What the title says, assuming a 34 man squad for the July tests who should be the 4 ,5 or 6 midfielders that Rennie selects to play France, Ireland and Italy?
Ethan De Groot
Codie Taylor
Fletcher Newell
Josh Lord
Fabian Holland/Sam Darry
Wallace Sititi
Anton Segner/Lucas Casey/Du'Plessis Kirifi
Ardie Savea
Cam Roigard
Ruben Love
Caleb Clarke/(ideally Fehi)
Quinn Tupaea
Billy Proctor
Will Jordan
Jordie Barrett
Asafo Aumua
Ollie Norris
George Dyer/Pasilio Tosi
Scott Barrett/Tupou Vaa'i
Peter Lakai
Noah Hotham
Leicester Fainga'anuku
Damian McKenzie/Beauden Barrett
I think the front row sort of picks itself based on form/fitness. I put Taylor over Aumua because of experience but Aumua would make a huge impact off the bench. Ollie Norris has been awesome for the Chiefs, so I'd like to see him in the team.
Locks are a bit harder because they all add their own value but I'd like to see Scott and Tupou come off the bench and they add cover at 6.
I'd love to get a traditional ball winning 7 back in that position. I feel like we've been missing that and I prefer Ardie at 8 because he's dynamic and is great off the back of a scrum. Ardie played his best rugby for the All Blacks at 8 in 2023, so I'd like to see him back at 8.
Half back is a no brainer, I think hes a lock for every person in new zealand.
Ruben Love has shown massive improvement since moving to 10 for the canes. His goal kicking has become world class and his passing is elite. We need to see him at 10 for the All Blacks.
In the centers I like Quinn but at 12 and I'd love to see Proctor next to a true 12. He was awesome last year for the Canes next to Peter Umanga-Jensen and hasn't been as effective this year next to Jordie. I think Jordie can add just as much impact at 15 and we need a tall fullback with a good boot (I miss Dagg).
Will Jordan on the wing was up there with the two French boys and the two south African scrum caps. I don't see him adding more value at fullback rather than on the wing. Caleb Clarkes always solid but is card prone. I'd prefer to see a more creative winger like Fehi but I can't see anyone else at that level yet.
The bench is picked based on what I think would add the biggest impact. Leicester for his versatility. McKenzie has been the world's best 23 for the last few years but could see Barrett work too. Hotham is the perfect bench half back, catches people napping at rucks and is always pushing the tempo.
I'm not claiming to be an expert, I watch a lot of super rugby and enjoy talking rugby. The center pairing is something I'd love to see because I don't think Proctor really showed what he is capable of last year and I think Quinn would work well with him.
Let me know what you think!
Saw the same question asked on the Australia rugby sub and curious.
Who do you reckon?
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Can’t wait to see you all in a few months.
Both have achieved everything, but if you could only have one in your team for a high-stakes final today, who would it be? Is it the pure talent of Messi or the elite mentality and physique of CR7? Let's hear your reasons!"
If you had to pick a starting backrow, 2nd tier backrow and a 3rd tier backrow for the ABs right now based off eligible players, who are you picking? Seems 6 is our biggest question mark, and the form NZ backrows I’m seeing mostly have mostly short 7/8 hybrids. Sititi/Savea/Lakai is the main one I see circulating, which is a very small international backrow imo. We should be investing in players like Malachi wrampling, torian barnes, dom Gardiner. I think kaylum boshier could be great if he had a consistent, injury free season. Sick of seeing Simon Parker in ABs discussions
But definitely not in the game of the season
We respect him for all his work, but man it’s time Beaudy
IF he was available and eligible for the All Blacks immediately, would you have him as one of your starting locks?
Edit: I am fully aware he is a Japan national player and that he was born in NZ. I am also aware that there is a stand down period before changing representation for country
Interesting given his physical presence in this Blues vs. Canes game and he has been really impactful for the blues in the games of theirs I have watched this year.
Granted mostly attacking contributions because I haven't monitored his defense contribution.
Tragic… At a time when the game had well been lost for the Landers as well. It looks like he’s ruptured his achilles, just like Tyrese Haliburton. Absolutely harrowing for the man, and a big knock to the ABs.
What now? Him and Clarke looked pretty deadset as our top wingers.
I life in Aus and rely on Stan for my npc coverage.
Just found out online that Stan renewed their broadcasting for 2026 to 2030 and cut NPC 😭😭😭
I dont know of NPC moving to TVNZ+ had something to do with it.
Any other kiwis living in Aus confirm?
we need to see Pat toops and any assistant captain step up spiritually on the field.
I just have to see it. need to see him barking orders . need to see fire in his eyes. need to see a visible real actual unit of men around him that listen to him. he’s the captain ffs. picked by the coach. the fkn coach with a brain that can make or not make decision.
need to see Beuden barret get pulled immediately for lack of fire -flaccid intensity IN FAVOUR of a new player at fullback ( encourage the youth)
blues coach needs to be able to spot and penalise effort levels in his players.
Segner as captain next year . groom him to be in the allblack squad (not necessarily a starter so relax you idiots who cry about him having zero experience. )