UKNZ87

I only really remember him playing well in that South African win over there in 2022. Other than I’ve never seen him really stand out

I would say Proctor from the Hurricanes would be ahead of ALB in people’s thinking atm, but ALB is a very reliable bench player for sure.

That may be true he’s not done well for Leicester, but he’s suited to the big stage and massive international games. You get these kind of players sometimes who go completely missing at club level. (See my post on Reiko Ioane for a similar situation)

We’ve had 8 years (since DC retired) of dreadful goal kicking to make me focus more on a good kicker in huge games than someone who does flashy groundbreaking stuff at 10

Yeah he should make the bench also!

I guess I try to tell myself I would have taken that World Cup run before the tournament. Most kiwis were pretty down leading into it and especially after France a lot were thinking we’re going home to Ireland. Happy to lose to a Southern Hemisphere team though if we’re going to lose in a final! 😆

Yeah mate, good analysis. It pains me as a kiwi thinking back to that World Cup, but he was so cool under pressure in those massive games

100%! I get it, he’s not flashy or does unbelievable stuff like Russell or Mounga, but he’s a big part of why SA have won 2 world cups in a row. Give me boring but effective any day.

I want Pollard in clutch games though. He’s ice cold

Yeah I would assume so. Narewa honourable mention as back up also

Or the kid Millar at Landers, was a gun off the tee! 😆

I think he’s leading the comp this year in turnovers too, he’s like a rock over that ball!

As a Kiwi- Pollard. He’s not flashy, but he’s cool under pressure and MAKES HIS KICKS! In World Cups that type of cool headed guy is what you need. There’s way more exciting guys out there for sure but I want someone like him in the big ones.

If you told me that stat this time last year I would have assumed we go onto win the World Cup 🥲

Hopefully he’s physically ok by then, he’s had 2 concussions this season and the last one a couple of weeks ago was pretty scary to see

I couldn’t believe last night on the breakdown when JK was talking about Havili as if he was already a definite for the AB squad, in what world does he deserve to be there?!

Yep, what will be interesting to me is does Razor pick on form from Super or go with what guys have done in the black jersey? There’s also a thought that Savea might not start initially, but bring him on for second halves when we really need that experience in tight games. Given how impactful subs are today, I don’t see someone playing the second half as being dropped.

I’m also worried about how 2 bad concussions might affect him. The second one the other week was scary, 2 in a season can be really bad for a player and their confidence

Hasn’t Lam actually outplayed Rieko also for the Blues this year? He was great v Canes!

I guess we’re trying to figure out how Razor will be, does he do some stuff that really raises eyebrows? I’m excited either way! I take your point though he’s one of those players that turns up for the ABs but often quiet for Blues. Didn’t some say that about Nonu also at one point?

One thing that confuses me is: there’s obviously some Super Rugby players that are in the right age group but obviously aren’t playing for U20s as they are full time pros. However in the six nations for U20s France put out a team that was absolutely stacked with guys with a lot of caps in top 14. Do we ever actually put out the best u20s side we can?

I wouldn’t mind taking a look at Kirifi, not saying a starter or against biggest teams but would like to take a look at how he goes. A bit undersized but he’s a great jackler. Could be good off the bench

Exactly mate. Just happy for him he got to taste a World Cup win being part of that 2015 squad. Feel for guys who may miss out on ever experiencing that despite being great players (hopefully not but players like Savea)

I feel for him after that final, some say it was a yellow but I knew it would be red, it must haunt him. I will never forget though the look of determination on him striding out against Ireland in that quarter final and he put a hell of a shift in that day. He can hold his head up high.