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All Blacks Squad 2023 TRC
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<blockquote data-quote="Caitlyn Jenner" data-source="post: 1132679" data-attributes="member: 74470"><p>Very disappointing to not see Stevenson in the actual squad. For me he not only should be in the squad, he should be front-runner to start at 15 or 14 (alongside Jordan), with Telea at 11 (Faianganuku in Telea's absence). Everyone knows how good he has been all year. Foster's justification was that he needs work on the defensive side. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense when Foster is probably looking at Beaudy for 15. Beaudy is hardly the strongest tackler going around and has worse defensive stats than Stevenson this year. Their overall stats, of course, aren't even comparable. Obviously stats aren't everything, but I think anyone who's watched Super Rugby this year would agree that Stevenson is a greater asset at the back right now than Beaudy.</p><p></p><p>Likewise, picking Clarke is nonsensical. The argument could be made that we don't need Stevenson when we've got Jordan + Barrett + McKenzie.... but the same can be said re Clarke (we have Faianganuku, Telea Narawa AND Ioane). So really it should come down to who adds more value to the squad.... and no one in their right mind can say that Clarke does. His form is dreadful and he doesn't offer nearly as much as Stevenson. Simply not as good a player and certainly not in as good a form.</p><p></p><p>The other strange one is McLeod. Nothing against McLeod, he's a solid enough player, but I can't see how he's considered one of the top 5 midfielders in the country right now. He hasn't even been playing in the midfield this year! He's a solid enough player but certainly doesn't possess any attributes that make him All-Black quality right now imo. Goodhue would have been a much better pick for me. Goodhue's distribution, decision-making and defensive skills are world-class. I can't see what McLeod adds to our midfield, but I do hope to be proven wrong.</p><p></p><p>On a positive note, I think that Foster has made some good calls in tough areas. Particulary, I 100% agree with his picks at 9. This was probably the most evenly contested area, but I definitely think he's done the right thing in picking the form man Roidgard.... he offers something that no other halfback does and his form is just undeniable. He's someone who could make a real difference. Hard on Weber and Fakatava who are excellent in their own right, but Christie is a very good, well rounded player and I think deserves to be there. Smith is a no-brainer.</p><p></p><p>I'm glad he's picked Coles too. His experience is invaluable if it's between him and Aumua for the 3rd hooker role. And to be honest, I think people discredit how good Coles actually still is. He's still very quick and skillful and is accurate in everything he does. His gamesman ship shouldn't be overlooked either lol. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the 23 behind Taukeiaho more often than not.</p><p></p><p>Overall it's not a perfect squad but is a very strong squad and it's good to see that Foster hasn't been afraid to make hard decisions and reward form (in some cases). I only hope he and the other selector's come to their senses and include Stevenson come world-cup time (meaning Clarke / McLeod / Narawa miss out).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Caitlyn Jenner, post: 1132679, member: 74470"] Very disappointing to not see Stevenson in the actual squad. For me he not only should be in the squad, he should be front-runner to start at 15 or 14 (alongside Jordan), with Telea at 11 (Faianganuku in Telea's absence). Everyone knows how good he has been all year. Foster's justification was that he needs work on the defensive side. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense when Foster is probably looking at Beaudy for 15. Beaudy is hardly the strongest tackler going around and has worse defensive stats than Stevenson this year. Their overall stats, of course, aren't even comparable. Obviously stats aren't everything, but I think anyone who's watched Super Rugby this year would agree that Stevenson is a greater asset at the back right now than Beaudy. Likewise, picking Clarke is nonsensical. The argument could be made that we don't need Stevenson when we've got Jordan + Barrett + McKenzie.... but the same can be said re Clarke (we have Faianganuku, Telea Narawa AND Ioane). So really it should come down to who adds more value to the squad.... and no one in their right mind can say that Clarke does. His form is dreadful and he doesn't offer nearly as much as Stevenson. Simply not as good a player and certainly not in as good a form. The other strange one is McLeod. Nothing against McLeod, he's a solid enough player, but I can't see how he's considered one of the top 5 midfielders in the country right now. He hasn't even been playing in the midfield this year! He's a solid enough player but certainly doesn't possess any attributes that make him All-Black quality right now imo. Goodhue would have been a much better pick for me. Goodhue's distribution, decision-making and defensive skills are world-class. I can't see what McLeod adds to our midfield, but I do hope to be proven wrong. On a positive note, I think that Foster has made some good calls in tough areas. Particulary, I 100% agree with his picks at 9. This was probably the most evenly contested area, but I definitely think he's done the right thing in picking the form man Roidgard.... he offers something that no other halfback does and his form is just undeniable. He's someone who could make a real difference. Hard on Weber and Fakatava who are excellent in their own right, but Christie is a very good, well rounded player and I think deserves to be there. Smith is a no-brainer. I'm glad he's picked Coles too. His experience is invaluable if it's between him and Aumua for the 3rd hooker role. And to be honest, I think people discredit how good Coles actually still is. He's still very quick and skillful and is accurate in everything he does. His gamesman ship shouldn't be overlooked either lol. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the 23 behind Taukeiaho more often than not. Overall it's not a perfect squad but is a very strong squad and it's good to see that Foster hasn't been afraid to make hard decisions and reward form (in some cases). I only hope he and the other selector's come to their senses and include Stevenson come world-cup time (meaning Clarke / McLeod / Narawa miss out). [/QUOTE]
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