All Blacks 2022

@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?)

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.

@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.

@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.

@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 Hodgman

Hahaha

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

@tim Is this a dig at Crusaders form? Reece over Rayasi surely. Bailyn and several props may have claims too.

@arhs I was just joking around.

@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 Another one of Hansen's outstanding selections towards the end of his tenure.

@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.

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

@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.

Let's not forget the idiotic play at the end of test 3 (notwithstanding the "deal")

@machpants the lack of research in some rugby pass articles is bewildering. Click bait is all it is.

@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

Cos this happened

@junior said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

@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.

Let's not forget the idiotic play at the end of test 3 (notwithstanding the "deal")

Farking TJP. I'm still snippy about that, cost us the chance of a win in the series.

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

Well he wasn't smart enough to come up with such a great move as "Israel Dagg to hit it up one out".

Oh fuck, thinking about that series makes me want to spew.

Anyway, Pita Gus Sowakula over Shannon Frizell.

@nzzp add in NMS's stretch of injuries leading up to that series aswell.

@nzzp yep I go along with you, he not that too bad I don't think.

@nzzp Crotty too, when he was out there, we were dealing to the Lions.

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

Don't really rate Gatland... in that Lions series we won the first one comfortably, in those last two tests the Lions focused on rushing defence, we didn't adapt, so we were very predictable on attack, making it way too easy for them to nullify us.

@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2022:

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

Don't really rate Gatland... in that Lions series we won the first one comfortably, in those last two tests the Lions focused on rushing defence, we didn't adapt, so we were very predictable on attack, making it way too easy for them to nullify us.

So Gatland adjusted his tactics and nullified our attack, and our coaches didn't handle it and it's Gatland you don't rate?

Just trying to follow the logic.

@kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:

@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2022:

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

Don't really rate Gatland... in that Lions series we won the first one comfortably, in those last two tests the Lions focused on rushing defence, we didn't adapt, so we were very predictable on attack, making it way too easy for them to nullify us.

So Gatland adjusted his tactics and nullified our attack, and our coaches didn't handle it and it's Gatland you don't rate?

Just trying to follow the logic.

Everyone constantly uses a rushing defence, it was hardly tactical rocket science by Gatland to focus on it even more as everyone knew our attack was always going to be far more lethal than theirs - it was up to our playmakers 9 & 10 to adjust to the rushing defence by kicking into space behind them with wiper kicks etc turning the Lions around... one of the very few times we did that was in the 3rd test in the last 10 minutes where we camped in their half, ABs won a penalty giving us a very handy shot at goal, but for some strange reason the ref reversed the penalty & the match ended in a draw.

@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2022:

@kirwan said in All Blacks 2022:

@nzbloke said in All Blacks 2022:

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2022:

@machpants said in All Blacks 2022:

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.

Gats gets a lot of stick on here, but I really rate him as a coach. That Lions side were very well drilled.

What doesn't get much air time is the injuries that smashed the ABs, and left the Lions largely untouched. Losing Ben Smith, a midfield that had Laumape on debut -- Naholo getting his arm broken, it just was really an unlucky series for the ABs

Don't really rate Gatland... in that Lions series we won the first one comfortably, in those last two tests the Lions focused on rushing defence, we didn't adapt, so we were very predictable on attack, making it way too easy for them to nullify us.

So Gatland adjusted his tactics and nullified our attack, and our coaches didn't handle it and it's Gatland you don't rate?

Just trying to follow the logic.

Everyone constantly uses a rushing defence, it was hardly tactical rocket science by Gatland to focus on it even more as everyone knew our attack was always going to be far more lethal than theirs - it was up to our playmakers 9 & 10 to adjust to the rushing defence by kicking into space behind them with wiper kicks etc turning the Lions around... one of the very few times we did that was in the 3rd test in the last 10 minutes where we camped in their half, ABs won a penalty giving us a very handy shot at goal, but for some strange reason the ref reversed the penalty & the match ended in a draw.

I thought 'the deal' came from a kickoff, with Kieran Read chasing hardout.