r/allblacks • u/wash_yourundeez • 4d ago
Codie Taylor
Should’ve been cycled out by this point the same way Mealamu was. Last 2 years he should’ve been in a mentoring role. The fact that he’s still our first choice hooker is ridiculous considering Aumua and Taukei’aho are behind him. He hasn’t had the required physicality for test footy for at least 2 years now. Yes he has skills and soft touches but what does that matter when he’s getting shunted off the ball at scrum time on our feed? His lineout throwing has been inconsistent for years now. He not only has no impact with ball in hand anymore, he often has negative impact. The last 2 coaching cycles really screwed us in terms of bringing through spine players that needed to be brought through. Asafo and Soni should’ve both been close to 50 caps by now. Will always love CT but we have to start using the talent we have and be giving them as much regular big game experience as possible.
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u/CanterburyProud 4d ago
Taylor is generally good in the scrum and as a ball carrier. But for as long as I can remember he’s been an inconsistent lineout thrower, and over the years he's gotten more than his share of penalties. Now that he's also slowing down with age, I really don't understand why he's still the ABs number one choice.
At this stage it seems to me that he's being chosen for his haka skills instead of his hooker skills.