Rather Bryn Gatland and Lincoln McClutchie than Hohepa.
It depends on what the coaches see as the purpose of the AB XV. Is it the next best players, a means of identifying and developing players to make that step up, or a combination of both? Hohepa is the same age as Gatland (27). I would expect Ioane to be one of the 1st 5s selected.
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
Rather Bryn Gatland and Lincoln McClutchie than Hohepa.
Gatland is sooooo average.
I would hope that this side is a mixture of strength to win alongside an eye to the future. Players that look to have reached their ceiling are down the list for me but it will have to be a balance I guess.
We need to have an eye on 2027 IMO and tht means areas like lock, halfback, 10....
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
It depends on what the coaches see as the purpose of the AB XV. Is it the next best players, a means of identifying and developing players to make that step up, or a combination of both? Hohepa is the same age as Gatland (27). I would expect Ioane to be one of the 1st 5s selected.
Plummer's having a good season behind a pack that isn't functioning that well. He's been around forever but is still only 24
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
Rather Bryn Gatland and Lincoln McClutchie than Hohepa.
-Does McClutchie have potential at the higher level? Asking as I haven't seen him play.
I think either Gatland or Ioane with either Morgan or Plummer. I. E. One experienced and one for the future.
I have to admit that I didn't realise Plummer was still so young. He's never really excited me but could be one that has the experience to build on to being a very effective controlling 10.
Mind you, I think Perofeta has already gone through that stage and now desperately needs time in the saddle. He has the biggest potential.
Surely there is a way with the XV that they can plan around him being rushed back to the main squad if required?
You would think that only one of DMac and Perofeta makes the AB squad, so the other will be in the AB XV. Perofeta might benefit more with regular time at 10 rather than just being a squadie in the ABs.
Yes fair call. How many are they taking? If 36 then room for 3 tens. Would also like to see Roigard and Roe join Weber as nines and Bell and Eklund as hookers.
@ARHS said in All Blacks XV:
Yes fair call. How many are they taking? If 36 then room for 3 tens. Would also like to see Roigard and Roe join Weber as nines and Bell and Eklund as hookers.
No way it will be 36, more like 26. They have ABs around to top up if desperate.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks XV:
@Stargazer said in All Blacks XV:
Rather Bryn Gatland and Lincoln McClutchie than Hohepa.
-Does McClutchie have potential at the higher level? Asking as I haven't seen him play.
I think super rugby is his level. Same as Morgan. Neither look like potential ABs to me
Reading some of the names being thrown around, we sure this isn’t an old Heartland XV tour…
Burke, McClutchie, Morgan, Plummer aren’t there.
Ioane seems so hot and cold.
If Bernard Foley is getting a test for the Wallabies we should get Colin Slade or Aaron Cruden a run.
@ACT-Crusader I think out of anyone, Gatland probably deserves a shot as he's proved to be a good facilitator in big games... the return of David Holwell.
Ioane the closest to Mo/Beauds in style.
Perofeta though, plays the game they're wanting with the flat backline, so at least give him a fucking go.