All Blacks 2024

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@KiwiMurph

True, but the point I'm making is the circumstances are very different. A 4 year deal for BB makes less sense

Think you are missing the wider point. Is keeping our best players in New Zealand not a good thing for keeping Super Rugby strong? Even if he isn't still at his peak, he is still a great pro to have playing locally.

I'd trust Razor to make the tough calls, and to use Barrett how he sees fit in the environment. Rightly or wrongly, I think there is every chance Razor backs himself to get Beauden back playing to the best of his abilities as a 10.

No, not missing the wider point at all. As I've said, have zero problems or concerns with BB being signed up to provide continuity. I will have concerns if Robertson doesn't develop options at 10 & 15 and a 36yr-old BB is the incumbent

That's such a sweeping statement though. Absolutely possible that Razor gives him a second wind... it's not like he is 36 now, he is 32.

He'll be 36 if Robertson sticks with him until RWC2027. Not even Coach Jesus can wind clocks back

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@KiwiMurph

True, but the point I'm making is the circumstances are very different. A 4 year deal for BB makes less sense

Think you are missing the wider point. Is keeping our best players in New Zealand not a good thing for keeping Super Rugby strong? Even if he isn't still at his peak, he is still a great pro to have playing locally.

I'd trust Razor to make the tough calls, and to use Barrett how he sees fit in the environment. Rightly or wrongly, I think there is every chance Razor backs himself to get Beauden back playing to the best of his abilities as a 10.

No, not missing the wider point at all. As I've said, have zero problems or concerns with BB being signed up to provide continuity. I will have concerns if Robertson doesn't develop options at 10 & 15 and a 36yr-old BB is the incumbent

That's such a sweeping statement though. Absolutely possible that Razor gives him a second wind... it's not like he is 36 now, he is 32.

He'll be 36 if Robertson sticks with him until RWC2027. Not even Coach Jesus can wind clocks back

Could reinvent himself though. Sexton was 37 at the RWC... I'd imagine Barrett is very disciplined with his lifestyle. We all go on about his whole game being built around pace, but I still say, let's give him a chance playing as a 10 for Razor before passing real judgement.

@frugby Sexton still being there at 37 was a symbol of Ireland's stellar backline development system. He was well past it, covered over by everyone else being so good.

@Bones @frugby

@cliff said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Another midfielder I'll be keen to watch is Daniel Rona

Let’s hope he works out better than his brother…

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@cliff said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Another midfielder I'll be keen to watch is Daniel Rona

Let’s hope he works out better than his brother…

Apparently Spain is the best place he's ever seen.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@cliff said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Another midfielder I'll be keen to watch is Daniel Rona

Let’s hope he works out better than his brother…

Apparently Spain is the best place he's ever seen.

He should know, he's been there enough

Gregor Paul opinion piece, so likely worthless, but sounds encouraging:

Crystal Ball time:

1 de Groot
2 Taukei'aho
3 Lomax
4 Barrett
5 Lord
6 ?
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Roigard
10 McKenzie
11 Telea
12 Barrett
13 Ioane
14 Jordan
15 Barrett

@Tim I'll be extremely underwhelmed if Beauds is at fullback next year.

@Bones Who would you prefer there? Love? Sullivan? Jordan?

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Bones Who would you prefer there? Love? Sullivan? Jordan?

I just hope others can step up. Going off this year I'd be looking hard at Stevenson (especially for his combination with DMac and ability to create space, as well as that big boot) and Sullivan.

Jordan can stay on the wing if he's lucky, at least he does less harm from there.

@Bones I'd love to see a Harbour player become a first choice AB (who was the last one?). Hopefully Robertson can get the best out of him.

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Bones I'd love to see a Harbour player become a first choice AB (who was the last one?). Hopefully Robertson can get the best out of him.

Tony Woodcock in 2015, and Mark Telea now.

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Tony Woodcock

Imagine a time when Ta$man were just Ta$man.

Holy fuck it's on the mask list. Deserved and brilliant.

@Bones I still haven't forgiven Telea for taking their filthy, filthy lucre.

@Bones @Duluth and @Kirwan are no slouches.

@canefan said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@canefan of course, i think everything said is with the caveat of we may be proven wrong, can only base it on what weve seen to date

But I agree with you about the money. He'll be paid a lot if he ends up missing out on selection at some stage

Who actually knows what he's getting paid under new contract? There seems to be a lot of assumptions going on here unless someone has seen contract etc. I would guess his contract is what NZR and the ones who control money figure it is what he is worth, in playing ability and marketing etc.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby what i mean he'll be getting paid the same as last year (or more) when he was a nailed on starter....so paying someone that way when they might not get selected seems poor business

Will he? I thought a large part of it was a blues benefactor? Plus I'm pretty sure you only get the big bucks if you get selected and played for the ABs, isn't it? A payout for selection, then per game played?

maybe im wrong, hadn't heard about a benefactor and actually didnt think that was allowed as it would be a way around the salary cap. and i didnt think AB's got paid per game, my understanding was once you we selected/played for the AB's you stepped up and were paid a higher salary, but i honestly dont know enough to argue so if everyone else is cool then all good

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@KiwiMurph

True, but the point I'm making is the circumstances are very different. A 4 year deal for BB makes less sense

Think you are missing the wider point. Is keeping our best players in New Zealand not a good thing for keeping Super Rugby strong? Even if he isn't still at his peak, he is still a great pro to have playing locally.

I'd trust Razor to make the tough calls, and to use Barrett how he sees fit in the environment. Rightly or wrongly, I think there is every chance Razor backs himself to get Beauden back playing to the best of his abilities as a 10.

No, not missing the wider point at all. As I've said, have zero problems or concerns with BB being signed up to provide continuity. I will have concerns if Robertson doesn't develop options at 10 & 15 and a 36yr-old BB is the incumbent

That's such a sweeping statement though. Absolutely possible that Razor gives him a second wind... it's not like he is 36 now, he is 32.

He'll be 36 if Robertson sticks with him until RWC2027. Not even Coach Jesus can wind clocks back

Could reinvent himself though. Sexton was 37 at the RWC... I'd imagine Barrett is very disciplined with his lifestyle. We all go on about his whole game being built around pace, but I still say, let's give him a chance playing as a 10 for Razor before passing real judgement.

more than happy to give him a chance...4 year contract just seems like more than "a chance"

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Gregor Paul opinion piece, so likely worthless, but sounds encouraging:

View embedded content

Crystal Ball time:

1 de Groot
2 Taukei'aho
3 Lomax
4 Barrett
5 Lord
6 ?
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Roigard
10 McKenzie
11 Telea
12 Barrett
13 Ioane
14 Jordan
15 Barrett

That's not an awful XV (well XIV).

Options at 6 (in no particular order):
Finau
Blackadder
Grace
Ioane
Sotutu
Vaa'i
Ah Kuoi
(The last two speculation on my part.)
Others? Gallagher?

@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby what i mean he'll be getting paid the same as last year (or more) when he was a nailed on starter....so paying someone that way when they might not get selected seems poor business

Will he? I thought a large part of it was a blues benefactor? Plus I'm pretty sure you only get the big bucks if you get selected and played for the ABs, isn't it? A payout for selection, then per game played?

maybe im wrong, hadn't heard about a benefactor and actually didnt think that was allowed as it would be a way around the salary cap. and i didnt think AB's got paid per game, my understanding was once you we selected/played for the AB's you stepped up and were paid a higher salary, but i honestly dont know enough to argue so if everyone else is cool then all good

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@KiwiMurph

True, but the point I'm making is the circumstances are very different. A 4 year deal for BB makes less sense

Think you are missing the wider point. Is keeping our best players in New Zealand not a good thing for keeping Super Rugby strong? Even if he isn't still at his peak, he is still a great pro to have playing locally.

I'd trust Razor to make the tough calls, and to use Barrett how he sees fit in the environment. Rightly or wrongly, I think there is every chance Razor backs himself to get Beauden back playing to the best of his abilities as a 10.

No, not missing the wider point at all. As I've said, have zero problems or concerns with BB being signed up to provide continuity. I will have concerns if Robertson doesn't develop options at 10 & 15 and a 36yr-old BB is the incumbent

That's such a sweeping statement though. Absolutely possible that Razor gives him a second wind... it's not like he is 36 now, he is 32.

He'll be 36 if Robertson sticks with him until RWC2027. Not even Coach Jesus can wind clocks back

Could reinvent himself though. Sexton was 37 at the RWC... I'd imagine Barrett is very disciplined with his lifestyle. We all go on about his whole game being built around pace, but I still say, let's give him a chance playing as a 10 for Razor before passing real judgement.

more than happy to give him a chance...4 year contract just seems like more than "a chance"

The benefactor thing is allowed, just doesn't get used that often (I think the Blues are the only side to really use it)... happened with RTS. I believe a few of the other teams offered the max amount, and then the Blues blew them out the water with an extra 400k.

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Bones Who would you prefer there? Love? Sullivan? Jordan?

Love is absolutely one to watch this year if he can stay fit. Quality player, and heavily slept on.

I hope he kicks on, had a bad run with injuries
Not sure he is really been slept on though, didn't he play for All Blacks XV couple years ago?

@Darren said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Not sure he is really been slept on though, didn't he play for All Blacks XV couple years ago?

Ruben Love played for the ABS XV, this year. Both games starting at fullback.

From the 2023 injury list, Would expect Quinn Tupaea and Sevu Reece to be in the running for Robertsons squads in 2024. Emoji Narawa also. Hard to see Joe Moody making it back to AB level though.

@Darren said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

I hope he kicks on, had a bad run with injuries
Not sure he is really been slept on though, didn't he play for All Blacks XV couple years ago?

I'd still say he is slept on. A lot of the chatter about the next All Blacks fullback is Jordan, Stevenson and Sullivan.

I think Love could easily be better than all three.

@Nevorian said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Sevu Reece

Isn't he approaching the magic retiring age for All Black wingers?

i had completely forgotten about reece....would like to see reece, Telea and Jordan back three at some point

@Kiwiwomble oh definitely get a higher salary as an AB. But still get paid per game, etc, I'm sure.

IIRC they get what is called assembly fees. Something like $7500 a week while in camp.

Posting this here because the All Blacks 2024 thread is locked.

In the podcast (link below) Ruben Love talks about his recent trip over to Australia where he invested $$$ to train with their top sprint coach (guru) Rob Fabri, aswell as staying with one of the most talked about league players of 2023, Joseph Suaalii.

Plenty of people I've talked to about Love say he bounces different in terms of the way he carries himself, the way he trains and the commitment he has to get to the top. This move alone is an example of what he'll do to get to the top. After an injury ravaged 2023, I hope he has a big 2024 and pushes for AB selection. More at 15 than 10 though in my view.

@Canes4life reminds me of what Tana was like...fuck almost 3 decades ago now

@Bones said in Opinions on possible back-up All Blacks 10s:

@Canes4life reminds me of what Tana was like...fuck almost 3 decades ago now

He transformed in the off season. Went from a talented flake to the top tier player in a few months.

Still one of my favourite players and least favourite coaches.

@booboo said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

@Tim said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Gregor Paul opinion piece, so likely worthless, but sounds encouraging:

View embedded content

Crystal Ball time:

1 de Groot
2 Taukei'aho
3 Lomax
4 Barrett
5 Lord
6 ?
7 Papalii
8 Savea
9 Roigard
10 McKenzie
11 Telea
12 Barrett
13 Ioane
14 Jordan
15 Barrett

That's not an awful XV (well XIV).

Options at 6 (in no particular order):
Finau
Blackadder
Grace
Ioane
Sotutu
Vaa'i
Ah Kuoi
(The last two speculation on my part.)
Others? Gallagher?

Gallagher ? I guess you meant Gardiner.

@cgrant starts with G

Important year for Gardiner. I was disappointed with his form last year after looking the goods towards the end of the previous year. Injury and being moved between 6 and lock may have stifled him a bit. Let's hope he gets a good run at 6 and stays injury free (the same can be said about Blackadder and Grace).

@booboo said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Options at 6 (in no particular order):
Finau
Blackadder
Grace
Ioane
Sotutu
Vaa'i
Ah Kuoi
(The last two speculation on my part.)
Others? Gallagher?

Caleb Delany is another 6/lock in the picture. He'll be keen to have a big campaign with the Canes in 2024 to push for a place in the ABs. Superb in the line-out and is now sitting around 115kg.

@Canes4life

I would think that Flanders will get first shot at the 6 jersey, unless they decide to use him at 8 (or is he injured?).

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:

Posting this here because the All Blacks 2024 thread is locked.

In the podcast (link below) Ruben Love talks about his recent trip over to Australia where he invested $$$ to train with their top sprint coach (guru) Rob Fabri, aswell as staying with one of the most talked about league players of 2023, Joseph Suaalii.

Plenty of people I've talked to about Love say he bounces different in terms of the way he carries himself, the way he trains and the commitment he has to get to the top. This move alone is an example of what he'll do to get to the top. After an injury ravaged 2023, I hope he has a big 2024 and pushes for AB selection. More at 15 than 10 though in my view.

View embedded content

FABRL it is then….

@gt12 Delany will most likely start at lock. I'd say Flanders will be at 8, with Shields at 6. I'm just saying Delany needs to be in the convo because he's play more than half his career at blindside.