All Blacks 2022
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If Ardie is big enough for 8, then so is Blackadder. Except neither of them are really.
Papalii is just a younger Cane. Big defensive heart, but not a lot extra.
If Sotutu, Savea and Blackadder all played 7 we would have some really interesting options there. Instead we are stuck with Savea at 8, a tackler at 7, and needing to pick a big limited 6 in Barrett or Frizz to try to balance the trio - and we are still going to get beaten up by the big packs. Admittedly the injury forced front row changes have helped a lot with the overall balance of the pack, and lessened that problem, maybe even enough to hide it until the WC when we have 3 big packs in a row to play. -
@reprobate out of curiousity, do you think that these 'big packs' really are bigger? By much?
I haven't looked up size differences but my general feeling that it is more the direct style of play that has troubled us rather than size.
NZ teams don't tend to play forwards winding up in close and our systems aren't set for it. The momentum equation has the velocity as a factor on the same level as mass. I think velocity plays a big part in other teams gaining momentum against us which is why it annoys me that our own possible momentum weapons often go forward off a standing (or near standing) start.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
Edit: Just wondered if we need a page or collection point for contract details. Often a point of discussion and some posters keep track of this stuff. Maybe an AB one and one for each Super team? That way when a story like this comes along we could file the info instead of googling later on. Just an idea.
In my experience from the last few years, if you make pages with lists of info about players, signings etc, people just keep on asking for those details in threads, because they forget about the existence of those pages, or they can't be bothered to look at those pages. Not worth the work, for me.
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Just did a quick add up of the Ireland pack in the 3rd test and our most recent starting pack to see if this talk of us having to play 'the big packs' has much in it.
ABs 914kg v Ireland 893kg
Front rows 357 v 349
Locks 240 v 228
Loosies 317 v 31621kg overall but pretty even all around.
We won't be the biggest pack going but I doubt there is that much difference.
EDIT: Just added up the French starting pack from their last 6N game (v England)
931kg
All the difference can be attributed to Utonio whose stat is 17kg heavier than he largest other prop. (145kg). Locks are about on par as are loosies.I'm going to stop listening to shite about 'the big packs'. I just think they play 'bigger'.
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@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
Just did a quick add up of the Ireland pack in the 3rd test and our most recent starting pack to see if this talk of us having to play 'the big packs' has much in it.
ABs 914kg v Ireland 893kg
Front rows 357 v 349
Locks 240 v 228
Loosies 317 v 31621kg overall but pretty even all around.
We won't be the biggest pack going but I doubt there is that much difference.
I remember a similar thing when England were dominant around the 2003 wc .
All the talk was about the big English pack , on the scales we were similar sized , they were just better . -
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
@reprobate out of curiousity, do you think that these 'big packs' really are bigger? By much?
I haven't looked up size differences but my general feeling that it is more the direct style of play that has troubled us rather than size.
NZ teams don't tend to play forwards winding up in close and our systems aren't set for it. The momentum equation has the velocity as a factor on the same level as mass. I think velocity plays a big part in other teams gaining momentum against us which is why it annoys me that our own possible momentum weapons often go forward off a standing (or near standing) start.
Agree. Mind you it didn’t do much for Harry Wilson!
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@kiwiinmelb
The SA forwards are not bigger either. But their commitment in the rucks is ferocious and their mauling technique is top notch. -
An article about McKenzie. Basically Marshall saying his form is not as good as when he left. He ask whether he should be in the AB squad or the AB XV squad
An "I watched The Breakdown and took notes" article. Stuff copying Rugbypass
At this moment in time I think Perofeta is clearly the better player. However Foster has been very loyal to older players
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@Duluth That's what counts for 'journalism' these days sadly. Third hand messages dressed up with a headline
I haven't seen any inkling that DMac is in the AB selectors plans to be honest. He is a known quantity and brilliant as he can be he doesn't solve any current problems (and possibly brings in some new ones). He is worth keeping around though as his value in a RWC squad could be high if injuries disrupt plans (which they will).
If I was a selector I think I would be explaining to him how he might fit in and let him play a season of Super with a focus on tuning up to that play. His best value at the moment could be to be a backup to Mounga. If he can show a controlled and thoughtful kicking game to add to picking out good decisions in distribution then his value goes up. He is by far the best 10 in the country at putting a swift ball in front of a runner at a gap. Has a great eye for opportunity and, if getting good ball from his 9, has time on the ball.
Don't think there's room for him currently though. -
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@Stargazer said in All Blacks 2022:
@Crucial It will be interesting where he will play for the Chiefs. At 10 or at fullback. If fullback, that won't help his ABs chances.
See the Chiefs 2023 thread. They are already offloading 10s and working out succession plans as they have too many 10/15s.
Luckily 10/15 is all the go again at the moment and Super requires quite a bit of rotation so I can see him getting time in both positions which would benefit him as an AB backup.
I like what Perofeta did at Super this year but we have yet to see whether he can fit in at international level. Experience wise DMac has a big advantage there. -
@Crucial has Josh Ioane signed for another year with the chiefs?
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@Kiwiwomble Nothing announced about Ioane re-signing.
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@Bovidae and I don't think he has been that bad. Narrowly missed some key kicks in opening game and the odd dropped balls. What I have noticed is two things. He runs less and concentrates more on putting others into space. And his kicking from hand is improved. It is versatile and accurate unlike most other 10s. I just have the feeling people are playing him down because he is not ripping it up from backfield in 15 any more.
What are the key criticisms? -
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:
Poor analysis from Marshall and Stuff as well. DMac has played 1st 5 for Waikato in the majority of the games. It's only been a midweek game and injuries to other players that have meant he has been on the bench, or at fullback.
Yeah I just checked
10 matches
7 starts at 10
2 starts at 15
1 game on the bench (the midweek match) -
@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
I like what Perofeta did at Super this year but we have yet to see whether he can fit in at international level. Experience wise DMac has a big advantage there.
Perofeta (vs DMac) has the same problem as Fakatava (vs Weber), but worse.
They need to prove they can hack it at test level, but where do they get their chance?
So far, Stephen's got about 60 seconds more test experience than me! DMac has got 40 tests under his belt. Especially if they decide to make a late shift of Jordie to the midfield, they'll need to give Beauden lots of games at fullback.
I'm wondering how they're going to work things with the ABs vs the ABs XV. Surely, they're going to release some of the fringe ABs to play for the XV (in the same way they get released to play NPC). But, do they pick e.g. a 36 man AB squad and a 28 man XV squad - or two squads of 32?
