All Black Squad for Rugby Championship
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@pakman Haven't seen it. Last year, they announced the AB squad for Bledisloe and RC on Monday, 1 August, so before the Super Rugby Final on 6 August 2016. The squad assembled for a 2-day camp before that Final (on Thursday 4 August), minus the 5 Hurricanes players. The squad assembled again a week later, the day before the game of two halves on Friday 12 August and left for Sydney on Sunday 14 August. Bledisloe I was on 20 August 2016.
The question is, will they name the squad tomorrow, or will they wait until after the SR Final? Will there be a camp again this week (minus the Crusaders players), or will the entire squad assemble next week?
Last year's squad consisted of 18 forwards and 14 backs; they also named 6 additional players (4 backs & 2 forwards) to attend camp.
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That would suggest Monday 31 July for the announcement.
Areas for change from Lions squad:
Is Cruden replaced? Could be a chance for DMac, although I'd leave that for now.
Will TKB be available? If so, who comes in?
Who replaces Charlie? I assume Nepo Laulala
I expect one 'dedicated' forward to be added. Case could be made for front row (Hames?) or loosie (Ioane?).
Tradition would suggest Todd and Goodhue attend as ancillaries. -
Liam Coltman out for the season!
This has just been posted on the Otago FB page:
Otago Rugby regretfully announces that Liam ‘the Beast’ Coltman suffered an ankle injury during the Highlanders quarter final which requires surgery. Unfortunately for us, he will miss the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season but will be back with Otago in 2018! All the best for a speedy recovery mateSo it's Coles, Taylor, Harris .... Parsons, if our hookers go down?
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@Stargazer said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:
Liam Coltman out for the season!
This has just been posted on the Otago FB page:
Otago Rugby regretfully announces that Liam ‘the Beast’ Coltman suffered an ankle injury during the Highlanders quarter final which requires surgery. Unfortunately for us, he will miss the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season but will be back with Otago in 2018! All the best for a speedy recovery mateSo it's Coles, Taylor, Harris .... Parsons, if our hookers go down?
Dixon surely before Parsons. And Funnell. Please ...
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@booboo I agree, but the AB coaches have never shown any interest in Funnell and Dixon, as far as I know. Parsons is capped though, only due to playing for the Baabaas at the right time at the right place a few years ago, but capped nevertheless.
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Parsons was also training with the ABs last year, but got injured.
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Actually, Parsons played against Australia as a substitute last year. IIRC, he was picked ahead of Coltman.
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I know he has a number of detractors here, but I'd like to see Brad Shields rewarded for his constant high workrate. With Luata gone north, I think he is the most Kainoesque in terms of physicality. Look how he smashed the big Lions forwards during the first half of the semi final. His tackling is really impressive. He may have tits for hands once in a game but he won't let the team down if selected.
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@cgrant the big lions forwards? the pack weight was clearly in favour of the hurricanes. now maybe that's because ardie's a giant, but...
luatua is a really big loss. can't help but think he might have stayed if thrown a bit more of a selection bone. -
I can't think of a single AB game where Luatua impressed me. Granted there weren't too many games but I was never convinced. And neither it appears were the AB coaches.
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@Billy-Tell Yeah I feel pretty similar, feel like I've missed something that many others seem to see!
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@reprobate I think Luatua is a big loss, too. But I think the situation with Read at 8 is the same as Ritchie at 7: the selectors want them to be on the field for every one of the 80. So Luatua likely only to start against teams such as Italy, although maybe riding some pine.
For me, Steve's game is not built round being an enforcer (Christ I love it when JK envelops and manhandles chancers who wander onto his patch and try to make yards close to the ruck, e.g. Itoje, etc.). Squire and Ioane seem to have the potential to grow into this role. Shields, maybe, although the wise men have already had a good look.
So can't begrudge SL earning some bucks for a couple of years. Post the RWC he'll be 27, so young enough to return.
Of course it will all turn to custard if, God forbid, Read gets crocked seriously enough to take time out in the test window. In which case, Luatua's departure will be a major shag up! -
@reprobate said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:
@cgrant the big lions forwards? the pack weight was clearly in favour of the hurricanes. now maybe that's because ardie's a giant, but...
luatua is a really big loss. can't help but think he might have stayed if thrown a bit more of a selection bone.I agree; this was shown on screen during the first scrum in the Lions v Canes semi (I've added the differences):
Pack weights (in kg): Lions 881, Hurricanes 912 (+/- 31)
Tight five weights (in kg): Lions 576, Hurricanes 595 (+/- 19)
Frontrow weights (in kg): Lions 351, Hurricanes 358 (+/- 7)So both the Canes' second row and backrow were 12 kg heavier than the Lions'.
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@Bones @Billy-Tell do you remember when kaino was first on the scene? debuted at 21, not a regular starter for another 4 years or so?
luatua was a super-talented and very young (22?)guy, who was a bit loose, but had the ability to do things few others can when first picked. then he got dropped for being unfit or whatever it was, and was never given another proper chance - despite being an absolute standout for the blues, tightening up his game, and being one of their few real leaders. brilliant against the lions. a guy with all the skills to stand out in super rugby, and the size and strength to play with the big boys - a big loss precisely because we haven't got to see him at his best in the AB jersey.
