All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023
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Overall, I reckon our depth for the coming World Cup is Ok.
If we get injuries - or, especially multiple injuries, in some positions we will be in deep trouble. But we've got cover in lots of places.
A concern is that our cover often relies on shifting our best player in one position to another - e.g. I think Jordie is our best 12 and 15.
Ideally, I think you need at least three players in each position - and two whom you're happy to start.
My assessment on that basis.
Loosehead - We're in good shape - de Groot or Moody can start. Bower or Tuúngafasi can come off the bench.
Hooker - Good shape - Sami or Codie can start - Coles, and at a pinch Aumua or even McAlister can come of the bench.
Tighthead - Hmmm - Lomax has been a revelation (lets hope it continues). Laulala, Newell and Tu'ungafasi are all a bit iffy - but, the latter two are probably OK on their day and Fletch should be better with another season.
Lock - Retallick, Whitelock and Barret are a good threesome - Vaaí and Lord still need development. I'm a bit concerned about what happens post World Cup.
Blindside - I'm a lot more positive than the average Ferner. I'm concerned that if Barrett is our 6 going forward he's also easily our best replacement lock. On the plus side, I reckon Frizell and Ioane are both better than the "Ioane-Wars" on here might lead you to believe. Watch Frizzell at the end of the England game again before you dispute this. Blackadder is good cover off the bench.
Openside - We'll likely be best served with Papalií, but Sam Cane will be sufficient and Blackadder again good bench cover or even starting at a pinch.
8 - Ardie is locked in here, but Sotutu is decent enough, Blackadder can cover from the bench - as can Akira, Shannon, Cullen Grace.
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Smith....and then a lot of guys who are OK but not as good. We don't want Aaron getting injured.
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Richie - and then quite a gap back to Beaudy and DMac. I'm quite a bit more positive about Richie than the Fern average.
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Caleb, Sevu, Big Leicester - not really a position of strength. On their day, all these guys can win or lose you a match. Rieko is our best left wing.
Midfield - Jordie, Rieko, ALB, Goodhue, Havili, Tupaea - we only need four of these guys. Strengths and weaknesses in each.
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Will "Team of the Year" Jordan (what did I tell y'all!) :), Telea, Reece. We're fine if we don't have to shift Will.
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Jordie, Beaudy, Will, DMac, Steve - if we're playing Jordie at 12 this one's a bit of a concern. Not least because of all the cover connotations.
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@Bones Havili is clearly a second five and Rieko is clearly a centre (as long as you don't ask Tana).
Tupaea is mainly a 2nd-five, though they've used him at centre. I don't really know where they would use ALB or Jack if everyone is available.
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@Bones An interesting point about Rieko - that I was going to make elsewhere - is that he's currently 25 and with a few work-ons.
Ma'a Nonu didn't even make the RWC in 2007 when he was 25, so even if this next one turns out not to be Rieko's World Cup there's a fair bit of promise for 2027 and 2031.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Bones An interesting point about Rieko - that I was going to make elsewhere - is that he's currently 25 and with a few work-ons.
Ma'a Nonu didn't even make the RWC in 2007 when he was 25, so even if this next one turns out not to be Rieko's World Cup there's a fair bit of promise for 2027 and 2031.
Yeah, it's a great point, but as in a couple of other threads....is he even going to stick around? It would suck if he ups and fucks off after next year without even getting into a really good groove.
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@Bones said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@nostrildamus if I can try and decipher that, I think you're saying you disagree.
Well done!
Only RM BB and DH are playing well below super level from what I have seen? Maybe Shannon? So I'd say 3 or 4 at most but perhaps you have more .. -
@Bones Certainly hope so - it would suck.
I'm a bit concerned about our first fives post-RWC as well. I'd be surprised if Beaudy sticks around, DMac has just taken a sabbatical and RM is making noises.
I don't really want to have to test the Bryn Gatland theory.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Bones said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@nostrildamus if I can try and decipher that, I think you're saying you disagree.
Well done!
Only RM BB and DH are playing well below super level from what I have seen? Maybe Shannon? So I'd say 3 or 4 at most but perhaps you have more ..Akira. Christie. Clarke. Fainga'anuku.
Seemingly a few guys that come from the more successful super teams - perhaps that points to what works for coaches at super rugby, doesn't work in tests? Or the coaching is a step down once you step up...
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Bones Certainly hope so - it would suck.
I'm a bit concerned about our first fives post-RWC as well. I'd be surprised if Beaudy sticks around, DMac has just taken a sabbatical and RM is making noises.
I don't really want to have to test the Bryn Gatland theory.
Boom boom goes the drum.
Give us landers DH and we'll give you a test first five for the next RWC cycle.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks depth 2022 & 2023:
@Bones You've been watching too much of the 2020 NPC Final!
(Mitch Hunt got carted off after 15 minutes and Dave and Tim O'Malley got us home).
He's exactly the kind of ten we seem to be screaming out for I reckon, just needs time there. Smart, good distributor, big boot, can cart it up from 10 if needed, throws an intercept every couple of games.
