All Blacks 2022
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@Old-Samurai-Jack The problem is if they start Savea they have a player who runs superbly in the open field and on the fringes off quick ball, but doesn't carry well off slow ball, doesn't hit rucks effectively, and isn't a big tackler either. Need to try to create a player who is a big ball carrier, physical defender, and ruck/maul beast to compensate for him. Grace and Robinson are very good at certain things, but aren't big ball carriers.
They tried Jacobson last year, but he didn't provide any of those three qualities.
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@ACT-Crusader Last year, initially, for the RC as well, except then it was Smith and Frizell. De Groot was brought in later, when they travelled to Oz.
I think we’ve had only two players from the one franchise a few times previously, but never when those two play the same position.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2022:
I kind of understand PGS's inclusion (type of player) but when you have Grace, Robinson, Jacobson, MMT (haven't noticed too much but will defer to Fern narrative) running around.......
Grace and Robinson especially have been superb at the business end while PGS has looked overawed. Oh well... I hope he proves all the doubters wrong and becomes a beast in test rugby.With 6/7/8 looking reasonably strong, it's probably a good time as any to take a punt on a bloke they think has potential.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
Cane was written off in 2020 in the same way and finished the year as AB of the year. As I think @ACT-Crusader notes, Super form doesn’t always correlate with test form. Added to that he’s been good when he played, for posters actually taking notice.
Personally if either starts I’ll be happy as I like them both.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
I do!! He is an international player I reckon. And probably one of every first named?
I a real Ardie fan, but would be keen to see him on bench in one of tests and Sotutu or PGS get a start at 8. But really not something I would be to pissed off it doesn't happen
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@KiwiMurph obviously Blackadder would have been there, Luke Jacobson should be there and Cullen Grace absolutely should be there
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
That's tricky one for Foster, isn't it? A fit Sam Cane for me every time and we seem to play better when he's on the field - but the key word is "fit".
There must be a thought in Foster's mind that he may have to drop his Captain if his injuries continues. Tough on Sam & a tough decision.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
Cane was written off in 2020 in the same way and finished the year as AB of the year. As I think @ACT-Crusader notes, Super form doesn’t always correlate with test form. Added to that he’s been good when he played, for posters actually taking notice.
Personally if either starts I’ll be happy as I like them both.
I'd argue having to choose between DP & Sam is a good position for NZ rugby to be in.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
Cane was written off in 2020 in the same way and finished the year as AB of the year. As I think @ACT-Crusader notes, Super form doesn’t always correlate with test form. Added to that he’s been good when he played, for posters actually taking notice.
Personally if either starts I’ll be happy as I like them both.
I'd argue having to choose between DP & Sam is a good position for NZ rugby to be in.
With Cane as capt you pretty much assure he’s starting. This means Ardie at 8 and likely Akira at 6 against a big Irish pack with Papali’i covering all 3 from the bench.
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@Victor-Meldrew Cane is fine in the squad but he is still not a captains arsehole. That’s the big problem here.
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@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph obviously Blackadder would have been there, Luke Jacobson should be there and Cullen Grace absolutely should be there
That's fair. I wouldn't say the absence of those 3 make this the weakest loose forward group in years. Aside from PGS the rest of the loosies pick themselves.
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@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph obviously Blackadder would have been there, Luke Jacobson should be there and Cullen Grace absolutely should be there
I agree. Not taking anything away from Sowakula but Jacobson is the incumbent plus a like for like swap with Blackadder. Selectors probably thought Papali’i could play all 3 back row spots as well meaning they could bet on the upside of Sowakula.
Cullen gives you a tall 8/6 which they don’t really have. You’d have to shift Va’ai there to give the necessary size. I would love to see a Robinson/Grace type loosie in there but I think at some stage they had to try Sowakula to see if he’s test match material. If not now when?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2022:
Cane maybe captain, but is recovering from injury … again.
Does anyone think he will play better than Papalii would in this series?
That's tricky one for Foster, isn't it? A fit Sam Cane for me every time and we seem to play better when he's on the field - but the key word is "fit".
There must be a thought in Foster's mind that he may have to drop his Captain if his injuries continues. Tough on Sam & a tough decision.
Should have dropped McCaw too with all those injuries he used to get. And Papalii? appendicitis! Who the fuck gets that these days? Get rid of him.
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@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@Victor-Meldrew Cane is fine in the squad but he is still not a captains arsehole. That’s the big problem here.
For most of last year we had the (South Island) peoples captain in there and the results weren’t spectacular. I think as long as the senior players pull together it probably doesn’t matter which of the Sam’s are captain, and Dalton can have an apprenticeship and not be rushed in too early.
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@TheMojoman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph obviously Blackadder would have been there, Luke Jacobson should be there and Cullen Grace absolutely should be there
I agree. Not taking anything away from Sowakula but Jacobson is the incumbent plus a like for like swap with Blackadder. Selectors probably thought Papali’i could play all 3 back row spots as well meaning they could bet on the upside of Sowakula.
Cullen gives you a tall 8/6 which they don’t really have. You’d have to shift Va’ai there to give the necessary size. I would love to see a Robinson/Grace type loosie in there but I think at some stage they had to try Sowakula to see if he’s test match material. If not now when?
Grace is shorter than PGS and Akira. NB: if wiki is to be believed.
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@number9 said in All Blacks 2022:
@Frye here was the opportunity to turn things around. Karl ahead of Hodgman de Groot WTF???
PGS ahead of Robinson, Jacobson and even Cullen Grace.
We will not win the WC. This is Foster's shit coaching like when he took Chiefs.
Fozzie basically said with Bower still learning & Ross new they needed Karl as their best scrummaging loose head in the squad. Karl’s lucky that’s for sure. If Moody was fit he’d be getting ready to fly to France. -
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
@TheMojoman said in All Blacks 2022:
@Stag said in All Blacks 2022:
@KiwiMurph obviously Blackadder would have been there, Luke Jacobson should be there and Cullen Grace absolutely should be there
I agree. Not taking anything away from Sowakula but Jacobson is the incumbent plus a like for like swap with Blackadder. Selectors probably thought Papali’i could play all 3 back row spots as well meaning they could bet on the upside of Sowakula.
Cullen gives you a tall 8/6 which they don’t really have. You’d have to shift Va’ai there to give the necessary size. I would love to see a Robinson/Grace type loosie in there but I think at some stage they had to try Sowakula to see if he’s test match material. If not now when?
Grace is shorter than PGS and Akira. NB: if wiki is to be believed.
So he is? My bad I thought he’d played lock at some point.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2022:
Haven’t read the thread yet, but PGS - WTF. He’d already gone well off the boil this season before the abortion that was his 80 minutes on Friday.
MMT must be eyeing up the Samoan squad after seeing that selection.
That was my thought too ie, PGS had faded. The selectors must’ve thought he was overworked as the primary ball carrier at the Chiefs. I guess if they were ever going to try him now is the time, still some time before RWC and a spot opening up with Blackadder’s injury.
