Only 2 weeks until 15 a side rugby is back on our screens. Scott Robertson has named his All Black squad for the Rugby Championship 2024. Some big names back. Some young guns in. And some notable cuts. Lots to discuss.
Cannot wait for the ABs to touch down. The highlight of the annual rugby calendar for us bokke fans. Good to see Sam Cane back in action. Tim - if you were overwhelmed by the atmosphere at the games against Ireland, be prepared to experience something special when we play the ABs. Greatest rivalry 🤝
I'm a kiwi that has married a Saffa. Trying my best to convince my wife that we need to go visit her family when the AB's play in SA. Because I miss them so much...
After wondering what had happened to Bok rugby back a few years it's obvious your boys have got it sorted ,to the extent you have it over us in the last few years.Im so looking forward to the future tours and the apprehension, can we beat the boks
As a kiwi, I do not understand the hate towards Sam Cane. You are spot on in regard to being a serious talent to get to 95 tests as an All Black. In South Africa his hardness and experience is going to be invaluable. We are seeing a carefully managed and exciting transition from old to new in the ABs. Hard to be an All Black coach; planning for a 4 year world cup cycle but also having to deal with the the expectation of having to win every test!
Not hate.. more frustration that he always gets picked and doesn't perform when we need him to on most occasions compared to Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii etc.
@@Erock1275but those guys would be 6.5s in the 7 role. England used to try that, didn't work. On the Sam Cane selection Its a very simple one. Rassie went on record saying recently saying "we dont play a fetcher at 6, we expect Siya to tackle and hit rucks (which is PSdT's job as well as the 7/blind side) and anyone who succeeds Siya will be employed in the same tackling and grafting role" So.. either pick Kwagga as a fetcher at 8 and go without a genuine No 8 or pick an 8 and go without a genuine fetcher. Marx's injury at the start of the '23 RWC did for the Boks and they got rinsed at the breakdown vs IRE, FRA and ENG (until their best fetcher came on to spare their blushes). Bongi's injury and Fourie coming on at the start of the final and Sam Canes Red saved alot of Bokke blushes, picking Sam Cane as a genuine fetcher - who put paid to IRE in the WC - will give the Ab back row both balance and teeth - things that the Bokke (currently, with their "empty the tank!" baloney) are unable to muster in their own back row.
I’m not surprised Christie has been replaced. The youth is looking good in that area. Looking lite at lock though, especially with Barrett out for the start of the RC with broken finger. Need to get some minutes in Darry’s legs at international level anyway. Josh Lord at 205cm is in as cover too. I’d also argue that ABs front rows is at least as good as SAs in scrummaging. Possibly even an edge off the bench. Wouldn’t have said that two years ago. Cane selection good. Defence wins games and he’s the best tackling forward we have. Good squad overall.
Agreed! I feel our old boys have lost their edge. We are at the cusp of the transitioning stage with our props and hookers. We clearly focusing on next WC cycle in this regard. At this moment - I feel your front row has the edge indeed.
I was surprised Christie got selected at all, Funaki? played better for the blues all season. I did not see the Hotham selection coming but he stepped up decently against Fiji.
First Five-Eight and Second Five-Eight because 5/8 is between halfback and wingers. Wingers used to be called Wing 3/4 so 5/8 is the fraction between the 2 positions. All makes sense when you consider the final back position is fullback.
Scott Robertson hasn't picked Sam Cane because he wants him to have 100 caps. He's picked Sam Cane, because he's an absolute beast on defense. If you look at the history of coaching and the #7's he's coached, they have all been work horses, players that just keep on going and going. Matt Todd, Tom Christie and Ethan Blackadder came to mind when saying that. I'm glad that Finlay Christie isn't in the squad, Cortez Ratima and Noah Hotham, along with Cam Roigard (injured) are the future of the #9 in the Black Jersey. And Will Jordan, need I say more? David Havili is actually really solid. He's down the pecking order in regards to the midfield, but he's still very good at this core role and has a massive boot on him if required.
Knew Sam would return and all looses are beasts on defence, but like Ardie Sam, Sititi also, is enormously competitive at the breakdown and securing turnovers. Totally agree the halfback stocks for RWC 2027. Havili has good utility options and generally solid. Love is interesting and likely a blooding opportunity, offers Perofeta like options. I'd keep Lord close to the team. I like specialists but the entire backline play 2-3 positions at a international level. The positives being there are improvements in each outing and I am very comfortable with this team.
@patricknaera Which still makes me ask, Why Havilli? Solid, unable to command a place in any of the positions he covers. 2 and sometimes 3rd best for any of them. Best is 12 and he is behind Barrett and ALB. A number of players out there who could fill his position.
For me, just reviewing Razor's previous interviews on Aotearoa Rugby Pod and Sky Sports, he talks about versatility and cohesion that included knowing existing systems, I'd add knowing Razor's systems, connection with him and other Canterbury now AB @markreilly105 @@markreilly105
Razor has zero sentiment. He has picked Cane as Razor’s teams always have a 7 who tackles everything that moves. Matt Todd at the Crusaders. Tom Christie at the Crusaders. Cane habitually tops the ABs tackle count.
Sam Cane is a quality player who was never going to be given due respect because he followed Richie M but could never be Richie McCaw. He’s worked his butt off for everything he ever did and the ABs know that.
As a NZ fan, our depth at prop is the best that I've seen in my lifetime. However, the lack of depth at lock concerns me. I fear that the Springboks are going to eat our lunch in the lineout, when we play them over there.
Havili lmfao. Havili can cover 10/12/13/15 but he's 4th or 5th best in each position. Should've given Harry Plummer a go who's the best goal kicker in the country and covers the same positions and was arguably the MVP of Super Rugby
I wouldn't say MVP but he had a better performance season than all the blues backs that got selected on the back of their forwards steller performance. Unfortunate they were holding a position for Jordan and selected Perofeta to cover 10/15.
@TheMachoMan Plummer at least should be allowed to show if he can go up a level. Good, contestable kicks, can kick for position rather than to opponents, and has a good rugby brain. Everyone said we needed that after the England series.
Tim, Imagine looking at your TV or programme graphic (top to bottom), you have the forwards who are in the ‘top / front’ half then you have the halfback who is ‘half way back’ and passing to the 10 and 12 who are 5/8ths of the way back and at the top of the ‘bottom / back’ half. The 13 is central and called a centre and the wings who were once called wing 3/4s are 3/4 of the way back in the ‘bottom / back’ half with the fullback who is the ‘full way back’. Cheers
You nailed it Tim with your views. And lock IS a real worry. A halfback is a 4/8 back if you like and then comes 5/8 back and then the centre and wings (3/4's back) and the fullback (4/4 back). I'm old fashioned and see the 5/8's as a combination rather than the view that there's a centre combination. A second 5/8 either runs straight ahead or passes it if it's on, it's then up to the 3/4's and fullback to do their magic. Reply
Will be better next year once Holland becomes available, and Darry and Lord mature. I really don't rate Vaai however, plays with as much physicality as Havilli.
I'm delighted to see Sam Cane back. He did an absolute number on the Irish back row during the WC QF and will keep the ABs winning over the next 12 months.
Yes he did however for many many tests before that and the 1 following it, he goes missing, remember he played a full season and had no turnovers which is part of his job,,Sevu Reece on the Wing had 9 turnovers in the same time frame...playing 1 good game is not good enough, not consistent enough, that 1 game against Ireland is how as an AB loose forward should play every game...
@@bmac63 I agree with that, it's no good just turning up when your backs are against the wall, which that QF win against Ireland was, a triumph of desperation over skill, and we only won because Jordie got his arm under an almost certain try!
Interesting: five eighth is the split between the halfback (1/2) and the wings (3/4s) with a New Zealander coining the phrase way back in the early 1900’s..
Sam Cane will be beyond motivated to make up for his World cup red card. We don't beat Ireland without Cane. He is by far the biggest tackler in the squad and his 95 caps will be so so valuable.
I think some people are missing the point about criticisms of Sam Cane’s selection. He offers a lot in the tackle, but this is not an area that was highlighted as weak in the recent series against England. The areas of concern were in the lineout and in the ball carry - neither of which are areas that Cane offers that much with.
Wasn’t expecting Noah Hotham and Reuben Love but I’d say they are there fully on merit. Hotham made something of a statement against Fiji, I think while Love was unlucky to not be picked in the first place. neither Christie or Narawa did enough in their chances to convince selectors enough, it seems. Havil’i provides a versatile point of difference across the backline. The most pressing concern, for me, is that the loose forwards still don’t seem to have found a dominant combination as of yet.
Good to see Ruben Love make the squad, had a great season with the Canes, and you’re right about the Locks, but I guess retallick and whitelock are pretty hard act to follow. And Sam cane! A quality operator and was the difference in that Ireland 1/4 final
I think Cam Roigard is the long-term heir to Aaron Smith with Cortez Ratima his backup. Roigard, Will Jordan, and Ruben Love heralds a new playing style for the ABs. Looking forward to Roigard being back in the team - he's very much in the Antoine Dupont mould.
A 'Five Eighth’ refers to how far back the player is supposedly standing. So a ‘Five Eighth’ is supposedly between a 'Half Back’ and the ‘Three-Quarter Backs’.
Hopefully Barret's finger injury isn't too serious. When he injured one earlier this year, he was forced to sit out almost the entirety of the club season 😬.
The term five-eighth I think comes from the fact that five eighths is the halfway point between a half (halfback) and the three quarters (centres). In league we call it standoff.
If you think you enjoyed other parts of South Africa, you are just going to love Cape Town and the Western Cape, also the right time of year heading into spring.
We have the timber in super rugby.I believe the coaching staff should be backing themselves to being these young locks up to standard.If they can play super,they can play tests is my belief
Blackadder all the way I think for number 7. Christie, I’m not surprised, his delivery was always very nervous and made too many errors, roigard, he’ll be in when back from injury, during the World Cup was very good indeed, even surpassed Aaron smith in his on field performance in my opinion.
The term "first five-eighth" originates from rugby union's early history, specifically from the game's traditional formations and numbering system. The positions in rugby were originally named and numbered based on the old "three-quarter" and "five-eighth" formations. Here's a brief breakdown: 1. **Three-quarters**: This term refers to the players positioned three-quarters of the way from the forwards to the back line. These players are usually the centers and wings (numbers 11 to 14 in modern rugby). 2. **Five-eighths**: The term "five-eighths" comes from the position of the player being slightly further back than the halfway point between the forwards and the full-back line. This position was initially split into two roles: - **First five-eighth (fly-half)**:
Cane hits harder with higher workrate than Dalton. Dalton only 10 tackles v England test 2, about 7 tackles lower than Cane's average. Christie slow pass. Good mix of future and experience
From memory the RWC winning England forward pack minus Trevor Woodman were old soldiers. Then you had Tindall, Greenwood and Catt in the backs. That experience is priceless.
Tim, look up Nelson Dalzell who played test rugby with a hole in his leg that he'd put a block of wood in. It was a ww2 injury. The Whitelocks are his grandsons
All I known in my 64 years is that the AB's legacy was built upon imposing yourself on your opponent for 80+ minutes. Particularly in the contact area. Ireland are very very good at it. AB's made it famous..
These are probably my 2 favorite players on earth and I want them so much to have a starting spot but I think if you put Beaudy and Ioane on the bench and just keep eyes on where they are needed to run on at the same time and tell them to either play with their experience to close it out or tell them to go in and absolutely rip it open. How would you feel as a tired opponent seeing those two athletes jogging on the field together fresh and ready to go at 60-65 minutes in?
The 5/8 story: 9= 1/2 back, 11/14= wing 3/4, so 10 and 12 are 5/8 (1st 5/8 ands 2nd 5/8). 13 = centre. I think UK have historically had the ‘halves’ playing closer together, whereas NZ have had the 10 and 12 playing closer together.
When a country has so much depth and talent in every department, selection could leave a lot of us talking because there are so many guys who are unfortunately not called up not because they are not worthy but because the bus is still full of the best.
Christy is 5th ... at best. Roigard, TJ, Ratima and Hotham are all ahead of him. Fakatava from Highlanders may be ahead of him. In my opinion Funaki, the young 9 that covered for him during his Super Rugby injury period, was a superior 9, faster pass, better attacking game and just a faster player. Christy could be the 7th ranked half in the country.
in defence of little RED, his defence is huge, when you have a little man who can stop a rampaging forward that just lifts a team, if he is as slow as everyone makes out, how come the team still scores, how come they break the line, you can only do that with good service delivered well, sorry, I'm a Little Red fan, and a Cane fan, the team doesn't do well and they go hunting for some one to blame, he is not responsible for the poor choices and mistakes of others, they're gonna lose to the Bokkies and Aussie without little Red, not a fan of razor or macdonalds, good luck, they're gonna need it.
I read some comments here in NZ on one particular FB post. By Senz. A fair chunk of comment were surprised if not disappointed with Havilis inclusion. And also miffed at Narawas omission
@@Tom_McMurtryBlackadder played the Fijians, no disrespect to them, and missed almost a third of his tackles, made no turnovers, and was turned over twice. If that's what it needs to be our 7 we are better without one at all. Papali'i and Cane are our best 7's. Finau is growing. Who else goes to 6. The other 6's are jack of all trades. They are there to cover multiple positions. Eg the bench!
@@PMGflavour so far you are correct but the age profile of your team does not go well for 2027 in fact age profile wise France and Australia are on track and if the all blacks can find a couple of big mongrel locks will also be on track for 2027 if Mounga comes back
@@PMGflavour na mate, history is history, including the WCs we won and you didn’t. 2027 is 3 years away and there’s no way anyone could pick it from now. Players we haven’t heard of yet will be involved.
Either one is tough Cane a specialist 7 underrated by most but a tough and determined grafter must be worth the Abs while and Blackadder the traditional hard-nosed all blacks openside impressed with his work vs Fiji I bloody hope Razor trials Blackadder 7 papalii 6 Savea 8 combination against Argentina
Blackadder shouldn't be there. Getting the place because the coach has worked with him before means more deserving loosies miss out like Lakai, and Sotutu who were 2 of the best performing all year.
ABs want revenge. SA want to put the nail in the coffin. Gonna be a proper battle as always. Another Bokke hiding over AB like before world cup would be great but thats rare. I would love for the Bokke to beat ABs at their own game, running.
TJ and Cane against the Springboks every day of the week. Rate Blackadder under Razor and I though a stormer in parts against England. Cortez to inject another level in last 1/4 and teaming up with DMac and ALB. Billy Procotor also in the last 1/4. Can’t wait.
The bomb squad will do it for the boks. Jury still out on DMac. Notwithstanding his kicks to the wing which have been outstanding. If the Barrets play well then. NZ plats well. If not they are average . Pomme point of view.
Agreed, if Razor could get back Mounga I’m not sure he’d even play Dmac as cover. Poms looking superb, probably beat the ABs at Twickenham, deserved a World Cuo final so hopefully next time.
That Sam Caine is back in, Tim, is absolutely FANTASTIC He IS THERE ON MERIT I agree…GREAT STUFF‼️ FEAR THE OLD SOLDIERS IMMENSELY…😳‼️ Great that you highlight the fact and, on top of The Razor Scott is NOT STUPID HE SURFS, for fucks sake He knows the waves, the ocean and nature like no other coach, EVER…see😳⁉️⁉️ (apologies for being expressive, but it needs to be said…SEE!) 🥂💫✨ 👊🔥 🪖
The stable of wings are, as a collective, perhaps the best in the world. Penaud, Kolbe, Arendse are freaky talents also, but the overall quality of NZ's is immense
@EggchasersRugby apologies,I am talking crap.Just fact checked myself.Doctors wanted to amputate his middle finger but he refused.The finger to this day is useless.He taped it up before every game.
Both have their merits. The sheer history of the 6 Nations is hard to beat. And the fact that all teams are within an hours flight from each other (2 for Italy). I'd say 6N for those reasons. Rugby Championship has SA and ABs though!
Sam Darry and Josh Lord, are the future 4 & 5. Both are gigantic men. Cane has unfinished business with RSA, no doubt. Havilli is way, way better than you know. Big rugby brain and best kicker in NZ possibly the planet. Makes DMac look like a fly in a bottle.
Havilli is there as Razor's boy. As with Blackadder. We cover 10, 12, 13, and 15 with multiple options. 6, 7, and 8 are the same. So we add someone who wouldn't command any of those positions as first or second choice, great.
You still need a better 12 than Barrett. He doesn't give his outsides good ball. So no matter how good or who our 13 is, we will be stifled. When our tight 5 gets dominant, that will allow our backs more space as well.
