@Chris-B wasnt it only 12 months ago Fakatava was being looked at as the apprentice and/or the next big thing? Granted he has had limited chances, but I'd say 9 isnt where they'll throw in an apprentice or have a bit of a gamble, if they do...2, now I can see that!
In saying that, when was the last player to go straight from NPC to ABs (although AB XV is a skight level down)
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:
@gt12 Maybe Hotham. Maybe Holland.
Edit: Maybe George Bell.
Guaranteed to be an AB? I think that the ABXV is good because we don't have to make these choices too young. IMO, Aumua wasn't helped by being an apprentice, and even Ardie would have likely been just as well developed if we had run out an AB Junior team.
@gt12 I guess no-one is ever guaranteed.
If they were looking at apprentices, these guys would be among the contenders I can think of - look like ABs in the making, but not ready to play for either team.
@taniwharugby Yep. I don't expect anyone who hasn't played Super to make either team, unless as a non-playing apprentice.
The only reason I raised the possibility is that I can't see the point of 36 players in the AB squad.
@gt12 said in All Blacks XV:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:
I wonder whether the squad of 36 has any room for an apprentice?
Is there anyone that undeniably ‘will be an AB’ that is also too young/inexperienced for the ABXV?
George Bell will be an AB. Put your house on it.
Just in case, I like my hats with BBQ sauce….
Foster has already said that this XV side will be a reserve squad for the WC instead of a development squad this close to the WC. Therefore guys like Perenara/Weber would be favoured over guys like Roigard/Hotham I would imagine.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks XV:
@gt12 said in All Blacks XV:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV:
I wonder whether the squad of 36 has any room for an apprentice?
Is there anyone that undeniably ‘will be an AB’ that is also too young/inexperienced for the ABXV?
George Bell will be an AB. Put your house on it.
Just in case, I like my hats with BBQ sauce….
Guaranteed like how when people saw DC and went he’ll be an AB or when those blokes on the Fern watched the U20s and guaranteed Robbie Robinson was going to be a long term AB 10 instead of AC?
@Canes4life said in All Blacks XV:
Foster has already said that this XV side will be a reserve squad for the WC instead of a development squad this close to the WC. Therefore guys like Perenara/Weber would be favoured over guys like Roigard/Hotham I would imagine.
Given there are going to be new players, I think it will serve both purposes.
Halfback, 1st 5 and lock will be particularly interesting because you have Weber, TJP, DMac, Tuipoluto all in the mix.
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
DMac 
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
DMac
JB has one good game at 12 and the Fern goes mad. 
@Nepia said in All Blacks XV:
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
DMac
JB has one good game at 12 and the Fern goes mad.
To be fair while I agreup to a point, he actually had a couple of good games at 12, when he moved there after QT's injury, I thought he played bloody well, especially as wouldn't of had much time there in training.
@Dan54 said in All Blacks XV:
@Nepia said in All Blacks XV:
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
DMac
JB has one good game at 12 and the Fern goes mad.
To be fair while I agreup to a point, he actually had a couple of good games at 12, when he moved there after QT's injury, I thought he played bloody well, especially as wouldn't of had much time there in training.
Um, I think you missed the post I was replying to - I’m making a joke about players out of position, not JBs performance at 12.
@Nepia said in All Blacks XV:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks XV:
@Nepia said in All Blacks XV:
@Machpants said in All Blacks XV:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:
They can't just take 2 halfbacks and hookers unless they are guaranteed to use the ABs if injury strikes in specialist positions. That won't work for the Baabaas game if the ABs are in Scotland at the same time. Experience plus some development would the way to go.
DMac
JB has one good game at 12 and the Fern goes mad.
To be fair while I agreup to a point, he actually had a couple of good games at 12, when he moved there after QT's injury, I thought he played bloody well, especially as wouldn't of had much time there in training.
Um, I think you missed the post I was replying to - I’m making a joke about players out of position, not JBs performance at 12.
The Fern seems to be more Fern references these days than discussions about players (ok, I'll head over to the GOM thread)...
It would so refreshing to see the outstanding and deserved fringe players from NPC and SR we all want - get an AB XV call-up. Just to see a different mix running around and taking the field in the NH would be excellent.
@Jailbreak7 said in All Blacks XV:
It would so refreshing to see the outstanding and deserved fringe players from NPC and SR we all want - get an AB XV call-up. Just to see a different mix running around and taking the field in the NH would be excellent.
It's a tricky one eh? I'm not convinced that the selectors will get things 'right' with this team, balancing the need for a winning team with understudies for the ABs and opportunities for 'bubbling under' with reward for current performers.
Given that it is rare that players get selected on NPC form and the timing here means that they are in between Super seasons I think we are going to get a muddled bunch of 'all of the above'
Do you look into the past and keep Weber/TJP interested or bring on someone like Roigard who hasn't been able to show much at Super level? Do you start them young with some of the tyro locks around or look to the warhorses that are good but not good enough to threaten the incumbents?
Just a side piece here as I was cleaning out some books and stuff the other day and came across this programme from the 2005 JABs v Oz A game.
Interesting set of players and coaches. Can't remember the circumstances for all the players but it looks like the selectors had it mostly right.
There was probably a Fern meltdown going on about both Ralph and FABSH being selected. Such strikepower 
@Crucial said in All Blacks XV:
Just a side piece here as I was cleaning out some books and stuff the other day and came across this programme from the 2005 JABs v Oz A game.
Interesting set of players and coaches. Can't remember the circumstances for all the players but it looks like the selectors had it mostly right.
No wonder Foster loved Bridge for so long, Ralph was the blueprint.
