Forwards for the All Blacks squad
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After a discussion on the back line let's try the forwards. <br>
Starting forwards I expect to see Moody,Coles,Franks,Whitelock,Retallick,Kaino,Cane and Read<br>
On the bench I would go with <br>
Faumuina,Crockett,Cody Taylor,Dixon and Todd<br><br><br>
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<p>only questionable ones there are probably your loose forward reserves...</p>
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<p>Be plenty of pumping for Savea the thinner, Dixon should go close though.</p> -
<p>Ardie shits all over Todd. Ardie is far more dynamic and I would even go as far to say that he could even push Cane for a starters jersey. He is the Hurricanes best player by a long way and I would love to see him pull on the All Black jersey in 2016. However its more likely he will end up pulling on a sevens jersey come olympic time.</p>
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<p>My All Blacks pack for 2016 would be:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Joe Moody (Crusaders)</p>
<p>2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes)</p>
<p>3. Charlie Faumauina (Blues)</p>
<p>4. Brodie Rettalick (Chiefs)</p>
<p>5. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)</p>
<p>6. Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)</p>
<p>7. Sam Cane (Chiefs) </p>
<p>8. Keiran Read (Crusaders)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reserves:</p>
<p>16. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)</p>
<p>17. Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders) </p>
<p>18. Owen Franks (Crusaders)</p>
<p>19. Blade Thomson (Hurricanes)</p>
<p>20. Ardie Savea (Hurricanes)</p> -
Have to remember Elliot Dixon has played quite a lot on the downside for the Highlanders over the last few years, when there's been injuries. So he can quite easily take on the bench role covering all three spots. Also listening to Hansen on Veitch over the weekend, it seems like all he needs to do is maintain form in order to be picked.
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Also being a one eyed Highlanders fan, I reckon Liam Squire could offer good cover in that loosie/lock bench cover.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="567889" data-time="1459151550">
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<p>Ardie shits all over Todd. Ardie is far more dynamic and I would even go as far to say that he could even push Cane for a starters jersey. He is the Hurricanes best player by a long way and I would love to see him pull on the All Black jersey in 2016. However its more likely he will end up pulling on a sevens jersey come olympic time.</p>
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<p>Combinations > Individuals. I could see Ardie being selected for the EOYT but as an impact player off the bench.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So who's out? From what I can remember there's:</p>
<p>Injured: Laulala, Manu</p>
<p>Sevens: Ardie, Ioane, Messam</p>
<p>Gorne: Vito</p> -
<p>A good way to look at it is to see who we have lost and then try to fill the gaps as most of the remaining guys from last year will probably get a shot to prove they are or aren't up to it still.</p>
<p>Mccaw> Ardie: just has to be given a go if 7's doesn't get in the way) Todd also in with a chance.</p>
<p>Woodcock> Moody: Was already there last year and will push Crockett hard for the starting spot. Looks like we might need to find another prop or two with the injuries to Laulala and Manu.</p>
<p>Messam> Dixon: Has been playing really well for a while and has been talked about by Hansen apparently.</p>
<p>Vito> Blade Thompson?: Covers that Blindside/Lock role that is valuable on the bench. Ioane worth a mention for this spot or the one above if sevens allows.</p>
<p>Thrush> Pat T and Romano are back from injury, Broadhurst still injured but could find his form from last year again.</p>
<p>Mealamu> Hika?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>First choice for me is:</p>
<p>Moody (or Crockett, I don't know enough about props to decide)</p>
<p>Coles</p>
<p>Franks</p>
<p>BBBR</p>
<p>Whitelock</p>
<p>Kaino</p>
<p>Cane</p>
<p>Read</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A Savea and the rest on the bench.</p> -
Not picked savea cause he will be playing 7's <br><br><br>
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Moody has been excellent. I would definitely start him & franks with bench impact from faimuiaina & Crockett. <br><br>
I expect faimuiaina to jump ship after 2017 as his stated aim was becoming the first choice TH and I don't think he'll do it. Unless franks also heads overseas :(. <br><br>
Is Laulala a chance for the EOYT or are we looking at his return in 2017 only?? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="567925" data-time="1459184818">
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<p>Steve Luatau is likely to be in the squad as well. I think Blake Gibson will be an All Blacks by the end of 2016. Brendon Edmonds can't be far away from a call up at Prop.</p>
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<p>The ABs have invested heavily in Cane and he isn't exactly doing anything wrong. He may not be as dynamic as Ardie but he is playing a McCaw like role in getting to every breakdown and making a massive amount of effective tackles. </p>
<p>As good as Gibson may look, I can't see him (barring injury) forcing his way up the pecking order.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="567933" data-time="1459193132"><p>
The ABs have invested heavily in Cane and he isn't exactly doing anything wrong. He may not be as dynamic as Ardie but he is playing a McCaw like role in getting to every breakdown and making a massive amount of effective tackles. <br>
As good as Gibson may look, I can't see him (barring injury) forcing his way up the pecking order.</p></blockquote>
Yep, Cane very much the first choice open side, Ardie the back up 7, Gibson to get a debut against Italy. -
A player who has really impressed me so far is vaea fifita of the Hurricanes <br><br><br>
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<p>Yep, Fifita has made more metres than Dixon with less game time. He also has a better tackling percentage, so far, and has made nearly as many tackles and is a handy lineout option. Also, Liam Squire, with much less game time (roughly half), has made the same number of metres with the ball as Dixon and has made 3/4 of the number of tackles (so more per min on the field), with a much better completion percentage.</p>
