All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT 2024

[Bullrush]

Have you just chosen to completely ignore certain games?

Akira's first proper test start came against Argentina following the test where Argentina beat ABs for the first time with Frizell was at 6 (Akira's first actual test start vs Wallabies he had to come off after 20 minutes as a front rower got red carded so when a scrum happened they had to replace someone else when bringing a front rower):


Or perhaps vs the Wallabies in Perth from Akira:

And what happened when they played South Africa? It's the Tests against the Boks or Ireland that I really want a forward to make a mark. Bullying the Wallabies doesn't impress me that much.

 

[Tomthumb]

And what happened when they played South Africa? It's the Tests against the Boks or Ireland that I really want a forward to make a mark. Bullying the Wallabies doesn't impress me that much.

If that's the qualification then it's a bit harsh on Sotutu as he's never played Ireland and only has 1 appearance off the bench vs South Africa (in an AB's win)

 

[Bullrush]

If that's the qualification then it's a bit harsh on Sotutu as he's never played Ireland and only has 1 appearance off the bench vs South Africa (in an AB's win)

That's fair... but in his 14 Tests, did he do anything like what Sititi has done in 4?

 

[Tomthumb]

That's fair... but in his 14 Tests, did he do anything like what Sititi has done in 4?

Sititi has only played 1 test against South Africa, and he played well. His other 2 starts were against Australia so they don't count

 

[Bullrush]

Sititi has only played 1 test against South Africa, and he played well. His other 2 starts were against Australia so they don't count

And his 1 Test against SA was better than anything Sotutu has done in 14...

 

[Tomthumb]

And his 1 Test against SA was better than anything Sotutu has done in 14...

The term "small sample size" comes to mind

Along with the fact Sotutu has never started a test against South Africa and was never apart of a forward pack so devoid of ball running options so you are comparing apples with oranges

Sititi may be great, but we all know the only reason Sotutu wasn't picked was the old 'coach trying to prove he's smarter than the average punter'

 

[Bullrush]

The term "small sample size" comes to mind

Along with the fact Sotutu has never started a test against South Africa and was never apart of a forward pack so devoid of ball running options so you are comparing apples with oranges

Sititi may be great, but we all know the only reason Sotutu wasn't picked was the old 'coach trying to prove he's smarter than the average punter'

I have no reason to think that I know know better than the last 2 All Black coaching teams.

BTW - I have repeatedly said that I think Sotutu did enough in Super this year to earn another shot. But I also don't think he grabbed his opportunities the same way Sititi obviously has. The fact that neither of us can really point to anything he did in the AB jersey only reinforces that.

 

[KiwiM]

It shouldn't be Sotutu vs Sititi - it should be both of them.

Our bench has absolutely sucked all season with a couple of exceptions (England 2, Wallabies 2) - we have a loose forward who was the best player in Super Rugby who is in the form of his life - a guy that would be in the conversation to having the best ball skills of any forward in the world - and could open up 6-2 bench opportunities - but no - stubborn Razor sticks with injury prone favourites as part of a lopsided loose forward group.

 

[Linerunner2023]

Can’t believe sotutu didn’t get picked in the top 6 loosies in nz easily being the best 8 in super rugby

robertson has so many hybrid 6/7/8 players and many who break down a lot he has no real point of difference other then hard working backrowers

6 Sititi 7 savea 8 sotutu would work well with a Jacobson/ paapali or Blackadder off the bench covering all positions

 

[Dan54]

I think when we wonder why players are picked or dropped is not on what we see on TV at super level. Sotutu has been in ABs, I have heard Ryan say countless times players can lose positions with attitude at training, which I have heard commented by a number of coached, Graham Henry, Steve Hansen etc etc.. I don't know if Sotutu has an attitude or not, but I do wonder if there is a problem there. On Sititi one of things that coming out of camp is he does everything he can at training to get better, he is in coaches and senior players ear all the time, Savea was laughing about the questions he asks all the time. Personally I thoiught Sotutu would get run, but he's pissing someone off it would seem.

 

[KiwiM]

I don't know if Sotutu has an attitude or not, but I do wonder if there is a problem there.

What would be interesting is to hear the thoughts of Vern Cotter on this - and also noting Vern Cotter has history with Jase Ryan (Jase Ryan was the Fiji forwards coach for a period whilst Cotter was head coach from memory).

Attitude related it would make more sense this year if they brought him in and then discarded him this year - but he hasn't even been in the squad this year. So he's had his best year ever under Cotter and they haven't brought him in because of attitude based on... attitude from what? Super Rugby feedback? His last AB involvement in 2022?

I'd give Ryan and Razor more leeway if the loose forwards were performing - but they've been on the whole, Sititi aside, pretty disappointing as a group.

I guess I just don't trust this coaching group and how they handle loose forwards - they overplay some players, underplay others, have an unbalanced group, and the performance just isn't there. Meanwhile - the best player in Super Rugby in the best form of his career hasn't been given a shot this year.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The whining has begun...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Team named for Saturday, reasonably what is expexted.
All Blacks team vs Japan:

1. Tamaiti Williams
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Pasilio Tosi
4. Scott Barrett (c)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu
6. Samipeni Finau
7. Sam Cane
8. Wallace Sititi
9. Cam Roigard
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Mark Tele'a
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Billy Proctor
14. Sevu Reece
15. Stephen Perofeta
16. George Bell
17. Ethan de Groot
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Sam Darry
20. Peter Lakai
21. Cortez Ratima
22. David Havili
23. Ruben Love

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

1news has a slightly different team sheet:

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Sam Darry, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele'a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta. Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai*, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love*.

* Potential debutant

Wonder if ScoBar is injured or unwell?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

LOL

- "Dave" doing the AB media.
- article has 3 full colour photos of "Dave" in action.
- "Dave" waxing elliptical on all matters All Black.

"Dave", on merit, should be nowhere near the motherf******* All Blacks.

AJ Lam, either of the Umaga Jensen bros, ffs I'd have that granny-grudded turnstile Levi Aumua in ahead of All Black spokesman "Dave"

 

[KiwiM]

Get you someone in life that loves you the way that Razor loves Havili

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Last years match was close. 31-38.

Sure, Japan's results havent really been up there lately but, at home, they will be well up for this. Eddie Jones might be charalatan of the century but he can briefly light a fire under pricks and get them to run through walls for him

That article makes the AB camp all feel a bit C-word. Complacent. They've reduced this match to the entree of the tour, the 1st base kiss and cuddle before they get strapped to the four poster and ******** *********** *************** to Valhalla on the "proper" tour up north.

AB's, no rugby for an age now and that AB side have never played together. Plus they'll be feted in Japan as rugby gods, they might just let all that smoke getting blown up their arses tepee up in their brains..... might just take their eyes off the prize......

 

[Dan54]

1news has a slightly different team sheet:

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Sam Darry, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele'a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta. Reserves: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai*, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love*.

* Potential debutant

Wonder if ScoBar is injured or unwell?

Didn't notice that ScB was in that team WOB, not even aure where it came up. Obvious he wasn't there with Pat T as captain.

 

[KiwiM]

Didn't notice that ScB was in that team WOB, not even aure where it came up. Obvious he wasn't there with Pat T as captain.

Sums up ScoBar's form since returning from injury. Forgettable.

 

[Dan54]

Sums up ScoBar's form since returning from injury. Forgettable.

I will be honest Kiwi, I actually at moment think Vai'i is playing best of our locks, but I sure Scobar is going alright, just not in loose etc where we tend to notice on tv.