Potential noobs?

[cashead]

The All Blacks are slated to take a squad of 51, 32 being the main lot, and an extra 19 to cover for the 20-odd that head to London, rather than stick around for the Tokyo test. So in other words, lots of new boys.

Hooker: We may see a recall for Parsons or Hansen may finally pull the trigger on Riccitelli. The former is in good form for Harbour, and brings experience and leadership that may be vital against a team that has shown they can now tip over some big teams - just ask the Springboks. Riccitelli has consistently risen to the occasion for the Canes. With Coltman already in the squad, and Coles on the way back, if anyone gets a shot, it’ll be one of these two.

Prop: With Moody and Lualala back, the odds of seeing any new props are a bit long. We may see fringe players like Toomaga-Allen and Ta’avao swapped for Tyrel Lomax or Mike Alaalatoa.

Lock: Romano will likely get a recall. Out of the new guys, Josh Goodhue has been impressive with the Taniwha, and could join his brother.

Loose forwards: Akira Ioane will probably feature here, and. Vaea Fifita will likely get a recall. The point of interest is the openside; with Cane injured and Todd currently ineligible, we’ll probably see 2 new opensides called up. Dillon Hunt would have one spot sewn up, while we’re seeing Tasman’s Jed Brown putting his hand up as well. James Lentjes may be a possibility, but he’s just returning from a lay-off from a neck injury, so he may miss out.

Halfback: Bryn Hall is a possibility to challenge for the third halfback spot, as is one-cap All Black Brad Weber. Not much else to state here.

Five-eighth: If a fourth is needed, expect to see Bryn Garland or Josh Ioane to get a nod, but assuming the McKenzie experiment is ongoing, assume there won’t be any new 10s.

Midfield: Matt Faddes has been in impressive for AOTA go, and surely deserves a look.

Wingers: Expect a recall for Matt Duffie.

Fullbacks: With the abundance of talent here, Will Jordan may get a look, but there may not be any new faces.

[Lizard]

So is the 1st XV playing Bled III and then heading to Europe?

[cashead]

Looks that way.

[zer0]

Dalton Papali'i is supposedly in line for selection. It's a good call. He was very good in his limited appearances for the Blues this year and has dominated the NPC, including Dillon Hunt earlier this very afternoon.

Auckland flanker Dalton Papali'i looks set to be a surprise call up to the All Blacks when the squad for the end of season tour to Japan and Europe is named on Monday.

Papali'i, who turned 21 last week, had another outstanding game for Auckland in their 45-29 win over North Harbour on Sunday at Eden Park.

While his Auckland coach, Alama Ieremia, didn't confirm Papali'i, was going to make the All Blacks, he did try to sidestep a question when asked if he's going to lose any players for Saturday's semifinal against Wellington because of All Blacks call ups.

"Let's just say I can't answer that for now, that's an awkward question," Ieremia said smiling in the post match press conference, with Papali'i sitting next to him.

But it is believed Dalton has been selected for the trip as the All Blacks selectors look for someone to fill in for Sam Cane, who'll be out for several months with a broken neck.

Names that have been thrown around as a replacement include Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes and Mitch Karpik.

Others might also get selected for the trip, but it appears Papali'i's seat on the plane is sorted.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/pro ... r-for-tour

Aside from that, the depth chart after Taylor at hooker is pretty uninspiring, to say the least. Might as well have a look at some other options such as Makalio and/or Riccitelli.

[Lizard]

1st XV:
Hookers: Dane Coles, Nathan Harris, Codie Taylor

Props: Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi

​Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock

​Loose forwards: Vaea Fifita, Dalton Papali'i*, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Matt Todd

​Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga

​Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams

Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith

2nd XV:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Liam Coltman

​Props: Tyrel Lomax*, Reuben O'Neill*, Tim Perry, Angus Ta'avao

Locks: Luke Romano

Loose forwards: Jackson Hemopo, Gareth Evans*, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock

Halfbacks: Mitchell Drummond*, Bryn Hall*

First five-eighths: Brett Cameron*

Midfielders: Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor*

Outside backs: George Bridge*, David Havili, Nehe Milner-Skudder


While I get the reasons for the dual-squad approach, I'm not entirely comfortable with it. I would be happier if the side playing Japan wasn't capped and played as a New Zealand XV, like when the All Blacks played in Argentina and Uruguay just after the tour to South Africa in 1976.

Mind you, it's not the first time. In 1949, separate squads played (and lost) concurrent test series in South Africa and against Aussie at home.


* Potential new All Blacks

[Mellsblue]

Please tell me the 2nd XV are going on the NH leg of the tour. No? ****.

[cashead]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are kept around in case of injury.

[cashead]

So Papali'i's call-up is about him being a 6.5, which we haven't had since Adam Thomson headed overseas.

[morepork]

They are all the rage in England.

[Mellsblue]

They are all the rage in England.

Southern Hemisphere flankers?

[morepork]

Shouldn't you be on the phone to Thomas Waldrom?

[Mellsblue]

He has an English grandmother whom he’s never met and didn’t even know about until he moved to Leicester. That not English enough for you?

[Puja]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

[zer0]

So Papali'i's call-up is about him being a 6.5, which we haven't had since Adam Thomson headed overseas.

He's shaping up to be a much better player than Thomson ever was. But he'll predominately play blindside, which is where he has been playing/dominating for Auckland, and where he'll line up next season with the Blues -- assuming Gibson can avoid his unfortunate habit of picking up long term injuries.

[Mellsblue]

assuming Gibson can avoid his unfortunate habit of picking up long term injuries.

Ooh. He sounds like an EQP. What’s he like?

[Mellsblue]

Was James Lowe ever seriously on the All Black radar?

[morepork]

There were calls for it but Hansen stuck with others. Is he about to become Irish?

[Mellsblue]

It wouldn’t be a surprise. He has been superb since he took the €€€€€

[cashead]

He had a reasonable try-scoring rate of 1 every other game or so (around 0.6), and generally rarely made many mistakes. He wasn't really a flashy player, but he could be relied on to make a few clean breaks and score a try when it was needed. He's a safer player than, say, Waisake Naholo, but he couldn't, or didn't get the opportunities to do the sort of stuff Naholo could either.

I'm not surprised he's been a hit with Leinster, to be honest.

[Lizard]

He was very, very good at domestic level. Perhaps didn’t have that x-factor brilliance that demands an All Black cap. When he left, we were already struggling to fit Naholo, Ioane, Smith, Dagg, McKenzie and Savea into our back 3. He’s one of those players who you would not begrudge for 1 second taking a cap from another country because he is probably test quality but was never going to get a decent go for NZ through no fault of his own but poor timing of his birth.

[cashead]

Seeing David Havili in the squad, IMO, it's worth developing him as a long-range kicker option. Have you ever seen either Barrett, Mo'unga or D-Mac take a 50+m kick?

Why Havili? In his test appearances, he's generally a useful player, he can slot in just about anywhere in the backline (although he's spent most of his time with Tasman at 12 and his time with the Crusaders at 15), and he can kick long-range goals.




There is Jordie Barrett as a DG option, but he does have the tendency to make the odd clanger of a decision, mind.

[Stom]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

[Puja]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

[Lizard]

Anyway, the Welsh are stealing our 20th choice wing - shouldn't we be focussing on that?

Puja

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

[Puja]

And the Scots are (re)stealing our 14th choice flanker!

Really? Who?

Puja

Blade “Haggis” Thomson.

Firstly, that christian name is utterly ridiculous and I refuse to take seriously anyone whose name sounds like the alter ego of a third rate superhero. Secondly, that's one of their Kiwi poaches, which of our discards have they got their beady little eyes on?

Puja