All Black Squad for Rugby Championship
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Awesome news for Buckmann! He's a smart player and they tend to do well at test level. Good on him.
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2017's Bull Allen
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@chimoaus said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:
So over 50% of the available starting super rugby players then? They sure do cast that net wide. They probably could have invited all super rugby players for a skill session.
Makes sense to invite that many if they want to run some 15 on 15....
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@chimoaus add in probably 13 Crusaders, and it's a really high proportion of our pro players.
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@mariner4life anything Chieka can do...
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@antipodean jesus how far things can fall in a short space of time. From kings of the world, to not being able to beat the Lions; probably not winning Super Rugby; and now following the Wallabies lead with squad sizes. Dark days. Winter is coming etc
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An interesting mix of players. Of particular interest are the props, locks and midfield and inclusion of TKB.
Dixon, Moala, Parsons and Pulu all recentish ABs who missed out. Nanai a recent "camp attendee".
Not too many clues on the order of the props and locks with so many being at the Crusaders but interesting to see Buckman and Ngatai there ahead of Moala (rightly so) unless Moala is injured? And good to see Atu Moli in the mix, he looked good against the Crusaders.
Strange that they have kept TKB there. Clearly number 3 in line and leaving. Is that because they see Brad Webber as the next in line but he hasn't had any gametime through injury?
Dmac listed as a 10 too.
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"Damian is a very good rugby player. At the moment there is no clear and obvious third 10 and we know Waikato are going to play him at 10 which will be great and he's a goal kicker as well and a good one and he's been in fine form at 15.
"If you look beyond today and the World Cup he could be someone we get going at 10 and then maybe give him some training time, not so much game-time, at nine so he could be your third nine. He's got a big part to play in the All Blacks over the next few years there's no doubt about that."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11898097
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@mariner4life said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:
@chimoaus add in probably 13 Crusaders, and it's a really high proportion of our pro players.
Only 13?
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@Stargazer said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:
@Tim Of course, because they're still in SA and have final to play, the Crusaders aren't part of the discussion yet. I'd be very interested to find out whether the AB coaches have any plans regarding Mo'unga.
AS they state, no one apart from BB and Lima has really put their hand up sufficiently.
I have seen Mo'unga play some very good games but also seen him show a lot of inexperience in others.
I think the selectors desire to find a role for DMac because of his suite of talents has put him in with a chance in the 10 jersey, but only because they can't see how he would be any worse there than any other candidate. Meanwhile they get to play around with him at trainings to work out what they are going to do with him.
The concept of him being a back up 9,10,15 is not a silly one when you look ahead to the problems faced when selecting a RWC squad. Versatility (especially among backs) is very valuable in the RWC for both cover and rotation though pool games. They are hoping DMac can fill this role and that they can rely on BB and Lima. At some point they will also have to select a genuine 3rd 10 (like Lima has been up to now) just in case 2011 happens again.
