How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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@Catogrande He sounds like a disgruntled player who didn't make the squad.
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Read his posts in a thick Scottish accent and it all makes sense.
What do people think happens if Sopoaga doesn't make it back? Who is 4th choice? A couple of weeks ago i would have said Dmac for sure but the chiefs didn't even pick him at 10 when Cruden was out.
Would Mounga get a call up? Banks probably next in line after that but not likely.SBW is going to be in a race against time to make it back and show some form. Don't think we can afford to carry an out of form SBW and Fekitoa when there are other options.
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@pukunui Considering Dmac hasn't played at 10 for ages, I think it's unlikely he'll be in the queue behind BB, Cruden & Sops. I can only see Mo'unga as the next in line. Can't see Banks anywhere near the ABs. I think Donald has a better chance than Banks to be on the fringes. Or young Mitchell Hunt.
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@pukunui said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
SBW is going to be in a race against time to make it back and show some form. Don't think we can afford to carry an out of form SBW and Fekitoa when there are other options.
Who specifically would be the other options though? I can't see them discarding SBW and Fekitoa, seasoned test players, for rookies (even Ngatai only has one test). I'd say they'll bank on them to come right. Fekitoa doesnt seem to be in any worse form than the last season - defensively he is great. SBW's concussion issue is a worry though.
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I feel slightly disappointed that I missed the whole lifetime of Jenlynx. Did they post on any other threads?
As for number 2 hooker, I'd prefer Harris to Coltman any day - well truthfully, given where I'm from and the team I support I'd choose Hika but considering he shat in the wrong person's cornflakes I'm hoping Harris returns to full fitness ASAP.
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well this thread certainly had an interesting night. Interesting line to take as well, and so early in the piece.
Re the midfield, i would rissole Fekitoa who is having a poor season. The lack of progression in his all-round game is stark, he's played some shockers this year. Bring in the next one off the production line please.
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@Stargazer woulda thought that would be more due to his SuperXX commitments first and foremost?
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@Stargazer for who?
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer woulda thought that would be more due to his SuperXX commitments first and foremost?
Yeah that's my take on it too.
Umaga also had first dibs on Perofeta too if I recall (before he got injured).
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@taniwharugby said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Stargazer woulda thought that would be more due to his SuperXX commitments first and foremost?
That's possible. I don't know what NZR considers to have more priority, playing at a JWC for the NZU20s or SR, but I doubt SR teams will deny their young players the chance to play at the JWC if they want to. It may not be the black jersey, but it's still a black jersey.
Would also not be the first time to have SR players in the NZU20 squad.
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@Stargazer said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
By the way, with Jordie Barrett not named in the NZU20 squad, I think we can be fairly certain that he'll be in the All Blacks squad for the Lions tour.
Whether or not he gets into the ABs this time round, it's frightening that he's still eligible for U20 .
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@Stargazer they can and have denied players from playing in the U20 team before.
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My guess with that disgruntled guy ,
He will be watching , surely he has to be interested , otherwise how did he end up here .
Biggest event in rugby this year , but there will be people who don't care enough about rugby to care .
No shit Sherlock. . -
@kiwiinmelb said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
My guess with that disgruntled guy ,
He will be watching , surely he has to be interested , otherwise how did he end up here .
Biggest event in rugby this year , but there will be people who don't care enough about rugby to care .
No shit Sherlock. .Yep, there's quite a few of those. I was most disappointed meeting a group of younger lads in a pub when squad was announced and the map blooper issued by BT Sport was mentioned. The lads all said, they didn't see what was wrong, they thought it only involved British players going off to play against their colonies in Australia and New Zealand, kinda like they do in cricket.
I started to explain and then said, never mind,
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@KiwiMurph said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@pukunui said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
SBW is going to be in a race against time to make it back and show some form. Don't think we can afford to carry an out of form SBW and Fekitoa when there are other options.
Who specifically would be the other options though? I can't see them discarding SBW and Fekitoa, seasoned test players, for rookies (even Ngatai only has one test). I'd say they'll bank on them to come right. Fekitoa doesnt seem to be in any worse form than the last season - defensively he is great. SBW's concussion issue is a worry though.
There are plenty of options. Not all in great form or with lots of test caps but that is why the shit form of Fekitoa and the lackluster return of SBW (and subsequent concussion) are a bit concerning. The options as i see them are:
Crotty: No brainer
ALB: No brainerIoane: good form, lots of potential, has been with the ABs before
SBW: has experience and proved his quality previously. However that was almost 2 years ago and he has been playing 7s and been injured ever since. Has looked a shadow of his former self since returning. His concussion may mean he has fewer games to get back up to speed.
Fekitoa: lots of experience now and awesome defence but has failed to kick on, seems to have lost his ability to make a break and has poor distribution.
Moala: decent amount of experience now. Has been decent in Black before but has been a bit meh for the Blues recently. Distribution not great. Probably a better winger.
Tamanivalu: Was ok in the couple of games he got for the ABs despite a few mistakes. Has been pretty good this year for the Crusaders even though he has been on the wing.
Proctor, Jordie, Buckman, Goodhue, Thompson, Laumape: uncapped but have been playing well, at times better than some of the incumbents. Jordie probably the only one with a chance here given his time with the ABs on EOYT.
Given that my four in order would be Crotty, ALB, Ioane (if he is not picked as a winger) and SBW. Hoping that SBW can find some form and maybe get a chance off the bench later in the series.
