AB Positions up for grabs

Machpants

The AB's are always utter crap in that first match, well last few years anyway. Even more with NZ deciding to start SR a week later, miss out on a week prep, and have these ridiculous camps. So maybe a safe pair of hands is what they're after for then? Who knows, they're wiser than me!

cgrant

Liam Squire is another player who can play Nr.8 too. The selectors could be tempted to field a Fifita - Cane - Squire combo with Akira on the bench. But this leaves no injury cover for Cane.

Bovidae

It's interesting that everyone is saying that the captain will either be Cane or Whitelock. The current VC is not a bad player and should make the starting XV.

If BFA is the captain then one of the two forwards mentioned above will be the VC.

MajorRage

I'd go Cane, purely because I'm a Chiefs fan.

No real view on the intricacies of captaincy for Whitelock vs Cane.

Crazy Horse

@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:

In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.

Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?

Machpants

@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:

In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.

Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?

Jul 28, 2017

Gareth Evans signs two-year deal with Hurricanes

Highlander's loose forward Gareth Evans has signed with the Hurricanes for the next two years.

Nope. I hope not!

nzzp

@mariner4life said in AB Positions up for grabs:

You may be right, as i don't know the selectors thoughts (and they are pretty conservative) but i can't see how Whitelock's "experience" is enough to override the higher talent and output of another player.

NMS for the RWC 2015 squad? From nowhere?

Ngani Laumape for the Lions squad?

I think they think if you're good enough, you're old enough. I really wouldn't call the selectors conservative.

Bovidae

Akira really needs to make the most of the remaining Kiwi derbies as he won't be playing in any playoff games for the Blues.

Stargazer

@crazy-horse said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:

In all seriousness I'd say Whitelock would probably be the favourite to be starting 8 for the first French test, especially with the limited buildup. I can't see them throwing in an Akira or Evans for a test debut start - a spot on the pine is more likely.

Isn't Evans buggering off overseas?

No, signed until end of 2019 season.

Chris B.

So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad

Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, Todd

Smith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett

37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!

booboo

@nzzp said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@hooroo said in AB Positions up for grabs:

What a gutna if he is finished as he has matured into an excellent number 2!

Hell yeah. Scored some insane tries with his pace from hooker. A great example (like BBBR) of someone who does their core job, and then just brings another level of insane talent.

Scored? Set up a few with some ridiculous passes Nonu and Smith would still be skiting about too ...

Unite

@nzzp

For sure, that try he scored in the 2015 2nd Bledisloe after the Carter break was a ripper.

Richie et als last home test, what a game.

booboo

@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:

So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad

Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, Todd

Smith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett

37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!

Just a check of who is missing from ... please help ... not sure who is injured ...

Hames
Coles, Aumua
...
Tuipolutu
Read, Savea
...
Aso
NMS

Others?

Bovidae

@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:

So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad

Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen

Laulala should be back by June.

Chris B.

@booboo Those who i'd bring in if they were fit:

Hames, Coles, Laulala, Savea, Read, NMS.

Stargazer

@chris-b said in AB Positions up for grabs:

So..as we get closer, I haven't seen any specific "number" the selectors are aiming for, but I'd like to see quite a big squad

Moody, Perry, Crockett, Eves
Taylor, Harris, Coltman
Franks, Tu'ungafasi, Toomuga-Allen
Retallick, Whitelock, Romano, Barrett
Squire, Whitelock, Ioane, Fifita, Cane, Todd

Smith, Perenara, Hall
Barrett, Mo'unga, DMac
Crotty, SBW, Laumape, Goodhue, ALB
Ioane, Naholo, Lam, Dagg
Smith, Barrett

37 - it's probably bigger than what the selectors are thinking, but get those guys in there!

Eves? Can't imagine them calling up a 30-year old who has never been in the squad. I was more thinking of Daniel Lienert-Brown. Don't think there's much else separting the two, both not AB level, but at least DLB has time on his side.

Chris B.

@stargazer I've got no real idea about loosheads. DLB was my next pick just based on attrition. But I went with Eves for two reasons:

Jeff Wilson picked Eves for the AB team on "The Breakdown"; and
According to stats Eves is significantly bigger than DLB - who seems very small for an international loosehead.

Crazy Horse

@stargazer thanks. I wonder who I was thinking of?

Stargazer

West?

Stargazer

About the likely number of players for the squad for the Steinlager Series. These are the numbers for the last two Series.

Total number of players (excluding injury replacements & apprentices):
2014 - 17 forwards and 14 backs
2016 - 18 forwards and 14 backs (incl one non-playing back)

Props:
2014 - 5 (Crockett, Faumuina, O. Franks, B. Franks, Woodcock)
2016 - 5 (Crockett, Faumuina, O. Franks, Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi)

Hookers:
2014 - 2 (Coles, Mealamu; apprentices: Nathan Harris & Liam Coltman )
2016 - 3 (Coles, Taylor, Harris)

Locks:
2014 - 4 (Bird, Retallick, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock)
2016 - 4 (Retallick, Romano, Tuipulotu, S Whitelock; injury replacement: Tom Franklin for Whitelock)

Loose Forwards:
2014 - 6 (Cane, Kaino, McCaw, Messam, Read, Vito)
2016 - 6 (Cane, E Dixon, Kaino, Read, A Savea, Squire)

Halfbacks:
2014 - 3 (TKB, Perenara, A Smith)
2016 - 2 (TKB, A Smith; injury replacement: Perenara for TKB)

First five-eighths:
2014 - 3 (Barrett, Cruden, Slade)
2016 - 3 (Barrett, Cruden, Sopoaga)

Midfielders:
2014 - 4 (Crotty, Fekitoa, Nonu, C Smith)
2016 - 4 (Crotty, Fekitoa, Ngatai, Tamanivalu; Moala called up later to replace injured Fekitoa)

Outside backs:
2014 - 4 (Dagg, Jane, J Savea, B Smith)
2016 - 5 (Dagg, McKenzie, Naholo, J Savea, B Smith; McKenzie did not play)

2014 unavailable due to injury: Francis Saili (ankle), Charles Piutau (knee), Luke Romano (ankle); Daniel Carter on extended leave.

2014 unavailable due to injury: Nehe Milner-Skudder

The Silver Fern

AB Positions up for grabs

Gareth Evans signs two-year deal with Hurricanes