@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.
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:
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 BarrettThat'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.
Topic event: Victor Meldrew referenced this topic on
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.
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.
FABRL it is then….
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024 - no interminable Foster arguments:
@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.
I think that depends on whether they want to go with Flanders at 6, Kirifi at 7, then Lakai / Iose at 8.
I'm not sure that they need Shields as a starter unless injuries strike.
@gt12 if they don’t go with Shields (which I think they will because of his experience) I would go Howden, Kirifi and Flanders. The type of game Flander’s plays seems to be much more suited to 8 than 6, plus Howden hada great NPC in a poor Manawatu side. Then I would have Lakai on the bench who can cover all three back row positions. Iose misses out for me because he isn’t as versatile and if you have him in a loose trio partnership with Kirifi, it’s just too small in my view.
In which case, Delany is miiiiiiiles away from a 6 jersey at the Canes, let alone the ABs.
