On form it's Ruben Love then daylight for the All Blacks

Not great cover at 11.

He could probably attack adequately well at 11, but could get exposed on defense.

I don’t think he can cover 11 with his pace, better having a forward do that job.

That’s one option. But speed goes with age normally, unless you trade bulk for pace.

I think his best position is 12. He needs to focus on not ‘dying with the ball’. He needs to learn to pass at the last, split second, like Nonu.

He can be cover for 11 and 13.

TT, do you think he needs to get back a bit of speed to play out wide again?

Sorry, not sure which player you are referring to: “Do you want him to drop a bit of muscle then?”

Do you want him to drop a bit of muscle then?

Yeah agreed. Same situation with Taele right. Really enjoyed Landers wingers having a go at center (as much as I am a Talea fan) but some real solidity there is all they need.

TT brought a lot of the dynamism to his play last year like LF did this year, I’d love for TT to find a way to make that work for him more.

Agree Tavatavanawai is raw. Like with Nonu, I think 12 will be Tavatavanawai’s best position. He could be 12 that can back up as a 13 or 11.

A Lienert-Brown, at 13 would be a very good mentor for Tavatavanawai. He would also be the finesse to Tavatavanawai’s raw power.

With: Pledger 9), Jacomb at 10, Tavatavanawai 12) A Lienert-Brown 13) the Highlanders would have a very useful inside back set up.

But that is all academic as A Lienert-Brown has signed with the Chiefs until 2028.

It will be very interesting what Millar does for 2027. At the moment it is unclear. I wouldn’t want to see Jacomb be wasted at 15 for the Highlanders. I’ve seen rumors that Millar will go to the Blues.

Darry is a good player with a high ceiling. Has a good rugby brain too. Very good depth at lock: Vaa’i, Holland, Lord, Darry, S Barrett (when fit).

I’m happy to disagree in this.

Oh, I think it’s a sensible suggestion, just like I said the same about Razor’s career.

What he could do for the Highlanders is exactly what I’m saying Rennie would see his value for now, so while it might be a bit late, developing his skills in that area is along the same lines as having BB in this squad, having Whitelock return, or keeping TJP and Cane ion the team.

TT is basically winging it right now, novice 13’s outside him, novice 10’s inside. Having someone like ALB outside him at the Landers could be huge for his development. It could be built into contacts as part of your loan scheme if there could be someone at the Landers that would dolly out a few hundred extra k for him.

I really think Darry looks more like a square dutchmen type, not super like a traditional Bok but especially with his mum as a conditioner, heading that way. I really don’t see him as an atheletic Lord or PSdT type player.

I made a statement, backed up by fact. It didn't mesh with your feelings, so I’m making things up?

Yup, you made him out to be a 10, when clearly from your qoutes he wasn’t. He became that guy in 2023 when he committed to being a 10.

Remember, were only talking about the slight differences here of how you need to change your game, yourself, to move from one to the next. Dmac is not some super gifted guy that can just switch between the two at test level, he needs to use everything he can to his advantage, and removing his inclination to find space by running laterally was a big component of that.

What you said, a) suggests he can go from playing like a 15 or 10 week to week, and b) that when he did play 10 before his switch that he was doing that. We’ve seen a progressive change that is taking years to move from who he was pre and post 2023.

For you to not make that distinction appears as a deliberate tactic to impose your view as being “fact”.

You can’t just pick a date where he starts playing at 10, better, to be the date where he decided to be a 10.

Yes, you can.

Outside comment from an impartial observer but I'm slowly releasing why McCaw, Carter, Smith etc. never went down the post career, coaching route in NZ…

Carnage lads!

I’m not saying he should play for the Highlanders, I’d just be more impressed with a form revivial: if it was in that same competition as most of the All Blacks will be picked from; and even more impressed if it was in a weaker team, as he’s playing in one of the better Japan Rugby League One teams.

He as a very classy player early in his career. Tough, skilled, and very rugby smart. He can turn it around. It would be nice if he did.

As soon as Mo’unga is able to be picked B Barrett will almost certainly be surplus to requirements. He’s a legendary player, but time catches up with everyone.

Agree, while there is a lot of talented locks at the moment. Some of them need to focus on bulking up a bit. For instance Holland could be quite a bit heavier with his frame, and also perhaps Lord too; though Lord won’t want to get too big as it might hurt his awesome running game. Darry seems like a more natural faster lock.

I would’ve put Roigard on the bench in the final of RWC 2023. The All Blacks were one try away from victory. Roigard scored a 40m-50m try in the warm up game in Twickenham, he could’ve scored a miracle try to win the RWC. Christie is a solid, yet unspectacular halfback.

I made a statement, backed up by fact. It didn't mesh with your feelings, so I’m making things up?

“when I combine that with my belief he was not a 10 before 2023, you just appear to be making things up.“

McKenzie stated in 2016 that being a 10 was his long term goal:

“The former age group star [McKenzie] and Maori All Black said wearing No.10 is a long-term goal but he is enjoying the freedom of fullback, having played every minute of all nine games there this year”

In 2018 he backed that up:

“Obviously 10's where I'd like to be playing," McKenzie told the Herald while in Auckland filming the new Super Rugby commercial.“

He had many starts as a 10 by that time.

You can’t just pick a date where he starts playing at 10, better, to be the date where he decided to be a 10.

Time to give him 3 starts now, put the others, Roigard, JB, BB at 15 around him and let him show if he can handle it.

ALB playing for the Highlanders would be an interesting one, one of something like the Ardie situation with having nowhere to go could happen? I think he has to be contracted to the Chiefs still, but I really liked the work of their two young centers.

As it is I think Landers have a good option at center. No I agree on your picture of ALB, it was just all that other rubbish you said, trying to be polite or engaging, at the start that didn’t make sense.

And so the same would apply for BBBR? I’m of the opposite opinion, the locks where a bit light, and it would have allowed more use of one at 6, but I generally held the opinion that the use of Cane instead for instance was a good one, and that’s atleast a similar situation with Ardie and ALB being viable options this year (and as Jippa has made public his desire for) along with BBBR.

ALB is a decent enough player, I just would have liked for the ABs to have used the bench for more impact rather than worrying about covering positions in case of injury. Roigards lack of selection in 23 the worst situation of that happen of all.

I was replying to your statement “Dmac’s only started playing ten in 2023”.

Yep I’d describe him as a fill in before then, not someone who is actually going to be a 10.

Not making a big deal of it, just explaining how why I made my earlier comment above “For years McKenzie’s first option, at 10, was to ‘Run First’”

Right, but when I combine that with my belief he was not a 10 before 2023, you just appear to be making things up.

There’s no need for you to have mentioned 10 in that statement, everyone knows he filled in at 10, you just need to say before he switched to 10 he would often creep sideways when stuck. Personally I don’t think anything has improved, he no longer goes sideways, instead he just tucks the ball and takes contact.

Theres a lot of nuance that needs to be relied in an opinion, thats for sure. I love finding the nuts and bolts of what forms them for others, because I think that’s the most fun and interesting part of following a sport. Most people just wouldn’t care to do it unless intoxicated or with a sporting friend etc. That’s really the only reason I “called” you out on some of your reasoning lol, to get more out of you. It’s not normally the smartest way to do it I can’t imagine.

I don’t think he will ever be a ‘solid’ Test 10

He’s clearly already a solid test 10, he has many performances to back that up. There are just questions about his consistency and temperament in certain situations.

If he was directed to work on being a Super Sub

Doesn’t provide enough impact for me. I don’t see their being enough benefit in going super versatile either. Would be a fun option for him if Love continues to show he’s a world beater though (like it might make him change his own goals).

No, I haven’t been watching Kobe. But as most agree the standard of Japan Rugby Legue One is less that Super Rugby. Also, A Lienert-Brown is playing in a good team over there.

If A Lienert-Brown as playing well for the Highlanders etc. I’d be far more willing to accept he’s found a second wind in career. I hope he has, I fear he has not. I’m happy to agree to disagree on that and, hopefully, be proven wrong.

A player that can bend/break the line with reckless abandon is the one thing the All Blacks midfield has lacked for years. Too much focus on finesse.

As good as S Whitelock was, I mean he was really, really good. I can’t see the sense in bringing him back in to the All Blacks in 2024. Lock is one of the positions that the All Blacks have had good depth in from 2024 onwards. I would’ve said spend the money on Mo’unga.

Love will be more able to play 10 for the All Blacks as, I assume the 9 will be Roigard, and the 12 will be J Barrett. Maybe even Proctor at 13, and Lakai at 8.

It’s essentially the Hurricanes set up.

Putting Jacomb into that combination wouldn’t be anywhere the same. Jacomb hasn’t even played for the All Blacks yet. A different set up for a zero Test cap 10 is chucking him well in the deep end.

Agree he predominantly played fullback before 2023 as I said in my comment above “He often played fullback for the higher-grade teams. But had solid experience at 10 well before 2023”.

I was replying to your statement “Dmac’s only started playing ten in 2023”.

Which was replying to my comment “For years McKenzie’s first option, at 10, was to ‘Run First’, often sideways/diagonally, then look to offload after he took up all the space. He’s mostly gotten that out of his game”

Not making a big deal of it, just explaining how why I made my earlier comment above “For years McKenzie’s first option, at 10, was to ‘Run First’”.

As you can tell, I am a bit of a finicky commentor, that tries to be really clear - but then I often need to explain my comment; that’s why some of my comments are super long 🤣

Agree McKenzie is a brilliant player. I don’t think he will ever be a ‘solid’ Test 10. But that’s what he wanted to become. Steve Hansen thought the same and let him try to do so.

If he was directed to work on being a Super Sub, he could’ve redefined what a replacement player could be.

rather than his lack of form and needless errors.

Have you been wathcing Kobe?

A Lienert-Brown hasn’t been good enough since about 2022

Ahh, so all that you’ve said in this commentary is complete BS? You just didn’t think he should have been there in the first palce.

Robinson should’ve taken a risk on Tavatavanawai, like Rennie should.

You should have spat it out at the begging and saved us both a whole lot of time.

So you’re saying you were against Razor getting Whitelock to come back?

If I thought they were ready, I’d call Rennie out.

More double standards Spew. The current 10 options are far more ready that Razors 9 options where, even you can’t deny the balance there.

Playing a young 10 in a test too early can ruin their confidence.

That’s a good counter point to make, but I completely disagree in this situation. I don’t think you’re taking into account the responsbilites and leadership that are coming from 9 and 12. There’s no way the 10 needs to run the ship, in fact even Love should continue to take a backwards step to these two, let alone ask any debutant to take it all on his shoulders.

It’s just a general vibe article. It’s not telling you everything that has changed for opensides.

If you go to https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats click on players then sort by attacking rucks per 80 you won’t see many 7’s on the list. It’s just another facet you can’t wait around for your loosies to do these days.

I’m interested to not that JvdF, a player NB has used as an example of a new age 7, is on the first page still. (I actually have no idea who a lot of those names are so they could all be 7’s for all I know, just not good ones).

Yeah going to be very interesting considering how Rennie has said he wants to play isn’t it. Seemed to work well enough with Ardie at 7 winning in Japan but I could hve thought a very fast counter attacking/transition style needed a energetic fetcher. Certainly not something I would recognize him for, expect to see him in first or 2nd receive hopefully.

I was incorrect in saying that A Lienert-Brown’s age was the reason why Rennie shouldn’t pick him, rather than his lack of form and needless errors.

A Lienert-Brown hasn’t been good enough since about 2022.

Robinson should’ve taken a risk on Tavatavanawai, like Rennie should.

Robinson had good, but young, options at halfback.

Rennie has no good options at 10 - that are ready. Happy to agree to disagree on that.

If I thought they were ready, I’d call Rennie out.

Halfback, while not easy mentally, is a far less mentally taxing position that 10; at least for New Zealand teams, where the 10 runs the attack - big burden mentally. In, some, overseas sides the halfback leads the attack.

A raw/less well tested halfback can do well in the All Blacks as they mainly need to pass/dart around the ruck/box kick. They aren’t leading the attack for the whole backline and taking goal kicks.

Playing a young 10 in a test too early can ruin their confidence.

Incorrect, he was always predominantly a 15. His one season he played 10 for injury cover, but you said ‘at 10’, so that means to me as a 10. He has always been a 15 covering 10 before 2023.

Obviously he has played plenty at 10 over the years and just did it the same way he does 15. Theres no point concerning yourself with those days.

Super sub would be a great spot if they didn’t need a good 10. Look dmac is a brilliant player, but I’m not sure he is that good. I noted Carter coming into to play 9 at the start in the Final and through that high ball Dmac couldn’t jump to receive. Obviously he has been given time there but as another who’s versatility has been seen in a similar vein to dmacs it doesn’t leave you with a lot of confidence in it actually working.

What were you incorrect in, saying his too old, what did you mean to say? Spit it out Spew, why is he no longer good enough this year.

Your description of TJP applies to BB.

Please explain how I am applying a double standard?

“You are still using the idea that he is a year older as the reason he is no longer good enough”

No I’m not. This was in the thread you are relying to “I incorrectly said that Lienert-Brown was too old when I should’ve said that he was no longer good enough. I acknowledged that to MikeM, in this comments section, just above this one; I even apologized for the error.”

Did you read my comment, or reply to what you thought I said?

Me begrudgingly accepting that Rennie has no other realistic option for a third 10, apart from Jacomb - who is still probably still too green for test level, is not a double standard.

Haha I think I’ve got you regressing into your shell just like a dmac!

Harkin is the obviously direct like for like replacement for Beauden. If they cared about other metrics I could see Reihana superseding those in front of him just like Preston did.

There is no reason to select Barrett.

I should’ve said that he was no longer good enough

You are still using the idea that he is a year older as the reason he is no longer good enough.

I criticized Rennie for picking Jacobsen as well; where I would’ve selected a bigger player like Ah Kuoi, as the squad has enough players who can play Openside; and Ah Kuoi could be a useful, tight blindside, especially against South African opposition.

This is neither here nor their. Again, we are not talking about coaching selections, we are talking about your reasoning.

Perenara was no longer good enough, mouthed off at the referees (which cost the All Blacks a good scoring opportunity in test they just lost), and used the All Blacks a vehicle for his politics. He never should’ve gotten picked by Robinson.

Just like Beauden. That is your double standard, likely against Razor?

I think anyone coming back from Japan is still hindered by not having competitive rugby. The point was that it won’t be because of age and that he’d do the same thing for Rennie that Razor wanted Whitelock to stick around for.

Bit rough on Dmac. Had a hard night in the final, but he won the head-to-head against Love in the round Robin game.

One bad game doesnt make him a bad player. He can still do things others (excluding Love) can't.

Did anyone else notice dmac dry retching just as he was waiting for the canes to kick off and start the match?

Agree, Love demonstrated flair, speed and skill above all other No10s this season, and a goal kicking masterclass to boot.

But he came in a distant 3rd in composure and maturity. E.g., nutting off an F bomb from an innocuous face swipe, a cheeky showboating grin after sidestepping some tiring fowards on his way to try line.

He won't have the time and space he’s used to behind a dominant Hurricanes pack. For sure if I were the boks or le bleu, I would exploit this.

Never seen Carter, Mo'unga, Beaudy or DMac lose composure to that extent, even if it was for the briefest of moments.

Teams will have him in their crosshairs, he will be tested and then we'll see how he holds up. There is a forging process he will have to go through