in a small squad of 32 and with Ioane, Jordie and ALB certainties, does the other back we pick need to more of a midfield/wing specialist option? And before anyone says it, Ioane is not that guy any more IMO.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@DaGrubster Proctor is easily pushing Ioane to be the top centre in NZ. If Havili pushes him out that would be bloody disappointing considering he doesn't even play 13. I don't think it will happen though, each specific position selector has been watching each NZ player closely all year and based on that Proctor's consistency should see him through. Conrad Smith came out the other day and to him Proctor was a certainty in this squad, he obviously reminds him of how he played in the Black jersey.
There needs to be a number of fresh faces in this side, if we select largely the same squad as last year we won't be improving much IMO.
A former Hurricanes player campaigning for a current Hurricanes player, well I never….
Proctor has been excellent this season. The only question I think they’ll be asking is in a small squad of 32 and with Ioane, Jordie and ALB certainties, does the other back we pick need to more of a midfield/wing specialist option? And before anyone says it, Ioane is not that guy any more IMO.
I just the judgment of our greatest test centre over Holland any day.
Nah Ioane can cover wing IMO. We need specialist players in this squad. I'm sick of shitter players getting in just because there's a chance they may be needed on the wing. If Ioane has to move out to the wing for 15 mins of a test then so be it.
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@george33 yep or McLeod.
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@george33 yep or McLeod.
@ACT-Crusader McLeod don't think so at all , if he is that would be disappointing, doesn't deserve the spot
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If I was Razor, my 4 midfielders would be , Reiko, Jordie, Anton, AJ next in line most likely Proctor
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If I was Razor, my 4 midfielders would be , Reiko, Jordie, Anton, AJ next in line most likely Proctor
@george33 AJ in front of Proctor, that's hysterical. Remember Holland is selecting the centres so you may aswell lock in Proctor now.
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Lam could be a real contender for later in the year once the squad sizes get a bit bigger (and there could be injuries). Hard to find room for him in Monday's squad (if everyone gets through the final fit and assuming Proctor is ok after the semi final).
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@george33 AJ in front of Proctor, that's hysterical. Remember Holland is selecting the centres so you may aswell lock in Proctor now.
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Lam could be a real contender for later in the year once the squad sizes get a bit bigger (and there could be injuries). Hard to find room for him in Monday's squad (if everyone gets through the final fit and assuming Proctor is ok after the semi final).
Not specifically talking about Lam, but isn’t there more need for utilities in a smaller squad? There’s more room for specialists who aren’t starters in a larger squad
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Not specifically talking about Lam, but isn’t there more need for utilities in a smaller squad? There’s more room for specialists who aren’t starters in a larger squad
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@Canes4life AJ covers 12,13,14 and Proctor 13,haven't seen him play any other position is the correct? So he would be a more likely bench cover.
@george33 Proctor has played a few games at 12 before and he played a whole season at 15 for Wellington a few years ago. But he's mostly an out and out centre which the ABs honestly need.
There's no need for utilities because Ioane can play wing if we really need him to.
This squad naming is going to be very intriguing indeed.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Monday onwards is going to so much fun on the fern,some meltdowns coming,
which ins/outs do you reckon will light the biggest fuses?
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
Monday onwards is going to so much fun on the fern,some meltdowns coming,
which ins/outs do you reckon will light the biggest fuses?
Well, it's definitely going to be any Crusader picked that's anything other than a rock solid selection.
And history from 2003 tells us that by far the least forgiving fans come from the Capital and its surrounds. My sauce at the Wellington library tells me all 26 copies of Christian Cullen's autobiography are out on loan and have been for months!
No Quarter's already launched his pre-emptive strike on Blackadder over Iose and Lakai.
In the spirit of Benny Blair - how about FAB Johnny McNicol over Love.
Hotham over Perenara?
My personal pick is David Havili over Billy Proctor. Especially when Razor says that Billy is injured and Billy comes out and says "No I'm not"!
I shall get my coat!
