Consensus here seems to be that we can't ditch the old locks yet as the replacements aren't ready.
That points to a need to get them ready.
Vai'i and Lord are in the prime position to put their hands up playing alongside BBBR in Super.
It still may be a season too early for some but even so they need to be in the 23 mix to get experience. I would alternate starts alongside a veteran with another vet on the bench.
I like the energy that Vai'i brings but he seems to be lacking mass in collisions
the chance of us entering any big test this year without all of Whitelock, Retallic and Barrett is basically zero (as long as fit)
Agreed, the ABs will be praying that they stay fit and in half decent form.
The rest will get game time but seem some time away from being able to make an impact in international rugby. Especially when they seem very lightweight in an era of heavyweight rugby.
Honestly, it seems like the ABs are like the Boks in the 80’s and that we are isolated from how the rest of the world is playing rugby
@dagrubster we were ahead for a long time. But the pack has definitely caught us. Meanwhile we are in a low period
@dagrubster maybe if they played better you could be more upbeat....
@dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
@fakatavafuture said in All Blacks 2022:
@daffy-jaffy so he's now completed his 3 year stand down period and would therefore be eligible for the ABs?
He actually qualified last year, but as he was injured and didn't play, he has to wait for the 5 years, (end of this year) I think it starts from when he left college or something now too.
Whoops yep sorry mate, looked at your nic and didn't read everything!!!:beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes:
Fitzy said Fozzie knows where he's going!
As for the All Blacks, Fitzpatrick certainly isn’t panicking.
“I think he (Foster) knows where he’s going, that’s for sure. We’re 18 months out from the World Cup, and traditionally, we haven’t worked in four-year cycles. Every year we try to pick the best team to win the (Rugby) Championship, or whatever tour we’re on,” Fitzpatrick said.
Haha! Yeah, I genuinely don’t let the AB results affect my mood.
Wasn’t always the case though!
I do believe there is potentially a pretty good side that could emerge for the ABs here but there are a few challenges to overcome for that to happen. Mainly numbers 1-23 and the coaching staff 🤪
Codie Taylor signed by NZ rugby till the end of 2025. 
The ABs are allowed to drop mediocre forwards, right?
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Codie Taylor signed by NZ rugby till the end of 2025.
The ABs are allowed to drop mediocre forwards, right?
Why oh why? He seems to be on the decline.
@canes4life Third ranked hooker right now, with Aumua pushing him hard.
@canes4life TBF I like that he is sticking about, we need guys like him playing Super, NPC and even club in the twilight of thier careers, but given where he is at this stage of his AB career I hope the contract value is appropriate.
Maybe he, like Whitelock were just tired last year, and if managed appropriately this year, could get back to what we expect.
We saw that long term contract Julian Savea signed when his AB career was almost done, he ended up gettign released early didnt he (at his request?)
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
Taylor showed his worth when he came on for the Crusaders last week, his experience was invaluable. I do wonder if test rugby has evolved away from his style of play though. Taukeiaho offers that go forward and big munter impact we need at test level.
Nah, he's just been in poor form, unlike Coles who has managed to maintain his form in between bouts of injury.
NZ Form Team so far:
15 Barrett
14 Telea
13 Ioane
12 TUJ
11 Rayasi
10 Perofeta
9 Smith
8 Savea
7 Cane
6 Sowakula
5 Goodhue
4 Vaii
3 Mafileo
2 Taukei'aho
1 Hodgman
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
4 Vaii
Funny. Am a fanboi but didn't see him standing out.
Still got 30 min to go on Chiefs v Sith but he hasn't stood out to me so far.
P.S. Retallick did some good things early on the game.
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
NZ Form Team so far:
15 Barrett
14 Telea
13 Ioane
12 TUJ
11 Rayasi
10 Perofeta
9 Smith
8 Savea
7 Cane
6 Sowakula
5 Goodhue
4 Vaii
3 Mafileo
2 Taukei'aho
1 Hodgman
Hahaha
LOL, better get Bridge, Ennor, Havili, Mo'unga, Blackadder, Moody, Bower, and Taylor in the squad as soon as possible, we've got games to lose against Ireland!
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
LOL, better get Bridge, Ennor, Havili, Mo'unga, Blackadder, Moody, Bower, and Taylor in the squad as soon as possible, we've got games to lose against Ireland!
That’s the way look on the bright side
We have Foster I love cream buns coaching.
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@tim I'd have Taylor as 4th choice behind Taukeiaho, Aumua and Coles (in that order).
Level pegging with Eklund.
@chris said in All Blacks 2022:
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
NZ Form Team so far:
15 Barrett
14 Telea
13 Ioane
12 TUJ
11 Rayasi
10 Perofeta
9 Smith
8 Savea
7 Cane
6 Sowakula
5 Goodhue
4 Vaii
3 Mafileo
2 Taukei'aho
1 HodgmanHahaha
Yeah ... think I was @Tim -ed
@bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@tim I'd have Taylor as 4th choice behind Taukeiaho, Aumua and Coles (in that order).
Level pegging with Eklund.
I'm more concerned about what they do on the field than in the showers
@booboo said in All Blacks 2022:
@tim said in All Blacks 2022:
4 Vaii
Funny. Am a fanboi but didn't see him standing out.
Still got 30 min to go on Chiefs v Sith but he hasn't stood out to me so far.
P.S. Retallick did some good things early on the game.
I thought Vaii had a great game. One of those lock performances like Sam W used to churn out where he didn't stand out (one outrageous offload aside) but if you removed him from the equation the pack would be much weaker. I'm happy with how he's coming along.
@crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@bones said in All Blacks 2022:
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@tim I'd have Taylor as 4th choice behind Taukeiaho, Aumua and Coles (in that order).
Level pegging with Eklund.
I'm more concerned about what they do on the field than in the showers
Methinks thou dost protest too much
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@bones Eklund's never gonna overtake any of these hookers but yeah, wouldn't disagree with that.
He's a bit like Coltman and used to throw like him but improved in that area where as Coltman never did.
Eklund just needs to grow a fluffy beard, as apparently that's all Coltman needed to get a black jersey.
@nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
@african-monkey said in All Blacks 2022:
@bones Eklund's never gonna overtake any of these hookers but yeah, wouldn't disagree with that.
He's a bit like Coltman and used to throw like him but improved in that area where as Coltman never did.
Eklund just needs to grow a fluffy beard, as apparently that's all Coltman needed to get a black jersey.
His throwing was always bad, but there were one or two seasons where he was pretty much a second openside flanker - he'd get a ridiculous number of turnovers. His running game wasn't too bad then either. If he could've improved with his throwing and maintained that form, he would've been pretty handy option
A bit of a nothing article from AAP that's on RugbyPass. But really scrapping the bullshit for this starting line "After 12 Super Rugby titles, the Crusaders often are a reliable bellwether for the state of New Zealand rugby."
ABs period of real domination 2010~16, 0 Crusaders wins, ABs turn to shit 2017+ 5 Crusaders wins. You could start from 05 on, but that side were mentally weak, and needed a terrible loss in 07 to turn them around. 09 was also annus horribilus - lots of Crusaders wins there!
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
@machpants I'm hoping that for the first time in 5-6 years the Crusaders AB's are pacing themselves. Taylor has previously played like a man possessed during Super rugby only to then limp through test matches. Whitelock doesn't appear to be putting it all the line at the moment. Mo'unga looks only slightly better than Garden-Bachop etc.
It's what I'm hoping anyway.
@toddy said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants I'm hoping that for the first time in 5-6 years the Crusaders AB's are pacing themselves. Taylor has previously played like a man possessed during Super rugby only to then limp through test matches. Whitelock doesn't appear to be putting it all the line at the moment. Mo'unga looks only slightly better than Garden-Bachop etc.
It's what I'm hoping anyway.
I don't care that they are being shown up. I think it is good for the ABs (if the selectors take notice)
Other sides are playing a more physical style against them and not allowing their weak runners and 'soaking' tacklers any leeway.
If this means that the ABs ditch the Bridges, Havilis, Taylors and Moodys then all the better.
Their real weakness is the loose forwards though. Lots of very busy but non-dominant players.
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2
@higgins said in All Blacks 2022:
@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:
That's just a bullshit line, concerning signs have been around since we stuck with Hansen for an extra 2 years, lost the series to the Lions, and signed/resigned Foster!
How can you lose a series when each side won one game, lost one game and drew one game? If anything the All Blacks were clear winners of the series given the following a la 20/20 cricket tie breakers
Points scored 66 Points conceded 54
Ties scored 5 Tries conceded 3
Conversions 4 Conversions conceded 2
Because it was in NZ and we didn't win, that's a loss as far as I'm concerned. The Lions were pretty shit, and turned up so late and with so little prep. But we had a dumb red card, then a dumber decision to put Savea back on the wing where he shelled a couple of almost cert tries, and choked like '07.
