u/Relevant-Ad5474

1. Love the intent - we’re back to playing brave, attacking rugby and given more time our timing should get better + handling errors reduced.

That being said..

2. We defended cluelessly at times, especially in the wider channels. we looked like Moana Pacifica against the Hurricanes. Go figure..

3. Roigard and Love are very promising - it’s refreshing having a 9 and 10 who are both running threats. At times last year having Ratima and BB felt like opposing defenders didn’t even have to bother looking after the inside channels. Love and Roigard look like they belong at international level and are unfazed by the occasion. We def need more depth at 9 - bringing Ratima on does not inspire confidence. Even if it’s at the 75th minute.

4. International rugby is a different physical beast. Unfortunately our 13 position is still an open debate and while he didn’t have a horrible game, Tupea seems to be more a 12. I also have a sneaking suspicion (hope I’m wrong) that he’s one of those players who loses his edge in international level because everyone is a notch bigger and faster. Oh and Rennie was 100% right about Jacobson.

What are the chances of Laidlaw being a future all black head coach?

Was really impressed with what he did with the 7s. Seemed to build a real culture there and brought through new players like Leroy Carter, Fehi F, and Tangitau etc.

Since then, Hurricanes have gone from strength to strength and play a NZ rugby style; attack minded with the right balance of structure and individual flair.

We already have a scotsman as the current assistant. Any chance he gets his shot after RWC either with or succeeding Rennie?

I have watched every all black game since 2000. I’ve noticed a trend creep in which I don’t think is talked about enough: Why on earth are players being played in multiple positions these days?

I miss the good old days when a 7 was a specialist 7. Locks were not moved to 6 or vice versa. 10s were not shifted to 15 to get ‘match experience’. 12s and 13s were not interchangeable.

All blacks started with the 13 jersey needing to be filled and we moved Leon McDonald and Mills there. Horrible failure, I thought we’d never play players out of position again.

Then we got success with players like Jane/Dagg/B smith going from fullback to wing. I acknowledge this 15 to 14 is the most successful switch.

But somewhere between Hansen and Fozzie, this went out of control. We chucked Reiko at 13, S Barrett at 6, Ardie at 8, B Barrett at 15, Jordie from 15 to 14 to 12. Razor only seemed to continue this.

Fast forward to today, we seem to not even know if loosies like ardie and lakai are 6/7/8, players like Vai’i are 5/6, Love, McKenzie and Bb Are 10s or 15s, ALB, Tupea etc are 12/13. It’s gotten way out of hand.

Any player will tell you they prefer clarity over what their position is and need time in that position to build combinations with players around them. Case in point - Reuben love finally got some consistency at 10 and look how much he’s grown. If Tupea is a 13, let him play there for the rest of the season and build a combination with Jordie. Same with our loosies. It’s these fine margins that the All Blacks are losing out on that matter at the very highest level. Hope Rennie stops the madness.

All blacks have always been blessed with a ton of talented wingers, with different styles and strengths.
Just to name a few since 2000s -

Hardworking wingers who finished well: Doug Howlett, Zac Guildford

Physical wingers: Julian Savea, Naholo, Telea

All-rounded, Fullback converts: Ben Smith, Izzy Dagg

Agile, footwork reliant: Nehe MS, Sevu Reece, Rocokoco

I know the ‘trending’ types of wingers often change according to game-plan and new rules. To me, we seem to be bringing in a lot of 7s players recently who excel at super; Leroy Carter, Fehi F, Tangitau. However, They’re raw and relatively untested in international level, which is worrying. I don’t see many international level standout wingers in NZ atm which is unheard of in recent times.

Question - what kind of winger is currently suited for the modern game and are we lacking in depth here?

Can be players who got injured or went overseas. I’ll start with 3 of my fav centers: Ngani Laumape, Charlie Ngatai and Richard Kahui

1. Importance of center pairings: The 2011 - 2015 winning RWC teams were dominant and had an established Nonu - Smith combination that held our backline together. Remember during those years we had multiple 10s: Carter, Slade, Donald, Barrett, Soponga and Cruden. We have sorely missed this stability for the past 11 years.

2. Unpopular opinion: Jordie Barrett at 12 really complicates our center pairing. I’m not disputing his starting position, but he’s an unconventional 12. It’s hard for him to gain front foot ball against tier 1 opponents, honestly because he’s so tall and his center of gravity is very high. This makes it awkward for our 10s (Barrett/ McKenzie/ Mounga) to find an out whenever they need front foot ball. He also roams around the field a lot (good workrate) but that sometimes makes it more difficult to play with. It doesn’t help that the All blacks are stocked with 12s and hardly any 13s: Tupea, ALB in my opinion are 12s. They’re good at crashing and provide stability for the 10.

3. Who does that leave us with?
   Option 1: Billy Proctor. He didn’t have the best season last year but he’s probably still the most natural 13 who can distribute and join the centers with the outside backs. I think he needs to be more physical for international rugby but the bigger problem is i noticed he does tend to throw intercept passes - ie his decision making needs work especially against outside-in wingers that rush infield to disrupt play (remember the Cheslin Kolbe Intercept).

Option 2: Move J Barrett to 13? He has the pace and distribution, and I think he’s a much more natural 13. Putting him at 12 imo makes him play too direct.

Option 3: Lester F/ Reiko - our outside backs will never see clean ball, let’s not go there

What do you guys think?

Anyone else think that Josh Jacomb is top quality? He’s not the flashiest like DMac or Love but every time I watch him, I’m impressed. He seems to always make the right decision and very effective at getting his backline firing. Maybe just missing the polish goal kicking. Yet whenever a big game comes like this weekend, DMac gets the nod again. Am I the only one? Any chance he gets the nod over BB in the all blacks?