All Blacks Squad for France
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@tim said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Selecting Savea as a 3rd openside would be so fucking dumb.
In his squad Ardie would have to be the backup no.8.
To me, there needs to be some balance in the loose forwards so that the players complement eachother.
If Squire is available then putting Whitelock or Ioane at no.8 and Cane at 7 is the best option.
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@bovidae There's nothing completely outlandish in Bidwell's squad, but there's a bit that seems unlikely.
I've been wondering what they're going to do about guys on the long term injured list - especially Squire and Laulala. Hasn't been much news about when they're likely to emerge, but you'd think they'd have to be able to get at least one game under their belts to be picked for the French series.
So JTA in for Nepo wouldn't surprise me.
Frizzell is the one that I can't really see making it. Sure he's an impressive physical specimen, but he's only played in a handful of Super rugby games. With a question mark over Squire's fitness and form and Ardie as a midget option at number 8, I can't see it - that set of loose forwards looks too thin - especially on experience. Even in terms of "selection politics" it would make more sense to give the carrot to Whitelock, Ioane or even Taufua - overlooking all of those guys for Frizzell would be sending a pretty strong "fuck off" message.
In the midfield, I'd pick Goodhue, but it won't surprise me if he misses out - ALB is more established in the squad than Jack.
The rest of the backs look pretty right to me - they'll want a wing-fullback option if they're planning to use Ben Smith at fullback (and they probably are), so NMS over Lam. I haven't spent much time watching TTT, but he's clearly in the frame - I reckon it will be him or Bryn Hall.
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@chris-b said in All Blacks Squad for France:
I've been wondering what they're going to do about guys on the long term injured list - especially Squire and Laulala. Hasn't been much news about when they're likely to emerge, but you'd think they'd have to be able to get at least one game under their belts to be picked for the French series.
So JTA in for Nepo wouldn't surprise me.
Laulala could be back as early as next round vs NSW according to Ngatai (in his Stormers post-match comments). Of course, let's wait to see. The same for Squire.
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@bovidae said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Good that they pick a young up-and-coming player.
I'm not sure 'up and coming' fits with a quick series against the Froggies. Whoever plays is unlikely to feature at the RWC next year - I guess they figure they'd grab Crockett again if needed ... o rjust abandon ship if it gets that bad again.
I guess I"m happy with that
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@nzzp said in All Blacks Squad for France:
Full squad
Ben Smith, Liam Squire, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Toomaga-Allen, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock (captain), Sonny Bill Williams.
Tim Perry, Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith
Rieko Ioane, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Joe Moody, Richie Mo'unga, Waisake Naholo, TJ Perenara
Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane (vice captain), Ryan Crotty, Fifita, Owen Franks, Shannon Frizell, Jack Goodhue, Nathan Harris., -
@machpants Coltman
