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:

@Chris

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).

I think Ah Kuoi will be there.

@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:

@Chris

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:

@Chris

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.

@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.

@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

@pakman I thought the Crusaders should have given Sam Matenga a contract a couple of years ago - but, they didn't. He wasn't as good last year, but good again this year.

Hard to see someone who hasn't played Super rugby making the team, though.

Reuben O’Neill had several excellent early games for Chiefs but then trailed off, and scrummaging right off, being hammered by Numia. So much so that I wondered if he had picked up an injury.
Did you watch Ta$man Bulls game?

So will all these players be pulled from thier respective teams for the upcoming npc finals?

@pakman said in All Blacks XV 2024:

@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

What about the highlanders Ma’ua big enough unit.

@pakman I did, but I can't remember much about the scrums.

I think mostly even, but maybe we edged a couple.

We couldn't put any pressure on their lineout and ours melted down at the end - which eventually rang the death knell!

@taniwharugby I don't see why they would need to be.

I think the first AB XV game is the Saturday after the final - and Razor should be able to manage his squad not to have to call in guys needed for the final.

@Chris said in All Blacks XV 2024:

@pakman said in All Blacks XV 2024:

@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

What about the highlanders Ma’ua big enough unit.

Yeah with my eye patch on he has improved a lot over the season. Gone bloody well in the scrum too. I wouldn't be surprised if Jacomb is picked as a 15/10. Allowing room for Millar to be picked as well. The young Landers I want to see are Ma'u, Taylor (J), Holland, Haig, Withy, Fakatava, Millar and JRK.