I still think Akira is the long term AB six. His power in countering the opposition's mauls must not be overlooked, while he was the only forward to make offensive tackles. I can remember one occasion when Malherbe lost about six or seven meters against him.

I know most of the Ferners prefer Mo'unga to BB but the latter launched his backline perfectly against the Argies last Sunday. It was smooth and direct. I can't remember Mo'unga doing the same with the black jersey. Of course, Mo'unga is a far better goalkicker but with Jordie taking the goalkicking duties, this could not be a problem anymore. Moreover, defensively, BB is superior to RM, IMO.

Current status :

Hookers : Codie Taylor's loss of form is an issue as Dane Coles is still out with injury. That leaves only ST as international class hooker. Eklund is currently the second best Nr.2.

LHP : Moody's injury leaves a gap. The contenders are Bower, Karl T (not yet on the scene), Hodgman, De Groot and Ross. I would think the last three are the best bet.

THP : Ofa T is way above the rest. Newell could be the answer as his backup as Laulala, Ta'avao and Lomax have been very disappointing.

Locks : Barrett and Retallick are certainties. Vaa'i and Lord should be in the squad. Romano is too old but his physicality would have been helpful against Ireland. Is Whitelock really too old or is it just a lack of form ?

Blindside : Akira Ioane would be my first on the sheet. Jacobson and Blackadder are versatile and have a good workrate. I'd have them in the squad.

Openside : Cane is the captain and is playing well, so he won't be dropped. It's a shame for Papali'i who is the best 7 on current form.

Nr.8 : Ardie Savea is probably considered exclusively as a Nr.8 these days. Sotutu is probably the second best behind him. Sowakula's recent drop of form could alter his chances of winning a call.

Halfbacks : Smith of course. But who behind him ? Christie is the form Nr.9. Fakatava is regaining some form lately, which is not the case for TJP. Weber was poor before his injury.

1st Five : big problem here as there are two world class players (Barrett and Mo'unga) but not necessarily two good 1st Fives, and nobody behind them (Perofeta maybe ?). So the cupboard is really bare.

2nd Five : Havili's loss of form and confidence could cost him his place in the squad. I'd like Foster to try something new with TUJ and/or RTS, along with Tupaea.

Centre : Rieko and Sullivan are the best performers. I would be glad to see the latter as a bolter in the next squad. Let's see how Goodhue come back during the next week.

Wings : Reece is consistently good. He'll be on the starting team sheet. Jordan will also be there as there are not a lot of possibilities : Clarke and Bridge (unfortunately). LF is not playing his best rugby, while Savea and Rayasi are rocks and diamonds. Lam as a bolter ?

Fullbacks : JB with Jordan as his backup. Too early for Moorby and Sullivan. Perofeta ?

So the ABs finished the game with the following forwards :

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Liam Coltman
Ofa T
Scott Barrett
Jackson Hemopo
Shannon Frizell
Matt Todd
Luke Whitelock

Who could have guessed that at the beginning of the season ?

People in this forum are great fans of Richie Mounga. He's had a mare : missed an easy tackle on Daly who is not the quickest fullback nor the strongest one (this led to England's first try), then could not handle the English rush defence. Let's hope he'll learn from this very disappointing performance.
The Bounga experiment was clearly a failure with BB's kicking from hand being an issue. Would DMac have done better ?

I’d live to see a backrow with Ioane, Jacobson and Papali’i, with Savea off the bench.

I think that Akira Ioane must start against Ireland as the Irish love to make relentless drives with their forwards. He is able to set them on the backfoot with his offensive tackles. Blackadder has a huge workrate but is not as efficient as Akira Ioane in this respect.

For me, Olo Brown is another certainty. He was the best tighthead prop in the world in the late nineties while Charlie Faumuina never was.

A few random thoughts :

This is the third shit game from the ABs in 13 months (vs England, 1st and 4th Bled).
No depth at all at tighthead prop since Lomax and Laulala seemed to struggle (4th Bled for Lomax, 2nd Bled for Laulala).
Akira was on fire till he was pulled out. I'd like to see a starting combo of Ioane - Cane - Sotutu with Savea on the bench. This could be devastating.
SB was good till his brainfart. His YC card certainly cost NZ the game.
Vaa'i was good when he came in. Far better than his SRA outings were suggesting.
Weber added pace to the backline when he came in. He should be given more gametime against the Argies.

Those who are citing Ngatai or Laumape as potential Jesuses have not watched them in the Top 14 this year. They have been meh at best.

Wales lost the game when, with 30 seconds left, Tomos Williams kicked away a good lineout possession. Why didn't he keep the ball with his forwards. A draw was a good result. Better than a loss anyway.

Goodhue is leaving so Sangster or Gallagher or MSR.

Kemara is the most surprising omission. The Highlanders first five (Faleafaga ?) is another one who caught the eye but who is not selected. The beefy Chiefs lock looked like a certainty to me but does not figure either.

And what about Dominic Bird ?

What are the chances of players like Telea or Lam ? I am convinced the latter is of international calibre.

@Crazy-Horse He was rightly pinged twice against a journeyman, not against a scrum ace. I was among those who thought that he should be selected for this winter's squad but his last outings were rather meh. His form has slipped sensibly. This is why Ryan is giving his preference to Jager. Currently ... but things may change.

As far as tackling is concerned, Finau is the most Kainoesque loose forward in NZ.

@Billy-Tell said in All Blacks 2022:

@cgrant said in All Blacks 2022:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:

@cgrant I think there could be a new tighthead prop to replace Taavao and Lomax. I'd pick Newell, but it could be Jager. Next couple of weeks will be interesting there.

The loose forward injuries potentially open up a chance for someone - I previously had 6 spots inked in and a plus one, who could have been capped or uncapped. Now there's likely plus three - with Ioane, Cane, Savea and Sotutu inked in. MMT and Robinson probably the best uncapped chances, since I don't think they'll pick an uncapped 7 unless we lose Cane or Savea.

There's probably at least one spot available in the midfield - I think RTS has the inside running, Sullivan if they're prepared to take two newbies.

And probably one in the outside backs - could go to a fullback (probably Perofeta) or a wing (Leicester, Talea or some other bolter).

Newell had a mare against the Reds. He was surprisingly well dominated by his opponent at scrum time, conceding two successive penalties. Jager or maybe Williams could be the bolter on the TH side.

He did not have a mare. Jager was better than expected but newell looks very promising. There have been a heap of crap props in recent times but some of the youngsters look full of potential.

He is very promising but I maintain he had a mare against the Reds. It's a bit too early for him IMO. He should be in the squad next year or for the EOYT.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2022:

@cgrant I think there could be a new tighthead prop to replace Taavao and Lomax. I'd pick Newell, but it could be Jager. Next couple of weeks will be interesting there.

The loose forward injuries potentially open up a chance for someone - I previously had 6 spots inked in and a plus one, who could have been capped or uncapped. Now there's likely plus three - with Ioane, Cane, Savea and Sotutu inked in. MMT and Robinson probably the best uncapped chances, since I don't think they'll pick an uncapped 7 unless we lose Cane or Savea.

There's probably at least one spot available in the midfield - I think RTS has the inside running, Sullivan if they're prepared to take two newbies.

And probably one in the outside backs - could go to a fullback (probably Perofeta) or a wing (Leicester, Talea or some other bolter).

Newell had a mare against the Reds. He was surprisingly well dominated by his opponent at scrum time, conceding two successive penalties. Jager or maybe Williams could be the bolter on the TH side.

@Canes4life
The Canes do not necessarily need a worldclass lock : they just need to combine their best players (Sangster + IWL and Delany on the bench). Parsons also did well in his few outings. Of course, a worldclass lock would be useful. But who ?