Like many I was underwhelmed by Bailey's appointment at the time and I still am for the most part, but I've got to say I'm really pleased he picks the strongest squad every time. He's sort of put value back in the shirt and I rate that. Definitely could be a cricket score against Samoa
This is one advantage of appointing an AWs coach, who has been around the team awhile previously under Hay. He's been in NZ itself for many years. He knows the talent very well. Had hands on experience with the younger guys who have come through the U20s. Seen other fringe older players overseas like ADJ, Tuiloma, Kyle Adams, Tzanev, Dyer etc, over the years in various NZ teams.
I mean it's only probably about 50 guys really currently in real contention for the AWs, so not a huge number of players to keep close tabs on - but Bazeley should know all of them well by now. Who is two footed, who is not, who is fast over 20 metres, who's not etc etc.
As Niche Cache posted somewhere recently. With NZF's limited budget, and this by NZ standards really good group of players, you almost just want a coach who 'doesn't get in the way of that'. The senior playing group as much as the coach are involved in setting the playing style, tactics, squad selection etc. For example sounds like the decision to now consistently select a back 4, regardless of the opposition, is a discussed consensus choice.
It's basically the polar opposite of when Hudson came in. Knew very little about the players, the overall talent/depth was nowhere as strong, and he handed out caps willy nilly, rubbing a rabbits foot praying to uncover a nugget or two from somewhere. Anywhere