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The Rugby Championship 2023
All Blacks Squad 2023 TRC
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<blockquote data-quote="matt33" data-source="post: 1132801" data-attributes="member: 55115"><p>No question about RI's game breaking ability given his next level acceleration, pace and lines. </p><p></p><p>For me personally though (and many will disagree!!), in tough WC quarters/semi's/final where there are so few opportunities, I struggle with his decision making, distribution skills and on occasion poor handling. </p><p></p><p>I feel like we have world class outside backs and with that identifying and creating space is of higher value in my mind. So for me, wanting to enable that strength, I prefer and prioritize stronger midfield defense and distribution skills (probably influenced somewhat by Conrad Smith, Frank Bunce, etc) than the electric but sometimes inconsistent RI skillset. </p><p></p><p>Wrt left wing.. the RI handling and decision making still holds as a concern and I also prefer the power left wing model as an additional destructive ball carrier/gain line option. We dont tend to have many downhill style ball carriers (Samisoni as major exception). Ardie great after contact, but less of a downhill style guy, Frizzell more so but not in obvious starting 15 form, Blackadder has it but is injured. Neither Cane or Whitelock are bruising downhill guys. Brodie and Barrett more so, but overall when you list the primary gain line/hard downhill carry options it feels thin given we do play a bruising 12 or 13. Therefore getting enough of that gain line carry from 2, 5, 6, 11 is important. I think this is primarily why Finau has been selected and I think why Sowakula last year as the selectors are desperate for more of that downhill carrying style on the park. Which I also think plays into why Akira and Hoskins are not in the squad - both being more ranging/dynamic/wide channel style guys and less the downhill type.</p><p></p><p>Interested in other thoughts and considerations?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="matt33, post: 1132801, member: 55115"] No question about RI's game breaking ability given his next level acceleration, pace and lines. For me personally though (and many will disagree!!), in tough WC quarters/semi's/final where there are so few opportunities, I struggle with his decision making, distribution skills and on occasion poor handling. I feel like we have world class outside backs and with that identifying and creating space is of higher value in my mind. So for me, wanting to enable that strength, I prefer and prioritize stronger midfield defense and distribution skills (probably influenced somewhat by Conrad Smith, Frank Bunce, etc) than the electric but sometimes inconsistent RI skillset. Wrt left wing.. the RI handling and decision making still holds as a concern and I also prefer the power left wing model as an additional destructive ball carrier/gain line option. We dont tend to have many downhill style ball carriers (Samisoni as major exception). Ardie great after contact, but less of a downhill style guy, Frizzell more so but not in obvious starting 15 form, Blackadder has it but is injured. Neither Cane or Whitelock are bruising downhill guys. Brodie and Barrett more so, but overall when you list the primary gain line/hard downhill carry options it feels thin given we do play a bruising 12 or 13. Therefore getting enough of that gain line carry from 2, 5, 6, 11 is important. I think this is primarily why Finau has been selected and I think why Sowakula last year as the selectors are desperate for more of that downhill carrying style on the park. Which I also think plays into why Akira and Hoskins are not in the squad - both being more ranging/dynamic/wide channel style guys and less the downhill type. Interested in other thoughts and considerations? [/QUOTE]
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