Did anyone catch that "Ineligible All Blacks XV" on stuff? Matt Proctor at 14?
If I was a NZR policy maker and I read George Bridge at 15, that would confirm to me that making overseas-based players eligible for the ABs would be DISASTROUS.
Leicester is the only real loss, but tbh test quality wingers emerge every few years in NZ.
@Chris You don't have to be a mind reader to realise that all this hinting at changes in eligibility rules is about selecting Richie. He's the only player that Razor has publicly stated that he's disappointed is leaving. The rest of the overseas guys are way past their prime or only rated by one member of the coaching team.
It's actually a bit worrying, bc Mounga is just a good international 10 not a great one like say DC. Razor has 4 years to select and develop one or two new 10s. He should just get on with that.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
What are peoples thoughts on midfield? Any bolters? QT?
This is tough one. To really answer it, I have to mention some of my AB midfield pet peeves:
It's very frustrating watching Ioane play at 13 for the ABs. Their outside backs are traditionally their strength and his distribution is not great. JB at 12 is pretty good.
Possible bolters:
@Bones There is no sterner test for a newbie midfield combo than having Barrett on your inside. If the papers give you a 6 out of 10 rating as AB midfielder and Barrett was playing at first five, everyone knows that's like an 8 out of 10 playing outside any other 1st five.
I can just picture the diplomatic stuff article:
*On a night day when the all black number 10 had a forgettable outing, new caps X and Y made a serviceable first foray into the cauldron that is test rugby...
@Bovidae It's ok, everybody. Before drafting Barrett's contract, NZR did their due diligence and research about BB's abilities. They felt it unnecessary to review his last few seasons in the AB team, bc on-field play can be so misleading. Instead they consulted reputable and up-to-date sources including allblacks DOT com where they found the following info:
"WITH DEVASTATING SPEED, a laser-like boot and smart game management, Beauden Barrett has been in electrifying form for the All Blacks in recent seasons, winning back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year Awards in 2016 and 2017."
I guess Wikipedia was down during that particular lunch break.
@booboo yeah, could be only part of the squad to maintain some secrecy around possible new caps for the upcoming season
OR
Razor has invited current ABs only and he's giving them either the 
or the 
as he walks past them on the training field.
Example:
Razor: "I'm sorry, Finlay. Thank you for your service."
Finlay: "But coach..."
Razor: "Don't make this harder than it already is."
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - looking forward:
People still want to see Jordan moved to a more involved position after his delightful showing in the RWC final? It was just a culmination of all his "rugby issues", kid needs a lot of work.
Be handy off the bench.
Yeah, I like Jordan as a player, but I thought Stevenson was the better allround fullback (esp with his boot). This season there will probably be even more competition for the 15 jersey.
I think Jordan's RWC final troubles (ito the ball-in hand side of things) stemmed from him being more of 'glider' (i.e. a player that spots or anticipates a gap and then glides through that gap) and the opposition being a man up (leaving few gaps). They actually needed a 'chainsaw' (ie. a player who creates his own gaps via vicious sidestepping at pace). Hell, even a power winger would have been more useful.
@booboo Agree about the solid depth.
I'd just make the following changes:
Lock: Invest in the younger, more physical players to partner S.Barret (Lord, Holland when he becomes eligible, and/or even Parkinson)
Halfback: Delete Christie
Midfield: Delete Ennor
I would add that most uncapped options at fullbacks are potentially much better at 15 than Beauden and some even have more strings to their bow than Jordan
@Victor-Meldrew Razor is so smart for doing this.
Me: "Razor and the AB selectors totally ignored my favourite 1st Five--"
Razor: "Don't blame me. Send your hatemail to Hansen."
Me: "And why didn't you pick those three fullbacks I like?!"
Razor: "Here's Leon MacDonald's email address. All complaints re outside back go to him."
@Chris I see those three ideas as temporary fixes or experiments that Razor allowed to continue bc the team was still winning.
I 100% agree re that the AB selectors (under Hansen and then Foster) took those ideas without asking themselves if the idea would work in the test environment. For example, Foster should've asked himself "Given the way I want my 12 to play (getting over the gainline) and the fact that at test level most opposition 12s are 107kg+ monsters, is 95kg David Havili the right player for the 12 jersey?"
@NTA I think it's imperative that the WBs move on from MM very quickly. Start selecting his replacement (so they can build up test experience) and perhaps re-jig their backline (make hard decisions re 1 or 2 positional switches) asap. The Lions tour is not the place to introduce newbies. If that means MM is relegated to training field tackle bag carrier and test bench player /occassional starter, so be it. He's a talented player, not yet a great.
I suppose the Tahs will use him a lot more. Otoh, I know some Tahs fans think Piestch is better and could add value to the WBs
@canefan Yeah, some ppl are out here intentionally or unintentionally trying to create the impression that there is secret beef between Razor and Joe. But maybe some iffy journalism is in part to blame.
@booboo I agree, but I couldn't resist having a little fun at Christie's expense.
@Victor-Meldrew As long as he stays away from the number 12 jumper...
Somewhat surprised at some of the negative kiwi reaction re Joe becoming the Wallabies coach. I was expecting 'mild disappointment' at him taking the job, not effigies being burnt.
Joe is merely going to coach the Wallabies. It's not on the same level as say Luis Figo leaving FC Barcelona to join rivals Real Madrid back in the day. Settle down, folks.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
though I'd worry we'd get fucked by the Boks with those two.
Why?
I second this question tbh, bc the Bok coaches didn't build lock depth during this past 4-year cycle for the post-2023 period and:
So, there shouldn't be that much fear factor when facing Bok 2nd rowers atm.
@Bones This is what everybody's thinking. 
I can just hear them saying "We need more mongrel in the number 10 jersey!"
@MiketheSnow said in Opinions on possible back-up All Blacks 10s:
I like the look of Aidan Morgan
I'm not really an Aidan Morgan fan. Always struck me as a bit small, but otoh Dmac is no giant. Only Zarn and Rivez have any sort of size advantage over the others. However, some folks don't like size at 10 at all.
@Kiwiwomble said in Opinions on possible back-up All Blacks 10s:
@Punch_up said in Opinions on possible back-up All Blacks 10s:
@Kiwiwomble Two young 1st fives due to start (essentially filling in for another young 10). Cru could've selected 3-4 1st fives in their squad and relegated two of those to the training field, but now Kemara and Reihana know they'll get game time. Possibly McCleod & Aumua (not young, but new to cru) in midfield. I'm biased, bc I don't rate Ennor or Havili there. Hotham at 9. This seems to be the season when they hand over the keys.
….so the crusaders ARE ALSO giving young promising guys a run…rather than the inept ones
Yeah, I just meant that the cru are giving opportunities to youngsters in DECISION-MAKING positions (9, 10, 12).
Of course, for every great selection the Crusaders have made over the years, they're also responsible for wacky ideas that were adopted by AB coaches e.g:
Brayden Ennor
Havili at 12
George Bridge as a 1st choice winger