All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?
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The SR coaches will have a big say in whether the other options outside of Barrett and Mo'unga get enough time at 10 to advance their claims. I am hoping that common sense prevails at the Chiefs and McMillan has finally realised the best positions for DMac and Stevenson (based on the AB XV games). But as @taniwharugby says, I can see DMac playing a lot at fullback too.
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@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?:
Out of interest, with DMac at first five, isn't it a bit concerning Waikato didn't win the NPC?
Richie the Mo started 8 tests this season for 6 wins a draw and a loss - probably not his fault we didn't win 8 straight.
You think any one player can make Waikato champions? It is a 15 man game, and Waikato have some serious deficiencies in that regard.
Given that Waikato did rather better than usual, I don't see how DMac can be at fault there.
(I would note that it wasn't RM's brilliance where they won the test where the opposition failed to kick the ball out in time, nor the one where the opposition were happy to accept a draw. We played to much closer to 5-3.)
Waikato also had one eye on the future and gave a bit of time at 10 to Kemara.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?:
The SR coaches will have a big say in whether the other options outside of Barrett and Mo'unga get enough time at 10 to advance their claims. I am hoping that common sense prevails at the Chiefs and McMillan has finally realised the best positions for DMac and Stevenson (based on the AB XV games). But as @taniwharugby says, I can see DMac playing a lot at fullback too.
I'd be very surprised if DMac plays another game at 15, if ever. Especially with Mo'unga's confirmed departure.
He played most of 2021 Super Rugby either starting at 10 or shifting there after HT, since then he's played exclusively at 10 in 2022 for Suntory and Waikato and then McMillan co-coached NZ XV at 10. Also I thought I'd read that McMillan more or less guaranteed Stevenson the 15 jersey was his this year, as he was considering other opportunities?
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@kiwi_expat I've been banging the "Stevenson at fullback" drum for a while but I'm not 100% convinced they will play him there. It will also depend on what role McMillan and co have for Gatland.
DMac did play a few times at fullback for Waikato, e.g., against Otago when Kemara started at 1st 5. That was due to injuries.
DMac is only contracted for 2023 so if they want him to stay beyond this year, there is a very obvious solution.
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We should be looking at players who can take the pressure off of whoever the new ten is.
Jordie at 12 has potential to be very useful. Experienced and comfortable being the second play maker. I also think Zarn Sullivan could be used at fullback and do a similar role to Dagg (his kicking game, his attack is not there yet)
I think the support that Dagg offered to Cruden etc has been underrated
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@Duluth yeah, I remember DC talking about how much he liked having Nonu outside him as a bail out option. I don't think we got that with Havili last year, which put too much pressure on the 10. Also agree re: Jordie, I think he's key to our chances this year.
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@No-Quarter I wouldn't knock Havili too much, he plays very much a 2nd 5 game, where he act as first receiver a lot, but as you say, Jordie could be key, he can play first receiver as well as strong on the crash when needed.
Exciting times ahead I reckon. -
@kiwi_expat Even though he has had his moments at fullback, I have often thought he got ragdolled there and may have been questionable under the highball. Jordan or Beaudy at fullback offers a more secure option and Jordan in particular has pace to burn from the back. Also wonder if Havili could be another 10 option, as he has played there for the Crusaders.
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@Duluth and the fact we had a very good fullback like Dagg allowed Ben Smith to settle into test footy on the wing, build experience and then move to fullback where under the AB gameplan you have more playmaking responsibility.
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?:
@kiwi_expat Even though he has had his moments at fullback, I have often thought he got ragdolled there and may have been questionable under the highball. Jordan or Beaudy at fullback offers a more secure option and Jordan in particular has pace to burn from the back. Also wonder if Havili could be another 10 option, as he has played there for the Crusaders.
There's no way havili is even remotely good enough to be a staring 10 for the abs
