Riccitelli may be small but he deserves more of a chance than - what is it - 3rd rated hooker in a badly performing team...
I have noticed the apparent reasoning not to promote Blues forwards as being part of a good team doesn't seem to apply to hardly playing Crusaders forwards when considering them for higher honours
My tuppence ...
I do not see RR as the next great long term in his position.
But I don't see why we're ignoring him as the currently 3rd best guy.
Pick him as no.3 no.2 (well, no.4 as ST is injured), and make the best young guy(s) learn how to be better.
Fuck the World Cup in 3 years. Be the best now, or challenge the whipper-snappers to be be better than who is the best now.
If they can't match it then they're not good enough to be the best in 2027.
(Extend these opinions to Sam Cane and TJ Sayonara.)
Couldn’t agree more Boo-boo.. There are more than 30+ tests before the next World Cup and this idea of every game being a World Cup trial is stupid. Yes you have to try new players out and while not a great Robertson fan he has done well in uncovering some good new talent but the game in front of you is the most important.
I don't think Ricky Riccitelli would have made a major difference during the Rugby Championship. Let's put it that way.
I think it would be healthy for Aumua to have some competition. His form has been a mixed bag this year at test level.
George Bell gave away a couple of dumb penalties including a yellow yesterday. His discipline is quite poor. Is he a guy we can really rely on under the acid test of test rugby if one of the top guys gets injured? I'd rather Riccitelli.
Riccitelli is a very reliable player and good in every facet. His game doesn't really have any weaknesses.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks XV 2024:
I don't think Ricky Riccitelli would have made a major difference during the Rugby Championship. Let's put it that way.
I don't think anyone is saying that.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks XV 2024:
I don't think Ricky Riccitelli would have made a major difference during the Rugby Championship. Let's put it that way.
I don't think anyone is saying that.
If they're not going to make a difference now then the All Blacks should largely be picking guys who will make the most difference in the when they're needed in the future.
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.
All comes down to what is the prupose of the team is. There is nothing to gain putting All Blacks at the back end of their careers or Super battlers on the tour. All the guys going aaay have spent multiple Super seasons like the likes of Perenara, Cane or players of similR experience. RR is a fine player. He will never be an All Black though. The oldest AB debutant in the professional era was Dave Hewitt more than 20 years ago. RR will be older than him at the end of the Super season. He has been a great servant of NZ Rugby. His type of player, interms of where his carrer is at just doesn't match what the squad is for.
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.
There's not plenty of pressure on Aumua.
They never give a 3rd hooker any game time regardless of how Aumua is playing
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.There's not plenty of pressure on Aumua.
They never give a 3rd hooker any game time regardless of how Aumua is playing
If they do Aumua is out once ST comes back
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
There is no one reliable in the squad to replace him so there is zero pressure.
That is unknown until Bell gets chances how do you know.
And don’t say lineout throwing Aumua has been unreliable at that this year,
And yellow cards Aumua has been pinged for a lot of yellow cards in the past for bad tackle technique.
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.There's not plenty of pressure on Aumua.
They never give a 3rd hooker any game time regardless of how Aumua is playing
If they do Aumua is out once ST comes back
The point is that they don't. Bledisloe 2 seemed like a perfect opportunity to give Bell some game time but.... nothing.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.There's not plenty of pressure on Aumua.
They never give a 3rd hooker any game time regardless of how Aumua is playing
If they do Aumua is out once ST comes back
The point is that they don't. Bledisloe 2 seemed like a perfect opportunity to give Bell some game time but.... nothing.
Plummer and Proctor too...
@canefan said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Aumua needs pressure on him and Bell isn't providing that because he's ill disciplined and has an unreliable lineout.
There is plenty of Pressure on Aumua he is not doing much to retain his place in the squad.
There is pressure to stay there.There's not plenty of pressure on Aumua.
They never give a 3rd hooker any game time regardless of how Aumua is playing
If they do Aumua is out once ST comes back
The point is that they don't. Bledisloe 2 seemed like a perfect opportunity to give Bell some game time but.... nothing.
Plummer and Proctor too...
Yeah them as well
Otago and Highlanders lock Fabian Holland is eligible for All Blacks or All Blacks XV selection with immediate effect, the Sunday Star-Times can reveal.
Holland, the Netherlands-born giant who only turns 22 next week, moved to New Zealand as a 16-year-old and has risen through the ranks at speed.
He was not expected to become eligible for the All Blacks until late 2025, but a World Rugby eligibility change that kicked in on August 1 has dramatically changed the picture.
Scott Robertson confirms Finlay Christie will join Noah Hotham in being named in the All Blacks XV tomorrow.
Four to six players from that squad will join the All Blacks in Japan
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
There is no one reliable in the squad to replace him so there is zero pressure.
That is unknown until Bell gets chances how do you know.
We could look at his performances in SR...
@antipodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
There is no one reliable in the squad to replace him so there is zero pressure.
That is unknown until Bell gets chances how do you know.
We could look at his performances in SR...
He may step up the Crusaders enviroment wasn’t a good one to perform in this season.Plummer was poor in Npc
Bell was good in the chances they had.
I would still try Plummer as well.
Here's a wild crack at the squad of 29. Some will doubtless be wrong - probably even picking some injured or ineligible. 
6 props: Bower, Numia, Ross, Renata, Dyer, O'Neill (a captain's call for McMillan - seems like less options at tighthead)
3 hookers: Riccitelli, Slater, McAlister (maybe Taylor)
3 Locks: Lord, Holland, Walker-Leaware
5 Loose forwards: Suafoa, Grace, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie
3 halfbacks: Hotham, Christie, Fakatava
2 First fives: Plummer, Jacomb
3 Midfielders: Higgins, Rona, Tupaea
4 Outsides: Narawa, Lam, Tavatavanawai*, Fihaki
*possibly injured - maybe Nanai-Seturo, but he may be injured as well?
Walker-Leaware must be injured too as he hasn't played in a while. I still think they'll select Gallagher (not my choice).
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Here's a wild crack at the squad of 29. Some will doubtless be wrong - probably even picking some injured or ineligible.
6 props: Bower, Numia, Ross, Renata, Dyer, O'Neill (a captain's call for McMillan - seems like less options at tighthead)
3 hookers: Riccitelli, Slater, McAlister (maybe Taylor)
3 Locks: Lord, Holland, Walker-Leaware
5 Loose forwards: Suafoa, Grace, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie
3 halfbacks: Hotham, Christie, Fakatava
2 First fives: Plummer, Jacomb
3 Midfielders: Higgins, Rona, Tupaea
4 Outsides: Narawa, Lam, Tavatavanawai*, Fihaki
*possibly injured - maybe Nanai-Seturo, but he may be injured as well?
When is this squad being named?
@Canes4life Tomorrow.
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@antipodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
There is no one reliable in the squad to replace him so there is zero pressure.
That is unknown until Bell gets chances how do you know.
We could look at his performances in SR...
He may step up the Crusaders enviroment wasn’t a good one to perform in this season.
LOL. What a handy excuse since the players couldn't possibly be responsible for their own performances.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Walker-Leaware must be injured too as he hasn't played in a while. I still think they'll select Gallagher (not my choice).
That's a pity - IWL got called into the ABs earlier, so if he's fit he should be a lock (haha). The other two should be bolted on as well - a bit of a step back to whomever is next.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV 2024:
Here's a wild crack at the squad of 29. Some will doubtless be wrong - probably even picking some injured or ineligible.
6 props: Bower, Numia, Ross, Renata, Dyer, O'Neill (a captain's call for McMillan - seems like less options at tighthead)
3 hookers: Riccitelli, Slater, McAlister (maybe Taylor)
3 Locks: Lord, Holland, Walker-Leaware
5 Loose forwards: Suafoa, Grace, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie
3 halfbacks: Hotham, Christie, Fakatava
2 First fives: Plummer, Jacomb
3 Midfielders: Higgins, Rona, Tupaea
4 Outsides: Narawa, Lam, Tavatavanawai*, Fihaki
*possibly injured - maybe Nanai-Seturo, but he may be injured as well?
For purposes of practice it would make more sense to take 5 props and three locks.
Also, availability of AB back up allows two halfbacks.
@pakman I just figure you need the prop cover in case someone tears a calf in warm-up - though probably there's guys who can play both sides in a pinch.
I've basically picked my match day 23 and then spares - two props, a hooker, a halfback + an extra loose forward and an extra outside back. I'm a bit light at fullback if ENS doesn't get picked, but I couldn't leave Timoci out!
@antipodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@antipodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@brodean said in All Blacks XV 2024:
There is no one reliable in the squad to replace him so there is zero pressure.
That is unknown until Bell gets chances how do you know.
We could look at his performances in SR...
He may step up the Crusaders enviroment wasn’t a good one to perform in this season.
LOL. What a handy excuse since the players couldn't possibly be responsible for their own performances.
I am glad you liked it.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks XV 2024:
@pakman Have you got some thoughts on props?
Seems like quite a lot of options at loosehead - e.g. Norris and Rakete-Stones - maybe even Brewis - additional options - but, a bit of a struggle for tightheads.
I’d say loosehead ranking likely to be Bower, Numia, Ross in that order.
TH tricker. I thought Renata was excellent for Blues, scrummaging a step up from previously. Dyer seemed to be top TH at Chiefs and solid. Thought the Ta$man TH was very solid against Lions, but may be contracted elsewhere. Rakete-Stones and Tevita Mafileo can play both sides
