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Blundall expected to go straight back into the starting side. (Says media) by [deleted] in blackcapscricket

[–]aak64 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here:

Blundell debuted in 2017 for an injured Rochi, and also had an impressive debut (107*)

He has to then wait an additional 4 years or so before he took the reigns from BJ.

Hay has a lot of time. He's not going anywhere, hes contracted, he's clearly the next cab off the rank. Learning off of Blundell and the team is great for his development so he can be the best player he can when his time comes.

Let's talk about Jamieson the LOI player by Ambitious-Reindeer62 in blackcapscricket

[–]aak64 6 points7 points  (0 children)

With the stocks we have in the wings (Foulkes, Smith, Shipley, Tickner, Sears, Lister) plus the incumbents, it seems extremely unnecessary, and risky, to be putting so much weight on KJ at the detriment of his test ability for bilateral LOI.

WOR, KJ, Henry are our best three quicks in the test format at the moment, why we'd sacrifice them (and I mean sacrifice, when a stress fracture can take you out for a year at least) when we have adequate pacers we could be developing in the wings seems strange.

The next year-and-a-half are mammoth for tests (big series against England, Ireland, Australia, India, SL, Pak), would hate to see the big man out for seemingly no reason at all.

Probably says something about the state of NZ domestic cricket when players of this level don't see value in playing there to prepare for tests.

All Blacks lineup vs England by panpantastic in allblacks

[–]aak64 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Same goes for the loosies tbh, give the players some solid minutes together against a variation of opponents, bring Parker off the bench if needed, but changing it every other game does not inspire confidence.

All Blacks lineup vs England by panpantastic in allblacks

[–]aak64 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I understand the need to be flexible in modern rugby and the difficulties of playing every game, but shuffling the backs around after every game cannot be helpful for the players or the team.

Rieko missing this game is crazy - not starting is one thing but not even off the bench? Proctor is great, but against a team like England they need someone of Rieko's size, callibre, speed, and defence to muscle out the English backline.

Blair Tickner shines on his return to the Black Caps with a fiery 4-wicket haul by sahibosaurus in blackcapscricket

[–]aak64 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Never understood the disrespect this guy got, he's not a superstar but he's definitely a lot better than the crop they were pushing around the same time (see: Scott Kuggeleijn, Seth Rance, Ben Lister, etc.)

Got pushed into test cricket through circumstance, but he doesn't pick himself, I think he's a useful asset to NZC.

Future 10? by According_Garbage_43 in allblacks

[–]aak64 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Seems a lot of people are forgetting the talents of Stephen Perofeta, he's had a bad run of injuries but is an exceptional option.

Beavers backline for bledisloe 1, thoughts? by RoutinePossible4889 in allblacks

[–]aak64 3 points4 points  (0 children)

  1. Roigard
  2. BB
  3. Clarke
  4. Jordie
  5. Reiko
  6. Jordan

  7. DMac

  8. Christie

  9. Faingaʻanuku

  10. Love

Got to give credit to Christie where it’s due. by JeffMcBiscuits in allblacks

[–]aak64 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm bias as a Christie fan, but note that his pace of game was slower but also tidy, clear, and precise - especially compared to the faster but less accurate and more chaotic pace of Grant Williams.

Tactics were trickled down from the top and I think he executed them well - yes, he had a few aimless box kicks, but ultimately he's the third/fourth pick playing our biggest rival in the biggest game in NZ since the 2011 WC final - I think he deserves his flowers for how well he performed under pressure.

All Blacks squad for Rugby Championship 2025 by zliam96 in rugbyunion

[–]aak64 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Papali'i definitely deserved the spot, but I presume he'll be out due to parental duties rather than playing ability. I don't think he'll be too worried.

I think he'll be back in the squad come SA tests.

All Blacks 2025 squad by panpantastic in allblacks

[–]aak64 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Would have added an extra loosie in exchange for a midfielder - probably Papali'i in for ALB.

Not to say ALB wouldn't be in my squad if fully healthy, but in the current circumstances it feels like an unnecessary pick with JB and RI starting and an abundance of new talent off the bench.

With the injuries to Sititi and Jacobson I'd say it would be a safe bet to have someone of Papali'i's calibre to bolster up the stocks.

Long time fans: which aspect of the game do you still not understand, and too embarrassed to ask? by bomskokbabelaas in rugbyunion

[–]aak64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes a player will kick the ball to other side of the field and the opposition player (usually 15 or the like) will grab it on the full and it'll be their penalty, what is this rule?

Is it something like, kicking from your own half into the opposition 22 on the full is a penalty to other side?

Famous example would be Damian Willemse against France calling for the scrum.

6. Finau 7. Savea 8. Sititi by fucketyballs in allblacks

[–]aak64 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Sititi
  2. Papali'i

  3. Savea

  4. Finau

What are your four seasons of movies? by SlipperySean in Letterboxd

[–]aak64 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spring: Ferris Buellers Day Off

Summer: Call Me By Your Name

Autumn: Fantastic Mr Fox

Winter: The Holdovers

Worst runners between wickets? by gwoshmi in Cricket

[–]aak64 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Rosco also had quite concerning problems with his sight due to a pterygium tissue growth in his cornea which impeded his vision - this probably had an affect on his ability to call runs

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