Blackadder Over Finau? Murray Mexted Picks His Ideal All Blacks Loose Forward Trio
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Murray Mexted - legendary All Blacks loose forward and former rugby commentator - joins Martin Devlin on It's Only Sport to unpack selection questions hanging over the New Zealand men ahead of the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks have kicked off 2024 with three successive wins under new coach Scott Robertson, and next face Argentina twice at home before back-to-back away tests against the Springboks.
Mexted and Devlin focus on the loose forward trio (Mex's area of expertise) and pick their ideal three to start, as well as touching on the 9-10 combination, and more.
Listen to the full interview with Martin Devlin & Murray Mexted at theplatform.kiwi/
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In regards to having no locks of international size, Josh Lord and Fabian Holland are both coming through and are 2.05 and 2.04 meters. Darry is also at 2.03 so I think the locking situation right now is similar to where we were with the propping situation at the start of 2022. Our props just didn’t match up with Nepo, Taavao and Tuinukuafe not really being of that elite calibre along with Moody being over the hill, fast forward just a year later and our propping stocks are probably the strongest they’ve ever been in every aspect, youth, power, size, skill… give it a couple years after Jason Ryan is able to get his hands on these big young locks we’ve got coming through, we’ll be strong in that area again.
Couldn't agree more. Excited by the possibilty of the two young pines coming together next year onwards
You are 100% about locks and who the locks of the future should be at this stage . The nasty question is what happens to Scott Barrett as he does not fit that profile of lock we really need to have to be successful going forward
100% agree!
@@MauriceLeahy clearly Scooter will be around til at least the end of the next wc. That being said, if Lord and Holland were to ascend to starting calibre players then Razor would always have the option of playing Scooter at 6. Depending on whether one of the other loosies claims the 6 jersey, Razor may be left with another selection headache - which might actually solve the percieved lack of lineout ability in the back row. Intriguing stuff!
@@KanineMinor94
Yes you are right we could see Barrett play No 6 as no one is putting his hand up and saying this is mine . I think that Samipeni Finau is two years from being a top 6
Finally he's back bring this guy on more we love listening to him from over in South Africa
Kaino debuted for the all blacks in 2004 and it wasn’t until circa 2008/2009 that he really found himself.
Frizell only started to shine at international level at age 28.
Finau has the potential and will get there.
Mex is bang on about ethan.
We have 3 young tall men coming through in Lord,Darry and Holland-it will take time for them to grow into the jersey.
Tuipulotu is only 1.98m. Sam Darry (2.03m) and Josh Lord (2.02) are the only ABs (current and recent) who are available with frames that are over 2:00m. In a year or so Fabian Holland (2.04m and almost 120kg) could be available. That said, remember, Moro Itoje at 1.95m was the lineout wrecking ball in the recent series with England. Height helps, but to be a truly world class lock today requires athleticism, endurance, intelligence and bloody-minded focus.
Tuipolotu needs to work on his aerobic fitness and ball retention and hell be a great lock, he definitely is gifted in power and size department.
hes great form but never nailed it at international level. hes not the future.
@@jamiechick2066 Yes he;s in great form, he is the futrure.
Like the Barrett at 6 idea, would like to see Ardie at 7, Sititi 8, BlackAdder or Cane bench.
there's no point picking Cane if he's not fully fit Razor can't afford to waste time with him Razor needs to pick his best loose trio and stick with it par injuries especially looking forward to the RWC 2027
I think the big issue with picking cane , he plays a role that is already well covered in the squad , it only makes sense to me if you drop one of Dalton , Ethan or Jacobson , not that I’m suggesting that .
But I just don’t see why you need all 4 , the mix is crying out for another taller option in more the 6-8 mould I would have thought , not another 7
Brilliant to hear Mexted on your show Martin . Brilliant unbiased analysis The man is a breath of fresh air.
We need to pick genuine centres and not part-time centres. Sad to see, wingers & full-backs playing at centre. Its a specialist position, defence, attack & reading the game...Rico is a winger & plays better on the wing. The game in the weekend shows what can happen when you put in specialists. We definitely have talented centres, they need the opportunity to show there skills & talent. Trust them & build them up over he next few years. my 2 cents.
For once a remark by JK actually made good sense so after much armchair expert analysis i really hope we see it come to fruition that is the loose forward make-up of Blackadder at 7 Papalii 6 Savea 8 this loose forward trio would provide balance and compliment each other nicely
Its possible the ABs could go unbeaten this year very unlikely but i can see it happening with this new coaching group,i get a sense of the will to win by desire with this team but regardless of results if we keep the bledisloe and win the rugby championship thats a successful year 👍
You're on drugs if you think this team has a good chance of going through unbeaten.The 2 tests v SA and the EOYT with games v Ire/Fra/Eng are all games we could comfortably lose.
This team has a long,long way to go before ( if) it becomes a force.
@richardscanlan3419 I said it's possible I never said it's a definite are u on drugs?
@@ManaBlack208 fair enough.I personally don't think its possible.
Too many weaknesses - esp in the second/back rows/midfield.
The only area of real strength is the front row.
@richardscanlan3419 Bro razor has a history of winning he oozes success it's in his DNA
@richardscanlan3419 i think our midfield is ok with the likes of jordie, rieko, ALB and now proctor. But I agree our locks are very thin atm
Cane was great in one game at the world cup, unless you count great at sitting in which case two games. He is retiring at the end of the year. I don't understand why he would be considered unless everyone else is injured.
oops Maro Itoji is only 1.95m tall, the same height as Tamaiti Williams and 1cm shorter than Finau at 1.96, yet Itoji is one of the best locks in the world. We have several locks between 1.98 and 2m plus a year away from AB-level action. At the same time, several front rowers over 1.90cm are also staking claims for top spots. We have plenty of size coming through without a doubt, and with Jason Ryan and this coaching team under Razor running the show - we're looking okay, don't panic just let it happen.
Thanks for Mexted Martin
Personally I’d like Cane blind, Blackadder open and Ardie 8 but either way Blackadder must start 6 or 7
6. S barrett 7. E blackadder 8. A. Savea 20. W. Sititi
4. J lord 5. S darry 19. Patty t
As an old loosie from Otago years ago, and having lived in Ireland for nearly 34 years, Murray makes some valid points, namely re size. That was always Ireland's problem for years, not any more, they have many options with big men coming through that can play in various positions, ie Ryan Baird 6ft 6, Ahearn (6ft 9) Taig Bernie 6/6 and plenty more. The back-row needs to have balance, and size. I throw another option in, Barrett in my opinion made a pretty good fist of 6 when he played their, allowing you another big man into the second row, just a thought, he is a good line-out option, a good ball carrier close in and a hard worker. Ok might lose a bit of top end pace out-wide, but for games against big packs ie SA it would allow Savea to remain at 8, and plenty of options at 7. Or you try and use Ardie at openside and bolster up your 8 and 6 with big men. For any of us watching the under 20's, did you see the size of some of the European forwards, they were huge. That is what NZ rugby is facing in the coming years, it wont be long before the front row are all 6ft5 and 130 kg plus, the second row all nearly 7 foot wow.. NZ have great stock in the front row, they/we just need to go hunting for that big block busting, heavy hitter at 6.
Agree with you on Scott B at 6. Enjoyed watching you play at the Brook back in the 80’s. Plenty of folk heroes in your Otago era…Kenny, Pilcher, Knight, MacPherson, Hotton, yourself, to name a few. Best wishes
Barrett is to slow at 6 and not disciplined enough remember the world cup vs england 2019 he got embarrassed. He is the weakness at lineout time so far this year as well.
I still think almost everyone in NZ is wrong about Savea. Sure he's arguably our best player but I feel he should be coming off the bench with a guy like Sotutu at 8 to cover our shorter locks. Id prefer to see Ardie coming off the bench leading a bunch of bomb squad like guys like Aumua, T Williams etc etc. Real explosive units and they can all train to suit playing mainly for 30 to 40mins.
Benching the best player in the world? Sound idea.
@@jaapbadlands He was the best player LAST YEAR. He clearly hasnt been the best player this year so far. Ardie isnt going to carry this team for the next three years and I doubt he'll even be first choice 8 by the time the next WC is on. Ardie has about 1 or 2 years of his best rugby left in him and so far I havent seen it. I reckon like Beauden he'll have more influence off the bench if he also changes his fitness to suit that roll.
@@austingtir hilarious take.
End of the day that midget backrow and lineout is going to loose us a big game soon.
@@austingtir Bullshit, Ardie has been busy overseas. He then returns and kills England's world-class Ben Earl, and outplays their entire pack as well as the Fijian team in the next game. So who played better than him in the ABs? More, when has Savea ever played poorly? His consistency has earned him a carte blanche to rove and "express himself" at #8, nobody else in the current setup has the same license. As for the future and the new guys? It hasn't happened yet.
Mexted is switched on and knows the importance of the locks. The two most important players are your two locks followed by your spine. All rugby world cup winners and nearly all super rugby winners have the dominant set of locks. Australia havent had a world class pairing since eales and harrison and havent won anything since then either. matfield and botha win super rugby tiles and world cups retallick shows up at the chiefs absolutely on fire and we win 2 super rugby titles. Martin johnson englands greatest lock and also the only english world cup winner etc.
Mexted knows the craic. So does Robertson. Both men are hard-bitten former All Blacks. Both love team before love of individual. Cane's earned his call to play. Simple as that.
Would be fantastic if guys like Mex could coach the super teams in line-out techniques! Not seen much contesting in the line-outs.
Why does everyone overlook Dalton? He doesn’t miss tackles, he carries hard, gets turnovers can pass and can jump at lineout. I think he’s ABs best 7 and Blackadder is the best 6.
Dalton doesnt impress me a all. Id rather have Cane back in. I personally prefer Blackadder at 7 and they can stick whoever at 6 weather its Cane Dalton or finau I dont really care. Frizzell is ultimately the best 6 we've got and I reckon with more games Blackadder would be another McCaw. And I hope they atleast bring Sotutu into the squad.
Papali'i stats are like this
a) tackles = 14 per game
b) Ball Carries = 4 per game
c) turnovers = 1-2 per game
Compared to Savea playing at 7
a) tackles = 10 per game
b) Ball Carries = 12 per game
c) turnovers = 5-6 per game
Papali'i is NOT the best 7! Savea should be the AB 7 backed up by Du Plessis or Christie!
Agree mate, savea to 7 and bring in a specialist number 8.
I agree Daulton is heads above any other not I don't know what's up with everyone suggesting blackadderq who can't make his tackles or stay injury free
Savea isn't a 7 anymore and blackadder was terrible in 7 missed half his tackles, no pressure at the breakdown and It was only Fiji
Outstanding from Mex
Cameron Suafoa - now that he's recovered from his cancer scare - is my tip for 6 at the next world cup. He's on the selectors' radar, being picked for the Maori. 6'5", 116kg (if you believe the stats), so has the size to measure up in the international scene. Power runner, seems to have a high work rate. Full season for the Blues next year and bingo. At 7, Cane needs to move on as we look to the future. Lakai is probably the guy in a year or so.
The trouble with just focusing on height for the locks is that you need to match it with athleticism and hunger. Retallick and Whitelock both had that in spades, but the likes of Pari Pari Parkinson and one or two others have the physical dimensions, but not the relentless playing style and skill level. It'd be great if Darry and Holland etc can bring it.
Mex makes so much sense, it's a shame his face is seemingly not the right fit for the modern TV world.
Mex is right on the money.We have too many short loose forwards.
Finau is 6 ft 5 ins.I reckon Sotutu should be in the team.
He is 6ft 4 ins and he is really good in the line outs.
Savea 7,Finau 6,Sotutu 8 that is best combination.
Barrett to six. Darry and Tuipolotu as locks. I'd like to see Savea back to seven, with Jacobson and Sititi sharing eight.
Mex makes a valid point about physical arial contention with regard to the loosies,however if you match finaus height stats against ethan blackadders incredible, accurate work rate and zeal ,he takes the 6 or 7 spot or comes of the bench covering those two positions ,ardie can cover 6,7,8....papalii 7 or even 6.....cane 7 and Jacobson 6,8..which leaves finau in a 6 ,is he work rating enough to keep any of the forementioned names out????
I think we need to invest in Finau at 6 because of his size and physicality
Finau isn't standing up compared to the rest
Kaino wasn’t at the start but improved with work
Hopefully Finau does come right with time. I agree with your contention regarding whether his size is enough to push him above the other boys - definitely something that needs more fleshing out.
What would really be nice long-term is if Josh Lord and Fabian Holland can become mainstays of the squad. If the lineout ability of our loosies was to remain that important of an issue then Razor would have the luxury of putting Barrett back at 6 if he wanted to.
AWSOME. MURRAY. MEXTED. 🤙
Mexted has exceptional insight and analytical skills in the "Loosie" dept, but falls a littl short with the "tight" forwards. He mistakenly cited Tuipulotu as 2m, whereas both he and Barrett stand 1.98m. His demand for more size here is merited in the wake of Retalick and Whitelock - England's Mario Itoji
Hard to admit as a chiefs fan that finau just isn't up to international level. His discipline has improved dramatically but along with that his edge isnt there in the ABs jersey. I believe he got 3 carry metres in the second english test. Thats insanely low for a 6, especially compared to Frizell or Kaino. Just keeping him in for a oineout option doesnt make sense to me. But maybe the coaches know something we dont...
Give him time, he has the potential.
give him a season at international level to harden him up he will be the goods. look how long it took for frizzel and kaino!
Murray Mexted might like a trio of Scott Barrett at no6 Ardie Savea No7 and Samipeni Finau No8 . Plenty of height power and speed
Beauden #10, Anton LB #12, Proctor #13, Reece #11, Telea #14, Jordie #15,
I wish I could get my hands on Mexted’s Pieces of Eight. I miss his unique commentary. Sorry, Justin Marshall et al, but it’s not the same.
Whys everyone forgetting Tupou Vaii
I would love to see Savea at 6, Papalii at 7 and Sititi at 8, and Cane on the bench.
12months of rebuilding...no point peaking now ...build grow squad depth. Exciting future ahead
Savea’s a line out option??
I swear he loses nearly every lineout he's attempted this year.
@@austingtir haha probably
Yeah
I must say a fit Akira is deadly.
Noo
@@rippedup1931 Yeesss
Get molly back in the com box
Blackadder missed 5 tackles what are you on about saying he played well. As for being a scavenger daulton is a class above both and a better ball runner. Time you guys give him the credit he deserves
Crap
blackadder had a terrible game missed so many tackles. Daulton played wellin 2 tests annoyed england in both games hard at breadown. Sam cane hasnt been effective at the breakdown for years. Daulton should have played world cup final
Finau looked like a lost puppy against England.
The only thing he has is his size. Blackadder would outclass him all day every day!
Keep Ardie at 8 and bring Captain DG into 6 with Blackadder at 7 and Darry and PT in the locks.
With Jacobson and WS off the bench. Send Finau back to the NPC
Jacobson out before either of those 2
Jacobson was amazing in the lineouts, tackles hard, doesn't miss ard as nails ,doesn't get injured. what's not to like?
@@center__mass he has no ball skills what so ever and trips over his own feet.Solid tackler when they run straight at him not good on the lateral tackle.Hard as nails but to small for an international backrower ,watch jacobson the whole game v fiji tape dont lie
Watch blackadder while your at it he was terrible.
@@brentwithey4241 100 percent i dont think either of those guys are the answer
Blackadder missed so many tackles and dropped the ball twoce in the first 20 of the game!!! Not too mention he doesnt even carry very well 😂
6 Papalii 7 blackadder 8 savea
20 Jacobsen
Spot on Blackadder at 7 gives us a ( macaw type) Abs abrasive rugged openside Papalii 6 covers closest to a kaino type leanout hit the target over the ball as is Savea all round power game .Razor understands the art of the backrow and it would not surprise me if we see this combination before to end of northern tour
@@rodeo4786 yeah, could even go with Finau or Satiti as 20 for impact
@MegaTkls
Very much. although it'll be know real surprise if Jacobson is the backup depending on the opposition of course