How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Hmm ...
NZR's broadcast partner Sky TV has declined the opportunity to pay more for the "rights" to live broadcast the announcement. Instead, NZR site allblacks.com will live-stream the announcement, promoting that fact prominently on Facebook and in other areas.
SKY's abstention carries some risk in itself, since NZ Rugby seems to be exploring a move towards its own rugby channel. Today's squad announcement is an opportunity to take a small step in that direction. Sky has secured New Zealand rugby broadcast rights until 2021.
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@Bovidae On the other hand, you don't really need three tighthead props, when Franks and Faumuina are clearly going to be the two who play. In that case, Ofa is more useful than Nepo.
I can't really see Matt Todd missing out - although three opensides might be a luxury they decide to forego.
Those would be the two likely changes I'd make to McConnell's squad. Maybe NMS somewhere - but, maybe not.
I think any surprises will come in the guys named on stand-by - I'm tipping Jack Goodhue to be named as cover for Crotty and Tom Franklin as cover for Scott Barrett.
I'm prepared to be wrong on both!
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
No Luatua - spiteful. Akira Ioane and Fifita as injury cover.
Boo
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Hooroo It's punishment for leaving. Just like Piutau.
Luatua is in great form and is clearly better than anyone other than Read and Kaino.
Did they drop Cruden too? (I haven't seen squad)
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@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Hooroo Nope. He's been around for a long time though, and wasn't singled out for public criticism like Piutau and Luatua were.
So just selective spiting..... That's good to hear. I don't mind it. Reward for most that are staying on.
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The All Blacks squad:
Forwards:
Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington, 49)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury, 15)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty, 4)Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury, 58)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland, 46)
Owen Franks (Canterbury, 90)
Joe Moody (Canterbury, 24)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland, 4)Locks
Scott Barrett (Taranaki, 4)
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay, 60)
Luke Romano (Canterbury, 26)
Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury, 84)Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty, 40)
Jerome Kaino (Auckland, 74)
Kieran Read, captain (Counties Manukau, 97)
Ardie Savea (Wellington, 12)
Liam Squire ( Ta$man,
Backs:
Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato, 25)
TJ Perenara (Wellington, 29)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu, 58)First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki, 49)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu, 47)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland, 6)Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury, 26)
Ngani Laumape (Manawatu, uncapped)
Anton Leinert-Brown (Waikato, 9)
Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau, 33)Outside backs
Jordie Barrett (Taranaki, uncapped)
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay, 61)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland, 2)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki, 12)
Julian Savea (Wellington, 52)
Ben Smith (Otago, 60)The selectors have also named the following five players as injury cover: midfielder Jack Goodhue, hooker Liam Coltman and loose forwards Matt Todd, Vaea Fifita and Akira Ioane.
http://www.allblacks.com/News/30915/all-blacks-squad-for-dhl-nz-lions-series
