AB squad for the EOYT
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@Stargazer said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@Crucial said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@Stargazer said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@Unco said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@rotated Bird? Luatua too, I guess, as he can cover lock.
Though aside from when players go on sabbatical or are injured, when was the last time anyone was rested from the EOYT anyway? Marshall way back in 2004? I can't see them doing it now, at most they'll give the starters a one game rest.
Agree, and that's usually the "easiest" test. So that would be Italy.
I also wonder what impact the simultaneous presence in Europe of the Maori All Blacks and many Kiwis in the Baabaas squad will have on the size and composition of the All Blacks squad, if any.
I see Shields, Whitelock and Taufua all in the BaaBaas. Would be interesting to see the call up order from that one.
I would guess the known quantity Whitelock would probably be first in line followed by Shields (both with ability to cover two positions), Taufua the outside bet (although he is currently in hot form and can cover 6 and 7 at a pinch).Taufua can cover 8, too. Not sure he's played there this year, with Read playing almost every game, but he has in previous years.
I actually find the presence of Goodes as a back-up much more interesting.
Agree. He is the most obvious one in there.
My comment was more regarding the AB squad makeup and whether they take into account the loose cover on hand (would guess Akira in the Maori team as well)
With no Laulala and Ofa's TH play not strong enough, Goodes is a solid option. -
When is the last time a BaaBaas or NZM player actually got used on a tour? I can recall Mike Brewer being called in from a holiday in England in about 1993 (?) to take a huge shit on Liam Barry... but since then?
I mean there is a LOT of talk about how we will draft from those 2 sides, but when have we ever actually done that? We've played what? 20 odd EOYT tests under Hansen and has he ever gone outside the touring party for a player who has had a single minute of gametime?
Maybe a prop?
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@gollum said in AB squad for the EOYT:
When is the last time a BaaBaas or NZM player actually got used on a tour? I can recall Mike Brewer being called in from a holiday in England in about 1993 (?) to take a huge shit on Liam Barry... but since then?
Parsons
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@gollum said in AB squad for the EOYT:
When is the last time a BaaBaas or NZM player actually got used on a tour? I can recall Mike Brewer being called in from a holiday in England in about 1993 (?) to take a huge shit on Liam Barry... but since then?
Parsons, Bird and Slade in 2014
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@Duluth said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@gollum said in AB squad for the EOYT:
When is the last time a BaaBaas or NZM player actually got used on a tour? I can recall Mike Brewer being called in from a holiday in England in about 1993 (?) to take a huge shit on Liam Barry... but since then?
Parsons
That was an interesting move. Harris went down injured and we had just come off a tough test vs England using Coles and Mealamu. Hansen took a punt and called in Parsons after his Baabaas game to start ahead of Coles and Kev.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@Duluth said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@gollum said in AB squad for the EOYT:
When is the last time a BaaBaas or NZM player actually got used on a tour? I can recall Mike Brewer being called in from a holiday in England in about 1993 (?) to take a huge shit on Liam Barry... but since then?
Parsons
That was an interesting move. Harris went down injured and we had just come off a tough test vs England using Coles and Mealamu. Hansen took a punt and called in Parsons after his Baabaas game to start ahead of Coles and Kev.
And he was found wanting. He's better now. But he was short of a gallop then.
Given his age he is not a long term answer and not worth persevering with imo.
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Paulasi Manu would be a shot if they take a third loosehead. I'd tend to think it would be him or Kane Hames.
Tom Franklin was ahead of Dom Bird at the last waypoint, though I'm not sure they need five locks. I'd say something like:
Crockett
Moody
Hames(?)
Franks
Faumuina
Tu'ungafasiColes
Taylor
Coltman (?)Retallick
Whitelock
Tuipolotu
RomanoKaino
Dixon
Cane
Savea
Read
SquireSmith
Perenara
Kerr-BarlowBarrett
Cruden
SopoagaCrotty
Lienert-Brown
Fekitoa
MoalaSavea
Naholo
Dagg
R. Ioane(?)
Smith
McKenziePlus one - and most likely that's a loose forward - Luatua, A. Ioane or Todd. I can't really see them taking another tighthead prop, because Laulala is next in line. I can't see why they'd need five locks - with several loosies who can cover lock.
There's heaps of utility options in the backs, but they might take a fifth midfielder - Tamanivalu, even though Ioane gives them cover there (or they might take Seta instead of Rieko).
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Looks good @Chris-B
What's happening with Harris? Would Coltman be preferred over Parsons?
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the EOYT:
Would Coltman be preferred over Parsons?
I think Coltman was preferred to Parsons for the SA trip because of his utility value. It was a risk only taking 5 props on tour and he was extra insurance
I suspect they will go for Coltman again on the EOYT though. It's a close call and Parsons has been out for a long time with a concussion issue.I agree with the squad @Chris-B picked
For that extra loosie position I think it's between Todd and Luatua. That call probably depends on who they plan on resting for certain matches
Akira looks like he needs an off season.
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@ACT-Crusader Haven't seen any sign of Harris, so I'm assuming he's not available.
I think they picked Parsons on the bench and then released him the following week while retaining Coltman, so some mixed messages there. Can't say I'm very fussed with either Coltman or Parsons.
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if Todd has a blinder this week , its going to be difficult to leave him at home with Cane being available ,
Is it possible they will take all 3 - 7s with Cane being able to play 6 or 8 if needed .
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I like Chris B's squad, though I already stated I think Todd will go. He's the next best loosie in NZ after the current 6, and is obviously more test ready than Savea and Dixon.
I think Rieko Ioane will be very close, as he and DMac seems to be the back in NZ with the most upside. However, I don't watch or follow the NPC so I don't know about up and comers. Wing tends to be a relatively high turnover position where, in comparison to other positions, pure talent may hold just as much weight as terms like polish or experience or nous.
I hesitate a bit on taking 6 outside backs as it seems like a luxury when three are on the field and one, or often none, might sit on the bench. So you get two and probably three sitting in the stands every game, which is quite a high proportion of the 13 players who aren't stripped for the game. In addition, NMS was a star in 2015 and I expect him to come back strongly next year.
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I don't think there is a need for 6 outside backs unless of course they want to carry someone that is a regular who's under a bit of a cloud.
Add to that the fact Barrett is still seen as a finisher in the outside backs for when Cruden or Sopoaga come on.
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@Chris-B. said in AB squad for the EOYT:
@ACT-Crusader Haven't seen any sign of Harris, so I'm assuming he's not available.
I think they picked Parsons on the bench and then released him the following week while retaining Coltman, so some mixed messages there. Can't say I'm very fussed with either Coltman or Parsons.
Harris had to have surgery, he won't be back till next year.
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@ACT-Crusader said in AB squad for the EOYT:
I don't think there is a need for 6 outside backs unless of course they want to carry someone that is a regular who's under a bit of a cloud.
Add to that the fact Barrett is still seen as a finisher in the outside backs for when Cruden or Sopoaga come on.
Agree - but, with a squad of 36, I can't see an area of greater need. Mainly, I think it would be quite handy to blood another wing, since Savea has had his issues over the past couple of seasons and Dagg is still very much a fullback playing wing in my eyes - plus Ioane is obviously a very handy player and doubles as a midfielder.
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@Chris-B. said in AB squad for the EOYT:
Dagg is still very much a fullback playing wing in my eyes
I've been very impressed with Dagg at wing!
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@kiwiinmelb said in AB squad for the EOYT:
if Todd has a blinder this week , its going to be difficult to leave him at home with Cane being available ,
Is it possible they will take all 3 - 7s with Cane being able to play 6 or 8 if needed .
Todd had a blinder... wonder if he's in the squad - I say yes, and they'll rotate Cane & Todd around the starting 7, Ardie from the bench trick.
Jordie Barrett to tour - you heard it here first. (project player)
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Seems unlikely any new back other than Reiko. Excellent point that Maori your allows back up front row. Would suggest Hames goes with Maori. Probably a couple of other names which will fit same bill.
Todd has earned spot. Dixon hasn't set world on fire, but it would seem harsh to cut.
Loosie/lock cover, something Kaino/Read have covered would make sense. In which case Luatua would be obvious choice. He seems to have matured this year and made no. 8 his against some fair competition at Blues.
We'll know in five hours...
