NPR

Gregor Paul in the NZ Herald:

... This last bloc of games in Japan and Europe won't so much be a voyage of discovery as one of confirmation and the only tough question likely to come up in picking the end-of-year tour group is what to do with some of the fringe performers such as Roger Tuivasa-Scheck, Stephen Perofeta, Hoskins Sotutu and Folau Fakatava, given there is also an All Blacks XV tour going on at the same time.

Foster is also picking the squad for the All Blacks XV tour – which will play games in North America and the UK – and he'll have to decide whether those peripheral types who have been with the national team throughout this season but barely played, will be better off playing significant roles for the junior team rather than holding tackle bags for the senior team.

Tuivasa-Scheck, if he were to be picked by the All Blacks, is unlikely to see much game-time other than maybe enjoying a rare start against Japan.

Given he's played so little rugby, having only switched codes last year, his development would be better progressed through the All Blacks XV where he could possibly play a role in every game.
At the moment he's not a player the All Blacks could take to the World Cup next year ... (he) feels like a player the All Blacks just won't be able to squeeze into their mix next year when everyone is fit.
If he's going to change that equation, and present a case to be included, then he needs to be playing for the All Blacks XV in November and prove he can deliver the head-on defensive crunch his role requires.

The same could be said of Perofeta who may also enjoy a start against Japan should he be picked by the All Blacks, but then never be seen again as there would unlikely be a place for him in the match day 23 against any of Wales, Scotland or England.

And, potentially, it would make more sense for Perofeta to tour with the All Blacks XV; and if the All Blacks feel they need additional cover at No 10, they could call up Damian McKenzie.

Richie Mo'unga has said he'll likely play in Japan in 2024 and maybe even 2025, and with Beauden Barrett uncertain to still be in New Zealand beyond next year, the All Blacks XV tour feels like a golden opportunity to ready Perofeta for a more senior test role after the next World Cup.

Fakatava is another who would benefit from playing more and training less and it would surely make more sense for him to play for the All Blacks XV as their first-choice No 9 and for Brad Weber to rejoin the All Blacks, where he would likely see limited-to-no game time but provide the national side with the experienced, ready to drop-in cover they would need should injury strike.

As for Sotutu, he looks like he will be under pressure next year to win a World Cup place as Cullen Grace and Ethan Blackadder should both be recovered from respective shoulder injuries by then.

In his two outings against the Australians, Sotutu struggled to produce the quality of defence test rugby demands and his decision-making reflected his lack of rugby.

If he's going to state a case to stay in the national squad, he's going to need to drop down a level to the All Blacks XV to make it and let the likes of Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali'i and Akira Ioane battle for game time alongside Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.

convoluted wrote: Tue Sep 27, 2022 10:58 pm

At the moment [Tuivasa-Sheck's] not a player the All Blacks could take to the World Cup next year ... (he) feels like a player the All Blacks just won't be able to squeeze into their mix next year when everyone is fit.
If he's going to change that equation, and present a case to be included, then he needs to be playing for the All Blacks XV in November and prove he can deliver the head-on defensive crunch his role requires.

Games against Canada and the Barbarians won't prove anything about his "head-on defensive crunch".

It’s scary to think Fozzie will also be selecting the XV. These players need a coach with an eye on development instead of favourites to steer them.

Perofeta needs to be in the main squad and playing serious minutes. Beauden really should be on the bench where, with some juggling he can cover the back three. Perofeta could rotate the bench spot with Mo’unga, sharing starting 10 duties.

Sotutu desperately needs consistent game time at 8… but that would mean shifting Ardie, which would mean shifting Cane…

And none of these things will happen because Foster has his rusted on favourites and won’t deviate.

Guy Smiley wrote: Tue Sep 27, 2022 11:54 pm ... Perofeta needs to be in the main squad and playing serious minutes. Beauden really should be on the bench where, with some juggling he can cover the back three. Perofeta could rotate the bench spot with Mo’unga, sharing starting 10 duties.
Sotutu desperately needs consistent game time at 8…

Given the extremely limited number of tests that remain before the World Cup, and the even more limited number against serious Northern opposition, then surely (injuries withstanding) the favored 23 need to do the final 3 tests straight, exactly as we hope will happen next year re. quarter, semi, final.

Guy Smiley wrote: Tue Sep 27, 2022 11:54 pm It’s scary to think Fozzie will also be selecting the XV. These players need a coach with an eye on development instead of favourites to steer them.

Perofeta needs to be in the main squad and playing serious minutes. Beauden really should be on the bench where, with some juggling he can cover the back three. Perofeta could rotate the bench spot with Mo’unga, sharing starting 10 duties.

Sotutu desperately needs consistent game time at 8… but that would mean shifting Ardie, which would mean shifting Cane…

And none of these things will happen because Foster has his rusted on favourites and won’t deviate.

Well every coach picks his favourite players, I did when I coached, and you know why?
My favourite players are the ones that could do modt to play the game I wanted played, and hence make me look better as a coach? I have never heard of a coach who didn't pick his favourites.
But I know what you saying about Perofeta and co Guy, though I tend to go along with them being in the AB XVs and getting some game time. You have to balance that of course with what you say in them probably needing time against quality opposition.

I'm not sure Tuivasa-Sheck's ever going to cut it in the midfield, and starting to think maybe his international future (if he even has one) could be on the wing. As things stand, his continued selection for the ABs as a midfielder can only be based on reputation. He simply doesn't have the form to justify it otherwise.

New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

Biffer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:57 am New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

What do you mean by "the full team"? The All Blacks still have their usual EOYT. The other touring squad will be full of fringe ABs and up-and-comers, and will play the BaaBaas, Ireland A, and Canada (I think), with another game still to be confirmed.

All Blacks vs Springbokke are always a treat. We'll prepare for the WC at Head Quaters.

https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blac ... world-cup/

I first read that as Qatars. Before realising you meant twickers.

Second thought was that it won’t be long before the ABs are whored out to playing in Qatar. Or Saudi.

I have no probs with the likes of these extra games being played at Twickers etc, hell we played Ireland in UAS a few years back..
Guess what fellas if money has to be found to play salaries it has to be done . it's no good getting all precious on about it. You have to remember there no EOYT next year where they can tack on extra test or two for extra $s, and WC years are uusally the most costly for any rugby union involved, I think there usually something like $15 mill difference in income on WC years.

I guess I draw the line at places doing sportswashing.

Ymx wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 5:32 am I guess I draw the line at places doing sportswashing.

You're 'drawing a line' at something you dreamed up.

It's not an issue.

I still fly Emirates...

Guy Smiley wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 5:43 am

Ymx wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 5:32 am I guess I draw the line at places doing sportswashing.

You're 'drawing a line' at something you dreamed up.

It's not an issue.

Are you suggesting the issue is in my head?

Probably a fair comment broadly speaking.

Grandpa wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:45 am I still fly Emirates...

It’s a good airline. Always was my go to. Good business class service compared with the likes of BA (when the company was paying of course).

Ymx wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 1:37 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:45 am I still fly Emirates...

It’s a good airline. Always was my go to. Good business class service compared with the likes of BA (when the company was paying of course).

But I support Liverpool... I should be flying ScouseAir!

Biffer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:57 am New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

Do we have revenue sharing now or are you just talking the extra games like Japan? I would disagree though as the tickets are sold well before the squad announcement.

Enzedder wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 7:54 pm

Biffer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:57 am New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

Do we have revenue sharing now or are you just talking the extra games like Japan? I would disagree though as the tickets are sold well before the squad announcement.

Biffer gets a bit irrational when it comes to matters NZ.

The only way match fees could conceivably drop is if we saw a sustained falling back to a lower position in the rankings....

sigh


so once we get rid of Foster we will need to see upward movement in our rankings position.

Enzedder wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 7:54 pm

Biffer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:57 am New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

Do we have revenue sharing now or are you just talking the extra games like Japan? I would disagree though as the tickets are sold well before the squad announcement.

Yep NZer, be pretty surprised if anyone leaves buying tickets until 2 days before game.

Biffer wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 5:57 am New Zealand will also need to consider that if they’re not going to play the full team, match fees may start to drop. Teams aren’t paying you for a trial game.

That would certainly be true if Foster continues to oversee the ABs losing to all and sundry. But for the moment, most teams are still just happy to have the chance to beat a team called the ABs.

So the ABs are playing two games on the same day - v Scotland at Murrayfield and v the Barbarians at Twickenham. Ar you putting out an entirely second string team against the barbarians, or are you going to weaken the team against Scotland?

The ABs are not playing two games on the same day.

Babas game is a NZ B squad also on tour.. called NZ 15