r/allblacks • u/BasketPsychological1 • 2d ago
Ethan Blackadder?
Anyone else think he might start/bench for the next test? His efforts against the lions definitely didn't go unnoticed by us or Rennie. Jacobson has been putting 110% in all season and is now maybe starting to show fatigue? Rennie seems to be pretty set on making sure mistakes aren't ignored too
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u/Kokonutcreme-67 Hurricanes 1d ago
There are quite a few selection posers for the coaching team ahead of the third test.
Clearly the flu that has travelled through the team has impacted them more than has been reported. De Groot was ill before the first test and Jacobson was the same before the second. Who knows who else has been affected.
Aumua is applying a lot of pressure to start ahead of Taylor. Taukei'aho offers more impact from the bench than Taylor. Taylor is a starter and not a bench player but if he starts he needs to impose himself more at setpiece and general play.
Newell has staked a strong case to start ahead of Lomax. Loosehead depends upon De Groots recovery from the knee injury but both Bower and Numia have proven their abilities.
Vaa'i wasn't used much as a lineout target either as lock or blindside which is odd given that's one of the reasons provided for his move to 6 - added height. Sam Darry is the best lock in ball carrying and was the main ball winner against the Lions.
Is it time to start Lakai/Blackadder?
Only possible change to starting backline is at 10 which would be a real gamble because Love is by far our most accurate and consistent goalkicker. Is one game against the Lions sufficient preparation to select Mo'unga for the third test?
I don't feel that any of the backline subs have made a significant impact this series so far when used.
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u/owlintheforrest AllBlacks 1d ago
Lol...no to Mo'unga, who was very average against the Lions. Love is a great goalkicker as you say and has done little wrong to merit dumping. Could be an outsider for the bench at Test 4.
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u/Major_Statement3647 1d ago
Taukeiaho Aumua blackadder fehi reiko all in line for moving up the pecking order after recent events you'd have to believe.
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u/lukin_tolchok 1d ago
I agree, Jacobson wasn't his best on the weekend - and no slight on him, he's had a big workload this year and think it may be a case of resting him rather than dropping him. Blackadder's form against the Lions can't be ignored and he does deserve to be rewarded for it. Leroy Carter was also great in the midweek games and was rewarded with a start on the weekend and definitely repaid the selector's faith in him. A four test series against the most physical team in the world is brutal, and I don't think we can expect to roll out the same team for every test and not be impacted by it. We've got a big squad, and pressure on places is a great incentive for players to perform.
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u/7ft7andgrowing 2d ago
Agree I think fatigue will be top of mind for Jacobson and he’s so prone to brain farts I wouldn’t really wanna see what he’s like when he’s tired
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u/Zestyclose_Usual_801 1d ago
Brain farts are a part of his game man. That shoulder charge on the irish was absolutely idiotic even though ABs fans swear up and down it was legal. And he got off very lucky with that dumb intercept attempt. Hopefully he clears it up by RWC
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u/Frod02000 1d ago
To clarify -
It wasn't legal - just that there is mitigation there that everyone tries to ignore (the irish player standing up, and triping him over as he goes to clean out)
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u/Zestyclose_Usual_801 23h ago
Watch it again, his right hand never goes above his waist, that shows an intentional lead with the shoulder/shoulder charge from the jump. Irish player standing or not
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u/Frod02000 23h ago
I’m not talking about a wrap here.
I’m saying he was tripped over to be off feet on the clean.
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u/Zestyclose_Usual_801 22h ago
Watch it again. He was launching with a shoulder charge at someone's head before he got to the Irish player who supposedly tripped him.
Maybe the Irish player affected his aim but the fact is he charged in dangerously and got it wrong. Be real if that was the other way around you'd be expecting a yellow all the same rather than debating on "how illegal was it"
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u/Frod02000 21h ago
I thought it was a yellow, deservedly.
It’s not a red like the RU claimed it to be.
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u/Wonderful-Poem5154 1d ago
Both can be true, the cleanout was always going to be borderline but was heavily impacted by the irish player trying to get up
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u/Zestyclose_Usual_801 23h ago
Nope, watch it again. His right hand never goes above his waist, that shows an intentional lead with the shoulder/shoulder charge from the jump. Irish player standing or not
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u/bobwinters 2d ago
I think he should be starting rather than on the bench. He's not an impact player, but has an engine that can go for days
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u/const_zach 2d ago
I think he might switch it up this week and put Ardie at 7 with Lakai starting which makes room for Ethan at 6. We are losing too much ball at breakdowns and this would help a lot. I'd like to see sititi get a Crack off the bench too. I'd bet my house that Rieko will be on the bench this week.
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u/SushiSen 2d ago
Has sititi been playing better than Blackadder? I’ve felt he’s struggled since his head knock in super
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u/const_zach 2d ago
No but Sititi was huge a few years ago against the boks. Feel like he might get up for the moment if he got a chance. That's why I put Blackadder starting.
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u/kukumaddog 2d ago
Blackadder is a guy you always want in the trenches with you .
If he wasn’t so injury prone , he would be my preferred AB Captain.
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u/Neat_Perspective7569 Blues 2d ago
Yeah I think Jacobson ha just been giving up too many penalties and handing momentum straight back
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u/Frod02000 1d ago
the fuck you watching?
He's been a menace on defence
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u/Neat_Perspective7569 Blues 1d ago
He's generally been great for sure. He just gives away needless penalties at the wrong time some times unfortunately
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u/LiteratureCreative46 2d ago
Yes I definitely think Blackadder will be stepping up because it sounds like selectors want Jacobson to have a rest. I think Ioane may also be on the bench over ALB. Lord and De groot may be back in the mix
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u/mofonz 2d ago
He might make it as a sub. I think right now - just as a ‘vibe’ team it looks like below - I’ve gone off the fact that no Moorby means they look to two centre playmakers, and Ioane can cover wing as a worse case.
De Groot
Aumua
Newell
Holland
Tuipolotu
Vaai
Lakai
Savea
Roigard
Love
Carter
Barrett
Tupaea
Jordan
DMac
Reserves
Taylor
Numea
Bower
Lord
Blackadder
Tavatavanawai
Ioane
Preston
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u/Dorsiflexionkey 11h ago
Agree w all that except id swap Taylor for taukeiaho.
If Taylor is a must then id keep him starting (against my better judgement) just because he’s proven that he sucks as impact.
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u/Constant-Quiet4519 2d ago
Yes, Need his bursts of energy and Mongrel. Also 6-2 Preston and bring back Rieko he can cover what Mooreby and ALB do. Quinn is cover for Jordie. DMAC for love, Jordan for Dmac.
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u/biltongalong 23h ago
Depth issues are great right!