2018 AB Depth Chart

[Crucial]

I'm thinking Ardie could have a role at 8 when Read retires. It would be a re-jigged pattern but as long as we implemented a better system than Australia did with Pocockwomble we'd be good. Share a bit of gametime with Akira and it could work.

[Bones]

@pakman I think we're fine at tighthead - Tu'ungafasi is very good and certainly isn't a worry at scrumtime as far as I can see. Moli looked very promising and maybe the unknown one you're thinking of is Kautai?

[Crucial]

@bones said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@pakman I think we're fine at tighthead - Tu'ungafasi is very good and certainly isn't a worry at scrumtime as far as I can see. Moli looked very promising and maybe the unknown one you're thinking of is Kautai?

I thought Ta'avao did well in his cameo and the KarlT, Harris, Ta'avao combo in Super Rugby was probably only second to the Saders first string AB combo.

[pakman]

@crucial said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

I'm thinking Ardie could have a role at 8 when Read retires. It would be a re-jigged pattern but as long as we implemented a better system than Australia did with Pocockwomble we'd be good. Share a bit of gametime with Akira and it could work.

That is certainly an option. Ardie has really been playing well in last few months, both at 7 and 8.

[cgrant]

@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

In forwards, quite a few gaps.

Read out on his own in the role he plays at 8 for ABs. Luatua for me next best and can only hope he returns post RWC. Aukira excellent in a different style, but seems to fall between the 6 and 8 stools of what wise men are looking for. To me maybe Fifita could be converted to an 8, having come up short so far at 6. Fair production line at 7. At 6 only Squire produces the dominant defence the selectors are looking for, but is a step down from JK (who wouldn't be). Frizzell showing promise, as is Papali'i, who has plenty of time to grow into the role. Big hole behind Sam W and BBBR at lock. Need a 2m + youngster to step up from NPC.
LH depth incredible -- 3 who are good international quality or better. At hooker top two excellent, then a gap, but some youngsters coming through. Only two genuine international level scrummaging THs, Owen and Laulala. Ofa good utility and all rounder. Ta'avao and JTA tidy but not top notch. Lomax has had quite a few difficult days for Clan, and scrum better when Tokolahi there. So quite exposed when Owen hangs up his boots. Remember a ferner earlier this year claiming Kudos for calling Karl T last year, and him mentioning an 'unknown' scrummaging TH who was in NPC I think, and thought he had the goods, but I can't recall the name!

What seems clear is in the next couple of years we need several young bucks to pop up at NPC level, because it seems clear that the ABs are completely aware of the talent in the Super pool.

Yes, Lomax struggled a bit in SR but it was in the early rounds only. He was pretty solid during the last stages. He is still very young so has plenty of time to improve.

@Bones : I guess the unknown tighthead prop is Alex Fidow ?

[Chris B.]

@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.

He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.

One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!

[pakman]

@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.

He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.

One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!

Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.

[Crucial]

@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.

He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.

One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!

Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.

Laulala gave Moody a good tickle up as well. Maybe this injury is a blessing in disguise?

[Chris B.]

@pakman Ta$man starting scrum was dominant until Crockett and Makalio were replaced and Moody got subbed for a fresh Hodgman - after that the boot was on the other foot.

[Chris B.]

@crucial said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@pakman said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@chris-b said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@cgrant Yeah - Lomax is only 22 and he's already waaaay better than he was this time last year.

He gave Joe Moody all he could handle and more in the M10 Cup semi.

One of the few positive to take away from that semi now that karma has wreaked vengeance on Canterbury, Moody and Hansen!

Didn't see that game and one report said Moody gave Lomax torrid time? Not what the selectors thought.

Laulala gave Moody a good tickle up as well. Maybe this injury is a blessing in disguise?

Yeah, I saw that - though I suspect Moody wasn't helped by his Canterbury front row counterparts.

[Machpants]

I think Moody has been very SBW this year, lots of injuries and suspensions, in the team on previous form.

[Yeahtheboys]

All Black player stocks

Number 15

1. Ben Smith
2. Beauden Barrett
3. Damien McKenzie
4. George Bridge
5. Jordie Barrett
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. David Havili
8. Will Jordan
9. Shaun Stevenson
10. Matt Duffie

Number 14

1. Ben Smith
2. Waisake Naholo
3. Rieko Ioane
4. George Bridge
5. Ben Lam
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. Will Jordan
8. Melani Nanai
9. Damien McKenzie
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 13

1. Jack Goodhue
2. Anton Lienert-Brown
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Vince Aso
5. Matt Proctor
6. Tumua Manu
7. Rob Thompson
8. Braydon Ennor
9. Matt Faddes
10. Quinn Tupaea

Number 12

1. Anton Lienert Brown
2. Sonny Bill Williams
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Ngani Laumape
5. Teihorangi Walden
6. Jack Goodhue
7. Tumua Manu
8. Matt Proctor
9. Rob Thompson
10. Matt Faddes

Number 11

1. Rieko Ioane
2. Waisake Naholo
3. George Bridge
4. Ben Lam
5. Vince Aso
6. Damien McKenzie
7. Will Jordan
8. Solomona Alaimalo
9. Tevita Li
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 10

1. Beauden Barrett
2. Richie Mo’unga
3. Damien Mckenzie
4. Otere Black
5. Mitch Hunt
6. Marty Banks
7. Ihaia West
8. Fletcher Smith
9. Stephen Perofeta
10. Bryn Gatland

Number 9

1. Aaron Smith
2. Tj Perenara
3. Mitchell Drummond
4. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
5. Bryan Hall
6. Brad Webber
7. Augustine Pulu
8. Jonathan Ruru
9. Finlay Christie
10. Richard Judd

Number 8

1. Kieran Read
2. Akira Ioane
3. Luke Whitelock
4. Liam Squire
5. Ardie Savea
6. Sam Cane
7. Gareth Evans
8. Shannon Frizell
9. Jordan Taufua
10. Taleni Seu

Number 7

1. Sam Cane
2. Ardie Savea
3. Matt Todd
4. Dalton Papali’i
5. Dillon Hunt
6. Gareth Evans
7. James Lentjies
8. Lachlan Boshier
9. Blake Gibson
10. Reed Prinsep

Number 6

1. Liam Squire
2. Akira Ioane
3. Scott Barrett
4. Vaea Fifita
5. Dalton Papali’i
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Jordan Taufua
8. Jackson Hemopo
9. Gareth Evans
10. Luke Jacobson

Number 4 & 5

1. Brodie Retallick
2. Sam Whitelock
3. Scott Barrett
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jackson Hemopo
6. Tom Franklin
7. PariPari Parkinson
8. Vaea Fifita
9. Isaiah Walker-Leawere
10. Michael Fatialofa

Number 3

1. Owen Franks
2. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Angus Ta’avao
5. Atu Moli
6. Michael Alaalatoa
7. Jeff Toomaga Allen
8. Tyrel Lomax
9. Alex Fidow
10. Pauliasi Manu

Number 2

1. Dane Coles
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nathan Harris
4. Liam Coltman
5. Asafo Aumua
6. Ricky Riccitelli
7. Samisoni Taukei’aho
8. James Parsons
9. Ash Dixon
10. Liam Polwart

Number 1

1. Joe Moody
2. Karl Tu’inukuafe
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
4. Tim Perry
5. Kane Hames
6. Atu Moli
7. Reuben O’Neill
8. Dan Lienert Brown
9. Alex Hodgman
10. Mitchell Graham

[Yeahtheboys]

My opinion******** gonna be some very funny replies

[Tim]

Is Mitchell Graham on the permanently injured list now? He didn't get a Super Rugby contract.

Pauliasi Manu is a loosehead, not a tighthead.

[Stargazer]

Some really random names in this thread; plenty of guys who will not even remotely come into consideration for a black jersey.

[gt12]

@stargazer

I watch a bit of rugby, but there are guys being mentioned who I've never even heard of, like Bryan Hall.

[Bones]

@stargazer yeah quite a neat exercise, but some glaring issues - and I'm gonna assume they're not ranked in order.

How does Brett Cameron miss out?

[cgrant]

Jordan was the Ta$man fullback while Alaimalo was on the wing, so I don't see why the latter should be ranked higher than the former.
Not sure about Bridge on the right wing. Has he ever played there. He is a pure leftfooter.
I would have put Rieko Ioane in the mix for the centres.
Vince Aso being ranked higher than Matt Proctor is defying the logic and does the latter has ever played as a second five eight ?
Same with MacKenzie being named among the left wings ????
Ihia West isn't in NZ but plays in France for La Rochelle.
Not sure at all concerning Otere Black as the 4th best 1st Five eight in NZ.
Drummond > to TTT can be questioned too.
Reed Prinsep among the 7s is very doubtful. He is a 6.
4&5 : where is Luke Romano ?
3 : Atu Moli hasn't played a game this year so I can't see how he could be ranked higher than All Black Tyrel Lomax. Alaalatoa and JTA ranked higher than Lomax can be questionable too. That's not what Mike Cron thinks.
Manu is a LHP.
Coles Nr.1 and Taylor Nr.2 for the Nr.2 jersey : Hmmm ...
LHP : too many long term injuries among these names. But if we have to name these, I would have taken Aidan Ross ahead of O'Neill, DLB, Hodgman and Graham.

[ACT Crusader]

@yeahtheboys said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

All Black player stocks

Number 15

1. Ben Smith
2. Beauden Barrett
3. Damien McKenzie
4. George Bridge
5. Jordie Barrett
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. David Havili
8. Will Jordan
9. Shaun Stevenson
10. Matt Duffie

Number 14

1. Ben Smith
2. Waisake Naholo
3. Rieko Ioane
4. George Bridge
5. Ben Lam
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. Will Jordan
8. Melani Nanai
9. Damien McKenzie
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 13

1. Jack Goodhue
2. Anton Lienert-Brown
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Vince Aso
5. Matt Proctor
6. Tumua Manu
7. Rob Thompson
8. Braydon Ennor
9. Matt Faddes
10. Quinn Tupaea

Number 12

1. Anton Lienert Brown
2. Sonny Bill Williams
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Ngani Laumape
5. Teihorangi Walden
6. Jack Goodhue
7. Tumua Manu
8. Matt Proctor
9. Rob Thompson
10. Matt Faddes

Number 11

1. Rieko Ioane
2. Waisake Naholo
3. George Bridge
4. Ben Lam
5. Vince Aso
6. Damien McKenzie
7. Will Jordan
8. Solomona Alaimalo
9. Tevita Li
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 10

1. Beauden Barrett
2. Richie Mo’unga
3. Damien Mckenzie
4. Otere Black
5. Mitch Hunt
6. Marty Banks
7. Ihaia West
8. Fletcher Smith
9. Stephen Perofeta
10. Bryn Gatland

Number 9

1. Aaron Smith
2. Tj Perenara
3. Mitchell Drummond
4. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
5. Bryan Hall
6. Brad Webber
7. Augustine Pulu
8. Jonathan Ruru
9. Finlay Christie
10. Richard Judd

Number 8

1. Kieran Read
2. Akira Ioane
3. Luke Whitelock
4. Liam Squire
5. Ardie Savea
6. Sam Cane
7. Gareth Evans
8. Shannon Frizell
9. Jordan Taufua
10. Taleni Seu

Number 7

1. Sam Cane
2. Ardie Savea
3. Matt Todd
4. Dalton Papali’i
5. Dillon Hunt
6. Gareth Evans
7. James Lentjies
8. Lachlan Boshier
9. Blake Gibson
10. Reed Prinsep

Number 6

1. Liam Squire
2. Akira Ioane
3. Scott Barrett
4. Vaea Fifita
5. Dalton Papali’i
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Jordan Taufua
8. Jackson Hemopo
9. Gareth Evans
10. Luke Jacobson

Number 4 & 5

1. Brodie Retallick
2. Sam Whitelock
3. Scott Barrett
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jackson Hemopo
6. Tom Franklin
7. PariPari Parkinson
8. Vaea Fifita
9. Isaiah Walker-Leawere
10. Michael Fatialofa

Number 3

1. Owen Franks
2. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Angus Ta’avao
5. Atu Moli
6. Michael Alaalatoa
7. Jeff Toomaga Allen
8. Tyrel Lomax
9. Alex Fidow
10. Pauliasi Manu

Number 2

1. Dane Coles
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nathan Harris
4. Liam Coltman
5. Asafo Aumua
6. Ricky Riccitelli
7. Samisoni Taukei’aho
8. James Parsons
9. Ash Dixon
10. Liam Polwart

Number 1

1. Joe Moody
2. Karl Tu’inukuafe
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
4. Tim Perry
5. Kane Hames
6. Atu Moli
7. Reuben O’Neill
8. Dan Lienert Brown
9. Alex Hodgman
10. Mitchell Graham

Too many Blues and Canes players

[Bones]

@act-crusader said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

@yeahtheboys said in 2018 AB Depth Chart:

All Black player stocks

Number 15

1. Ben Smith
2. Beauden Barrett
3. Damien McKenzie
4. George Bridge
5. Jordie Barrett
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. David Havili
8. Will Jordan
9. Shaun Stevenson
10. Matt Duffie

Number 14

1. Ben Smith
2. Waisake Naholo
3. Rieko Ioane
4. George Bridge
5. Ben Lam
6. Solomona Alaimalo
7. Will Jordan
8. Melani Nanai
9. Damien McKenzie
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 13

1. Jack Goodhue
2. Anton Lienert-Brown
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Vince Aso
5. Matt Proctor
6. Tumua Manu
7. Rob Thompson
8. Braydon Ennor
9. Matt Faddes
10. Quinn Tupaea

Number 12

1. Anton Lienert Brown
2. Sonny Bill Williams
3. Ryan Crotty
4. Ngani Laumape
5. Teihorangi Walden
6. Jack Goodhue
7. Tumua Manu
8. Matt Proctor
9. Rob Thompson
10. Matt Faddes

Number 11

1. Rieko Ioane
2. Waisake Naholo
3. George Bridge
4. Ben Lam
5. Vince Aso
6. Damien McKenzie
7. Will Jordan
8. Solomona Alaimalo
9. Tevita Li
10. Nehe Milner Skudder

Number 10

1. Beauden Barrett
2. Richie Mo’unga
3. Damien Mckenzie
4. Otere Black
5. Mitch Hunt
6. Marty Banks
7. Ihaia West
8. Fletcher Smith
9. Stephen Perofeta
10. Bryn Gatland

Number 9

1. Aaron Smith
2. Tj Perenara
3. Mitchell Drummond
4. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
5. Bryan Hall
6. Brad Webber
7. Augustine Pulu
8. Jonathan Ruru
9. Finlay Christie
10. Richard Judd

Number 8

1. Kieran Read
2. Akira Ioane
3. Luke Whitelock
4. Liam Squire
5. Ardie Savea
6. Sam Cane
7. Gareth Evans
8. Shannon Frizell
9. Jordan Taufua
10. Taleni Seu

Number 7

1. Sam Cane
2. Ardie Savea
3. Matt Todd
4. Dalton Papali’i
5. Dillon Hunt
6. Gareth Evans
7. James Lentjies
8. Lachlan Boshier
9. Blake Gibson
10. Reed Prinsep

Number 6

1. Liam Squire
2. Akira Ioane
3. Scott Barrett
4. Vaea Fifita
5. Dalton Papali’i
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Jordan Taufua
8. Jackson Hemopo
9. Gareth Evans
10. Luke Jacobson

Number 4 & 5

1. Brodie Retallick
2. Sam Whitelock
3. Scott Barrett
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jackson Hemopo
6. Tom Franklin
7. PariPari Parkinson
8. Vaea Fifita
9. Isaiah Walker-Leawere
10. Michael Fatialofa

Number 3

1. Owen Franks
2. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Angus Ta’avao
5. Atu Moli
6. Michael Alaalatoa
7. Jeff Toomaga Allen
8. Tyrel Lomax
9. Alex Fidow
10. Pauliasi Manu

Number 2

1. Dane Coles
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nathan Harris
4. Liam Coltman
5. Asafo Aumua
6. Ricky Riccitelli
7. Samisoni Taukei’aho
8. James Parsons
9. Ash Dixon
10. Liam Polwart

Number 1

1. Joe Moody
2. Karl Tu’inukuafe
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
4. Tim Perry
5. Kane Hames
6. Atu Moli
7. Reuben O’Neill
8. Dan Lienert Brown
9. Alex Hodgman
10. Mitchell Graham

Too many Blues and Canes players

Must be particularly grating there only being 3 Crusaders listed in the No. 1 spot.