All Blacks 2022
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@taniwharugby Eddie Jones doesn’t hesitate to play locks at 6 as long as they like to tackle and cart the ball.
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Is Sowakula eligible for the ABs? He is the form No.8 in the country at the moment.
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@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
Is Sowakula eligible for the ABs? He is the form No.8 in the country at the moment.
Lol he’s been solid but nowhere near Ardie’s level of performance. As Dagg and Marshall put it, Ardie’s not only the best in the Canes by a long way but he’s the standout player in NZ across the first three rounds.
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
@old-samurai-jack said in All Blacks 2022:
Is Sowakula eligible for the ABs? He is the form No.8 in the country at the moment.
Lol he’s been solid but nowhere near Ardie’s level of performance. As Dagg and Marshall put it, Ardie’s not only the best in the Canes by a long way but he’s the standout player in NZ across the first three rounds.
Will Jordan would have an argument for best player in NZ
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@canes4life said in All Blacks 2022:
Lol he’s been solid but nowhere near Ardie’s level of performance. As Dagg and Marshall put it, Ardie’s not only the best in the Canes by a long way but he’s the standout player in NZ across the first three rounds.
AAAAH, AAAAAAHH, OOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
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@kiwimurph yeah he’s been brilliant aswell. Building a case for that fullback spot, that’s for sure.
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@canes4life I think pita gus skill set is very good. If he can keep it going I think he provides more balance as an 8. He was great off the scrum, hits hard and he and Brad webber played the blues perfectly with that 8 9 heads up play.
He seems to play tighter than the other nz loosies. Maybe as the chiefs are still in a 1 33 1
I'm not sure on that though -
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@booboo I dont think his play at super has ever been an issue, even in black he could be effective if we had the right guys to compliment him
Its just about getting the balance right, when at present in black we seem to play 3 6.5s
Agree. But I can see Sam as an our and out 7, who we didn't have for much of last year's, and I think Ardie can become an out and out 8 (like So'oialo, or Scott Robertson for that matter).
Find a tight 6 that offers a bit (Akira in the first half of last year, Jacobsen or some other big munter) and add the 6.5 (Dalton, Blackadder) to the bench.
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@booboo none of those mentioned is an out and out 7, Ardie is probably the closest imo but I think in the eyes of our coaches, he is an 8 now, so that means Sam/Dalton at 7, Ardie is an 8 that can play 7 then Sotutu is probably our only specialist 8, with Jacobson more a 6/8 for me, while Akira is really only seen by them as a 6 but could be good at 8...
Haha round and round I go...
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Against the top nations (SA, France, Ireland), I'd like a 6/2 split on the bench : one hooker and two props, of course, plus one lock and two loose forwards. During the first half, when things are tight up front, the LF trio could be Ioane + Cane + Sowakula, then when things open up a bit (around the 50th minute), A. Savea and another LF (Blackadder, Sotutu, Papali'i ?) could be injected. Savea is lethal against tiring defenses and would be even more if he is fresh.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@booboo none of those mentioned is an out and out 7, Ardie is probably the closest imo but I think in the eyes of our coaches, he is an 8 now, so that means Sam/Dalton at 7, Ardie is an 8 that can play 7 then Sotutu is probably our only specialist 8, with Jacobson more a 6/8 for me, while Akira is really only seen by them as a 6 but could be good at 8...
Haha round and round I go...
Sam Cane?
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@booboo he doesn't play like an out and out 7, more 6.5 imo
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@bones said in All Blacks 2022:
Has no one else been impressed by Ainsley then?
Big, abrasive, hits hard on both sides of the ball and keeps busy. Scrummaging seems ok, but haven't paid much attention.
Can't be far off being eligible?
Is it as simple as a stand-down period after previously playing for Aust? I have been impressed with Ainsley's mobility and ball skills.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2022:
@booboo he doesn't play like an out and out 7, more 6.5 imo
Yeah and nah.
It's like the definition of a true all rounder at cricket: could said player be picked as a specialist in either role?
I'd not be happy with Sam at 6. He's a 7 and 7 only. Any of Ardie, Papalii, Blackadder I'd be happy with at either 6 or 7 (if required).
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@bones said in All Blacks 2022:
Has no one else been impressed by Ainsley then?
Big, abrasive, hits hard on both sides of the ball and keeps busy. Scrummaging seems ok, but haven't paid much attention.
Can't be far off being eligible?
I was going to bring him up last week when people were going on about Jager. I thought Ainsley did a good job on attack against the Chiefs (ran for 27 metres, 2nd highest forward) but did get penalized a couple of times, and against the Saders he ran for 14 metres (8 runs) making him the busiest prop. I only remember one time he got in real trouble and gave up a penalty but I like his involvements on attack.
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@old-samurai-jack yep. He shows more than Sotutu and adds more in grafting yards than Ardie. He always is breaking the gain line. Ardie then to 7.
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