How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?
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Such a conservative team. Only Laumape and Barrett rewarded by form. Loads of players in better form than Savea J and Dagg at the moment. Dagg might play himself into form but I fear that Savea keeps getting picked so Hansen can tell us 1 game in 5 how good he is. Can we really go into the series without a healthy experienced 6? It is unfortunate there are so many injuries because I think Lions would catch a severe hiding from the full strength team.
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The combination of the two Barrett backs has been pretty special this year. Jordie has a number of work ons which is not surprising given his age and experience.
Plus he's playing Super rugby out of his natural position. He will eventually move in closer, but not 1st 5 as some have mentioned.
If he does see action, and I still think that's a big if, we may see him on the wing to build experience.
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@DMX said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Such a conservative team. Only Laumape and Barrett rewarded by form. Loads of players in better form than Savea J and Dagg at the moment. Dagg might play himself into form but I fear that Savea keeps getting picked so Hansen can tell us 1 game in 5 how good he is. Can we really go into the series without a healthy experienced 6? It is unfortunate there are so many injuries because I think Lions would catch a severe hiding from the full strength team.
They interviewed Kaino before the match last night and he said he's fit and raring to go. I'd pick him on that alone - Kaino is beast mode in unstoppable.
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@No-Quarter In the past he's been a player who needs a few games to get up to speed.
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On Jules - I know he's become pretty unpopular on here but at the start of this season he was fit and raring to go, and was very good up until Boyd rested him. He hasn't come back as strong from that for whatever reason, but I guess Hansen has seen enough this year to pick his 52 test veteran with 45 tries under his belt.
In saying that, I think Rieko's class is becoming undeniable and I expect him to surpass Jules this year - just maybe not in the cauldron against the Lions.
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@Chris-B. said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
It looks to me like it's geared to something like:
Smith, Barrett, SBW, ALB, Savea, Dagg, Smith
Perenara, Cruden, ???? (Ioane, Laumape or Jordie?)
This will probably upset a few, but given the versatility in the backline, you could easily select Naholo on the bench and let Ben Smith cover centre in case of an injury to ALB, and ALB cover 12 in case of injury to SBW.
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@dogmeat said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Frye so like a modified handicapping system you mean?
I wouldn't have Naholo in the squad let alone as bench cover given he's a (IMO) limited one trick pony
He's the most experienced.
And they have shown faith in him before (getting every opportunity at RWC2015)Actually I just remembered he is playing midweek for the Highlanders so he probably won't make the 23 unless he has an absolute blinder.
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@Frye I reckon the Ben Smith at centre trial has been deemed a failure - I don't think he's had any time there in recent times has he?
I'd only expect to see him there again in the event of an in-game injury crisis.
I guess the Samoa game will be a decent pointer and I'm thinking they'll probably go with Laumape - unless they decide Jordie is required on the bench for goal-kicking cover.
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@Chris-B. said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
I think my biggest surprise is that they've gone with a 17 forwards, 16 backs split. I thought it would be 18/15 or even 19/14.
Fox had earlier said it was going to be 18:15 so they've changed their mind.
It looks to me like it's geared to something like:
Smith, Barrett, SBW, ALB, Savea, Dagg, Smith
Perenara, Cruden, ???? (Ioane, Laumape or Jordie?)
Definitely Ioane as he can cover wing and midfield.
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@SammyC said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
@Tim said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Fifita is extremely lucky.
He must be the lock cover if Retalicks injury doesn't come right. Based on the Irish loss last year I'd have him way down the list of locks I want playing in a test match.
Remember he went to Chicago last year as cover so they must rate him. Last year you could justify Fifita's selection as he was in great form. This year, no fuckin' way.
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I love me an ABs squad naming - Hansen has never ever failed to spring a surprise. Did anyone, ANYONE, on this forum pick Laumape? We've all been saying he's in good form, but I really didn't see them selecting an uncapped centre. I can see Fekitoa heading overseas (maybe he's already signed) - not only did he not make the squad...but he's also been leapfrogged by Jack Goodhue...he has defended well all season, but we've all seen his Lions-style hesitance/unsure what to do on attack.
Todd is the unluckiest player IMO, although Luatua has his fans. I also think Shields is worth another look, but given Akira Ioane has been named as injury cover, I think the ship has sailed. Ditto for Jordan Taufua. And Fafita would seem to have made in on his 2016 form, but certainly has potential.
Lasty, please name me another country that could choose to leave world cup star NMS out of their squad? NMS, McKenzie, Lowe will be a juicy back three for the Maori.
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Very happy with that squad. Congrats to the debutants - Laumape very much a deserved selection. If Jordie can sort out his tackling he is going to be sensational.
Always a number of unlucky players - Todd would be in the squad if they could name 3 x 7s so he's right there. Fekitoa, DMac and Luatua unlucky but can see the reasoning for being left out.
Love the inclusion of Goodhue and Akira in the injury cover.
Goodhue looks born to play midfield, rare for someone so young to look so comfortable at centre.
Akira is all talent and has really stepped up in Super Rugby since Kaino went down injured. Any talk of Akira laziness should watch Blues-Lions last night - he was all over the place all night - with and without the ball. Clearly his ceiling is much higher than Elliot Dixon, Whitelock or Shields. Now it's up to him to reach it (and the coaching staff to help).
Bring on the series.
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@KiwiMurph said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Very happy with that squad. Congrats to the debutants - Laumape very much a deserved selection. If Jordie can sort out his tackling he is going to be sensational.
Always a number of unlucky players - Todd would be in the squad if they could name 3 x 7s so he's right there. Fekitoa, DMac and Luatua unlucky but can see the reasoning for being left out.
Love the inclusion of Goodhue and Akira in the injury cover.
Goodhue looks born to play midfield, rare for someone so young to look so comfortable at centre.
Akira is all talent and has really stepped up in Super Rugby since Kaino went down injured. Any talk of Akira laziness should watch Blues-Lions last night - he was all over the place all night - with and without the ball. Clearly his ceiling is much higher than Elliot Dixon, Whitelock or Shields. Now it's up to him to reach it (and the coaching staff to help).
Bring on the series.
Yeah the ceiling comment is a good one. Akira can definitely go higher. Dixon turned out be an utter damp squib at AB level - a selection Hansen and his team got wrong, one of the very few.
Agree about Goodhue, I haven't seen such a calm, collected, and talented young NZ centre in a good while. Oozes class.
They must have spent a bit of time discussing McKenzie. I suppose he does 4 good things and then 1 bad thing each game - and at AB level, 1 bad thing can cost a test match.
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On the flip side you can't blame them for picking Dixon. He was a monster for the Highlanders for two straight years. They'd have been more daft to ignore him. The good thing is they've used him at Test level and aren't too proud to drop him.
There have been coaches in the past who have pig-headedly persisted with players, hoping they'll come good.
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@Billy-Tell said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:
Agree about Goodhue, I haven't seen such a calm, collected, and talented young NZ centre in a good while. Oozes class.
Yeah it's hard not to overstate his potential. Everything he does is executed well and he makes players around him look better.
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Stoked for Laumape! Well done that man.
Happy to see Jordie in but not as an outside back. DMac is a better 15. But I guess Jordie is a terrific bench option.
I'll defend Fifita here. He was injured at the start of the season and has perhaps had to shoulder too much with Fatialofa out. He's been solid, if unspectacular. On the plus side he's both a very good lock and blindside flanker, not just good at one and ok at the other.
Oh yeah, not selecting Luatua for this series is bullshit. They selected Ranger for the French test series in 2013, SBW for I think half the RC in 2012 and of course have selected TKB now. He showed last night how good he can be. That pisses me off.
Oh yeah yeah, NMS over Naholo. If they're going to select half a forward pack injured what's one wing.
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I just realised Laumape has gone from the Warriors to the All Blacks in the space of a few years. Talk about going from the very bottom to the very top.
